bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
See How They Grow: Testing the feasibility of a mobile app to support parents’ understanding of child growth charts
Authors: Humphrey Gayl , Dobson Rosie , Parag Varsha , Hiemstra Marion , Howie Stephen , Marsh Samantha , Morton Susan , Mordaunt Dylan , Wadham Angela , Bullen Chris 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundMobile devices provide new opportunities for the prevention of overweight and obesity in children. We aimed to co-create and test an app that offered comprehensible feedback to parents on their child’s growth and delivered a suite of age-specific information about nutrition and activity.MethodsA two-phased approach was used to co-create the digital growth tool—See How They Grow—and test its feasibility. Phase one used focus groups (parents and professionals such as paediatricians and midwives) and a national on-line survey to gather requirements and build the app. Phase two involved testing the app over 12-weeks, with parents or carers of children aged ≤ 2-years. All research activities were undertaken exclusively through the app, and participants were recruited using social media and hard copy materials given to patents at a child health visit.FindingsFour focus groups and 101 responses to the national survey informed the features and functions to include in the final app. Two hundred and twenty-five participants downloaded the app, resulting in 208 eligible participants. Non-Māori/Non-Pacific (78%) and Māori (14%) had the highest downloads. Fifty-four per cent of participants were parents of children under 6-months. These participants were more likely to regularly use the app than those with children older than 6-months (64% vs 36%,P = 0.011). Over half of the participants entered three measures (n = 101, 48%). Of those that completed the follow-up survey (n = 101, 48%), 72 reported that the app helped them better understand how to interpret growth charts.ConclusionThe app was acceptable and with minor modifications, has the potential to be an effective tool to support parents understanding of growth trajectories for their children. A larger trial is needed to evaluate if the app can have a measurable impact on increasing knowledge and behaviour, and therefore on preventing childhood overweight and obesity.
Compressive behaviour of soft contact lenses and its effect on refractive power on the eye and handling off the eye
Authors: Shihab Ahmad H. , Eliasy Ashkan , Lopes Bernardo T. , Wu Richard , White Lynn , Jones Steve , Geraghty Brendan , Joda Akram , Elsheikh Ahmed , Abass Ahmed 
Published: February 2021

PurposeTo investigate the stress-strain behaviour of 9 soft contact lens materials, that are commonly used in the market, under uniaxial compression loading.MethodsSeven types of hydrogel and two types of silicone-hydrogel soft contact lens materials were hydrated in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution then subjected to uniaxial compression loads. The load rate was set to 16.0 N/min starting with two consecutive initial 5.0 N loading cycles followed by three relaxation periods of 4.0 min within which there were two more 5.0 N loading cycles and eventually, a full loading cycle that stopped at a load of 49.0 N. The load and contraction data obtained experimentally were analysed to derive the stress-strain behaviour. Finite Element (FE) analysis was then utilised to evaluate the performance of soft contact lenses on the human eye and handling lenses off the eye.ResultsUnlike tensile tests, all tested materials showed nonlinear behaviour when tested under compression. When fitted to first-order Ogden hyperelastic model, parameter μ was found to be varying in the range 0.12 to 0.74 MPa and material parameter α was found to be varying in the range 8.2 to 20.326 among the nine tested materials. Compression modulus of elasticity was 2.2 times higher than the tensile modulus of elasticity on average. FE simulation with nonlinear Ogden constitutive model showed a limited change (8%~12%) in the optical performance when compared to other material models, however, it predicted higher stress when the lens was simulated under bending during off-eye handling.ConclusionsCompression tests revealed slightly nonlinear behaviour when materials were strained under compression stress down to 15% ~ 30% of their nominal heights. Considering the physiological compression loading range of 8 mmHg, secant moduli of elasticity were 1.5% to 6.9% higher than the tension moduli of elasticity depending on the material. Tensile-based moduli of elasticity could be used in FE analysis as a step towards simulating the optical performance of soft contact lenses on-eye. However, nonlinear compression-based material models are recommended for FE analysis of soft contact lenses when lens-handling is investigated off-eye.
Are There Peer Effects from English Learners in Elementary Schools? Evidence from an IV Approach
Authors: Gaastra Sieuwerd , Labanca Claudio 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
We study the peer effects of English Learners on the test scores of native English speaking students using a new instrument to account for the endogeneity of students’ English Learner status. Relative to what OLS estimates would suggest, we find smaller and insignificant peer effects of English Learners on native English speaking students in California elementary schools.
PVC arrhythmia classification based on fractional order system modeling
Authors: Assadi Imen , Charef Abdelfatah , Bensouici Tahar 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
It is well known that many physiological phenomena are modeled accurately and effectively using fractional operators and systems. This type of modeling is due mainly to the dynamical link between fractional-order systems and the fractal structures of the physiological systems. The automatic characterization of the premature ventricular contraction (PVC) is very important for early diagnosis of patients with different life-threatening cardiac diseases. In this paper, a classification scheme of normal and PVC beats of the electrocardiogram (ECG) signal is proposed. The clustering features used for normal and PVC beats discrimination are the parameters of the commensurate order linear fractional model of the frequency content of the QRS complex of the ECG signal. A series of tests and comparisons have been performed to evaluate and validate the efficiency of the proposed PVC classification algorithm using the MIT-BIH arrhythmia database. The proposed PVC classification method has achieved an overall accuracy of 94.745%, a specificity of 95.178% and a sensitivity of 90.021% using all the 48 records of the database.
Target metric and Shell Shaping
Authors: Argento Gloria Rita , Gabriele Stefano , Teresi Luciano , Varano Valerio 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
We exploit the possibility of deforming a shell by assigning a target metric, which, for 2D structures, is decomposed into the first and second target fundamental-forms. As well known, an elastic shell may change its shape under two different kinds of actions: one are the loadings, the other one are the distortions, also known as the pre-strains. Actually, the target fundamental forms prescribe a sought shape for the solid, and the metric effectively realized is the one that minimizes the distance, measured through an elastic energy, between the target and the actual fundamental forms. The proposed method is very effective in deforming shells.
ArchLab: a MATLAB tool for the Thrust Line Analysis of masonry arches
Authors: Marmo Francesco 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
According to Heyman’s safe theorem of the limit analysis of masonry structures, the safety of masonry arches can be verified by finding at least one line of thrust entirely laying within the masonry and in equilibrium with external loads. If such a solution does exist, two extreme configurations of the thrust line can be determined, respectively referred to as solutions of minimum and maximum thrust.
In this paper it is presented a numerical procedure for determining both these solutions with reference to masonry arches of general shape, subjected to both vertical and horizontal loads. The algorithm takes advantage of a simplification of the equations underlying the Thrust Network Analysis. Actually, for the case of planar lines of thrust, the horizontal components of the reference thrusts can be computed in closed form at each iteration and for any arbitrary loading condition. The heights of the points of the thrust line are then computed by solving a constrained linear optimization problem by means of the Dual-Simplex algorithm. The MATLAB implementation of presented algorithm is described in detail and made freely available to interested users (https://bit.ly/3krlVxH). Two numerical examples regarding a pointed and a lowered circular arch are presented in order to show the performance of the method.
Filament wound composite fatigue mechanisms investigated with full field DIC strain monitoring
Authors: Hugaas Eivind , Echtermeyer Andreas T. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Fatigue of filament wound materials was investigated using Digital Image Correlation DIC monitoring every 50th cycle of a high cycle fatigue test of a split disk ring sample. The ring was cut from a filament wound glass fiber reinforced polymer pressure vessel and had a hole. The strain field redistributed over time, lowering and moving strain concentrations. The redistributive behavior was most extensive in areas that later developed local fiber failure, which soon led to catastrophic failure. Microscopy was carried out on partially fatigued material. Damage evolved as matrix cracks and matrix splitting of groups of fibers and complete debonding of single fibers. This occurred at borders of voids and matrix cracks, easing progressive fiber failure. It was concluded that fatigue in filament wound composites has an extensive matrix damage phase before final failure. Fibers could locally withstand strains close to and above the static failure strain for considerable number of cycles if little local strain field redistribution was observed. The used method was able to detect changes in the strain fields that preceded catastrophic failure. It was concluded that DIC combined with the post processing methods presented may serve as a valuable tool for structural integrity monitoring of composite pressure vessels over time.
Race and Gender on Fox and MSNBC
Authors: Berry Jeffrey M. , Glaser James M. , Schildkraut Deborah J. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The political content on cable TV is symptomatic of the highly polarized era we live in. In this study of Fox and MSNBC, we sampled primetime evening programs on both and analyzed each major story presented. Our approach conceptualized each segment as a narrative and, as such, we coded the political arc of these stories and focused on the villains animating each set piece. On Fox the villains, who are harshly denounced, are disproportionately people of color. In contrast, on MSNBC, the villains are rarely minorities. Likewise, women are disproportionately the villains on Fox, frequently described as unintelligent and out of control. On MSNBC, women are almost never the villain. Despite the abrasiveness of its content, Fox’s business model works as there is a substantial audience for this type of outrage programming.
The Rural-Urban Continuum of Polarization: Understanding the Geography of the 2018 Midterms
Authors: Johnson Kenneth M. , Scala Dante J. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This study of the 2018 congressional midterms demonstrates how voting patterns and political attitudes vary across a spectrum of urban and rural areas in the United States. Rural America is no more a monolith than is urban America. The rural-urban gradient is better represented by a continuum than a dichotomy. This is evident in the voting results in 2018, just as it was in 2016. We found that the political tipping point lies beyond major metropolitan areas, in the suburban counties of smaller metropolitan areas. Democrats enjoyed even greater success in densely populated urban areas in 2018 than in 2016. Residents of these urban areas display distinctive and consistent social and political attitudes across a range of scales. At the other end of the continuum in remote rural areas, Republican candidates continued to command voter support despite the challenging national political environment. Voters in these rural regions expressed social and political attitudes diametrically opposed to their counterparts in large urban cores.
Altered methylarginine levels after surgery in subjects with multinodular goiter
Authors: Karaman Suheyla , Sivrikaya Abdullah , Onmaz Duygu Eryavuz , Alptekin Husnu 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Thyroid disorders are important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Levels of methylarginines such as asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), L-monomethyl arginine (L-NMMA), symmetric dimethyl arginine (SDMA) are increase in cardiovascular diseases. Multinodular goiter (MNG) is the most common type of goiter in adults. To date, no study has been conducted to determine the levels of methylarginine in euthyroid MNG patients. Our aim in this study is to compare levels of methylarginines and related metabolites in the preoperative, postoperative MNG patients and controls.

Methods
Serum ADMA, SDMA, L-NMMA, homoarginine (hArg), arginine and citrulline concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Results
ADMA (p<0.001), L-NMMA (p=0.002), l-arginine (p=0.006) and citrulline (p<0.001) levels were statistically significantly higher in preop group than postop group. ADMA (p=0.003), L-NMMA (p=0.003) levels were statistically significantly higher and SDMA/ADMA (p<0.001), hArg/ADMA (p<0.001) levels were statistically significantly lower in preop group than control group.

Conclusions
The levels of methylarginines and related metabolites altered in the euthyroid MNG patients compared to the control group, and more importantly, there were significant differences between the preop and postop groups. Therefore, these metabolites can be useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of thyroid disorders, even if thyroid hormone levels are normal.
Gas-liquid downward flow through narrow vertical conduits: effect of angle of entry and tube-diameter on flow patterns
Authors: Kumar Amit , Das Gargi , Ray Subhabrata , Jha Jay Mant , Thakur Amit K. , Panda Swapna Rekha 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The present study investigates the flow pattern characteristics of air-water co-current down-flow in millichannels. The experiments have been performed in glass tube of diameter 0.0042 and 0.008 m. The fluids are injected through Y entry the included angle between the Y arms being 45°, 90°, 135°, and 180° (T Entry). The investigation reveals that the flow patterns are function of tube-diameter, and angle of fluid entry. Interestingly, stratified flow has been observed for steeper Y entry section at low liquid flow rates.
A note on secure multiparty computation via higher residue symbols
Authors: Cascudo Ignacio , Schnyder Reto 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
We generalize a protocol by Yu for comparing two integers with relatively small difference in a secure multiparty computation setting. Yu's protocol is based on the Legendre symbol. A prime number p is found for which the Legendre symbol (· | p) agrees with the sign function for integers in a certain range {−N, . . . , N} ⊂ ℤ. This can then be computed efficiently.
We generalize this idea to higher residue symbols in cyclotomic rings ℤ[ζr
] for r a small odd prime. We present a way to determine a prime number p such that the r-th residue symbol (· | p)
r
agrees with a desired function

f
:
A
→

{

ζ
r
0

,
…
,

ζ
r

r
−
1

}

f:A \to \left\{ {\zeta _r^0, \ldots ,\zeta _r^{r - 1}} \right\}

on a given small subset A ⊂ ℤ[ζr
], when this is possible. We also explain how to efficiently compute the r-th residue symbol in a secret shared setting.
Using Inclusion / Exclusion to find Bent and Balanced Monomial Rotation Symmetric Functions
Authors: Reid Elizabeth M. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
There are many cryptographic applications of Boolean functions. Recently, research has been done on monomial rotation symmetric (MRS) functions which have useful cryptographic properties. In this paper we use the inclusion/exclusion principle to construct formulas for the weights of two subclasses of MRS functions: degree d short MRS functions and d-functions. From these results we classify bent and balanced functions of these forms.
Long-term Follow-up of Patients with Congenital Hyperinsulinism in Austria
Authors: Rami Birgit , Mercimek-Mahmutoglu Saadet , Feucht Martha , Herle Marion , Rittinger Olaf , Stoeckler-Ipsiroglu Sylvia , Schober Edith 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Aim: To assess the neurological and clinical long-term outcome of patients diagnosed with congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) in Austria. Patients and Methods: Fourteen patients diagnosed with CHI (1978-2000) were investigated retrospectively by reviewing hospital records. Thirteen of them were evaluated with either a questionnaire or clinical, neurological and biochemical investigations (age at evaluation 4.2- 25.5 years) in a follow-up study in the year 2004. Results: Fifty percent of the patients needed a pancreatectomy. The prevalence of mental retardation was 31%, of epilepsy 15% and of pancreatic insufficiency 14%. None of our patients had developed diabetes mellitus. Additionally the prevalence of obesity was 43% in patients after pancreatectomy. Sixty-nine percent of the patients had no further treatment at the time of follow-up. Conclusion: Despite early diagnosis and intensive treatment, 31% of the patients presented with mental retardation.
Clinical and Laboratory Findings of Two Newborns with Wiedemann-Rautenstrauch Syndrome: Additional Features, Evaluation of Bone Turnover and Review of the Literature
Authors: Cagri Dinleyici Ener , Tekin Neslihan , Dinleyici Meltem , Aksit M. Arif 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Wiedemann-Rautenstrauch syndrome (WRS) is a rare autosomal recessive condition which represents a complex of symptoms and laboratory findings with unknown cause and pathogenesis. Approximately 30 patients with WRS have been reported. We report here two newborns with WRS from Turkey with clinical and laboratory findings including bone marker evaluation. Our two patients had characteristic features of WRS, including intrauterine growth retardation, aged appearance, near absence of subcutaneous fat, gluteal fat pads, also labial pad in the first infant, wrinkled thin skin, sparse scalp hair, prominent scalp veins and facial dysmorphism. They also have severe osteopenia and elevated urinary deoxypyridinoline levels which have not been previously described in patients with WRS. Impaired lipid and hormone profiles including elevated prolactin and triglyceride level have been reported in patients with WRS. Our first patient also has excessive joint contractures, persisting thrombocytosis and rectal prolapse. We evaluated bone mineral findings in our two patients with WRS and recommend caution when handling children with WRS.
Faedo-Galerkin approximation of mild solutions of fractional functional differential equations
Authors: Sousa J. Vanterler da C. , Fečkan Michal , de Oliveira E. Capelas 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In the paper, we discuss the existence and uniqueness of mild solutions of a class of fractional functional differential equations in Hilbert space separable using the Banach fixed point theorem technique. In this sense, Faedo-Galerkin approximation to the solution is studied and demonstrated some convergence results.
Ultrafast dynamics of photoexcited carriers in perovskite semiconductor nanocrystals
Authors: Yu Buyang , Zhang Chunfeng , Chen Lan , Qin Zhengyuan , Huang Xinyu , Wang Xiaoyong , Xiao Min 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Perovskite semiconductor nanocrystals have emerged as a promising family of materials for optoelectronic applications including light-emitting diodes, lasers, light-to-electricity convertors and quantum light emitters. The performances of these devices are fundamentally dependent on different aspects of the excited-state dynamics in nanocrystals. Herein, we summarize the recent progress on the photoinduced carrier dynamics studied by a variety of time-resolved spectroscopic methods in perovskite nanocrystals. We review the dynamics of carrier generation, recombination and transport under different excitation densities and photon energies to show the pathways that underpin the photophysics for light-emitting diodes and solar cells. Then, we highlight the up-to-date spin dynamics and coherent exciton dynamics being manifested with the exciton fine levels in perovskite semiconductor nanocrystals which are essential for potential applications in quantum information technology. We also discuss the controversial results and the possible origins yet to be resolved. In-depth study toward a comprehensive picture of the excited-state dynamics in perovskite nanocrystals may provide the key knowledge of the device operation mechanism, enlighten the direction for device optimization and stimulate the adventure of new conceptual devices.
An Additively Manufactured Titanium Alloy in the Focus of Metallography
Authors: Fleißner-Rieger C. , Pogrielz T. , Obersteiner D. , Pfeifer T. , Clemens H. , Mayer S. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Additive manufacturing processes allow the production of geometrically complex lightweight structures with specific material properties. However, by contrast with ingot metallurgy methods, the manufacture of components using this process also brings about some challenges. In the field of microstructural characterization, where mostly very fine structures are analyzed, it is thus indispensable to optimize the classic sample preparation process and to furthermore implement additional preparation steps. This work focuses on the metallography of additively manufactured Ti‑6Al‑4V components produced in a selective laser melting process. It offers a guideline for the metallographic preparation along the process chain of additive manufacturing from the metal powder characterization to the macro- and microstructural analysis of the laser melted sample. Apart from developing preparation parameters, selected etching methods were examined with regard to their practicality.
Efficient trace-scale extraction method of reactor produced 199Au adequate for nuclear medicine applications
Authors: Attallah Mohamed F. , Shahr El-Din Ahmed M. , Gizawy Mohamed A. , Ali Amal M. I. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Production of no carrier-added (NCA) 199Au through natPt(n, γ) reaction and subsequent purification using liquid-liquid extraction from other radioisotopes is studied in the context of theranostic application. Comparative separation of NCA 199Au after dissolution of activated Pt target using three Cyanex compounds (Cyanex-272, Cyanex-302 and Cyanex-923) is evaluated. The extraction process is optimized in terms of the type of extractant, the concentration of extractant, extraction time and aqueous media (HNO3, NH4OH). Among these extractants, the Cynaex-923 is efficient and promising for rapid separation and production of NCA 199Au from HNO3 by high extraction %. Selective extraction of 199Au from other Pt and Ir radioisotopes is observed. High recovery of 199Au was obtained in the case of Cyanex-923 using 0.05 M thiourea dissolved in HCl or 2 M NaOH. Our results find the Cyanex-923 as a promising extractant for efficient separation of 199Au from irradiated Pt target with high yield (99%).