bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regularized reconstruction of peak ground velocity and acceleration from very high-rate GNSS precise point positioning with applications to the 2013 Lushan Mw6.6 earthquake
Authors: Xu Peiliang , Du Fang , Shu Yuanming , Zhang Hongping , Shi Yun 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDifference methods have been routinely used to compute velocity and acceleration from precise positioning with global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). A low sampling rate (say a rate not greater than 1 Hz, for example) has been always implicitly assumed for applicability of the methods, because random measurement errors are significantly amplified, either proportional to the sampling rate in the case of velocity or square-proportional to the sampling rate in the case of acceleration. Direct consequences of a low sampling rate are the distortion of the computed velocity and acceleration waveforms and the failure to obtain almost instantaneous values of velocity and acceleration. We reformulate the reconstruction of velocity and acceleration from very high-rate (50 Hz) precise GNSS as an inverse ill-posed problem and propose the criterion of minimum mean squared errors (MSE) to regularize solutions of velocity and acceleration. We successfully apply the MSE-based regularized method to reconstruct the very high-rate velocity and acceleration waveforms, the peak ground velocity (PGV) and the peak ground acceleration (PGA) from 50 Hz precise point positioning (PPP) position waveforms for the 2013 Lushan Mw6.6 earthquake. The reconstructed results of velocity and acceleration are shown to be in good agreement with the motion patterns in the PPP position waveforms and correctly recover the earthquake signal. The reconstructed GNSS-based PGA values are a few hundred times smaller than those from the strong motion seismometers.
Tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis using the Ilizarov fixator in compromised hosts: an analysis of 19 patients
Authors: Reinke Charlotte , Lotzien Sebastian , Yilmaz Emre , Hanusrichter Yannik , Ull Christopher , Baecker Hinnerk , Schildhauer Thomas A. , Geßmann Jan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Introduction
Salvage of joint destruction of the tibiotalar and subtalar joint with necrosis or infection of the talus in compromised hosts is a challenging problem. In these cases, tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis using the Ilizarov external fixator represents a possible alternative to amputation. This retrospective study presents the results and complications of this salvage procedure.

Materials and methods
Between 2005 and 2015, 19 patients were treated with tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis using the Ilizarov external fixator. Ten patients received tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis due to an acute or chronic infection with joint destruction. The other nine patients presented posttraumatic necrosis of the talus or Charcot arthropathy. In addition to demographic data, the time spent in the fixator, the major and minor complications and the endpoint of the consolidation were evaluated retrospectively. Furthermore, clinical outcomes were measured using the modified American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score.

Results
The average time spent in the fixator was 22 (range 14–34) weeks. The average follow-up in 17 patients was 116 (range 4–542) weeks. Two patients were lost to follow-up. Complete osseous consolidation was achieved in 14 out of 19 patients. One patient presented partial consolidation, and in four patients, pseudarthrosis could be detected. The mean modified AOFAS score at the final follow-up was 53 out of 86 possible points.

Conclusion
Tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis using the Ilizarov fixator is a possible salvage procedure even in compromised hosts. However, the healing rates are below the rates reported in the literature for tibiotalar arthrodesis in comparable clinical situations.
Anti-seizure medication is not associated with an increased risk to develop cancer in epilepsy patients
Authors: Stritzelberger Jenny , Lang Johannes D. , Mueller Tamara M. , Reindl Caroline , Westermayer Vivien , Kostev Karel , Hamer Hajo M. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Objective
Whether anti-seizure medication (ASM) increases the risk for cancer has been debated for decades. While for some ASM, a carcinoma-promoting effect has been suspected, carcinoma-protective effects have been shown for other ASM. However, the issue remains unresolved as data from preclinical and clinical studies have been inconsistent and contradictory.

Methods
We collected anonymous patient data from practice neurologists throughout Germany between 2009 and 2018 using the IMS Disease Analyzer database (QuintilesIMS, Frankfurt, Germany). People with epilepsy (PWE) with an initial cancer diagnosis and antiepileptic therapy prior to the index date were 1:1 matched with a control group of PWE without cancer according to age, gender, index year, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and treating physician. For both groups, the risk to develop cancer under treatment with different ASMs was analyzed using three different models (ever use vs. never use (I), effect per one (II) and per five therapy years (III).

Results
A total of 3152 PWE were included (each group, n = 1,576; age = 67.3 ± 14.0 years). The risk to develop cancer was not significantly elevated for any ASM. Carbamazepine was associated with a decreased cancer risk (OR Model I: 0.699, p < .0001, OR Model II: 0.952, p = .4878, OR Model III: 0.758, p < .0004).

Significance
Our findings suggest that ASM use does not increase the risk of cancer in epilepsy patients.
The mechanical effects of bulges developed around bark-included branch junctions of hazel (Corylus avellana L.) and other trees
Authors: Slater Duncan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractKey messageLarge bulges formed around bark-included branch junctions can be conceived of as ‘compensatory growth’. Despite Claus Mattheck’s hypothesis that ‘the larger the bulges, the more likely the branch junction is to fail’, this study identifies that the extent of the defect inside such bulges is key information in predicting the junction’s load-bearing capacity.AbstractA currently prevalent rule in European arboriculture is that if a bark-included branch junction in a tree is associated with a large bulge in-line with the plane of the included bark then it is more likely to fail than if there is a smaller bulge or the absence of bulging. This rule for arborists originates from an initial suggestion with no associated data and is not logically consistent with recent research into the effects of natural bracing in trees, nor guidance provided by the International Society of Arboriculture. This also raises the question of how to correctly interpret the function of these bulges formed at bark-included junctions: either as secondary growth that has been pushed to the side by internal growth pressures, or as compensatory growth developing around a weakened component. To test the veracity of this rule, 117 branch junctions of common hazel (Corylus avellanaL.) were subjected to tensile tests, comprising of controls with no bark included within them and bark-included specimens exhibiting a range of bulge sizes. In addition, photographs from the failure of 110 bark-included junctions were categorized to assess the frequency of failed specimens with different degrees of bulging. The results of the mechanical testing identified three significant factors that affected the maximal bending moment of these branch junctions: their categorized morphology, the diameter ratio of the branch junction and the width of the included bark at the apex of the junction. Overall, and in each category of branch junction tested, the extent of bulging was not found to be a significant predictor of the junctions’ maximal bending moment. This finding was reinforced by the analysis of the images of bark inclusion failure where the most frequent bark inclusions to fail were those associated with little to no bulging. Both findings identify that the bulging would be better interpreted as compensatory growth. This study highlights the need for further research on the load-bearing capacity of bark-included branch junctions to better inform arborists and tree managers as substantial variations in their biomechanical performance have not yet been elucidated.
Stem cells therapy in acute myocardial infarction: a new era?
Authors: Carbone R. G. , Monselise A. , Bottino G. , Negrini S. , Puppo F. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractStem cells transplantation after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been claimed to restore cardiac function. However, this therapy is still restricted to experimental studies and clinical trials. Early un-blinded studies suggested a benefit from stem cell therapy following AMI. More recent blinded randomized trials have produced mixed results and, notably, the last largest pan-European clinical trial showed the inconclusive results. Furthermore, mechanisms of potential benefit remain uncertain. This review analytically evaluates 34 blinded and un-blinded clinical trials comprising 3142 patients and is aimed to: (1) identify the pros and cons of stem cell therapy up to a 6-month follow-up after AMI comparing benefit or no effectiveness reported in clinical trials; (2) provide useful information for planning future clinical programs of cardiac stem cell therapy.
The Long-Term Growth Impact of Refugee Migration in Europe: A Case Study
Authors: Manthei Gerrit 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMany questions have been raised about the political and economic consequences of the recent surge in refugee immigration in Europe. Can refugee immigration promote long-term per capita growth? How are the drivers of per capita growth influenced by immigration? What are the policy implications of refugee immigration? Using an adjusted Cobb-Douglas production function, with labour divided into two complementary groups, this article attempts to provide some answers. By applying the model to current immigration data from Germany, this study finds that refugee immigration can lead to long-term per capita growth in the host country and that the growth is higher if refugee immigrants are relatively young and have sufficiently high qualifications. Further, capital inflows are a prerequisite for boosting per capita growth. These findings can inform policymakers of countries that continue to grapple with refugee immigration.
3D magnetization transfer (MT) for the visualization of cardiac free-running Purkinje fibers: an ex vivo proof of concept
Authors: Magat Julie , Fouillet Arnaud , Constantin Marion , Haliot Kylian , Naulin Jérôme , El Hamrani Dounia , Benoist David , Charron Sabine , Walton Richard , Bernus Olivier , Quesson Bruno 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Objectives
We investigate the possibility to exploit high-field MRI to acquire 3D images of Purkinje network which plays a crucial role in cardiac function. Since Purkinje fibers (PF) have a distinct cellular structure and are surrounded by connective tissue, we investigated conventional contrast mechanisms along with the magnetization transfer (MT) imaging technique to improve image contrast between ventricular structures of differing macromolecular content.

Methods
Three fixed porcine ventricular samples were used with free-running PFs on the endocardium. T1, T2*, T2, and M0 were evaluated on 2D slices for each sample at 9.4 T. MT parameters were optimized using hard pulses with different amplitudes, offset frequencies and durations. The cardiac structure was assessed through 2D and 3D T1w images with isotropic resolutions of 150 µm. Histology, immunofluorescence, and qPCR were performed to analyze collagen contents of cardiac tissue and PF.

Results
An MT preparation module of 350 ms duration inserted into the sequence with a B1 = 10 µT and frequency offset = 3000 Hz showed the best contrast, approximately 0.4 between PFs and myocardium. Magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) appeared higher in the cardiac tissue (MTR = 44.7 ± 3.5%) than in the PFs (MTR = 25.2 ± 6.3%).

Discussion
MT significantly improves contrast between PFs and ventricular myocardium and appears promising for imaging the 3D architecture of the Purkinje network.
Caver Knowledge and Biosecurity Attitudes Towards White-Nose Syndrome and Implications for Global Spread
Authors: Salleh S. , Cox-Witton K. , Salleh Y. , Hufschmid Jasmin 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWhite-nose syndrome (WNS), caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, has caused catastrophic declines of bat populations in North America. Risk assessment indicates that cavers could pose a risk for the spread of the fungus, however, information on cavers’ knowledge of WNS and their caving and biosecurity habits is lacking. An anonymous qualitative survey was completed by delegates (n = 134) from 23 countries at an international speleological conference in Sydney, Australia. Cavers indicated that they visit caves frequently (80.6% at least bimonthly), including outside of their own country, but 20.3% of respondents did not know about WNS prior to the conference. Some respondents were incorrect, or unsure, about whether they had visited caves in countries where P. destructans occurs (26.5%) or whether their own country was free of the fungus (7.8%). Although 65.9% of respondents were aware of current decontamination protocols, only 23.9% and 31.2% (when in Australian or overseas caves, respectively) fully adhered to them. Overall, cavers showed strong willingness to help prevent further spread of this disease, but further efforts at education and targeted biosecurity activities may be urgently needed to prevent the spread of P. destructans to Australia and to other unaffected regions of the world.
The influence of heavy metals on biological soil quality assessments in the Vaccinium myrtillus L. rhizosphere under different field conditions
Authors: Kandziora-Ciupa Marta , Nadgórska-Socha Aleksandra , Barczyk Gabriela 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the influence of heavy metals on biological soil quality assessments in Vaccinium myrtillus L. rhizosphere soil as well as in non-rhizosphere soil from different polluted sites. The presented study was also conducted in order to determine any differences in the soil physicochemical and biological properties between the Vaccinium rhizosphere soil and the non-rhizosphere soil. The content of heavy metals and their potential bioavailability, content of macronutrients, physicochemical soil properties, activity of six soil enzymes and microarthropod communities were determined. Soil organic matter, the levels of C, N and all the studied macronutrients and almost all enzyme activity were significantly higher in the rhizosphere soil than in the non-rhizosphere soil. At the most contaminated site, the content of heavy metals was also higher in the rhizosphere soil, but their bioavailability was lower than in the non-rhizosphere soil. The β-glucosidase and urease activity in the soil correlated most negatively with the examined metals. The levels of two enzymes were also strongly impacted by the organic matter—the C and N levels and pH. The number of microarthropods as well as the QBS (soil biological quality index) and FEMI (abundance-based fauna index) were higher in the rhizosphere soil. The bilberry rhizosphere soil had stronger correlation coefficient values between the measured parameters than the non-rhizosphere soil, which suggests that rhizosphere soil is more sensitive and could be used in the monitoring and assessment of forest ecosystems. β-glucosidase and urease were the most sensitive indicators of the adverse impact of Cd, Zn and Pb. The FEMI index seems to be a better indicator than the QBS for identifying differences in soil quality.
Effects of climate change and industrialization on Lake Bolshoe Toko, eastern Siberia
Authors: Biskaborn Boris K. , Narancic Biljana , Stoof-Leichsenring Kathleen R. , Pestryakova Lyudmila A. , Appleby Peter G. , Piliposian Gayane T. , Diekmann Bernhard 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIndustrialization in the Northern Hemisphere has led to warming and pollution of natural ecosystems. We used paleolimnological methods to explore whether recent climate change and/or pollution had affected a very remote lake ecosystem, i.e. one without nearby direct human influence. We compared sediment samples that date from before and after the onset of industrialization in the mid-nineteenth century, from four short cores taken at water depths between 12.1 and 68.3 m in Lake Bolshoe Toko, eastern Siberia. We analyzed diatom assemblage changes, including diversity estimates, in all four cores and geochemical changes (mercury, nitrogen, organic carbon) from one core taken at an intermediate water depth. Chronologies for two cores were established using 210Pb and 137Cs. Sedimentation rates were 0.018 and 0.033 cm year−1 at the shallow- and deep-water sites, respectively. We discovered an increase in light planktonic diatoms (Cyclotella) and a decrease in heavily silicified euplanktonic Aulacoseira through time at deep-water sites, related to more recent warmer air temperatures and shorter periods of lake-ice cover, which led to pronounced thermal stratification. Diatom beta diversity in shallow-water communities changed significantly because of the development of new habitats associated with macrophyte growth. Mercury concentrations increased by a factor of 1.6 since the mid-nineteenth century as a result of atmospheric fallout. Recent increases in the chrysophyte Mallomonas in all cores suggested an acidification trend. We conclude that even remote boreal lakes are susceptible to the effects of climate change and human-induced pollution.
A causal inference approach to measure the vulnerability of urban metro systems
Authors: Zhang Nan , Graham Daniel J. , Hörcher Daniel , Bansal Prateek 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTransit operators need vulnerability measures to understand the level of service degradation under disruptions. This paper contributes to the literature with a novel causal inference approach for estimating station-level vulnerability in metro systems. The empirical analysis is based on large-scale data on historical incidents and population-level passenger demand. This analysis thus obviates the need for assumptions made by previous studies on human behaviour and disruption scenarios. We develop four empirical vulnerability metrics based on the causal impact of disruptions on travel demand, average travel speed and passenger flow distribution. Specifically, the proposed metrics based on the irregularity in passenger flow distribution extends the scope of vulnerability measurement to the entire trip distribution, instead of just analysing the disruption impact on the entry or exit demand (that is, moments of the trip distribution). The unbiased estimates of disruption impact are obtained by adopting a propensity score matching method, which adjusts for the confounding biases caused by non-random occurrence of disruptions. An application of the proposed framework to the London Underground indicates that the vulnerability of a metro station depends on the location, topology, and other characteristics. We find that, in 2013, central London stations are more vulnerable in terms of travel demand loss. However, the loss of average travel speed and irregularity in relative passenger flows reveal that passengers from outer London stations suffer from longer individual delays due to lack of alternative routes.
Controlling mine pressure by subjecting high-level hard rock strata to ground fracturing
Authors: Gao Rui , Kuang Tiejun , Zhang Yanqun , Zhang Wenyang , Quan Chunyang 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWhen mining extra-thick coal seams, the main cause of strong ground pressure are the high-level thick and hard strata, but as yet there is no active and effective control technology. This paper proposes the method of subjecting hard roofs to ground fracturing, and physical simulation is used to study the control effect of ground fracturing on the strata structure and energy release. The results show that ground fracturing changes the structural characteristics of the strata and reduces the energy release intensity and the spatial extent of overburden movement, thereby exerting significant control on the ground pressure. The Datong mining area in China is selected as the engineering background. An engineering test was conducted on site by ground horizontal well fracturing, and a 20-m-thick hard rock layer located 110 m vertically above the coal seam was targeted as the fracturing layer. On-site microseismic monitoring shows that the crack propagation length is up to 216 m and the height is up to 50 m. On-site mine pressure monitoring shows that (1) the roadway deformation is reduced to 100 mm, (2) the periodic weighting characteristics of the hydraulic supports are not obvious, and (3) the ground pressure in the working face is controlled significantly, thereby showing that the ground fracturing is successful. Ground fracturing changed the breaking characteristics of the high-level hard strata, thereby helping to ameliorate the stress concentration in the stope and providing an effective control approach for hard rock.
Modeling plastic anisotropy evolution of AISI 304 steel sheets by a polynomial yield function
Authors: Sener Bora , Esener Emre , Firat Mehmet 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn this study, a numerical model for the evolution of plastic anisotropy is investigated for the purpose of stamping method design by Finite Element (FE) analysis and proved experimentally via process simulations of a cold-rolled austenitic stainless steel (AISI 304) sheet. The plastic anisotropy of the sheets is described with a fourth-order homogenous polynomial yield function and this modelling approach is enhanced by plastic strain dependent material coefficients. Tensile tests of coupon specimens taken along the different directions from rolling direction, and flow strength and deformation anisotropies are described with the planar variations of yield stress and plastic strain ratio computed at four plastic strain levels (0.002, 0.02, 0.05 and 0.18). A new numerical approach is, then, applied to identify polynomial coefficients ensuring an orthotropic positive-definite, convex yield surface with a well-defined stress gradient at every loading point on plane stress subspace. The developed computational model is implemented into general purpose explicit FE analysis software Ls-Dyna by a user-defined material model subroutine (UMAT) and applied in the stamping simulation of AISI 304 steel rectangular cups for the house-hold applications. The computed thickness distributions and the flange geometries were compared with measurements and it was observed that the best predictions were done with material parameters at %5 plastic strain level.