bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic diseases associated with increased likelihood of hospitalization and mortality in 68,913 COVID-19 confirmed cases in Spain: A population-based cohort study
Authors: Gimeno-Miguel Antonio , Bliek-Bueno Kevin , Poblador-Plou Beatriz , Carmona-Pírez Jonás , Poncel-Falcó Antonio , González-Rubio Francisca , Ioakeim-Skoufa Ignatios , Pico-Soler Victoria , Aza-Pascual-Salcedo Mercedes , Prados-Torres Alexandra , Gimeno-Feliu Luis Andrés ,   on behalf of the PRECOVID Group
Published: November 2021

BackgroundClinical outcomes among COVID-19 patients vary greatly with age and underlying comorbidities. We aimed to determine the demographic and clinical factors, particularly baseline chronic conditions, associated with an increased risk of severity in COVID-19 patients from a population-based perspective and using data from electronic health records (EHR).MethodsRetrospective, observational study in an open cohort analyzing all 68,913 individuals (mean age 44.4 years, 53.2% women) with SARS-CoV-2 infection between 15 June and 19 December 2020 using exhaustive electronic health registries. Patients were followed for 30 days from inclusion or until the date of death within that period. We performed multivariate logistic regression to analyze the association between each chronic disease and severe infection, based on hospitalization and all-cause mortality.Results5885 (8.5%) individuals showed severe infection and old age was the most influencing factor. Congestive heart failure (odds ratio -OR- men: 1.28, OR women: 1.39), diabetes (1.37, 1.24), chronic renal failure (1.31, 1.22) and obesity (1.21, 1.26) increased the likelihood of severe infection in both sexes. Chronic skin ulcers (1.32), acute cerebrovascular disease (1.34), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (1.21), urinary incontinence (1.17) and neoplasms (1.26) in men, and infertility (1.87), obstructive sleep apnea (1.43), hepatic steatosis (1.43), rheumatoid arthritis (1.39) and menstrual disorders (1.18) in women were also associated with more severe outcomes.ConclusionsAge and specific cardiovascular and metabolic diseases increased the risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infections in men and women, whereas the effects of certain comorbidities are sex specific. Future studies in different settings are encouraged to analyze which profiles of chronic patients are at higher risk of poor prognosis and should therefore be the targets of prevention and shielding strategies.
Management practices and their relation to success of Polish SMEs: The empirical verification
Authors: Łobos Krzysztof , Wojciech Magdalena 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to identify management practices that are characteristic for SMEs that achieve market success measured by their business performance in last their years of their operation analyze the relationships between management practices applied in small and medium-sized enterprises and their success measured by their business performance drawing on the data from 2710 SMEs operating on the Polish market.Approach/Methodology/DesignA cluster analysis was used to distinguish homogenous SME groups in view of their management practices. We examined differences between groups in terms of their business performance. The HINoV algorithm allowed six variables to be selected out of 32 management practices chosen initially for testing, with these variables providing the basis for grouping. Modal values and medians were calculated for 17 business performance measures in the three clusters produced. The subsequent analysis of those findings was focused on capturing significant differences.FindingsIn the group of 2710 Polish SMEs, it was possible to verify that there existed an association between management practices in the field of modern HRM, computer systems supporting management and the company’s economic performance, as measured by an increase in net revenue and number of customers over the last three years. In clusters where the above mentioned practices were appreciated, modal and median values of the increase reported in net revenue and number of customers were significantly higher.Practical implicationsThe research has shown that at a time marked by a shortage of highly skilled personnel one should pay particular attention to building an integrated and committed team of workers and to employee empowerment. The research has also shown that SME managers monitor only a fraction of basic business performance measures, which may prove to be a major risk to SMEs.Originality/ValuePrevious studies have been largely conducted in a fragmentary manner, i.e. they were concerned with the relationships between the application of some practices (strategic management, BPR, entrepreneurial orientation, monitoring, etc.) and selected business effectiveness measures. In this paper, the research covered SME management practices from a variety of areas which were then compared with the entrepreneurs’ assessment as to whether the company’s economic condition changed over the last three years. It is also the first attempt in post-socialist economies to identify those SME management practices that are related to better economic results.
Atypical lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of COVID-19 patients: A prognostic factor for the clinical course of COVID-19
Authors: Sugihara Jun , Shibata Sho , Doi Masafumi , Shimmura Takuya , Inoue Shinichiro , Matsumoto Osamu , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Makino Ayaka , Miyazaki Yasunari 
Published: November 2021

Background
Clinical observations have shown that there is a relationship between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and atypical lymphocytes in the peripheral blood; however, knowledge about the time course of the changes in atypical lymphocytes and the association with the clinical course of COVID-19 is limited.

Objective
Our purposes were to investigate the dynamics of atypical lymphocytes in COVID-19 patients and to estimate their clinical significance for diagnosis and monitoring disease course.

Materials and methods
We retrospectively identified 98 inpatients in a general ward at Kashiwa Municipal Hospital from May 1st, 2020, to October 31st, 2020. We extracted data on patient demographics, symptoms, comorbidities, blood test results, radiographic findings, treatment after admission and clinical course. We compared clinical findings between patients with and without atypical lymphocytes, investigated the behavior of atypical lymphocytes throughout the clinical course of COVID-19, and determined the relationships among the development of pneumonia, the use of supplemental oxygen and the presence of atypical lymphocytes.

Results
Patients with atypical lymphocytes had a significantly higher prevalence of pneumonia (80.4% vs. 42.6%, p < 0.0001) and the use of supplemental oxygen (25.5% vs. 4.3%, p = 0.0042). The median time to the appearance of atypical lymphocytes after disease onset was eight days, and atypical lymphocytes were observed in 16/98 (16.3%) patients at the first visit. Atypical lymphocytes appeared after the confirmation of lung infiltrates in 31/41 (75.6%) patients. Of the 13 oxygen-treated patients with atypical lymphocytes, approximately two-thirds had a stable or improved clinical course after the appearance of atypical lymphocytes.

Conclusion
Atypical lymphocytes frequently appeared in the peripheral blood of COVID-19 patients one week after disease onset. Patients with atypical lymphocytes were more likely to have pneumonia and to need supplemental oxygen; however, two-thirds of them showed clinical improvement after the appearance of atypical lymphocytes.
Potensi Reduksi Emisi GRK dan Kelayakan Finansial dari Teknologi Hidrotermal untuk Pengolahan Sampah di Kabupaten Tangerang
Authors: Ayuvitari Rania Salsabila , Wijayanti Pini 
Published: November 2021

Peningkatan konsentrasi gas rumah kaca (GRK) di atmosfer telah menimbulkan efek pemanasan global. Salah satu kontributor emisi GRK adalah penumpukan sampah di TPA tanpa pengolahan lebih lanjut. TPA Jatiwaringin di Kabupaten Tangerang diprediksi akan mengalami overcapacity, sehingga diperlukan mitigasi untuk mengurangi sampah di TPA, salah satunya dengan teknologi hidrotermal. Namun dalam penerapan teknologi hidrotermal membutuhkan biaya yang tinggi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengestimasi potensi emisi GRK sebelum adanya proyek hidrotermal, mengestimasi potensi reduksi emisi GRK setelah adanya proyek hidrotermal, menganalisis kelayakan finansial dari proyek hidrotermal. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) AMS-III.E untuk mengestimasi potensi reduksi emisi GRK proyek hidrotermal dan analisis cashflow untuk mengevaluasi kelayakan finansialnya. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan emisi baseline pada tahun 2021 diestimasi sebesar 18.766 t CO2 e dan akan meningkat menjadi 21.865 t CO2 e (16,5%) pada tahun 2030. Emisi proyek diestimasi sebesar 5883 t CO2 e per tahun. Rata-rata persentase potensi reduksi emisi GRK dari proyek hidrotermal tahun 2021-2030 sebesar 70,94% (Skenario 2 putaran per hari) dan 68,26% (Skenario 3 putaran per hari). Proyek hidrotermal juga layak secara finansial, dengan syarat produk hidrotermal yaitu Refused Derived Fuel (RDF) dapat terjual setidaknya 72% dan jumlah iuran masyarakat yang terkumpul minimal 50% dari target penerimaan iuran. ABSTRACTAn increase in the atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) produces global warming effect. One of GHGs emissions contributors is waste accumulation of in the landfill. Jatiwaringin landfill in Tangerang Regency is predicted to reach overcapacity. Therefore, mitigation measures are required to reduce such waste. One of potential measures is hydrothermal treatment technology for urban scale, but its implementation is costly. This study aims to: estimate the potential GHGs emissions prior the hydrothermal project, estimate the potential GHGs emission reduction after the project, and analyze the financial feasibility of the project. This study employs Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) method i.e., AMS-III.E to estimate the GHGs emissions reduction potential of hydrothermal projects and cashflow analysis to evaluate the project financial feasibility. The results show that the baseline emissions in 2021 are estimated at 18,766 t CO2 e and would increase to 21,865 t CO2 e (16.5%) in 2030. The potential project emissions are estimated at 5883 t CO2 e per year. The GHGs emission reductions could reach 70.94% (2 batches per day) and 68.26% (3 batches per day) within 2021-2030. Furthermore, the hydrothermal project would be financially feasible, if the hydrothermal product i.e., Refused Derived Fuel (RDF) are sold at least 72% and the cumulative households-contribution is at least 50% of the target.
Self-Driving Vehicles Using End to End Deep Imitation Learning
Authors: Nabil Ashraf , Kassem Ayman 
Published: November 2021

Autonomous Driving is one of the difficult problems faced the automotive applications. Nowadays, it is restricted due to the presence of some laws that prevent cars from being fully autonomous for the fear of accidents occurrence. Researchers try to improve the accuracy and safety of their models with the aim of having a strong push against these restricted Laws.
Autonomous driving is a sought-after solution which isn’t easily solved by classical approaches. Deep Learning is considered as a strong Artificial Intelligence paradigm which can teach machines how to behave in difficult situations. It proved its success in many differ domains, but it still has sometime in the automotive applications.
The presented work will use the end-to-end deep machine learning field in order to reach to our goal of having Full Autonomous Driving Vehicle that can behave correctly in different scenarios. CARLA simulator will be used to learn and test the deep neural networks. Results will show not only performance on CARLA’s simulator as an end-to-end solution for autonomous driving, but also how the same approach can be used on one of the most popular real datasets of automotive that includes camera images with the corresponding driver’s control action.
Pine-cones for moss: a late Byzantine/early modern Greek version of ATU 1525E, Thieves steal from one another
Authors: Braccini Tommaso 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Two Greek authors, Georgios Sphrantzes (fifteenth century) and Makarios Melissourgos-Melissenos (sixteenth century) refer to a variant of the type ATU 1525E, Thieves steal from one another. It is the oldest known version, and it is remarkably close to the variants later attested in Georgia and the Balkans (an area that clearly shows the features of the Byzantine cultural heritage). The comparison also makes it possible to clarify and confirm the meaning of an obscure word used in the oldest version, that of Sphrantzes, where pine-cones (koukoutzella) and moss are at the center of the exchange.
Effects of actual and perceived financial literacy skills on financial well-being at retirement
Authors: Voros Zsofia , Szabo Zoltan , Schepp Zoltán , Kehl Daniel , Kovacs Oliver Bela 
Published: November 2021

THE AIMS OF THE PAPER
Studies have not explained fully how financial literacy, decision making skills and the diverse forms of financial literacy overconfidence interact with each other to explain households’ actual and perceived financial well-being at retirement. This study aims to map the interactions among these constructs within the elderly population.
METHODOLOGY
In the framework of a larger assessment on subjective well-being and its antecedents at retirement, three hundred retired people between the age of 65 and 85 filled out a questionnaire in their home in Hungary in March 2019.
MOST IMPORTANT RESULTS
Elderly people are overconfident in their financial literacy skills both on absolut and relative levels. Percieved financial literacy is a better predictor of financial situation than actual financial literacy. However, financial literacy overconficence relative to others harms elderly people’s financial situation. Subjective financial well-being is mainly driven by the actual financial situation. Decision making skills play an important role in the calibration of financial literacy skills and have an additional direct effect on the subjective level of financial well-being. Our outcomes reinforce that it is indeed worth promoting programs helping elderly people acquiring domain-specific financial knowledge. These programs may lead to better financial situation and higher self-efficacy. Moreover, our findings imply that it would be worthwhile for programs to concentrate on the calibration of financial knowledge vis-á-vis others.
RECOMMENDATIONS
To complement the mainstream literature, the study examines the forms of overconfidence and their effects on financial well-being separately and concentrates on the elderly population.
Acknowledgements: The project was financed by the European Social Fund: Comprehensive Development for Implementing Smart Specialization Strategies at the University of Pecs (EFOP-3.6.1.- 16-2016-00004). Declarations of interest: none.
Selective Increase of Correlated Activity in Arc-Positive Neurons after Chemically Induced Long-Term Potentiation in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons
Authors: Jiang Yuheng , VanDongen Antonius M. J. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe activity-dependent expression of immediate-early genes (IEGs) has been utilized to label memory traces. However, their roles in engram specification are incompletely understood. Outstanding questions remain as to whether expression of IEGs can interplay with network properties such as functional connectivity and also if neurons expressing different IEGs are functionally distinct. In order to connect IEG expression at the cellular level with changes in functional connectivity, we investigated the expression of 2 IEGs, Arc and c-Fos, in cultured hippocampal neurons. Primary neuronal cultures were treated with a chemical cocktail [4-aminopyridine (4AP), bicuculline (Bic), and forskolin] to increase neuronal activity, IEG expression, and induce chemical long-term potentiation (LTP). Neuronal firing is assayed by intracellular calcium imaging using GCaMP6m and expression of IEGs is assessed by immunofluorescence staining. We noted an emergent network property of refinement in network activity, characterized by a global downregulation of correlated activity, together with an increase in correlated activity between subsets of specific neurons. Subsequently, we show that Arc expression correlates with the effects of refinement, as the increase in correlated activity occurs specifically between Arc-positive neurons. The expression patterns of the IEGs c-Fos and Arc strongly overlap, but Arc was more selectively expressed than c-Fos. A subpopulation of neurons positive for both Arc and c-Fos shows increased correlated activity, while correlated firing between Arc+/cFos– neurons is reduced. Our results relate neuronal activity-dependent expression of the IEGs Arc and c-Fos on the individual cellular level to changes in correlated activity of the neuronal network.
A One-Shot Shift from Explore to Exploit in Monkey Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Achterberg Jascha , Kadohisa Mikiko , Watanabe Kei , Kusunoki Makoto , Buckley Mark J. , Duncan John 
Published: November 2021

Much animal learning is slow, with cumulative changes in behavior driven by reward prediction errors. When the abstract structure of a problem is known, however, both animals and formal learning models can rapidly attach new items to their roles within this structure, sometimes in a single trial. Frontal cortex is likely to play a key role in this process. To examine information seeking and use in a known problem structure, we trained monkeys in an explore/exploit task, requiring the animal first to test objects for their association with reward, then, once rewarded objects were found, to reselect them on further trials for further rewards. Many cells in the frontal cortex showed an explore/exploit preference aligned with one-shot learning in the monkeys' behavior: the population switched from an explore state to an exploit state after a single trial of learning but partially maintained the explore state if an error indicated that learning had failed. Binary switch from explore to exploit was not explained by continuous changes linked to expectancy or prediction error. Explore/exploit preferences were independent for two stages of the trial: object selection and receipt of feedback. Within an established task structure, frontal activity may control the separate processes of explore and exploit, switching in one trial between the two.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTMuch animal learning is slow, with cumulative changes in behavior driven by reward prediction errors. When the abstract structure a problem is known, however, both animals and formal learning models can rapidly attach new items to their roles within this structure. To address transitions in neural activity during one-shot learning, we trained monkeys in an explore/exploit task using familiar objects and a highly familiar task structure. When learning was rapid, many frontal neurons showed a binary, one-shot switch between explore and exploit. Within an established task structure, frontal activity may control the separate operations of exploring alternative objects to establish their current role, then exploiting this knowledge for further reward.
Improvement of covered wagons of the “East-West” type by sectioning with a partition
Authors: Fomin Oleksij , Lovska Alyona , Klymash Andriy , Keremet Mykhailo 
Published: November 2021

The dynamic loading and strength of the frame of the “East-West” type covered wagon were determined. To increase the efficiency of operation of covered wagons in international traffic, it is proposed to improve their frames. This improvement consists in using a sectional partition in the body in order to divide it into two separate sections. This allows the transportation of different goods in one wagon, and therefore decreasing empty mileage.
The longitudinal loading of the covered wagon frame was determined. The case of shunting impact was considered. The studies were carried out in a flat coordinate system. The loading mode of the frame of the covered wagon in the empty and loaded states was considered. The acceleration acting on the covered wagon frame in the loaded state was 0.37g, empty – 0.42g, which does not exceed the standard values. The wagon motion is rated “excellent”.
The main strength indicators of the covered wagon frame were determined. The calculation was made by the finite element method. It was found that the maximum equivalent stresses are concentrated in the area of interaction of the center sill with the bolster beam and amounted to 340 MPa, which is lower than the yield stress of the material. Maximum displacements occur in the middle of the frame beams and are about 12 mm. The natural vibration frequencies of the covered wagon frame were calculated.
The research will help to increase the efficiency of using covered wagons in international traffic. Also, the research results can be useful developments in the creation of innovative rolling stock structures
Changes in Intestinal Microbiota Composition in 1–5 Years Old Children with Atopic Dermatitis: Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Yudina Julia V. , Aminova Alfiia I. , Prodeus Andrey P. , Korsunskiy Anatoly A. 
Published: November 2021

Background. Atopic dermatitis (AD) arouses high research interest these days due to its significant morbidity rate. The most crucial risk factor for its development is the intestinal microbiota composition. The correlation of this factor with the development of AD in children requires further study.Objective. The aim of the study is to perform comparative analysis of the intestinal microbiota in 1–5 years old children with AD and conditionally healthy children via 16S-sequencing of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) of bacterial genes.Methods. We have conducted cross sectional study. 60 children with diagnosed AD and 15 conditionally healthy children aged from 1 to 5 years were surveyed. Intestinal microbiota was examined via 16S-sequencing of rRNA of bacterial genes.Results. The intestinal microbiota in children with AD and conditionally healthy children has statistically significant differences. Despite the absence of significant differences in species richness of compared groups, children with AD had the elevation in the metagenome of Proteobacteria; Bacilli and Gammaproteobacteria classes; Enterococcaceae and Veillonellaceae families; Eggerthella, Dialister and Enterobacter genus; as well as the decrease in the relative value of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia; Bacteroidales and Bifidobacteriales orders; Bifidobacteriaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae families; Lachnoclostridium, Roseburia, Prevotella, Coprococcus, Ruminococcus, Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides genus; decrease of Bifidobacterium longum, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Bacteroides fragilis.Conclusion. It was revealed that the intestinal microbiota of children with AD has significant differences in taxonomic composition with the microbiota of conditionally healthy children. Elevation of Proteobacteria, Bacilli and Gammaproteobacteria classes, Eggerthella, Dialister and Enterobacter genus can be the risk factor for this disease development, whereas decrease of such bacteria as Verrucomicrobia, Bacteroidales and Bifidobacteriales can aggravate atopic symptoms. Thus, the need for further study of intestinal microbiota in children with AD is justified to establish the correlation of these bacteria with the disease course.