bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What does the Detroit tests of learning abilities, fifth edition measure? Revelations from a hierarchical exploratory factor analysis
Authors: McNulty Richard J. , Floyd Randy G. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis study examined the factor structure of the Detroit Tests of Learning Abilities, Fifth Edition (DTLA‐5) using principal axis factoring, multiple factor extraction criteria, and the Schmid–Leiman orthogonalization procedures not utilized by test publishers. Results suggest that the publisher's six‐factor structure model was over factored. Although there is support for five group factors and a hierarchical general factor that correspond with some of the test's most reliable composites, there was no evidence warranting a distinction between the test's hypothesized Reasoning Abilities and Processing Abilities domains or separation of Acquired Knowledge and Verbal Comprehension subdomains. Some test users may prefer to interpret the four DTLA‐5 subdomains that correspond to some of our basic findings in a profile indicating intra‐individual strengths and weaknesses. Based on our hierarchical factor analysis and omega statistics, we believe that the DTLA‐5 should be interpreted as a measure of psychometric g and not used to examine intra‐individual strengths and weaknesses for most test‐takers.
Upper Ordovician Thylacocephala (Euarthropoda, Eucrustacea) from Bohemia indicate early ecological differentiation
Authors: Van Roy Peter , Rak Štěpán , Budil Petr , Fatka Oldřich 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThylacocephala is a clade of marine bivalved euarthropods generally considered to belong to Eucrustacea, although their affinities within this group remain unsettled. Detailed thylacocephalan anatomy and tagmosis is poorly known, and the majority of taxa have been described based only on the valves of the carapace. While some thylacocephalans are considered to have been fully nektic, others probably had a nekto‐benthic mode of life. The group makes its last appearance in the Upper Cretaceous of Lebanon, while the previously oldest definite record is from the Silurian of Wisconsin, USA. This paper describes two new thylacocephalans, Pseudoprotozoea irenae gen. et sp. nov. and Bohemiacaris libori gen. et sp. nov. from the Sandbian (Upper Ordovician) Letná Formation of Bohemia (Czech Republic). Apart from the carapaces, both fossils preserve some evidence of the appendages. Remarkably, even though the newly described taxa represent the oldest unequivocal thylacocephalans, their carapaces display several characters most similar to those of Mesozoic groups. Whether these similarities reflect true close relationships and Ordovician origins for these groups or are only the result of convergent evolution is uncertain. Regardless, the new finds show that ecological differentiation between fully nektic and nekto‐benthic lifestyles was probably achieved early in the evolution of Thylacocephala.
Effect of anaemia and erythrocyte indices on canine glycated haemoglobin
Authors: Oikonomidis Ioannis L. , Tsouloufi Theodora K. , Kritsepi‐Konstantinou Maria , Soubasis Nectarios 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackground: The major fraction of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) depends on blood glucose concentration and erythrocyte lifespan, and consequently erythrocyte indices may affect HbA1c; our objective was to study this effect in dogs.Methods: Blood samples from two (healthy and anaemic) age‐ and sex‐matched, normoglycaemic populations were prospectively included. Advia 120 and Capillarys 2 flex‐piercing were used for the haematological and HbA1c analyses, respectively.Results: Lower mean HbA1c was found in dogs with regenerative (n =8, 0.88 ± 0.58%) and non‐regenerative anaemia (n =12, 1.36 ± 0.56%) compared to healthy ones (n =40, 1.68 ± 0.48%); the difference was significant (p< 0.001) between the healthy dogs and those with regenerative anaemia. HbA1c was significantly correlated (p< 0.05) with red blood cell count (r= 0.506), haemoglobin (r= 0.474), haematocrit (r= 0.467), mean corpuscular volume (r= –0.289), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (r= 0.284), red cell distribution width (r= –0.286) and reticulocytes (rs= –0.542).Conclusion: Anaemia, particularly if regenerative, can lower HbA1c. The significant correlation between HbA1c and erythrocyte indices likely reflects the effect of erythrocyte turnover on HbA1c.
An unusual presentation of a migrating grass awn in a dog and a review of the imaging modalities used to diagnose and determine the extent of disease
Authors: Keane Shannon , Cassel Nicky , Berke Kara 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA 1‐year‐old German shorthaired pointer presented for a swelling on the calvarium, lethargy, pyrexia and poor performance during hunting trials. On initial oral examination, a suspected draining tract was noted caudal to tooth 210 according to the modified Triadan system of tooth numbering. Focal ultrasonography aided in identification of an abscess with a grass awn foreign body but was unable to determine the full extent of the pathology accurately. MRI was useful to determine the nature and extent of disease and visualization of the grass awn. The patient underwent surgical removal and debridement and responded well to treatment. Not only does this paper report an unusual migration pattern of a grass awn, it also highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the various imaging modalities employed during the diagnostic process.
Perianaesthetic management of a Patagonian cavy (Dolichotis patagonum) undergoing hemilaminectomy for treatment of acute intervertebral disk herniation
Authors: Grace Justin , Zeiler Gareth , Hartman Marthinus , Koeppel Katja , Buck Roxanne 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA 7.5‐year‐old, 5.6 kg female Patagonian cavy (Dolichotis patagonum) in thin body condition presented for bilateral pelvic limb paresis. Lumbar intervertebral disk extrusion was diagnosed using MRI and neurological examination. Emergency hemilaminectomy was done on the same day of diagnostics. The cavy was premedicated with intravenous (IV) midazolam (0.3 mg/kg) and ketamine (5 mg/kg) followed by alphaxalone (to effect) for induction and tracheal intubation. Anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane‐in‐oxygen and an IV constant rate infusion (CRI) of ketamine and lidocaine (both 0.3 mg/kg/h) and morphine (0.1 mg/kg, once). The CRI continued for 24 hours followed by once daily intravenous buprenorphine (0.03 mg/kg) and subcutaneous meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg). Recovery was calm. The cavy returned to its preoperative behaviour within hours and began eating soon after anaesthesia. Subjectively, the analgesic plan was successful in mitigating post‐operative pathological pain. This case report discusses the perianaesthetic management for spinal surgery in a cavy.
Data Analytics for Smart Decision-Making and Resilient Systems
Authors: Blau Benjamin , Dinther Clemens van , Flath Christoph M. , Knapper Rico , Rolli Daniel 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn a networked world, companies depend on fast and smart decisions, especially when it comes to reacting to external change. With the wealth of data available today, smart decisions can increasingly be based on data analysis and be supported by IT systems that leverage AI. A global pandemic brings external change to an unprecedented level of unpredictability and severity of impact. Resilience therefore becomes an essential factor in most decisions when aiming at making and keeping them smart. In this chapter, we study the characteristics of resilient systems and test them with four use cases in a wide-ranging set of application areas. In all use cases, we highlight how AI can be used for data analysis to make smart decisions and contribute to the resilience of systems.
Understanding Emotions in Electronic Auctions: Insights from Neurophysiology
Authors: Adam Marc T. P. , Krämer Jan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe design of electronic auction platforms is an important field of electronic commerce research. It requires not only a profound understanding of the role of human cognition in human bidding behavior but also of the role of human affect. In this chapter, we focus specifically on the emotional aspects of human bidding behavior and the results of empirical studies that have employed neurophysiological measurements in this regard. By synthesizing the results of these studies, we are able to provide a coherent picture of the role of affective processes in human bidding behavior along four distinct theoretical pathways.
How at the Institute of Information Systems and Marketing One Thing Leads to Another and Eventually Results in a Low-Trade Theorem
Authors: Seifert Stefan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis chapter portrays how research topics arise and develop in the creative environment of the research group Information & Market Engineering of the Institute of Information Systems and Marketing at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. It is somewhat long-winded in the beginning but identifies then a clear goal. In the following, it strays around several lines of research; touches on the question of why something like forecasting markets, the actual research topic, works at all – without answering it; and finally reaches a result that has little to do with the original objective. Along the way, the chapter provides some insights into the economic theory of double auctions.
More than 20° posterior tilt of the femoral head in undisplaced femoral neck fractures results in a four times higher risk of treatment failure
Authors: Kalsbeek Jorn , van Walsum Ariaan , Roerdink Herbert , Schipper Inger 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose
In this study, we aimed to determine the correlation between the preoperative posterior tilt of the femoral head and treatment failure in patients with a Garden type I and II femoral neck fracture (FNF) treated with the dynamic locking blade plate (DLBP).

Methods
Preoperative posterior tilt was measured in a prospective documented cohort of 193 patients with a Garden type I and II FNF treated with the DLBP. The correlation between preoperative posterior tilt and failure, defined as revision surgery because of avascular necrosis, non-union, or cut-out, was analyzed.

Results
Patients with failed fracture treatment (5.5%) had a higher degree of posterior tilt on the initial radiograph than the patients with uneventful healed fractures: 21.4° and 13.8°, respectively (p = 0.03). The failure rate was 3.2% for Garden type I and II FNF with a posterior tilt < 20° and 12.5% if the preoperative posterior tilt was ≥ 20°. A posterior tilt of ≥ 20° was associated with an odds ratio of 4.24 (95% CI 1.09–16.83; p = 0.04).

Conclusion
Garden type I and II FNFs with a significant preoperative posterior tilt (≥ 20°) seem to behave like unstable fractures and have a four times higher risk of failure. Preoperative posterior tilt ≥ 20° of the femoral head should be considered as a significant predictor for failure of treatment in Garden type I and II FNFs treated with the DLBP.
Sporulation in solventogenic and acetogenic clostridia
Authors: Diallo Mamou , Kengen Servé W. M. , López-Contreras Ana M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe Clostridium genus harbors compelling organisms for biotechnological production processes; while acetogenic clostridia can fix C1-compounds to produce acetate and ethanol, solventogenic clostridia can utilize a wide range of carbon sources to produce commercially valuable carboxylic acids, alcohols, and ketones by fermentation. Despite their potential, the conversion by these bacteria of carbohydrates or C1 compounds to alcohols is not cost-effective enough to result in economically viable processes. Engineering solventogenic clostridia by impairing sporulation is one of the investigated approaches to improve solvent productivity. Sporulation is a cell differentiation process triggered in bacteria in response to exposure to environmental stressors. The generated spores are metabolically inactive but resistant to harsh conditions (UV, chemicals, heat, oxygen). In Firmicutes, sporulation has been mainly studied in bacilli and pathogenic clostridia, and our knowledge of sporulation in solvent-producing or acetogenic clostridia is limited. Still, sporulation is an integral part of the cellular physiology of clostridia; thus, understanding the regulation of sporulation and its connection to solvent production may give clues to improve the performance of solventogenic clostridia. This review aims to provide an overview of the triggers, characteristics, and regulatory mechanism of sporulation in solventogenic clostridia. Those are further compared to the current knowledge on sporulation in the industrially relevant acetogenic clostridia. Finally, the potential applications of spores for process improvement are discussed.Key Points• The regulatory network governing sporulation initiation varies in solventogenic clostridia.• Media composition and cell density are the main triggers of sporulation.• Spores can be used to improve the fermentation process.
Intrauterine hCG application increases expression of endothelial cell–cell adhesion molecules in human
Authors: Bienert Michaela , Habib Pardes , Buck Volker , Classen-Linke Irmgard , Skoblo Roman , Rösing Benjamin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractEndometrial receptivity is a decisive factor in human reproduction. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is one of the first embryonic signals that precedes the implantation by trophoblast invasion into the endometrium. Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials reports a moderate-quality evidence for improved live birth rate for an intrauterine hCG dose ≥ 500 IU. Nevertheless, all hCG endometrial effects are not completely understood. We, therefore, utilized endometrial tissue from 12 patients after estradiol and progesterone treatment with or without intrauterine hCG flushing at the window of implantation (WOI) to analyze cellular composition by measuring marker proteins for stromal, endothelial, epithelial and immune cells. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that significantly more cells expressed the endothelial adhesion molecules VE-cadherin (CD144) and S-Endo-1 (CD146) after intrauterine hCG administration. In contrast, the endothelial marker CD31 and markers involved in vessel formation (VEGFR1 and VEGFR2) remained unchanged in their expression. Similarly, stroma markers (CD73, CD90 and CD105), epithelial markers (Desmocollin-2 and E-Cadherin) and immune cell markers (CD11b, CD45, CD79a and HLA-DR) displayed no alterations in their expression. This finding directs the focus on endothelial adhesion molecules as a potential mechanistically explanation of hCG conveyed increase of embryo implantation and pregnancy rates in women undergoing ART.
Image convolution: a linear programming approach for filters design
Authors: Capobianco Giovanni , Cerrone Carmine , Di Placido Andrea , Durand Daniel , Pavone Luigi , Russo Davide Donato , Sebastiano Fabio 
Published: April 2021

AbstractImage analysis is a branch of signal analysis that focuses on the extraction of meaningful information from images through digital image processing techniques. Convolution is a technique used to enhance specific characteristics of an image, while deconvolution is its inverse process. In this work, we focus on the deconvolution process, defining a new approach to retrieve filters applied in the convolution phase. Given an imageIand a filtered image$$I' = f(I)$$I′=f(I), we propose three mathematical formulations that, starting fromIand$$I'$$I′, are able to identify the filter$$f'$$f′that minimizes the mean absolute error between$$I'$$I′and$$f'(I)$$f′(I). Several tests were performed to investigate the applicability of our approaches in different scenarios. The results highlight that the proposed algorithms are able to identify the filter used in the convolution phase in several cases. Alternatively, the developed approaches can be used to verify whether a specific input imageIcan be transformed into a sample image$$I'$$I′through a convolution filter while returning the desired filter as output.
Magnetic probe-based microrheology reveals local softening and stiffening of 3D collagen matrices by fibroblasts
Authors: Pokki Juho , Zisi Iliana , Schulman Ester , Indana Dhiraj , Chaudhuri Ovijit 
Published: April 2021

AbstractChanges in extracellular matrix stiffness impact a variety of biological processes including cancer progression. However, cells also actively remodel the matrices they interact with, dynamically altering the matrix mechanics they respond to. Further, cells not only react to matrix stiffness, but also have a distinct reaction to matrix viscoelasticity. The impact of cell-driven matrix remodeling on matrix stiffness and viscoelasticity at the microscale remains unclear, as existing methods to measure mechanics are largely at the bulk scale or probe only the surface of matrices, and focus on stiffness. Yet, establishing the impact of the matrix remodeling at the microscale is crucial to obtaining an understanding of mechanotransduction in biological matrices, and biological matrices are not just elastic, but are viscoelastic. Here, we advanced magnetic probe-based microrheology to overcome its previous limitations in measuring viscoelasticity at the cell-size-scale spatial resolution within 3D cell cultures that have tissue-relevant stiffness levels up to a Young’s modulus of 0.5 kPa. Our magnetic microrheometers exert controlled magnetic forces on magnetic microprobes within reconstituted extracellular matrices and detect microprobe displacement responses to measure matrix viscoelasticity and determine the frequency-dependent shear modulus (stiffness), the loss tangent, and spatial heterogeneity. We applied these tools to investigate how microscale viscoelasticity of collagen matrices is altered by fibroblast cells as they contract collagen gels, a process studied extensively at the macroscale. Interestingly, we found that fibroblasts first soften the matrix locally over the first 32 hours of culture, and then progressively stiffen the matrix thereafter. Fibroblast activity also progressively increased the matrix loss tangent. We confirmed that the softening is caused by matrix-metalloproteinase-mediated collagen degradation, whereas stiffening is associated with local alignment and densification of collagen fibers around the fibroblasts. This work paves the way for the use of measurement systems that quantify microscale viscoelasticity within 3D cell cultures for studies of cell–matrix interactions in cancer progression and other areas.
Doubly torqued vectors and a classification of doubly twisted and Kundt spacetimes
Authors: Mantica Carlo Alberto , Molinari Luca Guido 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe simple structure of doubly torqued vectors allows for a natural characterization of doubly twisted down to warped spacetimes, as well as Kundt spacetimes down to PP waves. For the first ones the vectors are timelike, for the others they are null. We also discuss some properties, and their connection to hypersurface orthogonal conformal Killing vectors, and null Killing vectors.
The Scent of Ant Brood: Caste Differences in Surface Hydrocarbons of Formica exsecta Pupae
Authors: Pulliainen Unni , Bos Nick , d’Ettorre Patrizia , Sundström Liselotte 
Published: April 2021

AbstractChemical communication is common across all organisms. Insects in particular use predominantly chemical stimuli in assessing their environment and recognizing their social counterparts. One of the chemical stimuli used for recognition in social insects, such as ants, is the suite of long-chain, cuticular hydrocarbons. In addition to providing waterproofing, these surface hydrocarbons serve as a signature mixture, which ants can perceive, and use to distinguish between strangers and colony mates, and to determine caste, sex, and reproductive status of another individual. They can be both environmentally and endogenously acquired. The surface chemistry of adult workers has been studied extensively in ants, yet the pupal stage has rarely been considered. Here we characterized the surface chemistry of pupae of Formica exsecta, and examine differences among sexes, castes (reproductive vs. worker), and types of sample (developing individual vs. cocoon envelope). We found quantitative and qualitative differences among both castes and types of sample, but male and female reproductives did not differ in their surface chemistry. We also found that the pupal surface chemistry was more complex than that of adult workers in this species. These results improve our understanding of the information on which ants base recognition, and highlights the diversity of surface chemistry in social insects across developmental stages.
Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic in Elderly Psychiatric Patients: a Longitudinal Study
Authors: Seethaler Magdalena , Just Sandra , Stötzner Philip , Bermpohl Felix , Brandl Eva Janina 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe study was designed to investigate the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on mental health and perceived psychosocial support for elderly psychiatric patients in a longitudinal design. n = 32 patients with affective or anxiety disorders aged ≥60 years were included. Telephone interviews were conducted in April/May 2020 (T1) and August 2020 (T2). The psychosocial impact (PSI) of the pandemic and psychopathology were measured. Changes between T1 and T2 were examined. Patients’ psychosocial support system six months before the pandemic and at T1/T2 was assessed. We found a significant positive correlation between general PSI and depression as well as severity of illness. General PSI differed significantly depending on social contact. Neither general PSI nor psychopathology changed significantly between T1 and T2. At T1, patients’ psychosocial support systems were reduced as compared to six months before. Patients reported an increase in psychosocial support between T1 and T2 and high demand for additional support (sports, arts/occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychotherapy). Elderly psychiatric patients show a negative PSI of the pandemic. They are likely to suffer from an impaired psychosocial situation, emphasizing the importance of developing concepts for sufficient psychosocial support during a pandemic.
Do investors value frequent issuers in securitization?
Authors: Deku Solomon Y. , Kara Alper , Karimov Nodirbek 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe assess the value of frequent issuers to investors in securitization markets by examining the initial yield spread of 6132 European mortgage-backed securities (MBS), covering a 20-year period between 1999 and 2018. We find that frequent issuers have certification value, and it increases as the credit cycle approaches its peak, as lending standards loosen, and information asymmetries in securitization markets increase. Investors value frequent issuers more favourably on riskier, difficult to evaluate MBS. We find that after the great financial crisis (GFC), investors began to attribute more value to frequent issuers, regardless of MBS credit quality. We also find that in the pre-crisis period, investors required higher yields to compensate for perceived rating shopping, which is not observed after the GFC. Finally, we show that investors expect higher yields on deals closed by subsidiaries of foreign banks.