bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving the data access control using blockchain for healthcare domain
Authors: Tahir Yinka Olaosebikan , Haw Su-Cheng , Yap Timothy Tzen Vun , Subramaniam Samini 
Published: November 2021

Introduction: Unauthorized access to data is one of the most significant privacy issues that hinder most industries from adopting big data technologies. Even though specific processes and structures have been put in place to deal with access authorization and identity management for large databases nonetheless, the scalability criteria are far beyond the capabilities of traditional databases. Hence, most researchers are looking into other solutions, such as big data management. Methods: In this paper, we firstly study the strengths and weaknesses of implementing cryptography and blockchain for identity management and authorization control in big data, focusing on the healthcare domain. Subsequently, we propose a decentralized data access and sharing system that preserves privacy to ensure adequate data access management under the blockchain. In addition, we designed a blockchain framework to resolve the decentralized data access and sharing system privacy issues, by implementing a public key infrastructure model, which utilizes a signature cryptography algorithm (elliptic curve and signcryption). Lastly, we compared the proposed blockchain model to previous techniques to see how well it performed. Results: We evaluated the blockchain on four performance metrics which include throughput, latency, scalability, and security. The proposed blockchain model was tested using a sample of 5000 patients and 500,000 observations. The performance evaluation results further showed that the proposed model achieves higher throughput and lower latency compared to existing approaches when the workload varies up to 10,000 transactions. Discussion: This research reviews the importance of blockchains as they provide infinite possibilities to individuals, companies, and governments.
FORMATION OF PROFESSIONAL SKILLS OF FUTURE MATHEMATICS TEACHERS TO WORK IN THE SYSTEM OF ADDITIONAL MATHEMATICAL EDUCATION
Authors: Breus Irina 
Published: November 2021

The article is devoted to the peculiarities and prospects of practical training of future mathematics teachers to carry out cultural and educational activities in mathematics in educational institutions, including in the system of additional mathematical education. The experience of organizing educational and industrial practices of students of the directions 44.03.01 Pedagogical education, profile «Mathematics» and 44.03.05 Pedagogical education, profile «Mathematics and Computer Science», studying at the Institute of Mathematics, Mechanics and Computer Science named after I.I. is given. Vorovich of the Southern Federal University of Rostov-on-Don.
The article describes the main activities of students during academic and industrial practices: the study of the specific content of additional mathematical education, methods and means of organizing training; the development of didactic materials for the implementation of classes in the field of additional mathematical education; the implementation of career guidance in schools of Rostov-on-Don; conducting extracurricular activities in mathematics in educational institutions.
The Disciplining Effect of Status: Evaluator Status Awards and Observed Gender Bias in Evaluations
Authors: Botelho Tristan L. , Gertsberg Marina 
Published: November 2021

We theorize that status awards will have a disciplining effect on evaluators, changing how they evaluate. Specifically, status awards will lead evaluators to place less weight on unreliable indicators of candidate quality, such as gender. We test this theory using data from restaurant evaluations on Yelp, focusing on the relationship between an evaluator’s restaurant rating and their reporting of being served by a man or a woman in their review text. We use Yelp’s evaluator status award (“Elite”) to analyze whether observed gender bias in the star ratings given to restaurants decreases after an evaluator receives this status award. We find that evaluators rate restaurants more similarly after receiving the award, regardless of whether they report being served by a man or a woman. Status awards in our context close the gender gap in restaurant ratings by 56.5% (a 0.07 stars improvement out of an initial rating gap of −0.13 stars). This reduction in gender bias is mostly due to a decrease in the number of extremely low (1 star) ratings in reviews that reference female servers. Research on status and evaluations has mostly focused on how evaluators react to increases in candidate status. We demonstrate the importance of evaluator status as a mechanism for decreasing observed gender differences in evaluations. This paper was accepted by Isabel Fernandez-Mateo, organizations.
Inflammatory bowel disease nurses' views on taking on a new role to support an online self-management programme for symptoms of fatigue, pain and urgency: a qualitative study to maximise intervention acceptance
Authors: Matthias Chanais , Fawson Sophie , Yan Li , Sweeney Louise , Moss-Morris Rona , Norton Christine 
Published: November 2021

Background: Patients can be empowered through self-managing their inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms. It is important to understand how specialist IBD nurses can practically support patients to do this. Aim: To explore the perceptions of IBD specialist nurses about the implementation of a proposed nurse-guided online cognitive behavioural self-management intervention to manage symptoms of fatigue, pain and urgency. Methods: Five semi-structured focus groups (45 participants) were conducted with IBD nurses, and themes were identified through thematic analysis. Findings: Four themes were identified: (1) role of nurse as a facilitator; (2) nurse competence in facilitating the intervention; (3) nurse perception of patient needs; and (4) intervention implementation. Conclusions: The results of this study helped to refine the proposed guided online intervention with a view to sustainable implementation in clinical practice. Refinements included in-depth training and minimisation of additional workload for nurses through reducing patient contact, including an online messaging system for communication with patients.
Short-term success of proximal bone stock preservation in short hip stems: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: de Waard Sheryl , van der Vis Jacqueline , Venema Pascale A.H.T. , Sierevelt Inger N. , Kerkhoffs Gino M.M.J. , Haverkamp Daniël 
Published: November 2021

Total hip arthroplasty is performed more frequently in younger patients nowadays, making long-term bone stock preservation an important topic. A mechanism for late implant failure is periprosthetic bone loss, caused by stress shielding around the hip stem due to different load distribution. Short stems are designed to keep the physical loading in the proximal part of the femur to reduce stress shielding. The aim of this review is to give more insight into how short and anatomic stems behave and whether they succeed in preservation of proximal bone stock. A systematic literature search was performed to find all published studies on bone mineral density in short and anatomic hip stems. Results on periprosthetic femoral bone mineral density, measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), were compiled and analysed per Gruen zone in percentual change. A total of 29 studies were included. In short stems, Gruen 1 showed bone loss of 5% after one year (n = 855) and 5% after two years (n = 266). Gruen 7 showed bone loss of 10% after one year and –11% after two years. In anatomic stems, Gruen 1 showed bone loss of 8% after one year (n = 731) and 11% after two years (n = 227). Gruen 7 showed bone loss of 14% after one year and 15% after two years. Short stems are capable of preserving proximal bone stock and have slightly less proximal bone loss in the first years, compared to anatomic stems. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:1040-1051. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.210030
Measuring Stem Diameter of Sorghum Plants in the Field Using a High-Throughput Stereo Vision System
Authors: Xiang Lirong , Tang Lie , Gai Jingyao , Wang Le 
Published: November 2021

HighlightsA custom-built camera module named PhenoStereo was developed for high-throughput field-based plant phenotyping.Novel integration of strobe lights facilitated application of PhenoStereo in various environmental conditions.Image-derived stem diameters were found to have high correlations with ground truth, which outperformed any previously reported sensing approach.PhenoStereo showed promising potential to characterize a broad spectrum of plant phenotypes.Abstract. The stem diameter of sorghum plants is an important trait for evaluation of stalk strength and biomass potential, but it is a challenging sensing task to automate in the field due to the complexity of the imaging object and the environment. In recent years, stereo vision has offered a viable three-dimensional (3D) solution due to its high spatial resolution and wide selection of camera modules. However, the performance of in-field stereo imaging for plant phenotyping is adversely affected by textureless regions, occlusion of plants, variable outdoor lighting, and wind conditions. In this study, a portable stereo imaging module named PhenoStereo was developed for high-throughput field-based plant phenotyping. PhenoStereo features a self-contained embedded design, which makes it capable of capturing images at 14 stereoscopic frames per second. In addition, a set of customized strobe lights is integrated to overcome lighting variations and enable the use of high shutter speed to overcome motion blur. PhenoStereo was used to acquire a set of sorghum plant images, and an automated point cloud data processing pipeline was developed to automatically extract the stems and then quantify their diameters via an optimized 3D modeling process. The pipeline employed a mask region convolutional neural network (Mask R-CNN) for detecting stalk contours and a semi-global block matching (SGBM) stereo matching algorithm for generating disparity maps. The correlation coefficient (r) between the image-derived stem diameters and the ground truth was 0.97 with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 1.44 mm, which outperformed any previously reported sensing approach. These results demonstrate that, with proper customization, stereo vision can be an effective sensing method for field-based plant phenotyping using high-fidelity 3D models reconstructed from stereoscopic images. Based on the results from sorghum plant stem diameter sensing, this proposed stereo sensing approach can likely be extended to characterize a broad range of plant phenotypes, such as the leaf angle and tassel shape of maize plants and the seed pods and stem nodes of soybean plants. Keywords: Field-based high-throughput phenotyping, Point cloud, Stem diameter, Stereo vision.
Validation and Development of Discharge Equations for 3D Printed Flumes for Flow Monitoring
Authors: Akhter Farhana , McMaine John , McLemore Alex J. , Hurst Morghan J. 
Published: November 2021

HighlightsTwo different configurations of 3D printed flumes of two different materials were tested for accuracy and variability.Discharge equations were developed for 3D printed 0.122 m HS and 0.102 m Palmer-Bowlus flumes.3D flumes are accurate and show no statistical variability between prints, providing a low-cost flow measurement tool.Abstract. Flumes are specially shaped, engineered structures that have been used widely for measuring flow. Flumes are typically fabricated from aluminum or fiberglass; however, these types of flumes can be costly if purchased commercially and may lack machine precision if custom fabricated. This limits availability for widespread monitoring by smaller municipalities, engineering firms, or researchers with limited budgets. Using 3D printing technology (additive manufacturing) to produce flumes is very cost-effective, but variability between flumes and materials has not been tested, and discharge equations have not been developed for 3D printed flumes. In this study, a laboratory-scale setup was used to develop discharge equations for two types of 3D printed flumes (0.122 m HS flume and 0.102 m Palmer-Bowlus flume) made from two 3D printing materials: polylactic acid (PLA) and polyethylene terephthalate glycol modified (PETG). Variability between the same type of flume and between different materials for the same type of flume was analyzed to evaluate the consistency of the discharge equation with flumes of the same type. Eight models were developed to fit each dataset (PLA, PETG, and combined PLA and PETG) for both flume types and evaluated for goodness-of-fit and information criteria (AIC and BIC for model parsimony) to select the discharge equation for each flume type. Discharge equations were consistent for the same type of flume across each print and across different print materials. The discharge equations of 3D printed 0.122 m HS flumes and 0.102 m Palmer-Bowlus flumes are Q = 0.45624 × H2.351 and Q = 0.0001176 + 1.309 × (H - 0.0174625)2.235, respectively. The discharge equations of both flume types had R2adj values greater than 97% for the measured data of each individual flume. Both 3D printed flumes were consistent in measuring flow and are suitable for hydrologic monitoring. Keywords: 3D printing, Additive manufacturing, Discharge equation, Flume, Hydrologic monitoring.
Effects of Operating Parameters on the Efficacy of Engineered Water Nanostructures (EWNS) in Inactivating Escherichia coli on Stainless-Steel Surfaces
Authors: Si Yuchen , Yang Yingjie , Martel Myra , Thompson Brooke , Predicala Bernardo , Guo Huiqing , Zhang Lifeng , Kirychuk Shelley 
Published: November 2021

HighlightsThe efficacy of EWNS to disinfect surfaces was assessed at a bacterial concentration similar to pig barns.Liquid pH, liquid conductivity, and applied voltage were found to directly affect the efficacy of EWNS.The efficacy increased as liquid flow rate and distance between needle tip and counter electrode decreased.An E. coli reduction of 3.0 log was achieved on a stainless-steel surface after 15 min exposure to EWNS.Abstract. Several studies have shown the potential of engineered water nanostructures (EWNS) generated using a capillary electrospray system to inactivate foodborne bacteria; however, there is a lack of data on EWNS performance in inactivating microbes in livestock facilities. Thus, this laboratory-scale study investigated the effects of operating conditions on the efficacy of EWNS in inactivating Escherichia coli (E. coli) on coupons made of stainless steel, a common surface material in pig barns, at a bacterial concentration similar to levels found on pig barn surfaces. The electrospray module was composed of a capillary needle that was connected to a high-voltage power supply. The efficacy of the technology in inactivating E. coli was assessed with various operating parameters (i.e., applied voltage, distance between needle tip and counter electrode, and liquid flow rate, pH, and conductivity). The efficacy of the EWNS was found to be directly related to the liquid pH, liquid conductivity, and applied voltage, but inversely related to the liquid flow rate and distance between the needle tip and counter electrode. An E. coli reduction of 3.0 log was obtained after 15 min exposure to EWNS under the following operating conditions: liquid flow rate of 1 µL min-1, pH of 12, liquid conductivity of 14.72 mS cm-1, 2 cm distance between the needle tip and counter electrode, and -7.6 kV applied voltage. The results of this study can serve as an initial basis for the application of EWNS on surfaces in a real barn environment, where the presence of other factors, such as gases, dust, and other organic matter and microbial species, must be taken into account. Keywords: Electrospray, Engineered water nanostructures, E. coli, Stainless-steel surface, Surface decontamination.
Energy and Exergy Efficiencies of Fluidized and Fixed Bed Rice Drying
Authors: Luthra Kaushik , Sadaka Sammy 
Published: November 2021

HighlightsFluidized bed drying of rough riceat 40°C with or without ambient air dehumidification worked best based on the energy and exergy utilization.The dryer lost exergy in the exit air, which was the primary cause of thermal inefficiency; recirculation of the exit air could improve the exergy efficiency.Ambient air dehumidification did not reduce the dryer’s energy utilization and exergy efficiency for rough rice.Abstract. Fluidized bed drying of rough rice in the U.S. has not been used to its full potential due to a lack of research to address rice quality impacts and energy consumption. Little research has been done to analyze the energy and exergy of fluidized bed drying of rough rice. Thermal analysis allows using the drying air’s energy better and improving the drying system’s thermal efficiency. In this study, energy utilization and energy utilization ratio were calculated using the first law of thermodynamics, while exergy loss and exergy efficiency were determined using the second law. Drying air temperature (40°C, 45°C, or 50°C), drying bed condition (fluidized or fixed), drying duration (30, 45, or 60 min), and ambient air dehumidification (yes or no) were the tested factors. A lab-scale drying system designed in a previous study was used. Three replicates were performed to minimize any bias or human errors. All factors significantly affected the energy and exergy of the drying process, except dehumidification and replication. The minimum and maximum energy utilization values were 0.01 and 0.55 kJ s-1 for fixed bed drying at 40°C for 30 min with dehumidification and fluidized bed drying at 50°C for 60 min without dehumidification, respectively. The minimum and maximum exergy efficiency values were 13.46% and 49.14% for fixed bed drying at 45°C for 45 min with dehumidification and fluidized bed drying at 40°C for 60 min with dehumidification, respectively. The primary cause of thermal inefficiency was attributed to the energy and exergy losses in the exit air, while the secondary source was the exergy and energy losses from the drying chamber and inlet air pipes. Costly solutions could be recirculation of the exit air and better insulation of the drying chamber and inlet pipes. However, using the optimal drying conditions for the energy and exergy utilization of the drying air is suggested. This study found that fluidized bed drying was better than fixed bed drying overall. At the primary drying stage, fluidized bed drying had a higher exergy efficiency, energy utilization, and energy utilization ratio than fixed bed drying. At 40°C, fluidized bed drying with or without ambient air dehumidification worked best based on the energy and exergy utilization of the drying system. Keywords: Dehumidification, Energy, Exergy, Fixed bed, Fluidized bed, Rice drying.
The epidemiology of soil-transmitted helminth infections in children up to 8 years of age: Findings from an Ecuadorian birth cohort
Authors: Chis Ster Irina , Niaz Hamzah F. , Chico Martha E. , Oviedo Yisela , Vaca Maritza , Cooper Philip J. 
Published: November 2021

BackgroundThere are few prospective longitudinal studies of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections during early childhood. We studied the epidemiology of and risk factors for soil-transmitted helminth infections from birth to 8 years of age in tropical Ecuador.Methods2,404 newborns were followed to 8 years of age with periodic stool sample collections. Stool samples were collected also from household members at the time of the child’s birth and examined by microscopy. Data on social, environmental, and demographic characteristics were collected by maternal questionnaire. Associations between potential risk factors and STH infections were estimated using generalized estimated equations applied to longitudinal binary outcomes for presence or absence of infections at collection times.ResultsOf 2,404 children, 1,120 (46.6%) were infected with at least one STH infection during the first 8 years of life. The risk ofA.lumbricoides(16.2%) was greatest at 3 years, while risks of any STH (25.1%) andT.trichiura(16.5%) peaked at 5 years. Factors significantly associated with any STH infection in multivariable analyses included age, day-care (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.03–1.73), maternal Afro-Ecuadorian ethnicity (non-Afro vs. Afro, OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.43–0.70) and lower educational level (secondary vs. illiterate, OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.22–0.45)), household overcrowding (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.21–1.94)), having a latrine rather than a water closet (WC vs. latrine, OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.62–0.95)), and STH infections among household members (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.59–2.58)).T.trichiurawas more associated with poverty (high vs. low socioeconomic status, OR, 0.63, 95% CI 0.40–0.99)] and presence of infected siblings in the household (OR 3.42, 95% CI 2.24–5.22).ConclusionSTH infections, principally withA.lumbricoidesandT.trichiura, peaked between 3 and 5 years in this cohort of children in tropical Ecuador. STH infections among household members were an important determinant of infection risk and could be targeted for control and elimination strategies.
Infectious complications related to radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors: The role of antibiotics
Authors: Nakagomi Ryo , Tateishi Ryosuke , Mikami Shintaro , Wake Taijiro , Kinoshita Mizuki Nishibatake , Nakatsuka Takuma , Minami Tatsuya , Sato Masaya , Uchino Koji , Enooku Kenichiro , Nakagawa Hayato , Asaoka Yoshinari , Shiina Shuichiro , Koike Kazuhiko 
Published: November 2021

Background and aimProphylactic administration of antibiotics within 24 hours of surgery is recommended to reduce the risk of infection. We conducted a prospective study to compare the efficacy of single administration of antibiotics with a historical control of continuous administration of antibiotics for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of malignant liver tumors.MethodsBetween February 1, 1999 and November 30, 2010, a total of 6,763 RFA treatments were performed in 2,355 patients, using a protocol with continuous administration of prophylactic antibiotics. On December 1, 2010, we began using a revised protocol with a single administration of prophylactic antibiotics, while continuing to use the old continuous administration protocol for patients who declined the new protocol. Interim analysis was performed to assess the safety of the single administration protocol. Thereafter, from April 1, 2012, all patients were treated using the new protocol. Risk factors for infectious complications of RFA were assessed using logistic regression.ResultsFrom December 2010 to March 2012, 766 RFA treatments were performed in 663 patients using the new antibiotic protocol. Infectious complications were observed following 4 of these treatments (0.52%). As the upper limit of the confidence interval (CI) resulting from a one-sided binomial test was exactly the prespecified limit of 1.0%, from April 2012 onwards, we treated all patients using the new protocol with single administration of prophylactic antibiotics. A total of 3,547 RFA treatments were performed using the single administration protocol. Univariable logistic regression indicated that prior transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and maximal tumor diameter were significant risk factors for infectious complications (P = 0.04 and P < 0.001, respectively). Multivariable analysis indicated that the adjusted hazard ratio of single vs. continuous administration of antibiotics was 1.20 (95% CI: 0.53–2.75; P = 0.66).ConclusionsThe rate of infectious complications related to RFA was acceptably low. Single administration of prophylactic antibiotics did not significantly increase the rate of infectious complications related to RFA, compared with a more intensive antibiotic protocol.