bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduced bias estimation of the log odds ratio
Authors: Saleh Asma 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAnalysis of binary matched pairs data is problematic due to infinite maximum likelihood estimates of the log odds ratio and potentially biased estimates, especially for small samples. We propose a penalised version of the log-likelihood function based on adjusted responses which always results in a finite estimator of the log odds ratio. The probability limit of the adjusted log-likelihood estimator is derived and it is shown that in certain settings the maximum likelihood, conditional and modified profile log-likelihood estimators drop out as special cases of the former estimator. We implement indirect inference to the adjusted log-likelihood estimator. It is shown, through a complete enumeration study, that the indirect inference estimator is competitive in terms of bias and variance in comparison to the maximum likelihood, conditional, modified profile log-likelihood and Firth’s penalised log-likelihood estimators.
Myocarditis incidence and hospital mortality from 2007 to 2022: insights from a nationwide registry
Authors: Rottmann Felix A. , Glück Christian , Kaier Klaus , Bemtgen Xavier , Supady Alexander , von zur Mühlen Constantin , Westermann Dirk , Wengenmayer Tobias , Staudacher Dawid L. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Objectives
To investigate the burden of disease of myocarditis in Germany and identify similarities and differences in myocarditis with or without COVID-19.

Methods
All patients hospitalized with myocarditis in Germany were included in this nationwide retrospective analysis. Data were retrieved from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany (DESTATIS) for the years from 2007 to 2022. The primary endpoint was hospital mortality.

Results
A total of 88,159 patients hospitalized with myocarditis were analyzed. Annual cases increased from 5100 in 2007 to 6593 in 2022 (p < 0.001 for trend) with higher incidence during winter months. Incidence per 100,000 inhabitants was 6.2 in 2007 rising to 7.8 in 2022 (p < 0.001 for trend). Hospital mortality remained constant at an average of 2.44% (p = 0.164 for trend). From 2020 to 2022, 1547/16,229 (9.53%) patients were hospitalized with both, myocarditis and COVID-19 (incidence 0.62/100,000 inhabitants and 180/100,000 hospitalizations with COVID-19). These patients differed significantly in most patient characteristics and had a higher rate of hospital mortality compared to myocarditis without COVID-19 (12.54% vs. 2.26%, respectively, p < 0.001).

Conclusions
Myocarditis hospitalizations were slowly rising over the past 16 years with hospital mortality remaining unchanged. Incidence of hospitalizations with combined myocarditis and COVID-19 was low, but hospital mortality was high.
Design of Rock Support in Low Overburden and Hard Rock Conditions with the use of Rock Mass Classification Systems and Numerical Analyses: a Study Based on the Construction of the Hestnes Railway Tunnel, Norway
Authors: Terron-Almenara Jorge , Skretting Erlend , Holter Karl Gunnar 
Published: August 2024

AbstractEngineering rock mass classifications are used to describe rock masses and to assist in the design of rock support in hard rock tunneling. In most of the encountered geological- and rock mechanical conditions, from hard and competent rock to poor and fractured rock masses, the application of classification systems has normally resulted in successful and economic designs. However, complex ground conditions as these derived from tunneling in low rock overburden pose several challenges to rock mass classification and support design. In the present study, an analysis of the ground behavior and tunnel stability in a portion with very low rock overburden during the construction of the Hestnes railway tunnel (Norway) was conducted to investigate the performance of the current classification practice for tunnel rock support design. The results have revealed several challenges, which are related to conservative rock mass and rock support assessments due to the lack of consideration of the important stabilizing effect that rock arching has on tunnel stability. It was also found that with the application of an integrated methodology able to combine classification methods with numerical simulations and detailed information of the ground properties and behavior, more optimal designs in the form of rock reinforcement with bolts and shotcrete can be achieved when rock mass quality Q < 1. On this basis, a set of design recommendations was developed for the integration of classification systems with more elaborated engineering design analyses to provide guidance in design optimization for hard rock tunnels subject to low overburden.
Künstliche Intelligenz in der Medizin
Authors: Rubeis Giovanni 
Published: August 2024

ZusammenfassungTechnologien maschinellen Lernens, die auf einem Big-Data-Ansatz beruhen, werden als Schlüssel einer personalisierten Medizin angesehen. Von Bilderkennungssoftware zu Chatbots, von Systemen der Entscheidungsunterstützung zu sozialen Robotern, bieten diese Technologien ein breites Spektrum an Einsatzmöglichkeiten in der Medizin. Die besondere Herausforderung besteht darin, dass diese Anwendungen künstlicher Intelligenz keine bloß passiven Werkzeuge darstellen. Vielmehr handelt es sich um „artificial agents“, also nichtmenschliche Akteure, die autonome oder teilautonome Entscheidungen treffen und Handlungen setzen. Zudem verändern diese Technologien die epistemischen Praktiken von Ärzt:innen, d. h. die Art und Weise, wie diese Patient:innen lesen. Beide Aspekte führen zu einer fundamentalen Transformationen von Praktiken, Beziehungen und Umwelten in der Medizin. In diesem Beitrag werden die ethischen Aspekten dieser Transformation erläutert. Ob sich die Medizin zum Besseren oder Schlechteren verändern wird, ist nicht durch die Technik vorbestimmt. Vielmehr kommt es gerade darauf an, auf den Ebenen Entwicklung, Implementierung und Nutzung der Technologie klare Ziele zu definieren. Dabei sollte als Grundsatz gelten: Prozesse automatisieren, nicht Entscheidungen; zeitraubende Tätigkeiten delegieren, statt Ärzt:innen zu ersetzen. So lässt sich das Potenzial von KI zur Ermöglichung von Best Practice und der Förderung des Patientenwohls nutzen. Die Betrachtungen basieren auf den grundlegenden Resultaten der Monografie Ethics of Medical AI des Autors.
The Fröhlich polaron at strong coupling: Part II — Energy-momentum relation and effective mass
Authors: Brooks Morris , Seiringer Robert 
Published: August 2024

AbstractWe study the Fröhlich polaron model in $\mathbf {R}^{3}$

R
3

, and prove a lower bound on its ground state energy as a function of the total momentum. The bound is asymptotically sharp at large coupling. In combination with a corresponding upper bound proved earlier (Mitrouskas et al. in Forum Math. Sigma 11:1–52, 2023), it shows that the energy is approximately parabolic below the continuum threshold, and that the polaron’s effective mass (defined as the semi-latus rectum of the parabola) is given by the celebrated Landau–Pekar formula. In particular, it diverges as $\alpha ^{4}$

α
4

for large coupling constant $\alpha $
α
.
Looking back on a gold standard: a systematic literature review of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication as an anti-reflux treatment option
Authors: Zehetner Joerg , Hoffsten Johanna , Das Shuchesmita , Schoppmann Sebastian F. , Lipham John C. 
Published: August 2024

Summary
Background
Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is considered the gold standard in surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Therefore, exhaustive scrutiny of the procedure is necessary. The aim of this study was to perform a complete and systematic literature review of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication to summarize the evidence for safety and efficacy over time.

Methods
MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched for randomized controlled trials investigating intra- and postoperative outcomes at follow-ups between 4–6 weeks and 17 years.

Results
Among 1675 screened articles, 63 articles were identified comprising 40 trials with a total of 2619 participants. Intraoperative events included bleeding (2.9%), gastroesophageal injury/perforation (0.9%), and spleen injury/splenectomy (0.9%). One-year clinical follow-up presented the following: dysphagia (22.4%), heartburn or epigastric/sternal pain (15.1%), gas bloating (30.1%), and inability to vomit/belch (16.4%). These outcomes displayed a U-shaped curve with a minimum of symptoms at 1 year. At 10 years postoperatively, clinical outcomes deteriorated, demonstrating dysphagia (45.3%), heartburn or epigastric/sternal pain (30.9%), inability to vomit/belch (48.8%), and gas bloating (44.4%). Furthermore, the surgical benefit seems to dissipate at 17 years. At 1 and 10 years after surgery, reoperation rates were 6.7% and 16.3%, whereas proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use was at 12.3% and 23.3%, respectively.

Conclusion
The performance of Nissen fundoplication declines over time, as demonstrated by increased PPI medication usage for recurrent symptoms and an increased reoperation rate reaching a combined 39.6%, representing failures after 10 years. The complication rates are dominated by dysphagia, gas bloating, inability to belch/vomit, and/or recurrent reflux symptoms with heartburn.
CO2 adsorption in biochars obtained from soursop (Anonna muricata) seeds by chemical activation with metallic salts
Authors: López Jhoan M. Camargo , Martínez José J. , Brijaldo María H. , Acevedo Sergio 
Published: August 2024

AbstractEnvironment remediation is one of the primary goals of sustainable development and anthropogenic activities, and the use of fuels in various industrial processes through combustion has led to an increase in CO2 as well as big damage to the atmosphere by the greenhouse effect. Biochar has been used for the capture of carbon dioxide due to its high surface area. In this study, we obtained biochar from soursop seeds. The materials were synthesized by pyrolysis of precursor materials and chemical activation with chlorides of Ca and Mg at a concentration of 5% w/v. The effect of the defatting process of the soursop seeds on the obtained carbon was also researched. The absorbed solids were characterized through thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and CO2 adsorption, followed by infrared spectroscopy, N2-physisorption, CO2-physisorption, CO2, XPS, DRIFTS and TPD of NH3. The type of activating agent and pretreatment conditions used were more favorable than the defatted process at obtaining carbons with N2 surface areas between 26 and 220 m2g−1. The biochars were analyzed by CO2 surface area to describe the microporous framework, and the solid with the best CO2 surface area was the one with the highest CO2 adsorption. According to the statistical analyses conducted, the evaluated models Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich-Peterson presented good fits to the experimental data. However, the Redlich-Peterson model showed the lowest values for the residual variance, which were of the order of 0.001 or less in all cases based on the CO2 adsorption isotherms on the studied activated carbons. However, the carbons obtained by defatting showed favorable hydrophilic behavior along with adsorption capacities in the bioremediation process and affinity towards of this GHG.
More, better feedback please: are learning analytics dashboards (LAD) the solution to a wicked problem?
Authors: Kitto Simon , Chiang H. L. Michelle , Ng Olivia , Cleland Jennifer 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThere is a long-standing lack of learner satisfaction with quality and quantity of feedback in health professions education (HPE) and training. To address this, university and training programmes are increasingly using technological advancements and data analytic tools to provide feedback. One such educational technology is the Learning Analytic Dashboard (LAD), which holds the promise of a comprehensive view of student performance via partial or fully automated feedback delivered to learners in real time. The possibility of displaying performance data visually, on a single platform, so users can access and process feedback efficiently and constantly, and use this to improve their performance, is very attractive to users, educators and institutions. However, the mainstream literature tends to take an atheoretical and instrumentalist view of LADs, a view that uncritically celebrates the promise of LAD’s capacity to provide a ‘technical fix’ to the ‘wicked problem’ of feedback in health professions education. This paper seeks to recast the discussion of LADs as something other than a benign material technology using the lenses of Miller and Rose’s technologies of government and Barry’s theory of Technological Societies, where such technical devices are also inherently agentic and political. An examination of the purpose, design and deployment of LADs from these theoretical perspectives can reveal how these educational devices shape and govern the HPE learner body in different ways, which in turn, may produce a myriad of unintended– and ironic– effects on the feedback process. In this Reflections article we wish to encourage health professions education scholars to examine the practices and consequences thereof of the ever-expanding use of LADs more deeply and with a sense of urgency.
Unveiling the social media landscape: exploring factors influencing usage patterns among tertiary education students in Ghana
Authors: Odoom Daniel , Agyepong Lawrencia , Dick-Sagoe Christopher , Mensah Eric Opoku 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis research assessed the factors affecting social media usage by tertiary education students in Ghana. The technology acceptance model underpinned the study. A total of 513 tertiary education students selected from across the country completed a set of questionnaires using Google Forms. Frequencies, percentages, means, independent samples t-test, and ANOVA were used as the analytical framework for the study. Although respondents were very highly aware of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, they were less aware of platforms such as Flicker, SoundCloud, Evernote, Pinterest, 2go, and MySpace. In addition, respondents reported that the extent to which social media was used for information sharing, entertainment, education, interpersonal connectivity, and social bonding was high. The level at which social media was used for self-promotion, impression management, self-disclosure, and self-documentation, and displaying creativity was moderate. The major factors respondents considered when using social media platforms were the convenience of the platforms, their experience with the platforms, their perceived usefulness, social influence, and the cost of the platforms. Despite their importance, legal risks and privacy issues did not strongly feature in the factors respondents considered before using social media platforms. Significant differences existed in the respondents’ views on the factors affecting their social media platform usage based on age. Tertiary education students in Ghana are advised to maximise their use of social media platforms for educational purposes. Finally, to avoid inconveniences, Ghanaian tertiary education students should pay increased attention to the legal implications and privacy issues associated with social media adoption.
A semi-automated image processing method for analysing the taxonomic composition of algal biofilms
Authors: Novák Zoltán , Bernát Gábor , Steinbach Gábor , Boross Nóra , Pirger Zsolt , Boros Gergely 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBenthic phototrophic communities play a crucial role in the functioning of shallow lake ecosystems. The complexity of benthic algal communities poses challenges for exploring their fine structures using traditional methods such as light microscopy. However, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) offers the potential for microscale-level structural investigation of phototrophic biofilms, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of the structural and compositional changes within these communities. The primary objective of this study was to develop a relatively rapid, semi-automated, and freely available image processing method to facilitate the tracking of spatio-temporal alterations in intact biofilms. To evaluate our image processing method, we conducted an eight-week long outdoor mesocosm experiment, manipulating temperatures based on two global warming scenarios (assuming intermediate- and high degree of greenhouse gas emission), with increases of 3°C and 5°C, respectively, compared to the reference/unheated mesocosms. Eight limestone cubes were placed on the bottom of each mesocosm to provide 'natural' surfaces for phytobenthos colonization, which was subsequently analysed by confocal microscopy. We hypothesized that increasing water temperature might have a significant impact on the taxonomic composition of algal biofilms, particularly on the abundance of phototrophic prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The designed 'FIJI macro' efficiently analysed the recorded images, including single images, series of Z-stack images, and projection images. Our image processing method effectively discriminated photosynthetic prokaryotes and eukaryotes based on their pigment composition and proved suitable for the high-throughput analysis of structural and compositional changes in algal biofilms. Moreover, this study confirmed that climate-induced warming can lead to an increasing dominance of cyanobacteria in benthic phototrophic communities at the expense of eukaryotic algae.
A Systematic Review of Interventions to Promote Cervical Cancer Screening among Immigrant Vietnamese Women
Authors: Hua Jacqueline , Jackson Kristopher 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Vietnamese women have a higher incidence rate of cervical cancer and are less likely to have ever been screened for cervical cancer than their White counterparts in the US. This review synthesizes findings from published interventions to promote cervical cancer screening in this vulnerable population. Articles were identified through a systematic search of PsycInfo, Embase, Pubmed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials in October 2022. Articles were included if they were published in a peer-reviewed journal, written in English, included one or more interventions promoting cervical cancer screening, assessed at least one outcome relevant to screening, and included a sample of ≥ 70% Vietnamese participants. Quality assessment scores were computed using the Downs and Black Checklist. Fifteen articles met review inclusion criteria. Studies were, on average, of good quality. Most studies were conducted in the US (n = 12), used a quasi-experimental design (n = 9), and employed multiple intervention strategies (n = 12). Intervention strategies included educational sessions, lay health worker (LHW) outreach, small media, mass media, patient navigation, and community or healthcare-based strategies. The most common study outcomes were screening intention and receipt. All but two studies reported improved cervical cancer screening outcomes following intervention. Findings support the effectiveness of multicomponent culturally tailored interventions to improve cervical cancer screening outcomes in immigrant Vietnamese women. Further research is needed to determine whether these interventions will be as successful in non-US countries and to address broader community- and healthcare-based factors in screening.
Lagrange Stability of Competitive Neural Networks with Multiple Time-Varying Delays
Authors: Tang Dandan , Wang Baoxian , Jian Jigui , Hao Caiqing 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn this paper, the Lagrange stability of competitive neural networks (CNNs) with leakage delays and mixed time-varying delays is investigated. By constructing delay-dependent Lyapunov functional, combining inequality analysis technique, the delay-dependent Lagrange stability criterion are obtained in the form of linear matrix inequalities. And the corresponding global exponentially attractive set (GEAS) is obtained. On this basis, by exploring the relationship between the leakage delays and the discrete delay, a better GEAS of the system is obtained from the six different sizes of the two types of delays. Finally, three examples of numerical simulation are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the obtained results.
A protocol for the development and maintenance of Coffea arabica (L.) cell suspension cultures
Authors: Di Bonaventura Azzurra , Marchetti Stefano , Petrussa Elisa , Braidot Enrico , Colomban Silvia , Navarini Luciano , Zancani Marco 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCoffea spp. are remarkable sources of phytochemicals, but the lack of a well-defined culture medium aimed at the induction of non-embryogenic and friable callus hampers the establishment of plant cell suspension cultures for large-scale production of valuable compounds. In this paper, we describe a one-medium protocol suitable to obtain both callus and cell suspension cultures from leaves of two elite cultivars of C. arabica. The protocol was developed through an iterative process involving the determination of the best concentration of auxin and cytokinin, their optimal ratio, as well as the most effective molecule of either hormone class. Young leaves were found to be a good and easy-to-use explant source for callus induction and proliferation, provided that a cytokinin was present in association with a chlorinated auxin in a full strength, semi-solid MS medium. The best results were obtained by hormone concentration and combination of 1 mg/L of both kinetin and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The same ratio of these growth regulators was conveniently used for the development and stabilization of cell suspension cultures in liquid MS medium. When grown in darkness, stabilized suspension cultures showed a fine and homogeneous texture, with a 10-fold biomass increase within 25 days and a cell viability > 90%. In addition, the phytochemical profile revealed the presence of the most widely studied coffee compounds. The protocol can be applied to obtain adequate amounts of cell biomass for use in physiological studies concerning the production of secondary metabolites.