bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Block-wise imputation EM algorithm in multi-source scenario: ADNI case
Authors: Campos Sergio , Zamora Juan , Allende Héctor ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: April 2024

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and the early detection is essential to prevent its proliferation. Real data available has been of paramount importance in order to achieve progress in the automatic detection despite presenting two major challenges: Multi-source observations containing Magnetic resonance (MRI), Positron emission tomography (PET) and Cerebrospinal fluid data (CSF); and also missing values within all these sources. Most machine learning techniques perform this predictive task by using a single data modality. Nevertheless, the integration of all these sources of evidence could possibly bring a higher performance at different stages of disease progression. The Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm has been successfully employed to handle missing values, but it is not designed for typical Machine Learning scenarios where an imputation model is created over training data and subsequently applied on a testing set. In this work, we propose EMreg-KNN, a novel supervised and multi-source imputation algorithm. Based on the EM algorithm, EMreg-KNN builds a regression ensemble model for the imputation of future data thus allowing the further utilization of any vector-based Machine Learning method to automatically assess the Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. Using the ADNI database, the proposed method achieves significant improvements on F1, AUC and Accuracy measures over classical imputation methods for this database using four classification algorithms. Considering these classifiers in four different classification scenarios, our algorithm is experimentally superior in terms of the F measure, in nearly 82% of the cases under evaluation.
“This community will grow” — little concern for future wildfires in a dry and increasingly hotter Swedish rural community
Authors: Eriksson Kerstin , Sjöström Johan , Vermina Plathner Frida 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIncreased risk of wildfires is often highlighted in media coverage of climate change in the Nordic countries. How an increased risk is reflected in the concerns and adaptive measures within the most likely affected communities is nevertheless not known. This study investigates concerns and adaptation to wildfires in a rural community in south-eastern Sweden. The comparatively dry study area has a history of frequent but often low-consequence wildfires and is projected to experience Sweden’s largest increase in severe fire weather towards 2100. Through narratives, this study elucidates potential wildfire concerns in this area and motivations behind adaptation measures. The narratives are compared to a physical causal network extracted from the literature on fires and their consequences in the region. Residents foresee an increased wildfire risk but do not consider it a threat to the future well-being of the community. Forest owners and homeowners express low commitment in preventive or adaptive measures. Instead, contrasting the reality of the twentieth century, the fire service is currently considered to be responsible for both preventing and suppressing fires. This attitude is attributed to the lack of severe implications from the generally well-managed fires in the region. Actions for prevention and adaptation seem triggered by media attention or experience from real high-consequence events occurring elsewhere, rather than local wildfire occurrence or climate change projections.
Thick-billed Murres in breeding pairs migrate and overwinter far apart but in similar photic environments
Authors: Huffeldt Nicholas P. , Ballesteros Manuel , Helm Barbara , Linnebjerg Jannie F. , Merkel Flemming R. , Mosbech Anders , Frederiksen Morten 
Published: April 2024

AbstractScheduling between mates in species with long-term pair bonds can be essential for positive fitness. The annual cycle in photoperiod is the primary environmental cue used by many animals to synchronize behavior and physiology among members of a population, and animals that migrate must have similar annual schedules to ensure successful breeding. However, we know little about whether members of mated pairs in migratory species experience similar photic environments across the year, which could allow for synchronization in annual phenology. Here, we used light-based geolocation to estimate positions of mated pairs of Thick-billed Murres (Uria lomvia, a seabird a.k.a. Brünnich’s Guillemot) which bred above the northern polar circle in Greenland. We tested the hypothesis that individuals in mated pairs occur in more similar locations and photic environments than randomly matched females and males. We found no difference in the amount of spatial separation or in the photic environment between mates and randomized heterosexual pairings. In general, the distance between females and males ranged from 1,198.5 km during August to 737.4 km during January. The sexes remained in photic environments with highly correlated photoperiods and moderately correlated times of solar noon in UTC. The spatial separation of, but similar photic environments experienced by, female and male murres regardless of pair status is probably adaptive by facilitating the synchronization of annual schedules between sexes, while allowing individuals in mated pairs the freedom to pursue the best foraging opportunities during migration and overwintering independent of their mate.
Toupet fundoplication to prevent progression of scleroderma-associated interstitial lung damage: a study protocol
Authors: Aiolfi Alberto , Bona Davide , Manara Michele , Ogliari Cristina , Baldessari Chiara , Resta Marco , Del Papa Nicoletta , Cirri Silvia , Baisi Alessandro , Bonitta Gianluca , Sconfienza Luca , Harari Sergio , Nosotti Mario , Vecchi Maurizio , Schoppmann Sebastian F. , Bonavina Luigi 
Published: April 2024

Summary
Background
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune and multiorgan disorder. Hallmarks of the disease include inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and dysregulation of fibroblasts leading to fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. The esophagus is often involved, with up to 80% of patients developing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Reflux can be associated with hiatal hernia and several complications such as erosive esophagitis, peptic stricture, Barrett’s esophagus, aspiration pneumonia, and chronic microaspiration. Silent aspiration can lead to interstitial lung disease (ILD) in up to 50% of patients with scleroderma and accounts for up to 40% of mortality. Treatment of GERD in patients with SSc is challenging. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) have been shown effective in relieving typical GERD symptoms, but up to 40% of patients are non-responders. Various antireflux surgical procedures have been proposed to treat GERD and to modify the natural course of the disease by preventing lung damage in these patients. However, current algorithms consider only the degree of esophageal dilation as a marker of disease severity/progression, and results of antireflux surgery remain controversial.

Methods
We propose a feasibility, observational, multicenter, single-arm trial including adult patients diagnosed with SSc. Criteria for inclusion are individuals with GERD symptoms refractory to PPI, absence of peptic stricture at baseline endoscopy, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan showing no or less than 10% lung fibrosis, forced vital capacity at least 40% of the predicted value, and diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide 30–89% of the predicted value. A laparoscopic partial posterior fundoplication according to the Toupet technique will be performed. Primary study outcome is the efficacy of fundoplication to reduce reflux exposure measured with a pH-impedance study or 4‑day wireless pH recording. Secondary outcomes include endoscopic, HRCT, and respiratory function tests findings as well as quality of life at 12-month follow-up.

Conclusions
The expected reduction of reflux burden in SSc patients selected for Toupet fundoplication may improve GERD symptoms/complications, pulmonary function, and quality of life, and may be associated with a reduced risk for lung transplant.
Synthesis of New D–π–A Phenothiazine-Based Fluorescent Dyes: Aggregation Induced Emission and Antibacterial Activity
Authors: El-Sedik Mervat S. , Mohamed Mahmoud Basseem I. , Abdel-Aziz Mohamed S. , Aysha Tarek S. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHighly solid-state fluorescent dyes based on phenothiazine bearing sulfa-drug derivatives were successfully prepared and fully characterized by NMR, mass spectra, and elemental analysis. The prepared phenothiazine dyes bearing sulfadiazine and sulfathiazole 4-(((10-hexyl-10 H-phenothiazin-3-yl)methylene)amino)-N-(pyrimidin-2yl) benzenesulfonamide (PTZ-1) and 4-(((10-hexyl-10 H-phenothiazin-3-yl) methylene) amino)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide (PTZ-2), showed strong emission in polycrystalline form, and significant emission in solution was observed. The quantum yield of the prepared dyes varied and decreased by increasing the solvent polarity, with the maximum recorded value being 0.63 and 0.6 in dioxane. Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and the effect of the solvent polarity on absorption and emission spectra were investigated. The dyeing application of polyester fabrics using the prepared phenothiazine-based dyes was studied, showing very good affinity to dyed fabrics. The antibacterial affinity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria for the dye powder as well as the dyed PET fabric was investigated, with PTZ-2 showing better affinity against bacteria compared to PTZ-1. This multifunctional property highlights the potential uses of PTZ-1 and PTZ-2 for advanced applications in biomedicine and optoelectronics.
Hearing Difficulties Among Farmworkers in the México-US Southwest Border Region
Authors: Coco Laura , Sanchez Gabriela D. , Campuzano Gabriel A. , Keeney Annie J. , Romine James K. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMigrant and seasonal farmworkers are a vulnerable population with a potentially high risk for hearing loss due to farm-related noise exposures. Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is permanent, and it is associated with an increased risk for injuries on the job, as well as communication difficulties, isolation, and depression. The México/US border region is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country, however, no known studies have explored hearing loss among farmworkers in this area. This pilot study was a first step toward measuring and addressing hearing loss and noise exposure among this region’s farmworkers. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to estimate the prevalence of subjective hearing difficulties among Yuma County, Arizona farmworkers. Survey interviews took place during a late-night farmworker health fair from 2 am to 6 am to accommodate local farms’ labor schedules. Multivariable regression adjusted for demographic and work covariates estimated subjective hearing loss prevalence ratios. Among 132 farmworker participants, 36% reported they have or might have hearing loss, and 62% reported no hearing loss. Subjective hearing loss prevalence was lower in farmworkers who report not working in noise compared to prevalence in farmworkers who work in noise [prevalence ratio, 0.44 (95% CI 0.23–0.82)]. This report contributes to understanding the perception of hearing-related health and occupational exposures among farmworkers in the México-US Southwest border region. The information from this line of research will inform appropriate safety measures known to lower the risk of experiencing occupational NIHL.
Real-time multibody simulation of vehicle wheel suspensions of different topologies with elastokinematic properties
Authors: Archut Jan-Lukas , Corves Burkhard 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Driving simulators are becoming increasingly important in vehicle development, as they allow test drivers to evaluate the driving characteristics of a vehicle at an early stage of the development process. Vehicle dynamics models used for such real-time applications are usually simplified to achieve sufficiently low computation times, especially with respect to the elastokinematic properties of the wheel suspension. This contribution introduces a real-time capable multibody simulation model for wheel suspensions taking into account their elastokinematics. The underlying data model allows the parametrization of different suspension topologies. Linear-implicit integration methods enable real-time capable integration of the underlying numerically stiff equation of motion without major model simplifications. It is shown how the computational effort of linear-implicit integration can be reduced by explicitly taking the suspension topology into account. A versatile process for the analytical online-linearization of the equation of motion of arbitrary suspension topologies is presented. Both a double wishbone and a multilink suspension are simulated with very high accuracy in real-time on a standard PC.
Hot Corrosion Behavior of La2Ce2O7-Based Plasma-Sprayed Coating
Authors: Ariharan S. , Parchovianský Milan , Singh Pushpender , Rani Pooja , Maurya Rita , Sekar Anusha , Keshri Anup Kumar , Pakseresht Amirhossein 
Published: April 2024

AbstractLa2Ce2O7 (LC) has been identified as a promising thermal barrier coating (TBC) for use up to 1250 °C. In this study, a TBC system was deposited on grit-blasted Inconel 738 using atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) with NiCrAlY as the bond coat, followed by YSZ, and then LC as the top layer. The coatings were exposed to a mixture of molten Na2SO4 (45 wt.%) and V2O5 (55 wt.%) at 950 °C for hot corrosion. On the top LC layer, LaVO4, CeVO4 and CeO(1.66–2.00) formed as hot corrosion products after 4 h exposure. A reaction between YSZ and the corrosion products could not be observed due to the absence of YVO4. The hot corrosion mechanism of the LC-based TBC is also discussed in this study.
Divergent drivers of the spatial variation in greenhouse gas concentrations and fluxes along the Rhine River and the Mittelland Canal in Germany
Authors: Mwanake Ricky Mwangada , Imhof Hannes Klaus , Kiese Ralf 
Published: April 2024

AbstractLotic ecosystems are sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to the atmosphere, but their emissions are uncertain due to longitudinal GHG heterogeneities associated with point source pollution from anthropogenic activities. In this study, we quantified summer concentrations and fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and dinitrogen (N2), as well as several water quality parameters along the Rhine River and the Mittelland Canal, two critical inland waterways in Germany. Our main objectives were to compare GHG concentrations and fluxes along the two ecosystems and to determine the main driving factors responsible for their longitudinal GHG heterogeneities. The results indicated that the two ecosystems were sources of GHG fluxes to the atmosphere, with the Mittelland Canal being a hotspot for CH4 and N2O fluxes. We also found significant longitudinal GHG flux discontinuities along the mainstems of both ecosystems, which were mainly driven by divergent drivers. Along the Mittelland Canal, peak CO2 and CH4 fluxes coincided with point pollution sources such as a joining river tributary or the presence of harbors, while harbors and in-situ biogeochemical processes such as methanogenesis and respiration mainly explained CH4 and CO2 hotspots along the Rhine River. In contrast to CO2 and CH4 fluxes, N2O longitudinal trends along the two lotic ecosystems were better predicted by in-situ parameters such as chlorophyll-a concentrations and N2 fluxes. Based on a positive relationship with N2 fluxes, we hypothesized that in-situ denitrification was driving N2O hotspots in the Canal, while a negative relationship with N2 in the Rhine River suggested that coupled biological N2 fixation and nitrification accounted for N2O hotspots. These findings stress the need to include N2 flux estimates in GHG studies, as it can potentially improve our understanding of whether nitrogen is fixed through N2 fixation or lost through denitrification.
Reassessing the Impact of China’s Belt and Road Initiative: A Mixed Methods Approach
Authors: Wong Mathew Y. H. , Downes James F. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis study reassesses the impact of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by examining various economic linkages between China and other economies. An extensive review of the literature reveals that empirical studies in this field seldom account for the possibility that the BRI might itself be a product, rather than a cause, of connections between China and the world. Based on statistical analyses of data from 163 countries between 1999 and 2017 and mini-case studies on Italy and Hungary, this study finds that the scope and coverage of the BRI are determined by China’s pre-existing connections with other economies. The actual impact of the BRI on various economic outcomes, with the partial exception of Chinese investments flowing to formal participants, is limited when pre-BRI trends are accounted for. In addition, given the encompassing nature of the BRI framework, the concern that the BRI is autocracy-exporting or corruption-inducing appears to be exaggerated. The study thus calls for a more nuanced consideration of the actual impact of the BRI.
Benefits of air quality for human health resulting from climate change mitigation through dietary change and food loss prevention policy
Authors: Jansakoo Thanapat , Sekizawa Satoshi , Fujimori Shinichiro , Hasegawa Tomoko , Oshiro Ken 
Published: April 2024

AbstractFood production, particularly cattle husbandry, contributes significantly to air pollution and its associated health hazards. However, making changes in dietary habits, such as reducing red meat consumption and minimizing food waste, can lead to substantial improvements in both air quality and human health. In this study, we explored the impact of dietary changes on future air quality and human wellbeing. We also assessed the influence of dietary transformation policies in the context of climate change mitigation, with the objective of understanding how policies can effectively complement each other. We used a chemical transport model and an integrated assessment model to determine changes in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) concentrations. Then, an exposure model was applied to estimate premature deaths as a consequence of air pollution. Our results showed that dietary changes could play a crucial role in mitigating air pollution, particularly in regions where agricultural activities emit significant quantities of ammonia. In the European Union, for example, dietary changes could lead to a reduction of 5.34% in PM2.5 by 2050. Similarly, in Asia, the models projected a reduction of 6.23% in PM2.5 by 2100. Ground surface O3 levels in Southeast Asia were projected to drop by as much as 12.93% by 2100. Our results further showed that dietary changes could lead to significant reductions in global mortality associated with PM2.5 and O3, with 187,500 and 131,110 avoided deaths per year expected by 2100. A combined approach that integrates dietary changes with climate change mitigation measures could lead to more comprehensive air quality improvements in specific regions. However, careful consideration is needed to address any potential adverse effects on O3 concentrations in some areas.
More than Psychometric Properties of the Fear of Covid-19 Scale. The Struggle of the Portuguese Police Officers
Authors: Sousa Bárbara , Correia-Santos Patrícia , Brooke Erika , Costa Patrício , Maia Ângela 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe Covid-19 pandemic conveyed consequences for people’s physical and mental health. During the worst pandemic scenarios, police officers were one of the most exposed populations. This situation brought these professionals unusual responsibilities, such as adjust work shifts and allocate police officers from operational and administrative services to the Covid-19 supervision teams and put them at an elevated risk of contracting the virus because they are also frontline workers too, and they often did not have personal protective equipment. Due to this, the main objective of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of a Portuguese version of the Fear of Covid-19 among police officers, as well as to know how the fear of Covid-19 relates to the mental health during the worst wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in Portugal. Participants were 174 police officers aged between 23 and 58 years old (M = 40.81; SD = 6.83) who completed the Fear of Covid-19 Scale, the Operational Police Stress Questionnaire, and the Posttraumatic Disorder Checklist for DSM-5. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a good adjustment fit for the two-factor model. Construct validity was supported, and the internal consistency was good for both periods of assessment. The model proved invariant for both groups (pre and during lockdown) at the measurement, scalar, and structural levels. Study findings suggest that the Portuguese Version of FCV-19S is a reliable measure to assess the fear of Covid-19 among police officers, including during the pandemic development.
Design of an improved layout for a steel processing facility using SLP and lean Manufacturing techniques
Authors: Salins Sampath Suranjan , Zaidi Syed Ali Raza , Deepak D , Sachidananda H K 
Published: April 2024

AbstractImplementing lean manufacturing practices in the systematic layout planning (SLP) process for improving facility layouts in various industries is essential. This approach enhances material handling processes and effectively manages space utilization. An efficient plant employing systematic layout planning leads to improved resource utilization and facilitates the integration of lean manufacturing techniques such as value stream mapping, 5 S, Ohno’s 7 wastes, and cellular manufacturing. This research article presents a case study on a steel processing plant in Dubai with an area of 160 m × 160 m, where systematic layout planning and lean manufacturing techniques were applied. The factors considered included space and material flow optimization, incorporating layout alternatives based on systematic layout planning principles along with lean manufacturing techniques. The study revealed a 34% reduction in material flow and an efficient overall space utilization improvement of 26%. Additionally, cost analysis validation was conducted.
Alternating chemotherapy with VDC-IE as effective first-line treatment in a patient with SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumor
Authors: Popov Petar , Steinbrecher Oskar , Scharrer Anke , Raderer Markus , Brodowicz Thomas , Preusser Matthias , Lamm Wolfgang 
Published: April 2024

SummarySMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumor (SMARCA4-UTs) is an extremely rare and aggressive entity where no consensus on systemic treatment exists to date. We report the case of a 43-year-old woman with thoracic SMARCA4-UT who presented with rapid progression of disease after surgical resection and achieved complete radiologic remission under VDC-IE chemotherapy (vincristine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide [VDC], alternating with ifosfamide and etoposide [IE]). The detailed case report is followed by a brief discussion and overview of current literature.