bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of two swept-source optical coherence tomography devices, a Scheimpflug camera system and a ray-tracing aberrometer in the measurement of corneal power in patients with cataract
Authors: Ma Shan , Gao Rongyu , Sun Jing , Yang Jun , Wen Kai , Chen Xiteng , Zhao Fangyu , Xu Xinyan , Tian Fang 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To assess the differences and similarities in the corneal curvature obtained by two swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) devices, Scheimpflug imaging system and one ray tracing aberrometer in patients with cataracts. Moreover, this study aimed to compare the differences in posterior corneal (PK), total corneal (TK) and true net power (TNP) measurements among the IOLMaster 700, CASIA2, and Pentacam.

Methods
A total of 200 eyes of 200 patients (116 female, 58%) were enrolled in this study, with a mean age of 65.9 ± 9.5 years. The flattest (Kf), steepest (Ks), and mean cornal powers (Km), J0, and J45 were obtained using two SS-OCT-based biometric devices, one rotating camera system and one ray-tracing aberrometer. The PK, TK and TNP values were also measured using these devices. To evaluate the differences and similarities between the devicves, the Friedman test, Pearson correlation coefficient (r), intraclass coefficient correlation (ICC) and Bland‒Altman plots with 95% limits of agreement (LoA) were used, and boxplots and stacked histograms were generated to describe the distributions of the data.

Results
There were no significant differences between the IOLMaster 700 and Pentacam for any of the keratometry values. Additionally, there were no significant differences between the IOLMaster 700 and iTrace in evaluating J0 and J45. Bland‒Altman plots revealed relatively wide LoA widths, almost larger than 1 diopter for the keratometry values and almost larger than 0.5 diopter for J0 and J45 values among the four devices. In terms of PK and TK values, significant differences and low ICCs were found among the three devices.

Conclusions
Although strong correlations and good agreement were found among the IOLMaster700, CASIA2, Pentacam and iTrace for Kf, Ks, Km and J0, J45, it seems that the measurements should not be used interchangeably because of the wide LoA widths and the presence of significant differences among the devices. Similarly, due to significant differences and low ICCs, the PK, TK and TNP values obtained by IOLMaster 700, CASIA2, and Pentacam should not be used interchangeably.
Prospective analysis of the attendance behaviour of the participants of a facilitated support group for patients after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Geeck Karsten , Kreil Sebastian , Hausmann Michaela , Hofmann Wolf-Karsten , Heidenreich Daniela , Klein Stefan A. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Support groups might help survivors of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantations (HCT) to cope with medical, psychological, and social challenges. The aim of this project was (1) to establish a facilitated post-HCT support group and (2) to assess the participation behaviour.

Methods
From 11/2013 until 7/2017, all adult patients who had received a HCT at our centre were invited to participate in a professionally facilitated support group. The format of the group was unstructured without any rules regarding regular attendance. The attendance was prospectively minuted by the facilitator. Reasons for non-attendance were assessed by a survey.

Results
During the observation period, 53 group meetings were scheduled. Nine meetings were cancelled because of low attendance. Altogether 23 different patients (F: n=10; M: n=13) and 10 spouses (F: n=9; M: n=1) participated. Median participation was 5 [range 2–11]. With respect to all HCT patients who had the theoretical opportunity to attend, the mean participation rate was 7%. Thirteen patients and four spouses attended more than one meeting. The median count of participations among those participants was 8 [2-32]. The median interval from the first until the last participation was 16 months. The main reason reported for non-participation was the effort to get to the venue of the support group.

Conclusions
To our knowledge, this is the first analysis on the attendance behaviour of the participants of a support group for HCT survivors. The results provide guidance for the organization of future support groups and indicate what participation rates can be expected and how they might be increased.
Tetrahydropyridinylidene ammonium salts with arylalkyl and diarylalkyl substitution and their antiprotozoal activity
Authors: Seebacher Werner , Hoffelner Michael , Belaj Ferdinand , Kaiser Marcel , Mäser Pascal , Saf Robert , Pferschy-Wenzig Eva-Maria , Weis Robert 
Published: December 2023

AbstractTetrahydropyridin-4-ylidene salts with benzyl and dibenzyl substitution showed good antiprotozoal activity. This paper reports the synthesis of analogues with longer side chains. They were investigated for their antiprotozoal activities as well as for their cytotoxicity using microplate assays. The most active compounds showed activity against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense in concentrations < 0.06 µM. A series of compounds was active against Plasmodium falciparum NF54 in low nanomolar concentration and exhibited outstanding selectivity. The influence of substitution pattern and chain length on the antiprotozoal potencies were analyzed and structure–activity relationships were given. New compounds were characterized by FT-IR, HRMS, and NMR spectroscopy.
Graphical abstract
DB-BERT: making database tuning tools “read” the manual
Authors: Trummer Immanuel 
Published: December 2023

AbstractDB-BERT is a database tuning tool that exploits information gained via natural language analysis of manuals and other relevant text documents. It uses text to identify database system parameters to tune as well as recommended parameter values. DB-BERT applies large, pre-trained language models (specifically, the BERT model) for text analysis. During an initial training phase, it fine-tunes model weights in order to translate natural language hints into recommended settings. At run time, DB-BERT learns to aggregate, adapt, and prioritize hints to achieve optimal performance for a specific database system and benchmark. Both phases are iterative and use reinforcement learning to guide the selection of tuning settings to evaluate (penalizing settings that the database system rejects while rewarding settings that improve performance). In our experiments, we leverage hundreds of text documents about database tuning as input for DB-BERT. We compare DB-BERT against various baselines, considering different benchmarks (TPC-C and TPC-H), metrics (throughput and run time), as well as database systems (PostgreSQL and MySQL). The experiments demonstrate clearly that DB-BERT benefits from combining general information about database tuning, mined from text documents, with scenario-specific insights, gained via trial runs. The full source code of DB-BERT is available online athttps://itrummer.github.io/dbbert/.
Interpretation of hydrogeochemistry of the Upper Freshwater Molasse (Obere Süßwassermolasse) in the Munich area (Bavaria, Germany) using multivariate analysis and three-dimensional geological modelling
Authors: Kiecak Aleksandra , Huch Jan , Albarrán-Ordás Alberto , Chavez-Kus Lilian , Zosseder Kai 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIntense use of groundwater in urban areas requires appropriate monitoring, which in turn necessitates proper data management with employment of increasingly sophisticated statistical methods and mapping tools. An example of such an urban area with intensive use of groundwater is the study area of GeoPot Project, namely Munich (Germany) and its surroundings. The aim of the presented study was to provide a description of the hydrogeochemical characteristics of the aquifers occurring in the Quaternary and Upper Freshwater Molasse (German: Obere Süßwassermolasse – OSM) sediments and to further improve the understanding of interactions between the aquifers. The focus was put on the identification of hydrochemical facies, the chemical signatures of different water types, an understanding of occurring processes, and spatial relationships between the aquifers. In order to deal with hydrogeochemical data generated for this study, as well as with data coming from existing external databanks (e.g. BIS-BY), a methodology of quality assurance was developed. The analytical methods focused on multivariate statistics. To enhance the interpretation of the obtained clusters, a recently developed three-dimensional geological model was used for better understanding and presentation. It was found that in the study area, deeper aquifer systems represent the most distinct hydrogeochemical signature of the Na–HCO3 water type. In the remaining clusters, a transition from deeper (alkaline) to shallow (alkaline-earth) groundwater can be observed. The results of the study can be utilized for improved, sustainable groundwater management.
Neurosurgical treatment and outcome patterns in patients with meningioma in South Moravian region—a population-based study
Authors: Duba Miloš , Mrlian Andrej , Rošková Ivana , Smrčka Martin , Fadrus Pavel , Duba Jaroslav , Hrdý Ondřej , Al Tukmachi Dagmar 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Meningiomas are usually slow-growing tumours, constituting about one third of all primary intracranial tumours. They occur more frequently in women. Clinical manifestation of meningiomas depends on their location, tumour size and growth rate. In most cases, surgical treatment is the procedure of choice. The success of this treatment is, however, associated with the radicality of the resection. Radiotherapy represents an additional or alternative treatment modality. Gamma knife surgery is another notable treatment method, especially in small and/or slow-growing tumours in eloquent areas or in elderly patients.

Material and methods
Authors describe their experience with the diagnosis, treatment and outcome of the patients with meningioma (n = 857). Furthermore, they also assess the postoperative morbidity/mortality and recurrence rate.

Results and conclusions
In view of the benign histology of meningiomas, the success of the treatment largely depends (besides the tumour grading) on the radicality of the resection. The emphasis is also put on appropriate follow-up of the patients. In certain patients, the watch and wait strategy should be also considered as a suitable treatment method.
Investigation of both thermal parameters and applications of closed-cell plastic thermal insulation foams with building energetic aspects
Authors: Lakatos Ákos , Csontos Máté , Csík Attila 
Published: December 2023

AbstractNowadays, if one wants to renovate or build a building, the question of thermal insulation is an essential construction process. Polyurethane is a key thermal insulation material that belongs to plastic foams. It can be applied as a spread or board heat-insulating material. Its thermal insulation properties are superior compared to polystyrene, but still a bit neglected. In this article, we would like to perform thermal investigations executed on a new type of polymeric foam such as polyisocyanurate. We will present acceptably low thermal conductivity (~ 0.022 W m-1 k-1), raised specific heat capacity (~ 1400 J kg-1 K-1) and calorimetric (bomb and differential) measurement results completed with optical microscopic images. Moreover, scanning electron microscopic analysis and X-ray diffractometry will be also presented. The results will be used for cost calculations applied by buildings and will show justified reasons for its application based on structural measurements too. The results are extremely encouraging.
Discrepancies among equations to estimate the glomerular filtration rate for drug dosing decision making in aged patients: a cross sectional study
Authors: Castel-Branco M. Margarida , Lavrador Marta , Cabral Ana C. , Pinheiro Adriana , Fernandes Joana , Figueiredo Isabel Vitória , Fernandez-Llimos Fernando 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Patients often require adjustments to drug doses due to impaired renal function. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation using various equations can result in discrepancies, potentially leading to different dose adjustment recommendations.

Aim
To determine the clinical significance of discrepancies observed between different equations used to estimate GFR for drug dose adjustments in a real-world group of patients over 65 years in primary care.

Method
The Cockcroft–Gault (CG), Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI), and Berlin Initiative Study 1 equations were applied to estimate GFR in a group of patients over 65 years old attending a primary care center. Results were compared using Bland–Altman plots, and limits of agreement (LoA) and overall bias were calculated. Regression analyses were conducted to identify the null difference GFR and the slope of differences for each pairwise comparison.

Results
A total of 1886 patients were analyzed. Differences between patient-adjusted and body surface area (BSA)-normalized versions of the equations were not clinically relevant for dose adjustments, with LoAs below 20 mL/min. However, discrepancies among the original versions of several equations presented LoAs over 30 mL/min. Greater differences were found between CG and MDRD or CKD-EPI equations.

Conclusion
Clinically relevant differences in GFR estimation were observed among different equations, potentially impacting drug dose adjustments. However, discrepancies were not considered significant when comparing patient-adjusted and BSA-normalized versions of the equations, particularly for patients with BSA close to the average.
Promoting explicit instruction of strategies for self-regulated learning: evaluating a teacher professional development program in primary education
Authors: Sins Patrick , de Leeuw Renske , de Brouwer Jaap , Vrieling-Teunter Emmy 
Published: December 2023

AbstractSelf-regulated learning (SRL) is crucial to students’ learning. SRL is characterized by students taking initiative, showing perseverance and adaptively regulating their learning. Teachers play an essential role in promoting and fostering this process. However, several studies have shown that in primary education explicit instruction of SRL strategies barely takes place. Given the relevance of SRL for learning and preparing students for the knowledge society of the 21st century, it is of crucial importance that teachers in primary education learn how they can improve their students’ SRL. In the present study, we implemented a professional development program (iSELF) in which primary teachers were trained and coached in promoting and fostering their students’ SRL. The extent to which iSELF contributed to teachers’ explicit instruction of SRL strategies was evaluated in a quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design using video-based classroom observations. Thirty teachers from fourteen different primary schools participated in this study and were assigned to either a control (twelve teachers) or an experimental group (eighteen teachers). Results indicate that in both conditions explicit SRL strategy instruction is rare. However, explicit instruction of SRL strategies is significantly higher in the experimental group on the post-test compared to the control group showing that teachers do benefit from learning about explicit SRL instruction.
Long-term variability of the MERRA-2 radiation budget over Poland in Central Europe
Authors: Markowicz Krzysztof M. , Okraska Igor , Chiliński Michał T. , Makuch Przemysław , Nurowska Katarzyna , Posyniak Michał A. , Rozwadowska Anna , Sobolewski Piotr , Zawadzka-Mańko Olga 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis paper discusses the radiation budget and its temporal variability over Poland. The data analysis is based on the MERRA-2 reanalysis for the years 1980–2020. During the last four decades, the enhancement of climate warming has been observed, which coincides with the changes in the radiation budget. Positive and statistically significant trends at the top of the atmosphere (TOA; 0.7 ± 0.2 W/m2/10 year) and on the Earth’s surface (1.5 ± 0.2 W/m2/10 year) radiation budget (net downward flux) are mainly a consequence of changes in the amount of aerosol and greenhouse gases (GHG). According to MERRA-2, the AOD during this period decreased by − 0.19 (at 550 nm), which is 87% of the long-term (1980–2021) mean value (0.22). The reduction of AOD is due mainly to the decline of non-absorbing sulfate particles, which leads to a reduction of single-scattering albedo (SSA) by − 0.008 per decade and Angstrom exponent (AE) by − 0.06 per decade (both trends statistically significant). On the other hand, the GHG concentration increased by 4.9%/10 year and 3%/10 year, respectively, for CO2 and CH4. The total column of water vapor increased (1.3%/10 year), while ozone decreased (− 1%/10 year). Despite the fact that cloud cover and cloud optical depth (COD) decreased (− 1.8%/10 year and − 1.0%/10 year), the impact of cloud on temporal variability radiation budget is small. It can be explained by nearly compensated shortwave (SW) cooling and longwave (LW) heating effects. During the analysis period, near-surface air temperature increased by 2.0 °C. The estimated increase in SW net surface radiation (7.9 W/m2) leads to climate warming by 0.8 °C, which is a consequence mainly of the reduction of aerosol (0.4 °C) and cloud cover (0.2 °C). The impact of the change of SW radiation on air temperature is more pronounced during the warm season, while during the cold, air temperature change is controlled mainly by the variability of air mass advection.
Sodium Selenite Ameliorates Silver Nanoparticles Induced Vascular Endothelial Cytotoxic Injury by Antioxidative Properties and Suppressing Inflammation Through Activating the Nrf2 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Ma Yunyun , Wang Lei , He Jing , Ma Xueping , Wang Jingjing , Yan Ru , Ma Wanrui , Ma Huiyan , Liu Yajuan , Sun Hongqian , Zhang Xiaoxia , Jia Shaobin , Wang Hao 
Published: December 2023

AbstractSilver nanoparticles (AgNP) are the dominant nanomaterials in commercial products and the medical field, but the widespread occurrence of AgNP has become a global threat to human health. Growing studies indicate that AgNP exposure can induce vascular endothelial toxicity by excessive oxidative stress and inflammation, which is closely related to cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the potential intrinsic mechanism remains poorly elucidated. Thus, it has been crucial to control the toxicological effects of AgNP in order to improve their safety and increase the outcome of their applications.Multiple researches have demonstrated that sodium selenite (Se) possesses the capability to counteract the toxicity of AgNP, but the functional role of Se in AgNP-induced CVD is largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to explore the potential protective effect of Se on AgNP-induced vascular endothelial lesion and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. An in vivo model of toxicity in animals was established by the instillation of 200 µL of AgNP into the trachea of rats both with (0.2 mg/kg/day) and without Se treated. In vitro experiments, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with AgNP (0.3 µg/mL ) and Se for a duration of 24 h. Utilizing transmission electron microscopy, we observed that the internalization of AgNP-induced endothelial cells was desquamated from the internal elastic lamina, the endoplasmic reticulum was dilated, and the medullary vesicle formed. Se treatment reduced the levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), inhibited the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (specifically tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6), improved endothelial cell permeability, integrity, and dysfunction, and prevented damage to the aortic endothelium caused by AgNP. Importantly, we found that Se showed the capacity against AgNP with biological functions in guiding the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and meanwhile exhibiting anti-inflammation effects. Se supplementation decreased the intracellular ROS release and suppressed NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) mediated inflammation within AgNP-intoxicated rats and HUVECs. The anti-oxidant stress and anti-inflammatory effects of Se were at least partly dependent on nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Overall, our results indicated that the protectiveness of Se against AgNP-induced vascular endothelial toxicity injury was at least attributed to the inhibition of oxidative ROS and pro-inflammatory NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome by activating the Nrf2 and antioxidant enzyme (HO-1) signal pathway.
Deep learning to develop zero-equation based turbulence model for CFD simulations of the built environment
Authors: Calzolari Giovanni , Liu Wei 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis study aims to improve the accuracy and speed of predictions for thermal comfort and air quality in built environments by creating a coupled framework between computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and deep learning models. The coupling approach is showcased by the development of a data-driven turbulence model. The new turbulence model is built using a deep learning neural network, whose mapping structure is based on a zero-equation turbulence model for built environment simulations, and is coupled with the CFD software OpenFOAM to create a hybrid framework. The neural network is a standard shallow multi-layer perceptron. The number of hidden layers and nodes per layer was optimized using Bayesan optimization algorithm. The framework is trained on an indoor environment case study, as well as tested on an indoor office simulation and an outdoor building array simulation. Results show that the deep learning based turbulence model is more robust and faster than traditional two-equation Reynolds average Navier-Stokes (RANS) turbulence models, while maintaining a similar level of accuracy. The model also outperforms the standard algebraic zero-equation model due to its superior ability to generalize to various flow scenarios. Despite some challenges, namely the mapping constraint, the limited training dataset size and the source of generation of training data, the hybrid framework demonstrates the viability of the coupling technique and serves as a starting point for future development of more reliable and advanced models.
Asymptotic Behavior of Solutions to Difference Equations of Neutral Type
Authors: Nockowska-Rosiak Magdalena , Migda Janusz 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWe present sufficient conditions for the existence of a solution x to an equation $$\begin{aligned} \Delta ^m(x_n-u_nx_{n-k})=a_nf(x_{n-\tau })+b_n, \end{aligned}$$

Δ
m

(

x
n

-

u
n

x

n
-
k

)

=

a
n

f

(

x

n
-
τ

)

+

b
n

,

which is “close” to a given solution y to the linear homogeneous equation of neutral type $$\Delta ^m(y_n-\lambda y_{n-k})=0$$

Δ
m

(

y
n

-
λ

y

n
-
k

)

=
0

, where $$\lambda $$
λ
is the limit of the sequence u. Closeness of solutions to above equations is understood as $$x_n-y_n=\textrm{o}(\omega _n)$$

x
n

-

y
n

=
o

(

ω
n

)

, where $$\omega $$
ω
is a given nonincreasing sequence with positive values. Moreover, we establish under which conditions for a given solution x to $$\Delta ^m(x_n-u_nx_{n-k})=a_nf(x_{n-\tau })+b_n$$

Δ
m

(

x
n

-

u
n

x

n
-
k

)

=

a
n

f

(

x

n
-
τ

)

+

b
n

and a given nonincreasing sequence with positive values $$\omega $$
ω
there exists a polynomial sequence $$\varphi $$
φ
of degree less than m such that $$x_n=\varphi (n)+\textrm{o}(\omega _n)$$

x
n

=
φ

(
n
)

+
o

(

ω
n

)

. Presented conditions strongly depend on $$\lambda $$
λ
.