bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using automated software evaluation to improve the performance of breast radiographers in tomosynthesis screening
Authors: Gennaro Gisella , Povolo Letizia , Del Genio Sara , Ciampani Lina , Fasoli Chiara , Carlevaris Paolo , Petrioli Maria , Masiero Tiziana , Maggetto Federico , Caumo Francesca 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Objective
To improve breast radiographers’ individual performance by using automated software to assess the correctness of breast positioning and compression in tomosynthesis screening.

Materials and methods
In this retrospective longitudinal analysis of prospective cohorts, six breast radiographers with varying experience in the field were asked to use automated software to improve their performance in breast compression and positioning. The software tool automatically analyzes craniocaudal (CC) and mediolateral oblique (MLO) views for their positioning quality by scoring them according to PGMI classifications (perfect, good, moderate, inadequate) and checking whether the compression pressure is within the target range. The positioning and compression data from the studies acquired before the start of the project were used as individual baselines, while the data obtained after the training were used to test whether conscious use of the software could help the radiographers improve their performance. The percentage of views rated perfect or good and the percentage of views in target compression were used as overall metrics to assess changes in performance.

Results
Following the use of the software, all radiographers significantly increased the percentage of images rated as perfect or good in both CCs and MLOs. Individual improvements ranged from 7 to 14% for CC and 10 to 16% for MLO views. Moreover, most radiographers exhibited improved compression performance in CCs, with improvements up to 16%.

Conclusion
Active use of a software tool to automatically assess the correctness of breast compression and positioning in breast cancer screening can improve the performance of radiographers.

Clinical relevance statement
This study suggests that the use of a software tool for automatically evaluating correctness of breast compression and positioning in breast cancer screening can improve the performance of radiographers on these metrics, which may ultimately lead to improved screening outcomes.

Key Points
• Proper breast positioning and compression are critical in breast cancer screening to ensure accurate diagnosis.
• Active use of the software increased the quality of craniocaudal and mediolateral oblique views acquired by all radiographers.
• Improved performance of radiographers is expected to improve screening outcomes.
The influence of marathon running on resting-state EEG activity: a longitudinal observational study
Authors: Moussiopoulou Joanna , Pross Benjamin , Handrack Mirjam , Keeser Daniel , Pogarell Oliver , Halle Martin , Falkai Peter , Scherr Johannes , Hasan Alkomiet , Roeh Astrid 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPhysical activity (PA) has positive effects on various health aspects and neuronal functions, including neuronal plasticity. Exceeding a certain exercise frequency and duration has been associated with negative effects. Our study investigated the effects of excessive PA with a marathon run (MA) and regular PA (training and recovery phases) on electrocortical activity, as measured by electroencephalography (EEG). Thirty healthy marathon runners (26 male, 45 ± 9 yrs) were enrolled in the study. Four resting-state 32 channel EEG recordings were conducted: 12–8 weeks before MA (T-1), 14–4 days prior to MA (T0), 1–6 days after (T2), and 13–15 weeks after MA (T3). Power spectrum analyses were conducted using standardized Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (sLORETA) and included the following frequency bands: delta (1.5–6 Hz), theta (6.5–8.0 Hz), alpha1 (8.5–10 Hz), alpha2 (10.5–12.0 Hz), beta1 (12.5–18.0 Hz), beta2 (18.5–21.0 Hz), beta3 (21.5–30.0 Hz), and total power (1.5-30 Hz). Statistical nonparametric mapping showed reduced power both in the alpha-2 (log-F ratio = − 0.705, threshold log-F ratio =  ± 0.685, p < 0.05) and in the delta frequency band (log-F ratio = −0.699, threshold log-F ratio =  ± 0.685, p < 0.05) in frontal cortical areas after MA (T2 vs. T0). These effects diminished at long-term follow-up (T3). The results can be interpreted as correlates for subacute neuroplasticity induced by strenuous and prolonged PA. Although previous studies reported an increase in alpha frequency during and directly postexercise, the adverse observation a few days after exercise cessation suggests counterregulatory mechanisms, whose complex origin can be suspected in subcortical circuits, changes in neurotransmitter systems and modulation of affectivity.
Differences in anxiety, worry, and perceived stress among naturally cycling women and oral contraceptives users: a cross-sectional study investigating the role of contraceptive types
Authors: Kowalczyk Melanie , Kornacka Monika , Kostrzewa Zofia , Krejtz Izabela 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe goal of our study was to test whether the types of OC affect the link between anxiety and its main maintenance factors: worry and perceived stress. Women are particularly at risk of being affected by excessive worrying, a core component of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and they are twice as likely as men to suffer from GAD. The literature suggests that gonadal hormones and types of oral contraceptives (OC) should be taken into account when exploring anxiety disorders in women, but the precise mechanism of this link remains understudied. We performed an observational cross-sectional study on a sample of 908 women, including 499 women naturally cycling (NC) and 409 taking OC (277 in the anti-androgenic group, 132 in the androgenic group). The participants filled in a battery of online questionnaires. Anxiety positively correlated with worry and perceived stress in the whole sample and in the three groups: androgenic OC, anti-androgenic OC, and NC. There was no significant difference between the groups on all the variables apart from the age of the participants. However, we found that women taking anti-androgenic OC had significantly higher levels of worry than NC women (after controlling for stress and age). The differences in OC types should be taken into account in future studies which might also lead to a better choice of OC based on women’s individual needs.
Rettungsdienststrukturen neu denken – Ergebnisse der Expertenworkshops „Logistik in der präklinischen Notfallversorgung“
Authors: Wnent J. , Bandlow S. , Renner H.-J. , Gräsner J.-T. , Hannappel L. , Watzinger S. , Nickel St. , Dax F. ,   Arbeitsgruppe LiNo
Published: November 2023

ZusammenfassungDie rettungsdienstliche Struktur in Deutschland stellt eine Versorgung auf sehr hohem Niveau sicher. Dennoch ist es notwendig, die vorhandenen Strukturen zu überdenken und für die Zukunft zu härten. Nicht nur vor dem Hintergrund stetig steigender Einsatzzahlen, sondern auch wegen der Herausforderungen der Personalgewinnung und der Alterung der Bevölkerung sollten Reformen im Rettungsdienst dringend angegangen werden. Hier kann der Rettungsdienst viel von der Mathematik und gerade vom Bereich „operations research“ lernen. Dieser Fachbereich beschäftigt sich explizit mit der Verbesserung von logistischen Herausforderungen, die der Rettungsdienst ohne Frage ist. In der vorliegenden Arbeit berichten die Autorinnen und Autoren über die ersten Ergebnisse zweier Workshops zum Thema „Logistik in der präklinischen Versorgung“ und möchten damit die Diskussion im Rettungsdienst auf breiter Basis anregen sowie Verbesserungspotenziale und Herausforderungen für die verschiedenen Akteure in der präklinischen Behandlung herausarbeiten, aber auch erste Ideen zu Lösungsansätzen liefern.
Subject-specific one-dimensional fluid dynamics model of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Kachabi Amirreza , Colebank Mitchel J. , Chesler Naomi C. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractChronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) develops due to the accumulation of blood clots in the lung vasculature that obstructs flow and increases pressure. The mechanobiological factors that drive progression of CTEPH are not understood, in part because mechanical and hemodynamic changes in the small pulmonary arteries due to CTEPH are not easily measurable. Using previously published hemodynamic measurements and imaging from a large animal model of CTEPH, we applied a subject-specific one-dimensional (1D) computational fluid dynamic (CFD) approach to investigate the impact of CTEPH on pulmonary artery stiffening, time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS), and oscillatory shear index (OSI) in extralobar (main, right, and left) pulmonary arteries and intralobar (distal to the extralobar) arteries. Our results demonstrate that CTEPH increases pulmonary artery wall stiffness and decreases TAWSS in extralobar and intralobar arteries. Moreover, CTEPH increases the percentage of the intralobar arterial network with both low TAWSS and high OSI, quantified by the novel parameter $$\varphi$$
φ
, which is related to thrombogenicity. Our analysis reveals a strong positive correlation between increases in mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and $$\varphi$$
φ
from baseline to CTEPH in individual subjects, which supports the suggestion that increased $$\varphi$$
φ
drives disease severity. This subject-specific experimental–computational framework shows potential as a predictor of the impact of CTEPH on pulmonary arterial hemodynamics and pulmonary vascular mechanics. By leveraging advanced modeling techniques and calibrated model parameters, we predict spatial distributions of flow and pressure, from which we can compute potential physiomarkers of disease progression. Ultimately, this approach can lead to more spatially targeted interventions that address the needs of individual CTEPH patients.
Integrated device for multiscale series vibration reduction and energy harvesting
Authors: Yang Jihou , Zhang Weixing , Yang Xiaodong 
Published: November 2023

AbstractA multi-degree-of-freedom device is proposed, which can achieve efficient vibration reduction as the main objective and energy harvesting as the secondary purpose. The device comprises a multiscale nonlinear vibration absorber (NVA) and piezoelectric components. Energy conversion and energy measurement methods are used to evaluate the device performance from multiple perspectives. Research has shown that this device can efficiently transfer transient energy from the main structure and convert a portion of transient energy into electrical energy. Main resonance and higher-order resonance are the main reasons for efficient energy transfer. The device can maintain high vibration reduction performance even when the excitation amplitude changes over a large range. Compared with the single structures with and without precompression, the multiscale NVA-piezoelectric device offers significant vibration reduction advantages. In addition, there are significant differences in the parameter settings of the two substructures for vibration reduction and energy harvesting.
Physical Time and Human Time
Authors: Ellis George F. R. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis paper is a comment on both Bunamano and Rovelli (Bridging the neuroscience and physics of time arXiv:2110.01976. (2022)) and Gruber et al. (in Front. Psychol. Hypothesis Theory, 2022) and which discuss the relation between physical time and human time. I claim here, contrary to many views discussed there, that there is no foundational conflict between the way physics views the passage of time and the way the mind/brain perceives it. The problem rather resides in a number of misconceptions leading either to the representation of spacetime as a timeless Block Universe, or at least that physically relevant universe models cannot have preferred spatial sections. The physical expanding universe can be claimed to be an Evolving Block Universe with a time-dependent future boundary, representing the dynamic nature of the way spacetime develops as matter curves spacetime and spacetime tells matter how to move. This context establishes a global direction of time that determines the various local arrows of time. Furthermore time passes when quantum wave function collapse takes place to an eigenstate; during this process, information is lost. The mind/brain acts as an imperfect clock, which coarse-grains the physical passage of time along a world line to determine the experienced passage of time, because neural processes take time to occur. This happens in a contextual way, so experienced time is not linearly related to physical time in general. Finally I point out that the Universe is never infinitely old: its future endpoint always lies infinitely faraway in the future.
Inversion maps and torus actions on rational homogeneous varieties
Authors: Franceschini Alberto , Solá Conde Luis E. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractComplex projective algebraic varieties with $${{\mathbb {C}}}^*$$

C

∗

-actions can be thought of as geometric counterparts of birational transformations. In this paper we describe geometrically the birational transformations associated to rational homogeneous varieties endowed with a $${{\mathbb {C}}}^*$$

C

∗

-action with no proper isotropy subgroups.
ATRAcTR (Authentic Transparent Relevant Accurate Track-Record): a screening tool to assess the potential for real-world data sources to support creation of credible real-world evidence for regulatory decision-making
Authors: Berger Marc L. , Crown William H. , Li Jim Z. , Zou Kelly H. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAdoption and use of real-world data (RWD) for decision-making has been complicated by concerns regarding whether RWD was fit-for-purpose or was of sufficient validity to support the creation of credible RWE. This has greater urgency as regulatory agencies begin to use real world evidence (RWE) to inform decisions about treatment effectiveness. Researchers need an efficient and systematic method to screen the quality of RWD sources considered for use in studies of effectiveness and safety. Based on a literature review we developed a listing of screening criteria that have been previously proposed to assess the quality of RWD sources. We also developed an additional criterion based on Modern Validity Theory. While there has occurred some convergence of conceptual frameworks to assess data quality (DQ) and there is much agreement on specific assessment criteria, consensus has yet to emerge on how to assess whether a specific RWD source is reliable and fit-for-purpose. To create a user-friendly tool to assess whether RWD sources may have sufficient quality to support a well-designed RWE study for submission to a regulatory authority, we grouped the quality criteria with a view to harmonize published frameworks and to be consistent with how researchers generally evaluate existing RWD sources for research that they intend to submit to regulatory agencies. Screening data quality criteria were grouped into five dimensions after a comprehensive literature review via PubMed: authenticity, transparency, relevance, accuracy, and track record. The resultant tool was tested for its response burden using a hypothetical administrative claims data source. Providing responses to the screening criteria required only few hours effort by an experienced data source manager. Thus, the tool should not be an onerous burden on data source providers if asked by prospective researchers to provide the required information. Assessing whether a particular data source is fit-for-purpose will be facilitated by the use of this tool, but it will not be sufficient by itself. Fit-for-purpose judgements will still require further careful consideration based on the context and the specific scientific question of interest. Unlike prior DQ frameworks (DQF), the track record dimension of the tool adds the consideration of experience with RWD sources consistent with Modern Validity Theory. However, the tool does not address issues of study design and analysis that are critical to regulatory agencies in evaluating the robustness and credibility of the real-world evidence generated.
Temporal graph learning for dynamic link prediction with text in online social networks
Authors: Dileo Manuel , Zignani Matteo , Gaito Sabrina 
Published: November 2023

AbstractLink prediction in Online Social Networks—OSNs—has been the focus of numerous studies in the machine learning community. A successful machine learning-based solution for this task needs to (i) leverage global and local properties of the graph structure surrounding links; (ii) leverage the content produced by OSN users; and (iii) allow their representations to change over time, as thousands of new links between users and new content like textual posts, comments, images and videos are created/uploaded every month. Current works have successfully leveraged the structural information but only a few have also taken into account the textual content and/or the dynamicity of network structure and node attributes. In this paper, we propose a methodology based on temporal graph neural networks to handle the challenges described above. To understand the impact of textual content on this task, we provide a novel pipeline to include textual information alongside the structural one with the usage of BERT language models, dense preprocessing layers, and an effective post-processing decoder. We conducted the evaluation on a novel dataset gathered from an emerging blockchain-based online social network, using a live-update setting that takes into account the evolving nature of data and models. The dataset serves as a useful testing ground for link prediction evaluation because it provides high-resolution temporal information on link creation and textual content, characteristics hard to find in current benchmark datasets. Our results show that temporal graph learning is a promising solution for dynamic link prediction with text. Indeed, combining textual features and dynamic Graph Neural Networks—GNNs—leads to the best performances over time. On average, the textual content can enhance the performance of a dynamic GNN by 3.1% and, as the collection of documents increases in size over time, help even models that do not consider the structural information of the network.
Volatility-dependent probability weighting and the dynamics of the pricing kernel puzzle
Authors: Dierkes Maik , Krupski Jan , Schroen Sebastian , Sibbertsen Philipp 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn order to estimate volatility-dependent probability weighting functions, we obtain risk neutral and physical densities from the Pan (J Financ Econ 63(1):3–50, 2002. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-405X(01)00088-5) stochastic volatility and jumps model. Across volatility levels, we find pronounced inverse S-shapes, i.e. small probabilities are overweighted, and probability weighting almost monotonically increases in volatility, indicating higher skewness preferences and crash aversion in volatile market environments. Moreover, by estimating probabilistic risk attitudes, equivalent to the share of risk aversion related to probability weighting, we shed further light on the pricing kernel puzzle. While pricing kernels estimated from the Pan (J Financ Econ 63(1):3–50, 2002. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-405X(01)00088-5) model display the typical U-shape as documented in the literature, pricing kernels—net of probability weighting—are strictly monotonically decreasing and thus in line with economic theory. Equivalently, we find risk aversion to be positive across wealth levels. Our results are robust to alternative maturities, wealth percentiles, alternative functional forms, a nonparametric empirical setting and variations of the Pan (J Financ Econ 63(1):3–50, 2002. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-405X(01)00088-5) coefficient estimates.
The Paradox of the Future: Is it Rational to Feel Emotions for Future Generations?
Authors: Barbero Carola 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAccording to some, there is a problem concerning the emotions we feel toward fictional entities such as Anna Karenina, Werther and the like. We feel pity, fear, and sadness toward them, but how is that possible? “We are saddened, but how can we be? What are we sad about? How can we feel genuinely and involuntarily sad, and weep, as we do know that no one has suffered or died?” (Radford, in: Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, 1975). This is the paradox of fiction which is based on the assumption that emotions, to be genuine and rational, should be directed toward existent beings. But if beliefs about existence are necessary for us to be rationally moved by something, and such beliefs are lacking when we are moved by fiction (because we do not believe fictional characters and events to be real), then our capacity for an emotional response to fiction is irrational. Consequently, our emotional attitude toward future generations should be considered as irrational as well. But is this really the case? Are there good arguments to consider future and fictional entities as similar from this point of view? Or would it be better to distinguish the two? Is there such a thing as a paradox of the future? If so, how does it relate to the more famous paradox of fiction?
Teacher versus student perspectives on instructional quality in mathematics education across countries
Authors: Liu Xin , Yang Hansen Kajsa , De Neve Jan , Valcke Martin 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe present study examines the measurement property of instructional quality in mathematics education, building on data from teachers and students, by combing TALIS 2013 and PISA 2012 linkage data from seven countries. Confirmatory factor analysis was applied to examine the dimensionality of the construct instructional quality in mathematics instruction. Three dimensions were identified (i.e., classroom disciplinary climate, teacher support, and cognitive activation) when building on teacher data from TALIS. This three-dimensional model did not fit all countries. When analyzing PISA data, the same three dimensions could be identified, but two additional dimensions appeared: classroom management and student-orientated instruction. This five-dimensional factor structure reflected metric invariance across all countries. The findings imply that students and teachers seem to hold different perceptions about mathematics instructional quality reflect different dimensions. These differences seem to vary within and between countries. This implies that care should be taken when using the construct as an equivalent measure of instructional quality when studying school effectiveness in mathematics education across countries.