bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aortic stenosis and right ventricular dysfunction
Authors: Fulop Pavol , Valocik Gabriel , Barbierik Vachalcova Marianna , Zenuch Pavol , Filipova Lenka 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAt the present time, right ventricular function in patients with aortic stenosis is insufficiently taken into account in the decision-making process of aortic valve replacement. The aim of our study was to evaluate significance of right ventricular dysfunction in patients with severe aortic stenosis by modern 3D echocardiographic methods. This is prospective analysis of 68 patients with severe high and low-gradient aortic stenosis. We evaluated function of left and right ventricle on the basis of 3D reconstruction. Enddiastolic, endsystolic volumes, ejection fraction and stroke volumes of both chambers were assessed. There were more patients with right ventricular dysfunction in low-gradient group (RVEF < 45%) than in the high-gradient group (63.6% vs 39%, p = 0.02). Low-gradient patients had worse right ventricular function than high-gradient patients (RVEF 36% vs 46%, p = 0.02). There wasn’t any significant correlation between the right ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension (r = − 0.25, p = 0.036). There was significant correlation between left and right ejection fraction (r = 0.78, p < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the only predictor of right ventricular function is the left ventricular function. According to our results we can state that right ventricular dysfunction is more common in patients with low-gradient than in high-gradient aortic stenosis and the only predictor of right ventricular dysfunction is left ventricular dysfunction, probably based on ventriculo-ventricular interaction. Pulmonary hypertension in patients with severe AS does not predict right ventricular dysfunction.
MOBI-Qual: a common framework to manage the product-service system quality of shared mobility
Authors: Barravecchia Federico , Mastrogiacomo Luca , Casadesús Fa Martí , Franceschini Fiorenzo 
Published: November 2023

AbstractShared mobility is transforming urban transportation. The increasing demand for more efficient and sustainable transportation options has driven the growth of the shared mobility sector, attracting operators ranging from new entrants to traditional manufacturers looking to diversify their markets. Despite its popularity, there is currently a lack of tools to support the design and management of the quality of shared mobility. Seeking to contribute towards bridging this gap, this paper presents a comprehensive quality framework, refereed as MOBI-Qual. MOBI-Qual was developed using a bottom-up approach, wherein quality determinants were defined based on an extensive analysis of digital Voice-of-Customer data, specifically customer review. A topic modelling algorithm was utilized to extract the quality determinants for the most prevalent shared mobility modes. Following this, a common framework was established through a comparison of these quality determinants. The proposed framework comprises eleven quality determinants that comprehensively cover various aspects of shared mobility.
Fairness of Academic Performance Prediction for the Distribution of Support Measures for Students: Differences in Perceived Fairness of Distributive Justice Norms
Authors: Lünich Marco , Keller Birte , Marcinkowski Frank 
Published: November 2023

AbstractArtificial intelligence in higher education is becoming more prevalent as it promises improvements and acceleration of administrative processes concerning student support, aiming for increasing student success and graduation rates. For instance, Academic Performance Prediction (APP) provides individual feedback and serves as the foundation for distributing student support measures. However, the use of APP with all its challenges (e.g., inherent biases) significantly impacts the future prospects of young adults. Therefore, it is important to weigh the opportunities and risks of such systems carefully and involve affected students in the development phase. This study addresses students’ fairness perceptions of the distribution of support measures based on an APP system. First, we examine how students evaluate three different distributive justice norms, namely, equality, equity, and need. Second, we investigate whether fairness perceptions differ between APP based on human or algorithmic decision-making, and third, we address whether evaluations differ between students studying science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) or social sciences, humanities, and the arts for people and the economy (SHAPE), respectively. To this end, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with a 2 $$\times$$
×
3 factorial design among n = 1378 German students, in which we utilized the distinct distribution norms and decision-making agents as design factors. Our findings suggest that students prefer an equality-based distribution of support measures, and this preference is not influenced by whether APP is based on human or algorithmic decision-making. Moreover, the field of study does not influence the fairness perception, except that students of STEM subjects evaluate a distribution based on the need norm as more fair than students of SHAPE subjects. Based on these findings, higher education institutions should prioritize student-centric decisions when considering APP, weigh the actual need against potential risks, and establish continuous feedback through ongoing consultation with all stakeholders.
Dynamics of Finite Inhomogeneous Particle Systems with Exclusion Interaction
Authors: Malyshev Vadim , Menshikov Mikhail , Popov Serguei , Wade Andrew 
Published: November 2023

AbstractWe study finite particle systems on the one-dimensional integer lattice, where each particle performs a continuous-time nearest-neighbour random walk, with jump rates intrinsic to each particle, subject to an exclusion interaction which suppresses jumps that would lead to more than one particle occupying any site. We show that the particle jump rates determine explicitly a unique partition of the system into maximal stable sub-systems, and that this partition can be obtained by a linear-time algorithm using only elementary arithmetic. The internal configuration of each stable sub-system possesses an explicit product-geometric limiting distribution, and the location of each stable sub-system obeys a strong law of large numbers with an explicit speed; the characteristic parameters of each stable sub-system are simple functions of the rate parameters for the corresponding particles. For the case where the entire system is stable, we provide a central limit theorem describing the fluctuations around the law of large numbers. Our approach draws on ramifications, in the exclusion context, of classical work of Goodman and Massey on partially-stable Jackson queueing networks.
Enhancing vibration damping properties of MABS/VDT blends using SEBS-g-MAH as a compatibilizer
Authors: Sujon Md Abu Shaid , Andriollo Tito , Islam Aminul 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis investigation focuses on the enhancement of the damping properties of Methyl Methacrylate Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (MABS) through the formulation of a specific blend with a styrene-based elastomer referred to as VDT, and with the incorporation of Ethylene Butylene Styrene grafted Maleic Anhydride (SEBS-g-MAH) as a compatibilizer. In contrast to traditional investigations that primarily focus on the mechanical rigidity, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity of materials, this research explores the enhancement of damping properties via the process of melt compounding. Using a twin-screw extruder in a precise melt-mixing process, a multiphase polymer blend is generated by including three different weight ratios (10, 20, and 30 wt.%) of VDT. Furthermore, in order to enhance the compatibility between MABS and VDT, three different weight percentages of SEBS-g-MAH (2, 4, and 6 wt.%) have been used in the blend. Tensile testing, laser confocal microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), are used to thoroughly assess the compatibility and effectiveness of the blends. The results indicate that the damping performance of the blend increases in direct proportion to the amount of VDT. Conversely, the addition of SEBS-g-MAH has a non-monotonic effect: the inclusion of 4 wt.% SEBS-g-MAH leads to the most substantial improvements in both damping performance and tensile strength, exceeding the results obtained with 2 wt.% and 6 wt.% compatibilizer. The study highlights the need for carefully choosing the right wt.% of compatibilizers when aiming to formulate polymer blends with enhanced vibration dampening properties.
Influence of Ba concentration on Ra and 210Pb extraction from aqueous samples using EMPORE® radium RAD disks
Authors: Wallner Gabriele 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe separation procedure for Ra isotopes and210Pb from water using the EMPORE™ radium RAD disks is very quick and convenient. However, higher levels of the chemically similar Ba in the water at least partly prohibit the uptake of Ra and210Pb, hampering the correct determination of these radionuclides. This investigation shows that the decrease of extraction yield in dependence of the Ba mass is much slower for Ra than for210Pb: With a Ba content ≤ 1 mg in the water sample,226Ra could be separated completely,210Pb, however, showed a decreasing recovery already at 0.1 mg Ba addition.
Soil depth gradients of organic carbon-13 – A review on drivers and processes
Authors: Krüger Namid , Finn Damien Robert , Don Axel 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background and aims
Soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics are vital in the context of climate change and sustainable soil management. The ẟ13C signatures of SOC are powerful indicators and tracers of C fluxes through soils and of transformation processes within soils. Depth gradients of ẟ13C can be considered as their archive. However, many different drivers and processes impact ẟ13C signatures of SOC simultaneously, thus hampering their interpretation.

Methods
Here we summarize the current knowledge about drivers, processes and C sources determining the δ13C signatures of organic matter along soil profiles.

Results
The largest ẟ13C gradients within soil profiles (> 10‰) have been observed at sites where vegetation has shifted between C3 and C4 plants, thus changing the isotopic signatures of C inputs. In soil profiles without such vegetation changes, the δ13C signatures typically increase by 1–3‰ from topsoil to subsoil. Three main reasons for this are (i) the decreasing ẟ13C of atmospheric CO2 (Suess effect) has led to a depletion in plant biomass by about 2.0‰ since 1850, (ii) increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations have also depleted plant biomass by about 1.8‰, and (iii) isotopic fractionation occurs during continuous microbial C recycling and necromass accumulation. Moreover, a greater mobility of 13C-enriched hydrophilic dissolved organic C and other C input sources may impact ẟ13C gradients in soils.

Conclusions
External drivers, such as climatic and atmospheric changes, affect the ẟ13C signature of C inputs, and have stronger and increasing influence on ẟ13C gradients in soil profiles compared to soil internal processes.
From state of the practice to state of the art: improving equity analysis in regional transportation plans
Authors: Cabello Maxwell , Hyland Michael , Marantz Nicholas 
Published: November 2023

AbstractMetropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in the United States develop long-range Regional transportation plans (RTPs), which are required in order for municipalities to receive federal funds for transportation projects. Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires MPOs to submit an equity analysis to demonstrate that their RTPs do not discriminate against protected groups. This paper (i) identifies and evaluates the current range of practices in transportation equity analysis in RTPs for the largest MPOs, and (ii) provides practical steps for MPOs to improve their equity analyses. To identify the range of practices, we assess how MPOs define equity goals, identify populations of concern, integrate their equity analysis into their RTP documents, use community input, and whether they meet or exceed legal standards. Additionally, we evaluate how MPOs use travel forecasting models in their equity analyses and the quality of their models; we also describe practical steps for MPOs to improve their equity analyses along this dimension. We find significant variability in how MPOs define fairness in their equity goals, define populations of concern, use community input, and use travel forecasting models in their equity analyses. For example, several MPOs conduct in-depth equity analyses using advanced travel forecasting models, synthetic populations of households, and various classifications of populations of concern. In contrast, other MPOs only display the locations of RTP projects on a map with geographies labeled as disadvantaged or non-disadvantaged. We also find that MPOs with more restrictive state requirements than federal guidelines produce higher quality equity analyses—an important finding considering the Biden Administration’s review of Executive Order 12898, a potential avenue to alter guidelines to improve MPO equity analyses.
Metaphysical Causal Pluralism: What Are New Mechanists Pluralistic About?
Authors: Oleksowicz Michał 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAlthough the literature on the issue of pluralism within the philosophy of science is very extensive, this paper focuses on the metaphysical causal pluralism that emerges from the new mechanistic discussion on causality. The main aim is to situate the new mechanistic views on causation within the account of varieties of causal pluralism framed by Psillos (2009). Paying attention to his taxonomy of metaphysical views on causation (i.e., the straightjacket view, the functional view, the two-concept view, the agnostic view and the atheist view) will help clarify differences in opinion and, at the same time, make it possible to elucidate the main metaphysical theses present within the new mechanistic debate. Special attention is given to S. Glennan’s theory of causation, since it is unique in offering an overall metaphysical view of the issue. It is also argued that mechanists are not “atheists” on causation: while all of them are causal realists, most mechanists are “agnostic” on causation, with a few exceptions such as S. Glennan, P. Machamer and J. Bogen.
Greater perceived stress management skills and heightened brain metabolic activity in cortical and subcortical stress processing regions in metastatic breast cancer patients
Authors: Reis Joaquim C. , Travado Luzia , Heller Aaron S. , Oliveira Francisco P. M. , Almeida Silvia D. , Sousa Berta , Costa Durval C. , Antoni Michael H. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Emotional distress and adversity can contribute to negative health outcomes in women with breast cancer. Individual differences in perceived stress management skills such as cognitive reframing and relaxation for coping with adversity have been shown to predict less distress and better psychological and physiological adaptation. Prior work shows that more distressed breast cancer patients reveal less metabolic activity in brain regions such as the insula, thalamus, ventromedial and lateral prefrontal cortices. This led us to pose the hypothesis that breast cancer patients with greater stress management skills (e.g., ability to reframe stressors and use relaxation) may conversely show greater activation in these brain regions and thereby identify brain activity that may be modifiable through stress management interventions. The main objective of this study was to examine the association of perceived stress management skill efficacy with the metabolism of 9 key stress-implicated brain regions in women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

Methods
Sixty women (mean age 59.86 ± 10.04) with a diagnosis of mBC underwent 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. Perceived stress management skill efficacy was assessed with the Measure of Current Status Scale.

Results
Greater perceived stress management skill efficacy related significantly to higher metabolic activity in the insula, thalamus, ventromedial and lateral prefrontal cortices, and basal ganglia; this network of regions overlaps with those previously shown to be under-activated with greater level of distress in this same sample of metastatic breast cancer patients.

Conclusion
This is the first study to demonstrate in metastatic cancer patients that greater perceptions of stress management skill efficacy are associated with metabolic activity in key brain regions and paves the way for future studies tracking neural mechanisms sensitive to change following stress management interventions for this population.
Accuracy of a sequential algorithm based on FIB-4 and ELF to identify high-risk advanced liver fibrosis at the primary care level
Authors: Gabriel-Medina Pablo , Ferrer-Costa Roser , Ciudin Andreea , Augustin Salvador , Rivera-Esteban Jesus , Pericàs J. M. , Selva D. M. , Rodriguez-Frias Francisco 
Published: November 2023

AbstractNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease, and liver fibrosis is the strongest predictor of morbimortality. We aimed to assess the performance of a sequential algorithm encompassing the Fibrosis 4 (FIB-4) and Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) scores for identifying patients at risk of advanced fibrosis. This cross-sectional study included one hospital-based cohort with biopsy-proven NAFLD (n = 140) and two primary care cohorts from different clinical settings: Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) follow-up (n = 141) and chronic liver disease (CLD) initial study (n = 138). Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess liver fibrosis diagnosis models based on FIB-4 and ELF biomarkers. The sequential algorithm retrieved the following accuracy parameters in predicting stages F3–4 in the biopsy-confirmed cohort: sensitivity (85%), specificity (73%), negative predictive value (79%) and positive predictive value (81%). In both T2D and CLD cohorts, a total of 28% of patients were classified as stages F3–4. Furthermore, of all F3–4 classified patients in the T2D cohort, 80% had a diagnosis of liver disease and 44% were referred to secondary care. Likewise, of all F3–4 classified patients in the CLD cohort, 71% had a diagnosis of liver disease and 44% were referred to secondary care. These results suggest the potential utility of this algorithm as a liver fibrosis stratifying tool in primary care, where updating referral protocols to detect high-risk F3–4 is needed. FIB-4 and ELF sequential measurement is an efficient strategy to prioritize patients with high risk of F3–4 in populations with metabolic risk factors.
Deploying artificial intelligence in services to AID vulnerable consumers
Authors: Hermann Erik , Williams Gizem Yalcin , Puntoni Stefano 
Published: November 2023

AbstractDespite offering substantial opportunities to tailor services to consumers’ wants and needs, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies often come with ethical and operational challenges. One salient instance of such challenges emerges when vulnerable consumers, consumers who temporarily or permanently lack resource access or control, are unknowingly discriminated against, or excluded from the marketplace. By integrating the literature on consumer vulnerability, AI for social good, and the calls for rethinking marketing for a better world, the current work builds a framework on how to leverage AI technologies to detect, better serve, and empower vulnerable consumers. Specifically, our AID framework advocates for designing AI technologies that make services more accessible, optimize customer experiences and journeys interactively, and to dynamically improve consumer decision-making. Adopting a multi-stakeholder perspective, we also discuss the respective implications for researchers, managers, consumers, and public policy makers.
Timber Production Opportunities from Private Native Forests in Southern Queensland
Authors: Francis Ben , Venn Tyron , Lewis Tom 
Published: November 2023

AbstractHistorically, Queensland’s private native forests have supplied between 40 and 70% of the hardwood resource to the state’s primary processors. Hardwood timber production from state-owned native forests and plantations in Queensland has decreased substantially in recent decades, increasing the hardwood timber industry’s reliance on private native forests. However, timber production opportunities from these forests are poorly understood. This study assessed the future wood supply capacity from private native forests in southern Queensland assuming alternative levels of landowner interest in management for timber production and willingness to invest in silvicultural treatment. Commercial and harvestable private native forests in southern Queensland were classified into six forest types and their spatial distributions were assessed. Potential growth rates for each forest type were estimated based on available literature and expert opinion, and their ability to supply logs to industry with and without silvicultural treatments was projected. Commercial and harvestable private native forests were found to cover an area of approximately 1.9 M ha in southern Queensland, of which spotted gum (693,000 ha) and ironbark (641,500 ha) forest types are most common. The private native forest estate is distributed over 17,665 landholdings (LotPlans), with 17% of these accounting for 66% of the commercial and harvestable resource. Most private native forests have not been actively managed for timber production and are in poor condition. Nevertheless, they presently have the potential to supply between about 150,000 and 250,000 m3of logs to industry per annum. Silvicultural treatments were found to have the potential to increase the mean annual increment of these forests by a factor of between two and four, indicating substantial opportunities to increase harvestable log volumes in the medium and long-term. Private native forests in southern Queensland could potentially more than compensate for the supply gap left by the declining area of state-owned native forests that are available for timber harvesting. Actual forest management performed and log volumes supplied to market will depend on the forest management decisions of thousands of individual landholders, which are influenced by their heterogeneous management objectives, the policy environment, perceptions of sovereign risk, timber markets and the long payback periods in forestry. An accommodating forest policy environment and landholder willingness to invest in forest management could maintain and potentially increase private hardwood log supply to industry, which would support farm income diversification and regional employment opportunities.