bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Online risk-based portfolio allocation on subsets of crypto assets applying a prototype-based clustering algorithm
Authors: Lorenzo Luis , Arroyo Javier 
Published: January 2023

AbstractMean-variance portfolio optimization models are sensitive to uncertainty in risk-return estimates, which may result in poor out-of-sample performance. In particular, the estimates may suffer when the number of assets considered is high and the length of the return time series is not sufficiently long. This is precisely the case in the cryptocurrency market, where there are hundreds of crypto assets that have been traded for a few years. We propose enhancing the mean-variance (MV) model with a pre-selection stage that uses a prototype-based clustering algorithm to reduce the number of crypto assets considered at each investment period. In the pre-selection stage, we run a prototype-based clustering algorithm where the assets are described by variables representing the profit-risk duality. The prototypes of the clustering partition are automatically examined and the one that best suits our risk-aversion preference is selected. We then run the MV portfolio optimization with the crypto assets of the selected cluster. The proposed approach is tested for a period of 17 months in the whole cryptocurrency market and two selections of the cryptocurrencies with the higher market capitalization (175 and 250 cryptos). We compare the results against three methods applied to the whole market: classic MV, risk parity, and hierarchical risk parity methods. We also compare our results with those from investing in the market index . The simulation results generally favor our proposal in terms of profit and risk-profit financial indicators. This result reaffirms the convenience of using machine learning methods to guide financial investments in complex and highly-volatile environments such as the cryptocurrency market.
Left atrial appendage volume as a prognostic Indicator of long-term mortality in Cancer survivors treated with thoracic radiation
Authors: Zafar Meer R. , Sharma Ashutosh , Sunder Sunitha Shyam , Karthikeyan Badri , Nagahama Makoto , Atia Andrew , Bahuva Ronak , Pokharel Saraswati , Iyer Vijay , Kattel Sharma , Sharma Umesh C. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background
Cancer survivors with prior chest radiation therapy (CXRT) frequently present with atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and have higher overall long-term mortality. There are no data examining the utility of left atrial (LA) and LA appendage (LAA) volume-indices to predict clinical outcomes in these patients.

Objectives
We examined the prognostic value of cardiac phase-dependent 3-D volume-rendered cardiac computerized tomography (CT)-derived LA and LAA volume-indices to predict mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in cancer survivors treated with thoracic irradiation.

Method
We screened 625 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis who had undergone transcatheter aortic valve replacement from 2012 to 2017. Based on the gated cardiac CT image quality, we included 184 patients (CXRT:43, non-CXRT:141) for further analysis. We utilized multiplane-3D-reconstructed cardiac CT images to calculate LA and LAA volume-indices, and examined the prognostic role of CCT-derived LA and LAA volume-indices in predicting the all-cause mortality, cardiovascular (CV) mortality, and MACE. We used multivariate cox-proportional hazard analysis to identify the clinical predictors of survival.

Results
Overall, the CXRT group had significantly elevated LAA volume-index compared to non-CXRT group (CXRT:11.2 ± 8.9 ml/m2; non-CXRT:8.6 ± 4.5 ml/m2, p = 0.03). On multivariate cox-proportional hazard analysis, the elevated LAA volume and LAA volume-index were the strongest predictors of reduced survival in CXRT group compared to non-CXRT group (LAA volume: RR = 1.03,95% CI 1.0–1.01, p = 0.01; and LAA volume index: RR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.0–1.01, p = 0.03). LAA volume > 21.9 ml was associated with increased mortality. In contrast, LA volume was not a significant predictor of mortality.

Conclusion
We describe a novel technique to assess LA and LAA volume using 3-D volume-rendered cardiac CT. This study shows enlarged LAA volume rather than LA volume carries a poor prognosis in cancer-survivors treated with prior CXRT. Compared to conventionally reported markers, LAA volume of > 21.9 ml was incremental to that of other risk factors.
Photon-counting computed tomography thermometry via material decomposition and machine learning
Authors: Wang Nathan , Li Mengzhou , Haverinen Petteri 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThermal ablation procedures, such as high intensity focused ultrasound and radiofrequency ablation, are often used to eliminate tumors by minimally invasively heating a focal region. For this task, real-time 3D temperature visualization is key to target the diseased tissues while minimizing damage to the surroundings. Current computed tomography (CT) thermometry is based on energy-integrated CT, tissue-specific experimental data, and linear relationships between attenuation and temperature. In this paper, we develop a novel approach using photon-counting CT for material decomposition and a neural network to predict temperature based on thermal characteristics of base materials and spectral tomographic measurements of a volume of interest. In our feasibility study, distilled water, 50 mmol/L CaCl2, and 600 mmol/L CaCl2 are chosen as the base materials. Their attenuations are measured in four discrete energy bins at various temperatures. The neural network trained on the experimental data achieves a mean absolute error of 3.97 °C and 1.80 °C on 300 mmol/L CaCl2 and a milk-based protein shake respectively. These experimental results indicate that our approach is promising for handling non-linear thermal properties for materials that are similar or dissimilar to our base materials.
Health-related quality-of-life measures used in hemodialysis patients in Albania
Authors: Elezi Brunilda , Rumano Merita , Abazaj Erjona , Topi Skender 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background
Chronic kidney disease is a growing worldwide public health concern. On the other hand, patients’ perception of health is an important outcome measure in the assessment of the influence of chronic disease and received treatment. Interest in measuring health-related quality of life has increased together with an awareness that such humanistic outcomes require valid and reliable measures. The aimed study was to evaluate the health-related quality of life (QoL) and to investigate the relationship between selected demographic and clinical characteristics and Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) scores in hemodialysis patients.

Methods
This survey study was conducted on hemodialysis patients (209 patients) during the periods 2017–2018. The QoL includes 25 questions classified into five dimensions, which are mobility, personal care, common activities, discomfort and pain, anxiety, and depression. P value < .05 was considered statistically significant.

Results
Overall 209 hemodialysis patients, the mean of the five domains varies from a minimum value of 1.75 ± 1.06 for personal care to a maximum value of 2.65 ± 1.44 for anxiety and/or depression. In our study, among hemodialysis patients is seen a significant association scored between the quality of life and demographic variables like age groups (p = 0.034), and gender (p = 0.01) as in the previous studies. The presence of comorbidities was significantly associated with the QOL (p = 0.001). About the questionnaire, “How good or bad your health is today” the average score resulted to be 47.08 ± 4.5.

Conclusion
As we saw from the results of this study, a considerable number of the patients live with low income. Age, sex, and comorbidities are dependent factors of HRQoL. Therefore, we suggest that future studies include other factors that will evaluate hemodialysis efficiency and find the association between these and QoL.
Impact of Thyroid Function on the Prevalence and Mortality of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Chen Yu-ling , Tian Shen , Wu Juan , Li Hao , Li Shu , Xu Zhou , Liang Xin-yu , Adhikari Vishnu Prasad , Xiao Jun , Song Jing-yu , Ma Chen-yu , She Rui-ling , Li Zhao-xing , Wu Kai-nan , Kong Ling-quan 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Context
Thyroid function variation within the thyroxine reference range has negative metabolic effects. Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a recently proposed definition.

Objective
We aim to explore the effects of thyroid function status on prevalence and mortality of MAFLD.

Methods
Data of 10 666 participants from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) were used. MAFLD was diagnosed based on the new definition. Thyroid function variation within the thyroxine reference range was defined based on thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels: subclinical hyperthyroidism, &lt;0.39 mIU/L; strict-normal thyroid function, 0.39-2.5 mIU/L; and low thyroid function, &gt;2.5 mIU/L, which comprised low-normal thyroid function (2.5-4.5 mIU/L) and subclinical hypothyroidism (&gt; 4.5 mIU/L). Logistic and Cox regression were used in multivariate analysis.

Results
Low thyroid function is independently associated with MAFLD (odds ratio: 1.27). Compared with strict-normal thyroid function, subclinical hypothyroidism was significantly associated with increased risk for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the total population (hazard ratio [HR] for all-cause: 1.23; cardiovascular: 1.65) and MAFLD population (HR for all-cause: 1.32; cardiovascular: 1.99); meanwhile, in the low-normal thyroid function group, an increasing trend in mortality risk was observed. Furthermore, low thyroid function also showed significant negative impact on mortality in the total and MAFLD population. Among thyroid function spectrum, mild subclinical hypothyroidism showed the highest HRs on mortality.

Conclusions
Low thyroid function is independent risk factor of MAFLD and is associated with increased risk for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the MAFLD population. Reevaluation of TSH reference range should be considered.
Association Between the FRAIL Scale and Postoperative Complications in Older Surgical Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gong Selena , Qian Dorothy , Riazi Sheila , Chung Frances , Englesakis Marina , Li Qixuan , Huszti Ella , Wong Jean 
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND:
Several frailty screening tools have been shown to predict mortality and complications after surgery. However, these tools were developed for in-person evaluation and cannot be used during virtual assessments before surgery. The FRAIL (fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illness, and loss of weight) scale is a brief assessment that can potentially be conducted virtually or self-administered, but its association with postoperative outcomes in older surgical patients is unknown. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis (SRMA) was to determine whether the FRAIL scale is associated with mortality and postoperative outcomes in older surgical patients.

METHODS:
Systematic searches were conducted of multiple literature databases from January 1, 2008, to December 17, 2022, to identify English language studies using the FRAIL scale in surgical patients and reporting mortality and postoperative outcomes, including postoperative complications, postoperative delirium, length of stay, and functional recovery. These databases included Medline, Medline ePubs/In-process citations, Embase, APA (American Psychological Association) PsycInfo, Ovid Emcare Nursing, (all via the Ovid platform), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) EbscoHost, the Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics), and Scopus (Elsevier). The risk of bias was assessed using the quality in prognosis studies tool.

RESULTS:
A total of 18 studies with 4479 patients were included. Eleven studies reported mortality at varying time points. Eight studies were included in the meta-analysis of mortality. The pooled odds ratio (OR) of 30-day, 6-month, and 1-year mortality for frail patients was 6.62 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.80–15.61; P < .01), 2.97 (95% CI, 1.54–5.72; P < .01), and 1.54 (95% CI, 0.91–2.58; P = .11), respectively. Frailty was associated with postoperative complications and postoperative delirium, with an OR of 3.11 (95% CI, 2.06–4.68; P < .01) and 2.65 (95% CI, 1.85–3.80; P < .01), respectively. The risk of bias was low in 16 of 18 studies.

CONCLUSIONS:
As measured by the FRAIL scale, frailty was associated with 30-day mortality, 6-month mortality, postoperative complications, and postoperative delirium.
ALTERNATIVE LOGISTICS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN THE CONDITIONS OF WESTERN SANCTIONS
Authors: Pokrovskaya Oksana D. , Vorobyov Alexander A. , Migrov Alexander A. , Sheverdova Maria V. , Ulyanitskaya Victoria I. , Vlasensky Artem A. 
Published: January 2023

Purpose. The aim is to study the trends in the evolution of the transport and logistics market of Russia under the influence of Western sanctions, taking into account the conjuncture of the world economy.
Methods of work: analytical, logistics theory, general theory of systems, marketing.
Results: the study considers alternative logistics schemes for the delivery of imported goods from the USA and EU countries to Russia. Trends in the construction of a new architecture of transport logistics have been established. Scope of the results: A critical assessment of the current state of the transport and logistics market of the Russian Federation is given and the features of its functioning under the influence of the sixth package of Western sanctions are established. The novelty lies in determining the prospects, opportunities and threats of “rapid reconfiguration” of the architecture of transport and logistics schemes for Russia.
The practical significance lies in the fact that an attempt has been made to answer the question “What could be the scenario for leveling the trigger effects of the next package of anti-Russian sanctions?”. It is established that the following scenarios of leveling trigger effects are possible: 1) intensification of domestic production and its localization within the country; 2) development of the transport and logistics infrastructure of the regions in new directions of delivery; 3) overcoming the shortage of empty containers, optimizing the work of border crossings, improving the efficiency of interaction of modes of transport; 4) development of multimodal delivery systems in close cooperation with foreign partners from Kazakhstan, China, Belarus and others . 5) entering new markets for import-dependent sectors of the Russian economy; 6) state regulation of the transport and logistics market. 7) the “revival” of supply chains within the country.
IMPROVING THE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF SPECIALISTS TO ENSURE FIRE SAFETY IN RAILWAY TRANSPORT
Authors: Koshkarov Ruslan V. , Koroleva Lyudmila A. , Kostin Evgeny E. 
Published: January 2023

Purpose. The goal is to reduce the severity of the consequences of fires, it is necessary to intensify the joint efforts of state authorities, local governments, as well as enterprises and, most importantly, citizens, and to ensure the improvement of measures of a legal, organizational, economic, social, scientific and technical nature, which will ensure their more active use in the process of ensuring fire safety.
The method or methodology of the work. The article notes the traditional elements of the fire safety system and the mechanisms for regulating fire safety in the Russian Federation.
Results. The fact of the existence of shortcomings in the fire safety regulation system, in particular, an excessive number of inspections, an insufficient level of professional training of personnel responsible for maintaining fire safety in transport, has been established. Directions for improving the mechanisms for regulating the process of ensuring fire safety in the Russian Federation are proposed.
Scope of the results. The obtained results should be applied in the professional training of specialists to ensure fire safety in railway transport.
MICROMOBILITY AS AN ELEMENT OF THE URBAN TRANSPORT SYSTEM
Authors: Konovalova Tatiana V. , Kotenkova Irina N. , Senin Ivan S. 
Published: January 2023

In this article, the authors consider the concept of micromobility, the areas of its functioning, the main problems and its effectiveness as an element of the urban transport system.
Purpose – the main problems of introducing micromobility into the city’s transport system are identified and ways to solve them are shown.
Methodology: the article used a full-scale experiment, statistical analysis.
Results: the factors that increase the efficiency of the functioning of means of micromobility in urban conditions are determined.
Practical implications: identification of the most effective and priority measures to improve the transport system of the city using the means of micromobility. Research activities on the development of new approaches in the field of public transport services.
MANAGEMENT MODELING OF TRANSPORT ORGANIZATIONS WITH THE APPLICATION OF RATING APPROACHES
Authors: Lvovich Yakov E. , Preobrazhenskiy Andrey P. , Avetisyan Tatiana V. 
Published: January 2023

The task of a transportation system is to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of goods and transportation of passengers. Effective management of transport systems is aimed not only at ensuring the optimal passage of all processes within such systems. The main task in this case is to create conditions capable of ensuring the mobility of the population and the volume of cargo transportation which will meet the objectives of economic development. Thus, the degree of efficiency of the transport system can be determined on the basis of its ability to ensure a balance between economic requirements and social demands, which often contradict each other. Features of transport system management organization: spatial location of system elements on a large territory, the need to strictly observe technological functions affecting the safety of transportation, one-man management, dispatching and discipline in the organization of transport processes, close interaction and mutual dependence of all elements of the transport system.
The paper considers the task of interaction between the control center and the objects in the transport system. The mechanisms of rating evaluations are applied. The illustration of the structural scheme, on the basis of which the mechanisms of rating management are implemented, is given. The results have demonstrated the efficiency of the approaches used. They can be used in evaluating the performance of a wide range of transportation systems.
ANALYSIS OF THE USE OF ALGORITHMS TO FILTER INFORMATION AND FILL GAPS
Authors: Lvovich Yakov E. , Preobrazhenskiy Andrey P. , Avetisyan Tatiana V. 
Published: January 2023

The analysis shows that the real information flows are characterized by: arbitrary distribution function; the presence of both quantitative and qualitative indicators; the absence of part of the meaningful data fragments; unreliability of data associated with errors in registration and their entry; parametric redundancy.
Not all of the existing tools included in most of the instrumental systems, make it possible to solve a number of these problems. The article deals with the problem related to information filtering. The illustration of an algorithm scheme, which allows to conduct information filtering, is presented. The stages used in the construction of the algorithm are specified in detail. The geometric approach is applied. It gives an opportunity to lead consideration of information messages in the form of “constellations” which are connected with the i-dimensional feature hyperspace. An algorithm that allows to implement gap filling is proposed. The results presented in the paper can be useful when considering different information flows in modern information systems.
Hilton–Milner results in projective and affine spaces
Authors: D’haeseleer Jozefien 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
In this article, we analyse maximal sets of k-spaces, in PG(n, q) and AG(n, q) with n ≥ 2k + t + 3, that pairwise meet in at least a t-space. It is known that for both PG(n, q) and AG(n, q), the largest example is a t-pencil, i.e. the set of all k-spaces containing a fixed t-space. In this paper, we analyse the structure of the second largest maximal example in both PG(n, q) and AG(n, q).
Aristotelian Motives in Middle Platonic Theology. Aristotelian Threads and Categories in the Theory of God in Alcinous’ Didaskalikos
Authors: Pawłowski Kazimierz 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The paper deals with the issue of some Aristotelian motives and categories in the Didaskalikos of Alcinous, one of the most important works of Middle Platonism. They are particularly evident in the chapters in which Alcinous discusses issues related to Platonic theology and theory of Ideas. A special place here is the motif of God as Intellect who thinks of Ideas (of absolute Forms, in the Platonic sense) and at the same time thinks of Himself (in the Aristotelian sense). In connection with these Aristotelian motives, the question arises: do these motives have a substantive significance here, that is, do they really express Aristotle’s metaphysical views, or are they only a literary framework, in which the Platonic content is clothed?
Assessing vitamin D metabolism – four decades of experience
Authors: Herrmann Markus 
Published: January 2023

AbstractOne hundred years ago, the role of vitamin D for bone mineralization and the prevention of rickets was discovered. Vitamin D comprises a group of over 50 metabolites with multiple functions that go far beyond calcium homeostasis and bone mineralization. Approximately 50 years ago, first methods for the measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in human blood were developed. Over the years, different analytical principals were employed including competitive protein binding assays, high-performance liquid chromatography, various immunoassay and mass spectrometric formats. Until the recent standardization of serum 25(OH)D measurement, agreement between methods was unsatisfactory. Since then, comparability has improved, but substantial variability between methods remains. With the advent of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), the accurate determination of 25(OH)D and other metabolites, such as 24,25(OH)2D, becomes increasingly accessible for clinical laboratories. Easy access to 25(OH)D testing has triggered extensive clinical research showing that large parts of the population are vitamin D deficient. The variable response of vitamin D deficient individuals to supplementation indicates that assessing patients’ vitamin D stores by measuring 25(OH)D provides limited insight into the metabolic situation. Meanwhile, first evidence has emerged suggesting that the simultaneous measurement of 25(OH)D, 24,25(OH)2D and other metabolites allows a dynamic evaluation of patients’ vitamin D status on metabolic principals. This may help to identify patients with functional vitamin D deficiency from those without. It can be expected that research into the assessment vitamin D status will continue for another 50 years and that this will help rationalizing our approach in clinical practice.