bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional outcomes after transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME): a random forest analysis to predict patients’ outcomes
Authors: Tirelli F. , Lorenzon L. , Biondi A. , Neri I. , Santoro G. , Persiani R. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Anorectal, sexual, and urinary dysfunction are common issues after rectal cancer surgery, although seldom explored. The primary aim of this study was to investigate postoperative anorectal functional results.

Methods
Patients with mid/low-rectal cancer treated with transanal TME (TaTME) with primary anastomosis with/without diverting stoma between 2015 and 2020 were reviewed and selected if they had a minimum follow-up of 6 months (from the primary procedure or stoma reversal). Patients were interviewed using validated questionnaires and the primary outcome was bowel function based on Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) scores. Statistical analyses were performed to identify clinical/operative variables correlated with worse outcomes. A random forest (RF) algorithm was computed to classify patients at a greater risk of minor/major LARS.

Results
Ninety-seven patients were selected out of 154 TaTME performed. Overall, 88.7% of the patients had a protective stoma and 25.8% reported major LARS at mean follow-up of 19.0 months. Statistical analyses documented that age, operative time, and interval to stoma reversal correlated with LARS outcomes. The RF analysis disclosed worse LARS symptoms in patients with longer operative time (> 295 min) and stoma reversal interval (> 5.6 months). If the interval ranged between 3 and 5.6 months, older patients (> 65 years) reported worse outcomes. Finally, no statistical difference was documented when comparing the rate of minor/major LARS in the first 27 cases versus others.

Conclusion
One-quarter of the patients developed major LARS after TaTME. An algorithm based on clinical/operative variables, such as age, operative time, and time to stoma reversal, was developed to identify categories at risk for LARS symptoms.
A temporal assessment of risk of non-indigenous species introduction by ballast water to Canadian coastal waters based on environmental similarity
Authors: Song Ruixin , Tavakoli Yashar , Bailey Sarah A. , Soares Amilcar 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe environmental similarity scores between source and recipient locations are essential in ballast water risk assessment (BWRA) models used to estimate the potential for non-indigenous species (NIS) introduction, survival, and establishment, and to guide management strategies aiming to minimize biodiversity loss and economic impacts. Previous BWRA models incorporate annual-scale environmental data, which may overlook seasonal variability. In this study, temporal variation in sea surface temperature and salinity data were examined at global ports, and the influence of this variation on environmental distance calculations (and corresponding risk of NIS) was examined for ballast water discharges in Canada by comparing outputs from monthly and annual scale assessments in a BWRA model. Except for some outliers in the Pacific region, the environmental distances based on monthly scale data generally become smaller in all regions, demonstrating that the model using annual decadal average environmental data to inform environmental matching can underestimate risk of NIS survival and establishment in comparison to monthly data. The results of this study suggest future evaluations incorporating the date of ballast water uptake and discharge can provide a more sensitive assessment of risk reflecting seasonal variability compared to an annual average risk model.
Revisiting the Digital Plumber: Modifying the Installation Process of an Established Commercial IoT Alarm System
Authors: Castle-Green Teresa , Reeves Stuart , Fischer Joel E. , Koleva Boriana 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe ‘digital plumber’ is a conceptualisation in ubicomp research that describes the work of installing and maintaining IoT devices. But an important and often understated element of commercial IoT solutions is their long-term socio-technical infrastructural nature, and therefore long-term installation and maintenance needs. This adds complexity to both the practice of digital plumbing and to the work of design that supports it. In this paper we study a commercial company producing and installing IoT alarm systems. We examine video recordings that capture how a digital plumbing representative and software development team members make changes to both the installation process and supporting technology. Our data enables us to critically reflect on concepts of infrastructuring, and uncover the ways in which the team methodically foreground hidden elements of the infrastructure to address a point of failure experienced during field trials of a new version of their product. The contributions from this paper are twofold. Firstly, our findings build on previous examples of infrastructuring in practice by demonstrating the use of notions of elemental states to support design reasoning through the continual foregrounding and assessment of tensions identified as key factors at the point of failure. Secondly, we build on current notions of digital plumbing work. We argue that additional responsibilities of ‘reporting failure’ and ‘facilitation of change’ are part of the professional digital plumbing role and that commercial teams should support these additional responsibilities through collaborative troubleshooting and design sessions alongside solid communication channels with related stakeholders within the product team.
Parliamentary Debates Concerning the Living Conditions of Pigs in Sweden’s Factory Farms Between 1980–2018
Authors: Nilsson Daniel 
Published: March 2023

AbstractSweden’s Animal Welfare Act of 1988 stated that regulations and directives within the law should be in favor of animals’ wellbeing, protect them against unnecessary harm, allow them to express their natural behavior, and prevent behavioral disorders. However, ethological studies present several welfare problems found in animals held legally in factory farming settings. By using one of Sweden’s most commonly slaughtered animals—the pig—this paper scrutinizes how politicians consider different interests while debating animal living conditions in factory farms. The results demonstrate an overall absence of discussions addressing welfare problems in Swedish pig farming. When such welfare issues are addressed, they are often overlooked in favor of interests that cannot directly be associated with animal welfare. Political claims of having the best animal welfare legislation in the world are used when arguing for decreasing as well as enhancing the living conditions.
An Analytical Dashboard of Collaborative Activities for the Knowledge Building
Authors: Gutiérrez-Braojos C. , Rodríguez-Domínguez C. , Daniela L. , Carranza-García F. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractKnowledge building (KB) is an educatioanl theory framework that shows interest in the benefits that the technology offers to teaching and evaluation. In this study, a dashboard that facilitates the reflective assessment of KB communities supported by the knowlege forum platform was evaluated. The design-based research study was conducted with 126 undergraduate students enrolled in an educational research course at the University of (Name, country). Using a survey methodology, data was collected on the students’ perception regarding epistemic collective agency, research skills, and dashboard assessment. The conclusions about the value of the dashboard are broken down into two axes. On the one hand, the students state that they are satisfied with the dashboard, although they indicate that there is room for improvement. On the other hand, according to the KB reflective assessment, the dahsboard provided students with educational experiences that have empowered them in the collaborative construction of knowledge and promoted the development of their specific educational research skills. Future technological improvements and implementations of the Knowledge Building are discussed.
Normal periocular anthropometric measurements in an Australian population
Authors: Rana Khizar , Beecher Mark B. , Caltabiano Carmelo , Zhao Yang , Verjans Johan , Selva Dinesh 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To report the normative ocular and periocular anthropometric measurements in an Australian cohort and investigate how these may be affected age, gender, and ethnicity.

Methods
Prospective study of patients presenting to the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Patient with orbital or eyelid disease, previous surgery, craniofacial abnormalities, pupil abnormalities, strabismus, and poor image quality was excluded. Standardised photographs were taken in a well-illuminated room. A green dot with a diameter of 24 mm was placed on the participant’s foreheads for calibration between pixels and millimetres. Ocular and periocular landmarks were segmented to calculate the periorbital measurements. Independent sample t test was used to compare male and female subjects, Pearson’s correlation was used to correlate periocular dimensions with age, and ANOVA with Bonferroni was used to compare periocular dimension between ethnic groups.

Results
Seven hundred and sixty eyes from 380 participants (215 female, mean age 58 ± 18 years) were included. The mean marginal reflex distance (MRD) 1 was 3.5 mm and decreased with increasing age (r =  − 0.09, p = 0.01) and MRD 2 was 5.2 mm. Compared to Caucasians, African subjects had a significantly larger interpupillary distance and outer intercanthal distance, whereas East Asians had a significantly larger inner intercanthal distance (p < 0.05). The values of marginal reflex distance 2, palpebral fissure height, horizontal palpebral aperture, inner intercanthal distance, interpupillary distance and outer intercanthal distance were significantly higher in male subjects than female subjects (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
Normative periocular dimensions may vary according to age, gender, and ethnicity. An understanding of normal periocular dimensions is important in the evaluation of orbital disease across different ethnic groups and may serve as reference points for oculoplastic surgery and industry.
Dinoflagellate cell density limits explored using Scrippsiella lachrymosa cultured in flow-through cages
Authors: Smith Barry C. , Persson Agneta , Alix Jennifer H. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractDinoflagellates constitute one of the most important groups of primary producers and micro-zooplankton on earth, common in both marine and freshwater environments. Despite their prominent position among phytoplankton, they are difficult to grow into dense cultures in the laboratory. This discrepancy between field and laboratory indicates serious limitations caused by the laboratory culturing conditions. A difficult to study but important factor is the constraints of enclosure in a limited volume of water. We conducted an experiment wherein the dinoflagellate Scrippsiella lachrymosa was grown in “flow cells” – 100 cm3 cylindrical cages constructed from plankton net, inserted in larger volumes of growth medium, allowing an exchange of medium without dilution of the culture. Cell numbers far exceeding the normal for culturing of this species and dinoflagellates in general were attained, even though the experiment was terminated before cultures reached stationary phase. A cell number ten times higher than under regular batch culturing was achieved (up to 340,000 cells mL−1). Pattern formation was distinct in cultures when cells were plentiful and water movements caused cell accumulation, not dispersion. High cell density concurrent with access to new growth medium promoted induction of the sexual cell cycle. The results indicate serious limitations to growth set by enclosure in a limited water volume in laboratory experiments; thus, maximum growth rates of dinoflagellates in favourable field conditions may be vastly underestimated. Cell accumulation behavior of dinoflagellates during the sexual life cycle may together with physical transport by larger forces in nature explain sudden bloom occurrences.
Spirituality in the Context of Well-being. Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties and Added Value of the Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List Short Form (SAIL-SF)
Authors: Bohlmeijer E. T. , Frielingsdorf L. , Kraiss J. T. , de Jager-Meezenbroek E. , Visser A. , ten Klooster P. M. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThere is growing evidence that spiritual well-being is positively associated with adaptive coping and health. The Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List (SAIL) was developed to measure a sense of connectedness to oneself, the environment and the transcendent as a universal experience. The aim of the current study was to develop a short form of the SAIL (SAIL-SF). A factor analytic approach was adopted to select the items for the SAIL-SF based on earlier studies among nurses (n = 458) and cancer patients (n = 445). The dimensionality, factor-loadings, internal consistency, construct validity and incremental validity of the final SAIL-SF were then evaluated in a new sample of adults (n = 225) participating in a trial assessing a positive psychology intervention. The first study yielded seven items, each representing one of the dimensions of the original SAIL: meaningfulness, trust, acceptance, caring for others, connectedness with nature, transcendent experiences, and spiritual activities. The seven items represented a single meaningful factor in both samples and the factor loadings of the items were adequately high. In the second study, a good fit across the various model indices was found and all items had adequately high factor loadings in a strict unidimensional confirmatory factor model and demonstrated good internal consistency. The SAIL-SF explained 7% of variance in ability to adapt above and beyond emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The current study shows that the SAIL-SF has good psychometric properties, and that spiritual well-being has a unique contribution to the ability to adapt in comparison with other types of well-being.
Ensifer meliloti denitrification is involved in infection effectiveness and N2O emissions from alfalfa root nodules
Authors: Pacheco Pedro J. , Bedmar Eulogio J. , Mesa Socorro , Tortosa Germán , Delgado María J. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Alfalfa is one of the most valuable forage crops in temperate climate zones. Ensifer meliloti, the endosymbiont of alfalfa, contains all the denitrification genes but the capacity of alfalfa root nodules to produce nitrous oxide (N2O) is not known. In this work, N2O emissions as well as the influence of bacteroidal denitrification on nodulation competitiveness and N2O release from alfalfa nodules has been investigated.

Methods
Medicago sativa cv. Victoria plants were inoculated with E. meliloti 1021, a periplasmic nitrate reductase (Nap) defective mutant, a Nap overexpressing strain and a nitrous oxide reductase defective mutant. Plants were grown in the presence of different nitrate and copper treatments and subjected to flooding during one week before harvesting. N2O production by the nodules was analysed by using gas chromatography. Methyl viologen-dependent nitrate reductase (MV+-NR), nitrite reductase (MV+-NIR) and nitrous oxide reductase (N2OR) enzymatic activities were measured in isolated bacteroids.

Results
Alfalfa root nodules produce N2O in response to nitrate and flooding. Overexpression of Nap improved nodulation competitiveness and induced N2O emissions from nodules. Copper is required for an effective symbiosis as well as triggered a reduction of N2O production due to the induction of the N2OR and a reduction of NIR activities in the bacteroids.

Conclusion
Alfalfa root nodules emit N2O. Nap is involved in nodulation competitiveness and in N2O emissions by the nodules. Bacteroidal N2OR and NIR activities are modulated by Cu and may be considered as effective targets for the mitigation strategies of N2O emissions derived from alfalfa crops.
Analysis of the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in a population chronically exposed to coal mining residues
Authors: León-Mejía Grethel , Rueda Robinson Alvarez , Pérez Pérez Jose , Miranda-Guevara Alvaro , Moreno Ornella Fiorillo , Quintana-Sosa Milton , Trindade Cristiano , De Moya Yurina Sh , Ruiz-Benitez Martha , Lemus Yesit Bello , Rodríguez Ibeth Luna , Oliveros-Ortiz Ludis , Acosta-Hoyos Antonio , Pacheco-Londoño Leonardo C. , Muñoz Amner , Hernández-Rivera Samuel P. , Olívero-Verbel Jesús , da Silva Juliana , Henriques João Antonio Pêgas 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

During coal mining activities, many compounds are released into the environment that can negatively impact human health. Particulate matter, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), metals, and oxides are part of the complex mixture that can affect nearby populations. Therefore, we designed this study to evaluate the potential cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in individuals chronically exposed to coal residues from peripheral blood lymphocytes and buccal cells. We recruited 150 individuals who lived more than 20 years in La Loma-Colombia and 120 control individuals from the city of Barranquilla without a history of exposure to coal mining. In the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (CBMN-Cyt) assay, significant differences in the frequency of micronucleus (MN), nucleoplasmic bridge (NPB), nuclear bud (NBUD), and apoptotic cells (APOP) were observed between the two groups. In the buccal micronucleus cytome (BM-Cyt) assay, a significant formation of NBUD, karyorrhexis (KRX), karyolysis (KRL), condensed chromatin (CC), and binucleated (BN) cells was observed in the exposed group. Considering the characteristics of the study group, a significant correlation for CBMN-Cyt was found between NBUD and vitamin consumption, between MN or APOP and meat consumption, and between MN and age. Moreover, a significant correlation for BM-Cyt was found between KRL and vitamin consumption or age, and BN versus alcohol consumption. Using Raman spectroscopy, a significant increase in the concentration of DNA/RNA bases, creatinine, polysaccharides, and fatty acids was detected in the urine of individuals exposed to coal mining compared to the control group. These results contribute to the discussion on the effects of coal mining on nearby populations and the development of diseases due to chronic exposure to these residues.
Contribution of alcohol use to the global burden of cirrhosis and liver cancer from 1990 to 2019 and projections to 2044
Authors: Liu Yang , Sun Zhouyi , Wang Qianwen , Wu Kangze , Tang Zhe , Zhang Bo 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Identifying the temporal trends of cirrhosis and liver cancer attributable to alcohol use in both the past and the future can formulate the control strategies.

Methods
Data on cirrhosis and liver cancer attributable to alcohol use from 1990 to 2019, including mortality and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rates were collected from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. To analyze the temporal trends, the average annual percentage change (AAPC) was calculated, and the Bayesian age-period-cohort model was applied.

Result
Deaths and DALY of cirrhosis and liver cancer attributable to alcohol use increased year by years, but the age-standardized death rate (ASDR) and age-standardized DALY rate declined or remained stable from 1990 to 2019 in most regions of the world. The burden of cirrhosis attributable to alcohol increased in low-middle social-development index (SDI) regions, while the burden of liver cancer increased in high-SDI regions. Eastern Europe and Central Asia have the highest burden of cirrhosis and liver cancer caused by alcohol use. Deaths and DALYs are mainly distributed in people aged 40+ years, but there is an increasing trend in people aged under 40 years. New deaths from cirrhosis and liver cancer attributable to alcohol use are predicted to increase in the next 25 years, but the ASDR of cirrhosis in males will increase slightly.

Conclusions
Although the age-standardized rate of cirrhosis and liver cancer due to alcohol use have decreased, the absolute burden increased and will continue to increase. Therefore, alcohol control measures should be further strengthened and improved through effective national policies.
Waste volatile fatty acids as a good electron donor in microbial fuel cell with the iron-modified anode
Authors: Nosek D. , Samsel O. , Pokój T. , Cydzik-Kwiatkowska A. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe commercialization of microbial fuel cell technology is limited by high operating costs and low electricity production due to poor electron transfer to the anode. Operational costs can be lowered by utilizing waste materials, and cell performance can be improved by anode modification. This study investigated how anode modification with iron compounds changed the efficiency of energy generation and the microbiome of microbial fuel cells fueled with waste volatile fatty acids from a full-scale anaerobic digestion. Anode modification with 2.5 g Fe2O3/m2 increased the power density, current density, and voltage by 3.6-fold, 1.8-fold, and 1.4-fold, respectively. In the microbial fuel cell influent, propionic, enanthic, and iso-caproic acids predominated (60, 15, and 13% of all volatile fatty acids, respectively); in the outflow, propionic (71%) and valeric acids (17%) predominated. In anodic biofilms, Acidovorax sp. were most abundant; they have a great capacity for volatile fatty acids decomposition, and their abundance doubled in the microbial fuel cell with an iron-modified anode. The presence of iron significantly increased the abundance of the genera Pseudomonas and Geothrix, which were mainly responsible for electricity production. These results indicate that anode modification with iron changes the anode microbiome, favoring efficient volatile fatty acids metabolism and a greater abundance of electrogens in the biofilm, which ensures better electricity generation.
A supervised method to enhance distance-based neural network clustering performance by discovering perfect representative neurons
Authors: Fu Qiang , Li Yuefeng , Albathan Mubarak 
Published: March 2023

AbstractDistance-based neural network clustering requires the intrinsic assumption that a particular neuron in the network represents a cluster centroid. However, not all these neurons can perfectly represent the training data; these neurons can only represent part of the training samples. This paper proposes an effective training data splitting method (TDSM) to find perfect representative neurons and improve the clustering results in a distance-based neutral network without changing the original network’s internal algorithm or the training data quality. The method allows a network with N neurons to be enlarged to a new network with $$m\times N$$

m
×
N

neurons. These neurons represent m subnetworks, and each subnetwork perfectly represents a part of the training set, where the clustering qualification indicators (the purity, normalized mutual information, and adjusted rand index measures) all equal 1. The results are statistically validated with a t test, and we demonstrate that the TDSM performs better than the original clustering paradigm on some real datasets.