bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Egocentric Computer Vision for Hands-Free Robotic Wheelchair Navigation
Authors: Kutbi Mohammed , Li Haoxiang , Chang Yizhe , Sun Bo , Li Xin , Cai Changjiang , Agadakos Nikolaos , Hua Gang , Mordohai Philippos 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIn this paper, we present an approach for navigating a robotic wheelchair that provides users with multiple levels of autonomy and navigation capabilities to fit their individual needs and preferences. We focus on three main aspects: (i) egocentric computer vision based motion control to provide a natural human-robot interface to wheelchair users with impaired hand usage; (ii) techniques that enable user to initiate autonomous navigation to a location, object or person without use of the hands; and (iii) a framework that learns to navigate the wheelchair according to its user’s, often subjective, criteria and preferences. These contributions are evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively in user studies with several subjects demonstrating their effectiveness. These studies have been conducted with healthy subjects, but they still indicate that clinical tests of the proposed technology can be initiated.
In vitro studies of 223Ra- and 225Ac-labelled α-zirconium phosphate as potential carrier for alpha targeted therapy
Authors: Sakmár Michal , Ondrák Lukáš , Fialová Kateřina , Vlk Martin , Kozempel Ján , Bruchertseifer Frank , Morgenstern Alfred 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIn this study suitability of α-ZrP nanoparticles as a 223Ra and 225Ac carriers for TAT was investigated. The yields of radiolabelling were higher than 98% in both cases. Subsequently, in vitro stability studies were carried out in various biological matrices during 48 h period. Measurements of released radioactivity showed the highest stability in saline. Released activity of 223Ra, 225Ac and their daughter radionuclides was around 0.5%. On the other hand, the lowest stability was shown in plasma and serum. Released activity for 223Ra, 225Ac and their progeny atoms was from 15 to 32%.
Se(IV)/Se(VI) adsorption mechanisms on natural and on Ca-modified zeolite for Mediterranean soils amended with the modified zeolite: prospects for agronomic applications
Authors: Zafeiriou Ioannis , Gasparatos Dionisios , Ioannou Dafni , Katsikini Maria , Pinakidou Fani , Paloura Eleni C. , Massas Ioannis 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
In the present study, the ability of a modified CaCl2 zeolite (Ca-Z) to both increase Se(IV) availability and restrict Se(VI) mobility in soils is examined. As it was resulted from batch experiments and verified by X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopies, higher amounts of both Se species adsorbed on Ca-Z compared to natural zeolite (Z-N) forming outer-sphere complexes while the oxidation state did not alter during agitation of samples. Thereafter, Ca-Z was incorporated in six Greek soils, divided into acid and alkaline, at a 20% (w/w) rate and a series of equilibrium batch experiments were performed with soils alone and soils-Ca-Z mixtures to investigate sorption and desorption processes and mechanisms. The acid soils, either treated with Ca-Z or not, adsorbed higher amounts of Se(IV) than alkaline ones, whereas soils alone did not adsorb Se(VI) but impressively high adsorption of Se(VI) occurred in the Ca-Z-treated soils. Desorption of Se(IV) was higher from the Ca-Z-treated soils and especially from the acid soils. Higher distribution coefficients of desorption than the distribution coefficients of sorption were observed, clearly pointing to a hysteresis mechanism. The experimental data fitted with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. In the presence of Ca-Z, the Langmuir qm values increased indicating higher Se(IV) retention while Langmuir bL values decreased suggesting lower bonding strength and higher Se(IV) mobility. Overall, treating the soils with Ca-Z increased Se(IV) adsorption and mobility whereas it provided sites for Se(VI) adsorption that did not exist in the studied soils.
Mitigating Spurious Correlations for Self-supervised Recommendation
Authors: Lin Xin-Yu , Xu Yi-Yan , Wang Wen-Jie , Zhang Yang , Feng Fu-Li 
Published: January 2023

AbstractRecent years have witnessed the great success of self-supervised learning (SSL) in recommendation systems. However, SSL recommender models are likely to suffer from spurious correlations, leading to poor generalization. To mitigate spurious correlations, existing work usually pursues ID-based SSL recommendation or utilizes feature engineering to identify spurious features. Nevertheless, ID-based SSL approaches sacrifice the positive impact of invariant features, while feature engineering methods require high-cost human labeling. To address the problems, we aim to automatically mitigate the effect of spurious correlations. This objective requires to 1) automatically mask spurious features without supervision, and 2) block the negative effect transmission from spurious features to other features during SSL. To handle the two challenges, we propose an invariant feature learning framework, which first divides user-item interactions into multiple environments with distribution shifts and then learns a feature mask mechanism to capture invariant features across environments. Based on the mask mechanism, we can remove the spurious features for robust predictions and block the negative effect transmission via mask-guided feature augmentation. Extensive experiments on two datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework in mitigating spurious correlations and improving the generalization abilities of SSL models.
Franchising structure changes and shareholder value: Evidence from store buybacks and refranchising
Authors: Sadovnikova Anna , Kacker Manish , Mishra Saurabh 
Published: January 2023

AbstractDrawing on agency theory and transaction cost analysis, this study investigates the impact of refranchising and buybacks of downstream retail units by franchising firms on shareholder value (i.e., stock returns). It further evaluates the contingency role of firm and industry factors in shaping this impact. An event study analysis over the years 2001–2020 confirms that both refranchising and buybacks positively affect stock returns. However, notable impact differences emerge between the two types of strategic decisions. For refranchising, firms with lower royalty rates, smaller returns-on-assets (ROA), and higher trade credit provided generate higher stock returns. Whereas, for buybacks, firms with higher royalty rates derive more value in stock markets. Analysis further shows that investors judge refranchising (buybacks) less (more) favorably in munificent industries, but industry dynamism has no effect on the stock returns generated from these moves. Together, the study offers important implications for franchising theory and retail practice in marketing.
Analysis of Stress Concentration Factors due to in-Plane Bending and out-of-Plane Bending Loads on Tubular TY-Joints of Offshore Structures
Authors: Sambo Mohamadou Aminou , Kol Guy Richard , Betchewe Gambo 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe aim of this work is to study the stress distributions and the location of hot spots stress in the vicinity of the intersection lines of the tubular elements of the tubular TY-joints. Using the finite element models, we analyze the effects of geometrical parameters on the stress concentration factor in the case of in-plane bending and out-of-plane bending loads, around the weld toe of the tubular joints. Our results reveal the location of the maximum stress concentration factor at the heel or toe in the case of in-plane bending loads and at the saddle point in the case of out-of-plane bending loads. Six parametric equations are established and used to calculate the stress concentration factor at critical locations using the non-linear regression method. The results obtained from the finite element analysis are close to the results of the parametric equations and the experimental data from the previous work.
Quantitative Oculomotor Assessment in Hereditary Ataxia: Discriminatory Power, Correlation with Severity Measures, and Recommended Parameters for Specific Genotypes
Authors: Garces Pilar , Antoniades Chrystalina A. , Sobanska Anna , Kovacs Norbert , Ying Sarah H. , Gupta Anoopum S. , Perlman Susan , Szmulewicz David J. , Pane Chiara , Németh Andrea H. , Jardim Laura B. , Coarelli Giulia , Dankova Michaela , Traschütz Andreas , Tarnutzer Alexander A. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Characterizing bedside oculomotor deficits is a critical factor in defining the clinical presentation of hereditary ataxias. Quantitative assessments are increasingly available and have significant advantages, including comparability over time, reduced examiner dependency, and sensitivity to subtle changes. To delineate the potential of quantitative oculomotor assessments as digital-motor outcome measures for clinical trials in ataxia, we searched MEDLINE for articles reporting on quantitative eye movement recordings in genetically confirmed or suspected hereditary ataxias, asking which paradigms are most promising for capturing disease progression and treatment response. Eighty-nine manuscripts identified reported on 1541 patients, including spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA2, n = 421), SCA3 (n = 268), SCA6 (n = 117), other SCAs (n = 97), Friedreich ataxia (FRDA, n = 178), Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC, n = 57), and ataxia-telangiectasia (n = 85) as largest cohorts. Whereas most studies reported discriminatory power of oculomotor assessments in diagnostics, few explored their value for monitoring genotype-specific disease progression (n = 2; SCA2) or treatment response (n = 8; SCA2, FRDA, NPC, ataxia-telangiectasia, episodic-ataxia 4). Oculomotor parameters correlated with disease severity measures including clinical scores (n = 18 studies (SARA: n = 9)), chronological measures (e.g., age, disease duration, time-to-symptom onset; n = 17), genetic stratification (n = 9), and imaging measures of atrophy (n = 5). Recurrent correlations across many ataxias (SCA2/3/17, FRDA, NPC) suggest saccadic eye movements as potentially generic quantitative oculomotor outcome. Recommendation of other paradigms was limited by the scarcity of cross-validating correlations, except saccadic intrusions (FRDA), pursuit eye movements (SCA17), and quantitative head-impulse testing (SCA3/6). This work aids in understanding the current knowledge of quantitative oculomotor parameters in hereditary ataxias, and identifies gaps for validation as potential trial outcome measures in specific ataxia genotypes.
Profiles of Quality in Three Distinct Early Childhood Programs Using the Brief Early Childhood Quality Inventory (BEQI)
Authors: Raikes Abbie , Sayre Mojgani Rebecca , Heinzel-Nelson Alvarenga Lima Jem , Davis Dawn , Cassell Cecelia , Waldman Marcus , Escalante Elsa 
Published: January 2023

AbstractQuality early childhood care and education (ECCE) is important for young children’s holistic healthy development. As ECCE scales, contextually relevant and feasible measurement is needed to inform policy and programs on strengths and areas for improvement. However, few measures have been designed for use across diverse contexts. Drawing on principles of mixed methods design, this study reports on a new approach to ECCE quality measurement: the Brief Early Childhood Quality Inventory. Using data from the USA, Liberia, and Colombia, results indicate variation in the items perceived as highly relevant to each setting and in the characteristics of classrooms including the degree of child autonomy, the types of activities, and in child/educator interactions and dialogue. However, despite this variation, a small set of items indicate potential functionality as cross-country anchor items. Findings lend support to the idea that quality measures can have some common elements with room for adaptation within and across settings. Future work in this area should address the possibility that the significance of these practices for child development also varies across settings.
Towards maximum value creation from potato protein liquor: volatile fatty acids production from fungal cultivation effluent
Authors: Sapmaz Tugba , Uwineza Clarisse , Mahboubi Amir , De Wever Heleen , Koseoglu-Imer Derya Y. , Taherzadeh Mohammad J. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe cornerstones of an efficient circular waste management strategy aiming for enhanced resource efficiency are maximizing organic waste valorization and improving residual conversion to biochemicals. In this regard, this study focuses on the production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) from the effluent of fungi biomass cultivation on low-grade residues from the potato starch industry with batch and semi-continuous membrane bioreactors (MBRs) containing the effluent of already fermented potato protein liquor (FPPL) inoculated with chicken and cow manure. The effect of pH in the batch experiments on the production and yield of VFAs during acidogenic digestion was evaluated. Rapid generation of VFAs at a concentration of up to 11.8 g/L could be successfully achieved in the MBR. Under the optimal conditions, a high yield of 0.65 g VFAs/g VSfed was obtained for the organic loading rate (OLR) of 1 g VS/L/d using FPPL substrate and chicken manure as inoculum. The results show that the application of sequential multi-step bioconversion of potato starch industry residues has the potential to increase the variety of value-added products generated from a single organic residue while enhancing nutrient recovery capacity.
Rapid point of care testing for four bacterial sexually transmitted infections using the portable isothermal loop-mediated nucleic acid amplification eazyplex platform
Authors: Esitgen Germaner Ece T. , Wassill Lars , Dichtl Karl , Roider Julia , Seybold Ulrich 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To analyze sensitivity and specificity of the rapid point-of-care (POC) eazyplex testing platform for bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI) among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods
272 anal, urethral, and pharyngeal swabs collected from 153 MSM were tested by both the eazyplex platform and an in-house PCR or culture in the university microbiology reference laboratory.

Results
Compared to the reference diagnostic method, the overall sensitivity/specificity of eazyplex was 88%/98% for N. gonorrhoeae, 82%/100% for C. trachomatis, 70%/ > 99% for U. urealyticum, and 85%/98% for M. hominis, respectively. Sensitivity for N. gonorrhoeae and U. urealyticum in urethral samples was 100%.

Conclusion
With good to very good sensitivity depending on the sampling site and pathogen as well as very good specificity overall the eazyplex platform is a useful rapid diagnostic method for POC bacterial STI-testing especially for N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis, allowing for almost immediate treatment initiation.
An End‐To‐End Flood Stage Prediction System Using Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Windheuser L. , Karanjit R. , Pally R. , Samadi S. , Hubig N. C. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe use of automated methods for detecting and classifying different types of labels in flood images have important applications in hydrologic prediction. In this research, we propose a fully automated end‐to‐end image detection system to predict flood stage data using deep neural networks across two US Geological Survey (USGS) gauging stations, that is, the Columbus and the Sweetwater Creek, Georgia, USA. The images were driven from the USGS live river web cameras, which were strategically located nearby the monitoring stations and refreshed roughly every 30 s. To estimate the flood stage, a U‐Net Convolutional Neural Network (U‐Net CNN) was first stacked on top of a segmentation model for noise and feature reduction that diminished the number of images needed for training. A Long Short‐Term Memory (LSTM), a dense model, and a CNN were then trained to predict the flood stage time series data in near real‐time (6, 12, 24, and 48 hr). The results revealed that the U‐Net CNN has a higher accuracy for image segmentation if the algorithm is stacked in front of the network. The absolute error with the U‐Net was 0.0654 feet at the Columbus while it was 0.0035 feet at the Sweetwater Creek, which were practically low for flood stage estimation. For time series prediction, among three models, the LSTM predicted the flood stage values more accurately during both historical (2015–2022) as well as real‐time forecasts, particularly for 24 and 48 hr timescales. We extensively evaluated the proposed flood stage prediction system against current state‐of‐the‐art methodologies partly crowd‐sourced and mined in real‐time.
Abnormal Sub‐Auroral Ion Drifts (ASAID) Developed in Various Inner‐Magnetosphere Configurations at Geomagnetically Quiet Times
Authors: Horvath Ildiko , Lovell Brian C. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractUtilizing multi‐point observations, we investigate a series of inner‐magnetosphere configurations formed at Kp ≤ 3+ when the magnetosphere‐ionosphere (M‐I) conjugate Abnormal Sub‐Auroral Ion Drifts (ASAID) developed near the plasmapause. We analyze the development of ASAID by adopting the recent theories of (1) fast‐time short‐circuiting explaining SAID development and (2) Larmor radius effects explaining ASAID development. The earthward ASAID electric field developed (1) by short‐circuiting when the reconnection‐related earthbound hot ring current (RC) electrons became stopped and ions kept moving earthward and started their usual Larmor rotations, and (2) because of the larger Larmor radius of the hot RC ions creating excess positive charges in the nearby cold‐inner‐edge plasmasheet plasma and deficit negative charges inside the hot RC region. Respective new findings include the observations of (1a) earthward hot RC ion injections across and near the ASAID channel in the inner magnetosphere and (1b) the localized increase of energetic proton differential fluxes (good proxy for hot RC ions) in the topside ionosphere within the ASAID channel, and (2a) M‐I conjugate ASAID and ASAID‐SAID series created by their respective single intrusion and repeated intrusions of hot RC ions into the cold plasmasheet plasma. New findings also include (3) the specifications of plasma waves such as Kelvin‐Helmholtz surface waves and electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves developed in the inner‐magnetosphere during plasmasheet rippling, and (4) the development of multiple ASAID channels in the hot zone impacted by EMIC waves.
Multimodal Rayleigh and Love Wave Joint Inversion for S‐Wave Velocity Structures in Kanto Basin, Japan
Authors: Nimiya Hiro , Ikeda Tatsunori , Tsuji Takeshi 
Published: January 2023

AbstractPrevention of earthquake disaster is critical in the densely populated Kanto Basin, Japan, because of the presence of thick sediments that amplify strong ground motion. For this, a high‐resolution three‐dimensional S‐wave velocity model is essential to understand the complex amplification of strong ground motion. We constructed a three‐dimensional S‐wave velocity model using the joint inversion of multimodal dispersion curves of Rayleigh and Love waves. Inclusion of higher modes significantly improved the accuracy and precision of the surface‐wave inversion by more than 50% compared to using only fundamental mode. Our proposed model revealed a low‐velocity anomaly of sediments toward the east and a curved velocity contour of the basement rock, thereby better explaining the observed complex surface‐wave dispersion curves that have been unexplained in past homogeneous multilayered models. Estimated S‐wave velocity model better reflected subsurface heterogeneity, providing vital information for hazard assessment in a metropolitan area where huge earthquakes are expected.
Hydrogen Partitioning Between Olivine and Orthopyroxene: Implications for the Lithosphere‐Asthenosphere Structure
Authors: Kang Lei , Karato Shun‐ichiro 
Published: January 2023

AbstractHydrogen solubility was determined in olivine and orthopyroxene under water‐saturated conditions at P = 3–5 GPa and T = 1373–1573 K. For olivine, polycrystalline samples were prepared from San Carlos olivine, and for orthopyroxene synthetic samples were prepared from oxide mixture containing 1.5–5 wt% of Al2O3. Olivine and orthopyroxene were placed next to each other and annealed under various pressure and temperature conditions for 3–5 hr. Hydrogen content was measured across each sample by FTIR spectroscopy. Under the water‐saturated conditions, the hydrogen solubility in olivine increases with pressure and temperature similar to previous results. Hydrogen solubility in Al2O3‐bearing orthopyroxene also increases with temperature and pressure for a fixed Al2O3 content. Based on these observations we calculated the partition coefficients of hydrogen between orthopyroxene and olivine assuming the fugacity dependence of hydrogen solubility in olivine and Al2O3‐bearing orthopyroxene reported by previous studies. We find that the partition coefficient depends weakly on temperature but strongly on pressure and water fugacity. Our results are extended to an open system where Al2O3 content in orthopyroxene changes with pressure and temperature. At relatively low pressures and low water fugacity (in the lithosphere (shallower than ∼50 km)), the partition coefficient is high and a majority of hydrogen is present in orthopyroxene. Consequently, the influence of water on the bulk physical properties is small. In contrast, at higher pressures and higher water fugacity (in the asthenosphere), the partition coefficient is smaller and a substantial amount of hydrogen is present in olivine. Consequently, hydrogen has a strong effect on the bulk properties of the asthenosphere reducing viscosity and increasing electrical conductivity.
Does multimorbidity result in de-prioritisation of COPD in primary care?
Authors: Smith Carolina , Hasselgren Mikael , Janson Christer , Kisiel Marta A. , Lisspers Karin , Nager Anna , Sandelowsky Hanna , Ställberg Björn , Sundh Josefin , Montgomery Scott 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study was to describe factors associated with having COPD regularly reviewed in primary care by a nurse or physician and assess whether there was de-prioritisation for COPD in multimorbid patients. We defined de-prioritisation as not having at least one check-up by a physician during a two-year period. Among 713 COPD patients in the Swedish PRAXIS study, 473 (66%) had at least one check-up during the study period (ending in 2014). Patients with check-ups were more likely to have three or more comorbid conditions (31.9% vs. 24.6%) and exacerbations (35.1% vs. 21.7%) than those without. Compared with those without comorbidity, those with three or more diagnoses had increased relative risk ratios (and 95% CI) for consultations discussing COPD with only a physician (5.63 (2.68–11.79)), COPD-nurse only (1.67 (0.83–3.37)) or both (2.11 (1.09–4.06)). COPD patients received more frequent check-ups considering COPD if they had comorbidity or a history of exacerbations. We found no evidence of de-prioritisation for COPD in multimorbid patients.