bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiographic ratios for classifying furcation anatomy: proposal of a new evaluation method and an intra-rater and inter-rater operator reliability study
Authors: Limiroli Enrico , Calò Andrea , Limiroli Alessandro , Cortinovis Ivan , Rasperini Giulio 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Objectives
Even if it seems to be an important anatomical parameter for tissue regeneration, few studies in literature evaluate the “mean measure” of root divergence. Most of them are linear measurements, which hardly describe the dental furcation conformation in its entirety. It is left to the subjectivity of the operator deciding whether a furcation is convergent or divergent. The goal of this study is to create a visual evaluation method using specific measurements applied on endo-oral X-rays to overcome these problems, giving a conformation of the entire interradicular space and its divergence.

Material and methods
A user-friendly software (Paint®, Windows10®) was used to take three different measurements on endo-oral radiographs of upper and lower molars. Three blind operators measured 20 radiographs, to analyze the intra- and inter-operator reproducibility of the measurements. Then, the technique was repeated on 250 radiographic images to identify an average value and define a main conformation of the interradicular space. The ratio of these three measurements allowed to develop a new visual evaluation method of the interradicular space.

Results
Intra and inter-operator reproducibility was statistically confirmed on a sample of 20 anonymous endo-oral radiographs measured by 3 blind operators, indicating that the measurement technique was not operator dependent. Measurement made on 250 X-rays obtained with this technique permitted to subdivide in five groups the conformation of the interradicular space and define a mean value of the interradicular space.

Conclusions
A new anatomical evaluation of the interradicular space in its entirety, which could help the clinicians in diagnostic and decisional phase in the therapy of furcated molars, can be obtained.

Clinical relevance
A pre-operative evaluation of interradicular space conformation could affect therapy treatment choice.
Psychosocial functioning mediates change in motor and cognitive function throughout neurorehabilitation for adults with acquired brain injury (ABI-RESTaRT)
Authors: Mann Georgina , Troeung Lakkhina , Singh Krishneil A , Reddell Curtis , Martini Angelita 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Objectives
This study aimed to evaluate the mediational role of change in psychosocial abilities, adjustment and participation on change in motor and cognitive function from admission to discharge from a staged community-based brain injury rehabilitation (SCBIR) service in Western Australia, 2011–2020.

Methods
A retrospective cohort study of n = 324 adults with ABI enrolled in SCBIR using routinely collected rehabilitation outcome measures data. Motor and cognitive function were assessed with the UK Functional Independence and Assessment Measure and psychosocial function with the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory-4. Six multilevel mediation regression analyses were conducted to determine whether change in psychosocial function (abilities, adjustment and participation) mediated change in motor and cognitive function from admission to discharge.

Results
Participants demonstrated clinically significant improvements in both motor (+ 11.8, p < 0.001) and cognitive (+ 9.5, p < 0.001) functioning from admission to discharge. Statistically significant improvements in psychosocial abilities (− 4.8, p < 0.001), adjustment (− 2.9, p = 0.001) and participation (− 2.5, p < 0.001) were also seen but were not clinically significant. Mediation analyses showed that participation accounted for 81% of improvements in motor function at discharge and 71% of cognitive function improvements. Adjustment accounted for 26% and 32% of change in motor and cognitive function, respectively. Abilities accounted for 60% of change in cognitive function but did not significantly influence change in motor function. Changes in psychosocial participation fully mediated change in motor function during neurorehabilitation.

Conclusions
Psychosocial function, particularly participation, is an important driver of motor and cognitive recovery throughout neurorehabilitation. Functional rehabilitation programs should target psychosocial improvement as an important mechanism of change.
Prognosis and histology of sporadic synchronous and metachronous meningiomas and comparative analyses with singular lesions
Authors: Kopf Lisa , Warneke Nils , Grauer Oliver , Thomas Christian , Hess Katharina , Schwake Michael , Mannil Manoj , Akkurt Burak Han , Paulus Werner , Stummer Walter , Brokinkel Benjamin , Spille Dorothee Cäcilia 
Published: February 2023

AbstractSynchronous or metachronous growth of multiple tumors (≥ 2) is found in up to 20% of meningioma patients. However, biological as well as histological features and prognosis are largely unexplored. Clinical and histological characteristics were retrospectively investigated in 95 patients harboring 226 multiple meningiomas (MMs) and compared with 135 cases of singular meningiomas (SM) using uni- and multivariate analyses. In MM, tumors occurred synchronously and metachronously in 62% and 38%, respectively. WHO grade was intra-individually constant in all but two MMs, and histological subtype varied in 13% of grade 1 tumors. MM occurred more commonly in convexity/parasagittal locations, while SM were more frequent at the skull base (p < .001). In univariate analyses, gross total resection (p = .014) and high-grade histology in MM were associated with a prolonged time to progression (p < .001). Most clinical characteristics and rates of high-grade histology were similar in both groups (p ≥ .05, each). Multivariate analyses showed synchronous/metachronous meningioma growth (HR 4.50, 95% CI 2.26–8.96; p < .001) as an independent predictor for progression. Compared to SM, risk of progression was similar in cases with two (HR 1.56, 95% CI .76–3.19; p = .224), but exponentially raised in patients with 3–4 (HR 3.25, 1.22–1.62; p = .018) and ≥ 5 tumors (HR 13.80, 4.06–46.96; p < .001). Clinical and histological characteristics and risk factors for progression do not relevantly differ between SM and MM. Although largely constant, histology and WHO grade occasionally intra-individually vary in MM. A distinctly higher risk of disease progression in MM as compared to SM might reflect different underlying molecular alterations.
Diagnosis and treatment of meralgia paresthetica between 2005 and 2018: a national cohort study
Authors: Schönberg Benn , Pigorsch Mareen , Huscher Doerte , Baruchi Shlomo , Reinsch Jennifer , Zdunczyk Anna , Scholz Christoph , Uerschels Ann-Kathrin , Dengler Nora F. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The prevalence of meralgia paresthetica (MP), which is caused by compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN), has been increasing over recent decades. Since guidelines and large-scale studies are lacking, there are substantial regional differences in diagnostics and management in MP care. Our study aims to report on current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies as well as time trends in clinical MP management in Germany. Patients hospitalized in Germany between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2018, with MP as their primary diagnosis were identified using the International Classification of Disease (ICD-10) code G57.1 and standardized operations and procedures codes (OPS). A total of 5828 patients with MP were included. The rate of imaging studies increased from 44% in 2005 to 79% in 2018 (p < 0.001) and that of non-imaging diagnostic studies from 70 to 93% (p < 0.001). Among non-imaging diagnostics, the rates of evoked potentials and neurography increased from 20%/16% in 2005 to 36%/23% in 2018 (p < 0.001, respectively). Rates of surgical procedures for MP decreased from 53 to 37% (p < 0.001), while rates of non-surgical procedures increased from 23 to 30% (p < 0.001). The most frequent surgical interventions were decompressive procedures at a mean annual rate of 29% (± 5) throughout the study period, compared to a mean annual rate of 5% (± 2) for nerve transection procedures. Between 2005 and 2018, in-hospital MP care in Germany underwent significant changes. The rates of imaging, evoked potentials, neurography, and non-surgical management increased. The decompression of the LFCN was substantially more frequent than that of the LFCN transection, yet both types of intervention showed a substantial decrease in in-hospital prevalence over time.
Efficient adsorption of carbon dioxide and methane on activated carbon prepared from glycerol with potassium acetate
Authors: Matos Beatriz , Batista Mary , Pires João 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn the context of global warming and the energy crisis, emissions to the atmosphere of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) should be reduced, and biomethane from landfill biogas should be recycled. For this, there is a need for affordable technologies to capture carbon dioxide, such as adsorption of biogas on activated carbon produced from industrial wastes. Here we converted glycerol, a largely available by-product from biodiesel production, into activated carbon with the first use of potassium acetate as an activating agent. We studied adsorption of CO2 and CH4 on activated carbon. The results show that activated carbon adsorb CO2 up to 20% activated carbon weight at 250 kPa, and 9% at atmospheric pressure. This is explained by high specific surface areas up to 1115 m2g−1. Moreover, selectivity values up to 10.6 are observed for the separation of CO2/CH4. We also found that the equivalent CO2 emissions from activated carbon synthesis are easily neutralized by their use, even in a small biogas production unit.
On Kosloff Tal-Ezer least-squares quadrature formulas
Authors: Cappellazzo G. , Erb W. , Marchetti F. , Poggiali D. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn this work, we study a global quadrature scheme for analytic functions on compact intervals based on function values on quasi-uniform grids of quadrature nodes. In practice it is not always possible to sample functions at optimal nodes that give well-conditioned and quickly converging interpolatory quadrature rules at the same time. Therefore, we go beyond classical interpolatory quadrature by lowering the degree of the polynomial approximant and by applying auxiliary mapping functions that map the original quadrature nodes to more suitable fake nodes. More precisely, we investigate the combination of the Kosloff Tal-Ezer map and least-squares approximation (KTL) for numerical quadrature: a careful selection of the mapping parameter ensures stability of the scheme, a high accuracy of the approximation and, at the same time, an asymptotically optimal ratio between the degree of the polynomial and the spacing of the grid. We will investigate the properties of this KTL quadrature and focus on the symmetry of the quadrature weights, the limit relations for the mapping parameter, as well as the computation of the quadrature weights in the standard monomial and in the Chebyshev bases with help of a cosine transform. Numerical tests on equispaced nodes show that a static choice of the map’s parameter improve the results of the composite trapezoidal rule, while a dynamic approach achieves larger stability and faster convergence, even when the sampling nodes are perturbed. From a computational point of view the proposed method is practical and can be implemented in a simple and efficient way.
More Carrots, Less Sticks: Encouraging Good Stewardship in the Global Antimicrobial Commons
Authors: Timmermann Cristian 
Published: February 2023

AbstractTime-tested commons characterize by having instituted sanctioning mechanisms that are sensitive to the circumstances and motivations of non-compliers. As a proposed Global Antimicrobial Commons cannot cost-effectively develop sanctioning mechanisms that are consistently sensitive to the circumstances of the global poor, I suggest concentrating on establishing a wider set of incentives that encourages both compliance and participation.
How to Protect Children? A Pragmatic Approach: On State Intervention and Children’s Welfare
Authors: Gutwald Rebecca , Reder Michael 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIf a child’s well-being is at risk of considerable harm within their own family, state institutions usually intervene. In severe cases, the parents’ right to rear is suspended. Cases of risk assessment and potential state intervention are decided within a conflict between parents’ rights and claims of children for protection. There is, we argue, a standard model of normative assessment underlying these decisions: It rests on premises rooted in classic liberal political philosophy, which is prevalent in many Western societies, such as a strong commitment to individualism, a separation of private and public, or a conceptualization of children as lacking the status of full right holders. We proceed in three steps. Based on cases in social work and child welfare offices, firstly, the article proposes an inductive approach to describe the problem. Second, we point out the most critical problems and shortcomings of the standard model. On this basis, third, we develop an alternative, pragmatistic perspective on child welfare and state intervention. It argues that child welfare must be understood more broadly as a societal concern than merely as a matter of the legitimacy of state intervention. A practice-oriented section follows to show what conclusions can be drawn from our alternative model.
A Survey on the Use of Lightweight Virtualization in I4.0 Manufacturing Environments
Authors: Di Modica Giuseppe , Foschini Luca 
Published: February 2023

AbstractOver the past decade, in the industrial sector we have witnessed the rise of a revolutionary movement, known as Industry 4.0, that promotes the digital transformation as the key to increase the competitiveness of manufacturing factories. Among the many technologies recognized as “drivers” of such revolutionary transition, microservices stand out as a software development paradigm capable of bringing several benefits to the manufacturing process. Whilst the literature offers many examples of initiatives exploiting microservices in digitally-advanced sectors (e.g., finance, telecommunication, retailing), its potential in the industrial manufacturing is yet to be fully unleashed. We conducted an extensive literature survey in the twofold aim of bringing to the reader’s attention the many benefits that the microservices paradigm may offer in industrial manufacturing settings, and drawing a picture of how light virtualization techniques are actually being exploited to achieve Industry 4.0 digitization goals. In this paper, we propose a structured analysis of the collected literature proposals which combines the benefits sought by authors when approaching to the microservices techniques and the specific scope of application of proposals. We conclude the paper highlighting the research aspects that have not been sufficiently explored in the literature and that would deserve further attention in the near future.
Trade for catch-up: examining how global value chains participation affects productive efficiency
Authors: Ndubuisi Gideon , Owusu Solomon 
Published: February 2023

AbstractA substantial part of production and trade now takes place through global value chains (GVC), making it an essential conduit of knowledge spillover and technology transfer. Yet, extant studies examining how countries become productively efficient and catch-up to the global efficiency frontier through international trade have ignored the possible role of GVC in fast-tracking this process. This paper provides the first empirical evidence that fills this knowledge gap. We propose a two-stage empirical strategy to this end. First, we use a data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach to compute a measure of productive efficiency—defined herewith as a country’s relative productive efficiency to the global productive efficiency frontier. Second, we use the productive efficiency index as an outcome variable in a reduced-form equation that controls for GVC participation and its interaction with country characteristics that influence the gains from GVC participation. In addition to using the panel fixed effect method, we estimate the reduced-form equation with the difference-GMM to address endogeneity issues, and the Tobit and Fractional Response models to address the bounded nature of the productive efficiency index. We find strong evidence suggesting that GVC participation enables technology-lagging countries to become more productively efficient as well as catch-up to the global efficiency frontier. We also find that the productive efficiency and catch-up gains from GVC participation accrue more strongly to countries that have a high human capital stock, a well-functioning financial market, maintain stable macroeconomic conditions, and specialize in downstream activities in the value chain.
Targeting the A3 adenosine receptor to treat hepatocellular carcinoma: anti-cancer and hepatoprotective effects
Authors: Fishman Pnina , Stemmer Salomon M. , Bareket-Samish Avital , Silverman Michael H. , Kerns William D. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) is over-expressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Namodenoson, an A3AR agonist, induces de-regulation of the Wnt and NF-kB signaling pathways resulting in apoptosis of HCC cells. In a phase I healthy volunteer study and in a phase I/II study in patients with advanced HCC, namodenoson was safe and well tolerated. Preliminary evidence of antitumor activity was observed in the phase I/II trial in a subset of patients with advanced disease, namely patients with Child–Pugh B (CPB) hepatic dysfunction, whose median overall survival (OS) on namodenoson was 8.1 months. A phase II blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was subsequently conducted in patients with advanced HCC and CPB cirrhosis. The primary endpoint of OS superiority over placebo was not met. However, subgroup analysis of CPB7 patients (34 namodenoson-treated, 22 placebo-treated) showed nonsignificant differences in OS/progression-free survival and a significant difference in 12-month OS (44% vs 18%, p = 0.028). Partial response was achieved in 9% of namodenoson-treated patients vs 0% in placebo-treated patients. Based on the positive efficacy signal in HCC CPB7 patients and the favorable safety profile of namodenoson, a phase III study is underway.
Validity and reliability of the physiological and perceptual responses elicited during a novel treadmill-based Soccer Referee Simulation (SRS)
Authors: McEwan Gary P. , Unnithan Viswanath B. , Easton Chris , Glover Andrew J. , Arthur Rosie 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Purpose
This study explored the validity and reliability of the physiological and perceptual responses elicited during a novel treadmill-based Soccer Referee Simulation (SRS).

Methods
Following the collection of baseline measures and habituation procedures, eight sub-elite soccer referees completed a single trial of the SRS whereby measures of heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (V̇O2), blood lactate concentrations ([La−]b), and differential ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were obtained. Referees’ HR responses were also monitored during a series of competitive matches (5 match observations per referee). For the reliability aspect of the investigation, eight well-trained males with soccer playing experience and a comparable physiological profile were initially habituated, and thereafter completed three separate trials of the SRS during which the reliability of the selected outcome variables were ascertained. Trials were separated by 3–7 days and performed under standardised conditions.

Results
No differences were evidenced between the SRS and match play in relation to measures of mean HR (P = 0.444; ES = 0.29), peak HR (P = 0.074; ES = 0.74), or HR-based training impulse (P = 0.498; ES = 0.25). Additionally, no systematic differences were detected between reliability trials for any of the measured outcome variables (P ≥ 0.293), whilst good levels of reliability were observed for measures of mean HR (ICC = 0.94; CV = 3.1%), peak HR (ICC = 0.93; CV = 2.2%), HR-based training impulse (ICC = 0.95; CV = 10.0%), mean V̇O2 (ICC = 0.95; CV = 2.6%); [La−]b (ICC ≥ 0.89; CV ≤ 11.5%), and differential RPE (ICC ≥ 0.94; CV ≤ 15.1%).

Conclusion
The SRS represents a valid and reliable protocol that closely replicates the physiological and decision-making demands of soccer refereeing.
Presence and toxicity of drugs used to treat SARS-CoV-2 in Llobregat River, Catalonia, Spain
Authors: Domínguez-García Pol , Rodríguez Reinerio Rolando , Barata Carlos , Gómez-Canela Cristian 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), the respiratory illness responsible for the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, it was declared global pandemic, causing millions of deaths. An evident tendency of global pharmaceutical consumption due to COVID-19 pandemic should be seen worldwide, and this increase might suppose an environmental threat. Pharmaceuticals administrated at home or in pharmacies are excreted by faeces and urine after consumption, and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are not able to remove all pharmaceuticals residues that eventually will end up in the aquatic media (rivers and sea). For this reason, analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) have become prominent to identify and quantify pharmaceuticals residues in aquatic matrices. In view of the scarce data on the occurrence of pharmaceuticals used as COVID-19 treatment, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of these class of pharmaceuticals in river water which were dexamethasone, prednisone, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, remdesivir, ritonavir, lopinavir, acetaminophen, hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine and cloperastine, their toxicity in the aquatic environment using D. magna and to perform an exhaustive risk assessment in seven points of the Llobregat river basin. Dexamethasone, cloperastine and acetaminophen were the pharmaceuticals with higher concentrations, showing mean levels between 313 and 859 ng L−1.
Each discipline is different: teacher capabilities for future-focussed digitally infused undergraduate programmes
Authors: Starkey Louise , Yates Anne , de Roiste Mairead , Lundqvist Karsten , Ormond Adreanne , Randal John , Sylvester Allan 
Published: February 2023

AbstractDisciplines in Higher Education have their own interpretations of what is essential knowledge that influences what is taught, how teaching occurs, and the role of digital tools. Disciplinary culture is dynamic and evolving, informed by disciplinary research and technology improvement. During the COVID-19 pandemic, digital solutions enabled ongoing teaching when undergraduate courses could not be taught on campus, in lecture theatres, seminar rooms, laboratories, or in the field. Using digital tools and changes in teaching practices has created a context where Higher Education teachers must consider how future learning and teaching should occur. To explore this, a cross-discipline team used appreciative inquiry framed in complexity theory to examine how teaching in undergraduate programmes is changing in the digital age and implications for Higher Education teachers. The research identifies how digital technologies influence undergraduate programmes in Applied Statistics, Computer Science, Critical Indigenous Studies, Geography, and Information Systems. Analysis of the case studies identified how disciplinary culture, context, and technology combine to influence pedagogical practice and digital capabilities needed to teach in undergraduate programmes. We conclude that Higher Education teachers require capability in appropriate pedagogical practice that aligns with disciplinary culture and the technologies available.