bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Compressive strength of beech and birch at different moisture contents and temperatures
Authors: Al-musawi Hajir , Huber Christian , Grabner Maximilian , Ungerer Bernhard , Krenke Thomas , Matz Philipp , Teischinger Alfred , Müller Ulrich 
Published: September 2023

AbstractOwing to increased environmental demands to replace petroleum-derived materials with more environmentally friendly materials, research has been directed towards the potential of using wood in the automotive industry. This study extensively investigates the compressive strength (fc) of two hardwood species (beech and birch) with different anatomical directions, at various moisture and temperature levels, in an attempt to understand the wood’s behaviour during the forming process. The experimental tests were performed at 20, 100 and 140 °C on specimens with five moisture levels, ranging from completely dry to wet conditions. Overall, irrespective of the investigated direction, the measured compressive strength exhibited a clear exponential trend with increasing moisture content over the whole temperature range. This was capitalised on to present a simple predictive equation to roughly estimate the fc of beech and birch in different moisture and temperature conditions by relating to their dry fc at a reference temperature of 20 °C. The proposed approach was compared with other procedures and trends reported in the literature for the effect of moisture and temperature on the fc of wood. Furthermore, the reduction factors for the effect of temperature on the fc of softwoods, as set out in Eurocode 5 (EN 1995-1-2), were discussed in comparison with the present study findings. It was shown that, although the Eurocode approach is conservative, it may still be applicable for estimating the fc of hardwood species.
Detecting image edges in IOT nodes without FPU
Authors: Parsons Lyle , Deng Guang , Ross Robert 
Published: September 2023

AbstractInternet of Things (IoT) applications continue to expand into new applications with a growing need for image processing on the edge. Many edge devices are resource limited microcontrollers, which significantly prohibits many of the mature image processing algorithms. This paper proposes an approach optimized, for resource constrained processors removing the need for computationally expensive floating point arithmetic by using a framework based on unsigned integer arithmetic for image processing. The proposed framework (OptInt) is demonstrated using edge detection algorithms evaluated on two typical low-power IoT-ready micro-controllers and for comparison a more powerful Raspberry Pi. Results indicate that the OptInt approach for basic image processing in resource constrained devices reduces the computation time as well as the memory requirements, thereby allowing for more edge computing capabilities in these devices. Furthermore, the images produced using OptInt produce results of similar quality to mature edge detection algorithms.
Combining genetic and environmental data to map and model regions of provenance for silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in Italy
Authors: Marchi Maurizio 
Published: September 2023

AbstractRegions of provenance for forest reproductive materials are the basis for wise use of forest resources in a changing climate. In this work a modelling framework is proposed for silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in Italy where genetic clusters described by nuclear microsatellites were combined with high-resolution climatic data. When the genetic clusters were too large or had an uncertain ecological niche expression, an additional subregion division-was evaluated according to a climatic assessment. Subsequently each genecological group (Region of Provenance, RoP) was projected in geographic space separately using species distribution modelling (SDM) procedure under current (1991–2020) and a future climate scenario derived from the 6th assessment report for the period 2041–2070. The final division into nine RoPs was able to explain 77.41% of the total climatic variance, a good trade-off between statistical significance and practical usability. The modelling steps then showed a large degree of ecological overlap between RoPs with some of them occurring in similar ecological environments but characterized by a different genetic structure. When projected at the continental scale, the Italian RoPs were found to be suitable for almost all the current European range of silver fir, with potential expansion in Nordic countries in the future, beyond the current distribution range. The study showed that the combination of genetic and ecological data can be a robust way to proceed in areas where a strong genetic differentiation between populations occurs, such as in Italy. New markers such as SNPs can then be used to detect adaptive traits and drive the selection of provenances for common garden experiments in areas where the SDM modelscurrently extrapolate potential sites outside the current natural range.
Medicaid Expansion and the Mental Health of Spousal Caregivers
Authors: Costa-Font Joan , Raut Nilesh , Van Houtven Courtney H. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractHealth insurance expansions can exert wellbeing effects on individuals who provide informal care to their loved ones, reducing their experience of depression. This study exploits evidence from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion (ACA Medicaid) to examine the effects on the mental wellbeing of informal caregivers. Drawing on an event study and a Difference-in-Differences (DID) design we investigate the policy impact of ACA Medicaid using longitudinal evidence (from the Health and Retirement Study, HRS) for low-income individuals aged 64 or below. We find that ACA Medicaid reduced the likelihood of depressive symptoms among spousal caregivers. We document that exposure to ACA Medicaid gives rise to 8.2% points (on average, equivalent to 30% decrease) reduction in the feeling of depression and 8.7% points increase in the feeling of happiness (on average, 11% increase). The estimates are robust to various specifications, are driven by reductions in out of -pocket expenses and labor supply and, as expected, increased after Medicaid uptake. The evidence from falsification tests confirms that the estimated effects are likely due to ACA Medicaid.
Does local injection of long acting corticosteroid improve postoperative outcome of hypospadias repair? A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Abozamel Ahmed , Rammah Ahmed , Abdelwahed Mohammed , Mostafa Amr , AbdelAziz Ahmed Yehia 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To assess the safety and efficacy of local corticosteroid injection during hypospadias repair.

Methods
Between May 2021 and March 2023 children less than 10 years who were admitted for hypospadias repair were divided by random allocation into two groups. We injected local corticosteroid 2 ml proximal to coronal sulcus in group A while in group B we didn’t. All types of hypospadias were included in the study. We excluded patients older than 10 years and those with pre-existing complicated hypospadias (multiple fistulae and multiple surgeries), or bleeding diatheses. Pre-operative, intraoperative and postoperative variables were compared between the two groups.

Results
A total of 120 patients (60 in each group) were enrolled in the study. The mean ages and preoperative variables were not significantly different. The site of hypospadias and the type of surgery were comparable in both groups. (Table) There were no significant differences between both groups regarding average blood loss and operative time in each type of surgical repair. There was a significant higher incidence of intraoperative and postoperative penile oedema in group B (P-value < 0.001) while the incidence of skin discolouration was higher in group A. Postoperative complications, described as Clavian classification, were significantly higher in group B. The incidences of superficial skin infection, meatal stenosis, urethral fistula, and recurrence with the need for redo repair were significantly higher in group B (P-value: 0.002, 0.018, 0.032, and 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion
Local corticosteroid injection during hypospadias repair minimize the penile oedema and decrease the incidence of postoperative functional and cosmetic complications.
Building 3D Generative Models from Minimal Data
Authors: Sutherland Skylar , Egger Bernhard , Tenenbaum Joshua 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWe propose a method for constructing generative models of 3D objects from a single 3D mesh and improving them through unsupervised low-shot learning from 2D images. Our method produces a 3D morphable model that represents shape and albedo in terms of Gaussian processes. Whereas previous approaches have typically built 3D morphable models from multiple high-quality 3D scans through principal component analysis, we build 3D morphable models from a single scan or template. As we demonstrate in the face domain, these models can be used to infer 3D reconstructions from 2D data (inverse graphics) or 3D data (registration). Specifically, we show that our approach can be used to perform face recognition using only a single 3D template (one scan total, not one per person). We extend our model to a preliminary unsupervised learning framework that enables the learning of the distribution of 3D faces using one 3D template and a small number of 2D images. Our approach is motivated as a potential model for the origins of face perception in human infants, who appear to start with an innate face template and subsequently develop a flexible system for perceiving the 3D structure of any novel face from experience with only 2D images of a relatively small number of familiar faces.
The Crying Need for a Better Response Assessment in Rectal Cancer
Authors: Amintas Samuel , Giraud Nicolas , Fernandez Benjamin , Dupin Charles , Denost Quentin , Garant Aurelie , Frulio Nora , Smith Denis , Rullier Anne , Rullier Eric , Vuong Te , Dabernat Sandrine , Vendrely Véronique 
Published: September 2023

Opinion statementSince total neoadjuvant treatment achieves almost 30% pathologic complete response, organ preservation has been increasingly debated for good responders after neoadjuvant treatment for patients diagnosed with rectal cancer. Two organ preservation strategies are available: a watch and wait strategy and a local excision strategy including patients with a near clinical complete response. A major issue is the selection of patients according to the initial tumor staging or the response assessment. Despite modern imaging improvement, identifying complete response remains challenging. A better selection could be possible by radiomics analyses, exploiting numerous image features to feed data characterization algorithms. The subsequent step is to include baseline and/or pre-therapeutic MRI, PET-CT, and CT radiomics added to the patients’ clinicopathological data, inside machine learning (ML) prediction models, with predictive or prognostic purposes. These models could be further improved by the addition of new biomarkers such as circulating tumor biomarkers, molecular profiling, or pathological immune biomarkers.
Graphical Abstract
The Fidelity of Artificial Intelligence to Multidisciplinary Tumor Board Recommendations for Patients with Gastric Cancer: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Park Yong-Eun , Chae Hyundong 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Due to significant growth in the volume of information produced by cancer research, staying abreast of recent developments has become a challenging task. Artificial intelligence (AI) can learn, reason, and understand the enormous corpus of literature available to the scientific community. However, large-scale studies comparing the recommendations of AI and a multidisciplinary team board (MTB) in gastric cancer treatment have rarely been performed. Therefore, a retrospective real-world study was conducted to assess the level of concordance between AI and MTB treatment recommendations.

Methods
Treatment recommendations of Watson for Oncology (WFO) and an MTB were retrospectively analyzed 322 patients with gastric cancer from January 2015 to December 2018 and the degree of agreement between them was compared. The patients were divided into concordance and non-concordance groups and factors affecting the concordance rate were analyzed.

Results
The concordance rate between the AI and MTB was 86.96%. The concordance rates for each stage were 96.93% for stage I, 88.89% for stages II, 90.91% for stage III, and 45.83% for stage IV, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, age (p-value = 0.000), performance status (p-value = 0.003 for performance score 1; p-value = 0.007 for performance score 2; p-value = 0.000 for performance score 3), and stage IV (p-value = 0.017) had a significant effect on concordance between the MTB and WFO.

Conclusion
Factors affecting the concordance rate were age, performance status, and stage IV gastric cancer. To increase the validity of future medical AI systems for gastric cancer treatment, their supplementation with local guidelines and the ability to comprehensively understand individual patients is essential.
Metformin combined with rapamycin ameliorates podocyte injury in idiopathic membranous nephropathy through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Ma Meichen , Pan Yue , Zhang Yue , Yang Mei , Xi Ying , Lin Baoxu , Hao Wudi , Liu Jianhua , Wu Lina , Liu Yong , Qin Xiaosong 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAutophagy activation protects against podocyte injury in idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). The AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway is a vital autophagy regulatory pathway. Metformin promotes autophagy, whereas rapamycin is an autophagy agonist. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of metformin and rapamycin in IMN remain unclear. Thus, we examined the mechanisms of action of metformin and rapamycin in IMN by regulating the AMPK/mTOR autophagy signaling pathway. Female Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were treated with cationic bovine serum albumin (C-BSA) to establish an IMN model and were randomly divided into IMN model, metformin, rapamycin, and metformin + rapamycin groups. A control group was also established. Metformin and rapamycin were used as treatments. Renal histological changes, urinary protein excretion, the protein expression levels of key AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway proteins, renal tissue cell apoptosis, and autophagy-associated proteins (Beclin 1 and LC3) were examined. In addition, a C5b-9 sublysis model using the MPC-5 mouse podocyte cell line was established to verify the effect of metformin combined with rapamycin on podocytes. Metformin combined with rapamycin improved urinary protein excretion in IMN rats. Metformin combined with rapamycin attenuated the inflammatory response, renal fibrosis, and podocyte foot process fusion. In addition, it improved autophagy in podocytes as demonstrated by the enhanced expression of Beclin-1, p-AMPK/AMPK, LC3-II/I, and autophagosomes in podocytes and decreased p-mTOR/mTOR expression. In conclusion, metformin combined with rapamycin decreased proteinuria, improved renal fibrosis and podocyte autophagy via AMPK/mTOR pathway in IMN rats.
Graphical Abstract
The metformin and rapamycin decreased proteinuria and inproved renal fibrosis in IMN model rats.
A meta-analysis of loneliness among left-behind children in China
Authors: Xiong Yan , Li Xiaolin , Li Han , Qu Caiwen , Liu Mengying , Lu Chunxia , Dong Weixin 
Published: September 2023

AbstractDue to the long-term separation from their parents, the physical and mental health development of left-behind children is not optimal. Among many psychological problems, loneliness is the most significant. We searched all publicly published literature related to the loneliness of left-behind children from its establishment to September 30, 2022 in Chinese and English databases. Forest plots and funnel plots were drawn to examine the heterogeneity and publication bias of the included studies, and the loneliness status of left-behind children was analyzed by meta-analysis. A total of 23 studies with 6,678 left-behind children were included in the analysis. The meta results showed that the loneliness level of left-behind children was higher than that of non-left-behind children. Subgroup analysis showed that there was no significant difference in total effect size among different grades. However, different guardian types could affect the loneliness level of left-behind children, for example, single-parent monitoring was associated with lower loneliness than other relative monitoring.
How do Children Rate Their Health? An Investigation of Considered Health Dimensions, Health Factors, and Assessment Strategies
Authors: Kroh Jacqueline , Tuppat Julia , Gentile Raffaela , Reichelt Hanna 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIn large-scale surveys of both children and adults, self-rated health (SRH) based on questions such as “In general, how would you rate your health?” is a widely used measurement to assess individuals’ health status. However, while a large number of studies have investigated the health aspects people consider for their responses, and some studies show deeper insights into the assessment strategies in answering this question for adults, it is largely unknown how children assess their health based on those questions. Therefore, this study examines how children rate their health according to this question in a sample of 54 9- to 12-year-olds. By using techniques of cognitive interviewing and qualitative and quantitative content analysis, we investigate the health dimensions, health factors as well as different assessment strategies that children refer to in their self-assessment of general health. Our results indicate that children in this age group mostly refer to their physical health and daily functioning or consider health more non-specifically. They also show that children take into account a wide range of specific health aspects, with some minor differences between subgroups, especially by gender. Additionally, our study highlights that children use several assessment strategies. Finally, our results indicate that the majority of children assess their health only using one health dimension, but a substantial share of children reflect on several health factors and combine different assessment strategies. We conclude that children refer to comparable health dimensions and health factors, but use somewhat different assessment strategies compared with studies focusing on adults.
The Social Triad Model: Considering the Deployer in a Novel Approach to Trust in Human–Robot Interaction
Authors: Cameron David , Collins Emily C. , de Saille Stevienna , Eimontaite Iveta , Greenwood Alice , Law James 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
There is an increasing interest in considering, measuring, and implementing trust in human-robot interaction (HRI). New avenues in this field include identifying social means for robots to influence trust, and identifying social aspects of trust such as a perceptions of robots’ integrity, sincerity or even benevolence. However, questions remain regarding robots’ authenticity in obtaining trust through social means and their capacity to increase such experiences through social interaction with users. We propose that the dyadic model of HRI misses a key complexity: a robot’s trustworthiness may be contingent on the user’s relationship with, and opinion of, the individual or organisation deploying the robot (termed here, Deployer). We present a case study in three parts on researching HRI and a LEGO® Serious® Play focus group on care robotics to indicate how Users’ trust towards the Deployer can affect trust towards robots and robotic research. Our Social Triad model (User, Robot, Deployer) offers novel avenues for exploring trust in a social context.
Crisis? What crisis? Recycling of silver for Roman Republican coinage
Authors: Wood Jonathan R. , Ponting Matthew , Butcher Kevin 
Published: September 2023

AbstractDated measurements of lead pollution in deep Greenland ice have become a useful proxy to monitor historical events because interruptions in lead-silver production result in fluctuations in lead emissions. However, the application of the lead emission record has not perhaps received the attention it deserves because of the difficulty in connecting macroscale events, such as wars and plagues, to their economic repercussions. For instance, although debasement of silver coinage with copper has been proposed as a reasonable response to interruptions in silver production, reductions in fineness of the silver denarius, the backbone of Roman coinage from the late third century BC, are not always coincident with decreases in lead deposited in Greenland. We propose that extensive recycling of silver that is evident in the numismatic record can better explain drops in lead emissions and, thereby, the responses to major historical events, such as warfare in the silver-producing areas of the Iberian Peninsula and southern France during the middle and late Roman Republic.
The potential immuno-stimulating effect of curcumin, piperine, and taurine combination in hepatocellular carcinoma; a pilot study
Authors: kotb Raghda R. , Afifi Ahmed M. , EL-Houseini Motawa E. , Ezz-Elarab Mohamed , Basalious Emad B. , Omran Mervat M. , Abdellateif Mona S. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundThis is a phase II clinical trial to investigate the immunotherapeutic effect of Curcumin, Piperine, and Taurine (CPT) combination in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsTwenty-six HCC patients aged (50–80 years) were recruited for administration of a daily dose of 5 g of curcumin, 50 mg of piperine, and 500 mg of taurine divided into three doses for successive 3 months. The three components (CPT) were prepared in one capsule. Patients were assessed after each month (cycle) for the plasma levels of CD4, CD8, CD25, Interleukins-2 (IL-2), IL-6, IL-12, Interferon-gamma (IFN- γ), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),FOXP3mRNA, andmiRNA 21.ResultsThere was a significant increase in the plasma levels of CD4 and CD8, while a significant decrease in the CD25 level after the second and third cycles compared to the baseline level [P < 0.001 for both]. Also, there was a significant increase in the plasma levels of IL-2, IL-12, and IFN-γ [ P = 0.001, P = 0.006, and P = 0.029; respectively], while there was a significant decrease in IL-6, VEGF-α, LDH, and Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) after CPT administration compared to the baseline levels [P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.020, and P = 0.004; respectively].The expression level ofmiRNA-21was significantly decreased after CPT administration compared to the baseline level [5.5±0.88, 4.1±0.78, 3±0.75, and 2.5±0.76; respectively, P<0.001]. Though there was a noticeable decrease in theFOXP3expression after each cycle, however, it didn’t reach a significant level [5.3±0.8, 4.2±0.76, 3.2±0.67, and 2.5±0.79; respectively, P=0.184].ConclusionCPT could exhibit a potential immune-stimulating effect in HCC patients. The current trial had been registered at the National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute (NHTMRI), with a registration number of NHTMRI-IRB 2-21 on 5th January 2021.