bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CVIS: Automated OCT‐scan‐based software application for the measurements of choroidal vascularity index and choroidal thickness
Authors: Yang Jiarui , Wang Xinglin , Wang Yuchen , Li Zihan , Xia Huaqin , Hou Qingyi , Ge Yimeng , Lei Kexin , Liao Yanfeng , Luan Zhongzhi , Li Xuemin 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPurposeTo develop an automated image recognition software for the objective quantification of choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and choroidal thickness (CT) at different choroidal locations on images obtained from enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI‐OCT), and to validate its reliability and investigate the difference and correlation between measurements made by manual and software.MethodsA total of 390 EDI‐OCT scans, captured from 130 eligible emmetropic or myopic subjects, were categorized into four grades in terms of their accessibility to identify the choroidal‐scleral interface (CSI) and were further assessed for CT and CVI at five locations (subfoveal, nasal, temporal, superior and inferior) by the newly developed Choroidal Vascularity Index Software (CVIS) and three ophthalmologists. Choroidal parameters acquired from CVIS were evaluated for its reliability and correlation with ocular factors, in comparison to manual measurements. Distribution of difference and correlation coefficient between CVIS and manual measurements were also analysed.ResultsChoroidal Vascularity Index Software (CVIS) demonstrated excellent intra‐session reliability for CT (ICC: 0.992) and CVI (ICC: 0.978) measurements, compared to the relatively lower intra‐ and inter‐observer reliability of manual measurements. Choroidal Vascularity Index Software (CVIS) and manual assessments had the highest correlation at nasal choroid (CT: r = 0.829, p < 0.001; CVI: r = 0.665, p < 0.001). Choroidal parameters identified with CVIS showed stronger correlations with axial length than manual measurements.ConclusionThis automated software, CVIS, exhibited excellent reliability compared to manual measurements, which are subject to image quality and clinical experience. With its validated clinical relevance, CVIS holds promise to serve as a flexible and robust tool in future vitreoretinal and chorioretinal studies.
Disc battery ingestion in paediatric age
Authors: Quitadamo Paolo , Caruso Flora , del Monaco Casimiro , Fiori Nastro Francesca , Verde Alessandra , Dolce Pasquale , Caldore Mariano , Bucci Cristina 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAimThe aim of the present study was to analyse clinical data of children referred for disc battery ingestion in order to assess short‐ and long‐term reported injuries and to identify outcome predictors and trends, define the urgency of intervention and refine treatment guidelines.MethodsThe records of all children admitted to Santobono‐Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy for disc battery ingestion from January 2016 to December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Odds ratio were computed to assess the association between the different study variables and the rate of complications.ResultsWe enrolled 118 children. Mild to major complications related to the ingested disc batteries were reported in 12/118 (10.2%) patients. Disc battery oesophageal retention, disc battery diameter >20 mm, together with age below 1 year and symptomatic presentation were the most important factors associated with poor clinical outcome.ConclusionOur data confirm that ingested disc batteries are a serious health hazard and require a timely and qualified medical evaluation. We have identified three predictors of outcome severity: oesophageal retention, large‐diameter cells and symptom onset. Disc batteries lodged beyond the oesophagus appear substantially harmless and we may support a more conservative approach.
Influence of different packaging methods on the physicochemical and microbial quality of rabbit meat
Authors: Składanowska‐Baryza Joanna , Ludwiczak Agnieszka , Stanisz Marek 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe study was conducted on 84 rabbits. The animals were weaned at the age of 42 days, after which they were all fed the same diet. Rabbit loins were obtained 24 h post‐mortem and divided into groups according to the packaging method and storage time: control group (examined 24 h post‐mortem); two groups stored in vacuum packaging (7 days, n = 12; 14 days, n = 12); and four groups stored in two different gas mixtures (7 days, n = 12/gas mixture; 14 days, n = 12/gas mixture). After the storage, the microbiological and physicochemical quality of longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscles was analyzed. Meat packaged in both systems (MAP and VAC) was characterized by good quality after 7 days of storage, while after 14 days, there was a significant deterioration, which was reflected in disturbances in the color parameters (L* and a*) and substantial changes in the water fraction parameters. The purge loss (<0.0001), total water (<0.0001), free water (<0.001), cooking loss (<0.0001), and plasticity (p = 0.0025) were affected by the group. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that vacuum packaging created the lowest microbial growth rates. However, muscles stored in the gas mixture containing 30%CO2 and 70%O2, characterized with the greatest tenderness.
Effect of selective dry cow therapy on dry period intramammary infection dynamics and their association with management factors in Japan
Authors: Huang Che‐Hsuan , Fujihara Ikuho , Kusaba Nobuyuki 
Published: April 2022

AbstractSelective dry cow therapy (SDCT) allocates antibiotics in the dry period to cows or quarters with a high risk of intramammary infection (IMI), potentially improving antibiotic stewardship. However, SDCT has not been used in Japan, possibly due to concerns of negative impacts on udder health. This research aims to evaluate how the SDCT use affected dry period IMI dynamics in Japan. Additionally, the effects of management factors were also considered. At dry‐off, 44 cows received antibiotics plus external teat sealant or external sealant in isolation based on their IMI risk, which was assessed using milk culture, a modified California mastitis test (CMT), and mastitis records. The SDCT approach allowed antibiotic use to be reduced by 33.7%. However, quarters with a low risk of infection who received no antibiotics had a numerically higher prevalence of IMI before calving than those who received antibiotics (28.6% vs. 19.2%). In addition, an increased risk of IMI in quarters without antibiotics was also attributed to poor herd hygiene and a shorter duration of external teat sealant adherence. The result suggests that these factors influence the outcome of an SDCT program. Therefore, a uniform recommendation for dry cow herd management may not be optimal.
Comprehensive analysis of miRNA–mRNA interactions in ovaries of aged mice
Authors: Kim Jihyun , You Sooseong 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAdvanced maternal age and ovarian aging are deleterious to the quantity and quality of oocytes and epigenetic modifications, which can affect the health of offspring. However, relatively little is known about the regulation of microRNA‐mediated transcription during ovarian aging. We therefore aimed to identify age‐related mRNA and microRNA changes and their interactions in the ovaries of aged mice. We performed QuantSeq 3′mRNA and small RNA sequencing to compare their expression patterns in post‐ovulation ovaries from young (12‐week‐old) and old (44‐week‐old) mice. Functional annotation and integrative analyses were performed to identify the potential functions of differentially expressed genes and identify binding sites for critical microRNAs. We found 343 differentially expressed genes and 9 microRNAs in our comparison of the two mouse groups, with fold changes >2.0 (P < 0.01). Furthermore, we identified possible direct interactions between 24 differentially expressed mRNAs and 8 microRNAs. The differentially expressed genes are involved in fat digestion and absorption, the PI3K‐Akt signaling pathway, serotonergic synapse, and ovarian steroidogenesis, which are important for folliculogenesis and oocyte growth. During ovarian aging, changes in gene expression induce alterations in folliculogenesis, oocyte growth, and steroidogenesis, resulting in decreased oocyte quality and reproductive outcomes.
How do the existing fairness metrics and unfairness mitigation algorithms contribute to ethical learning analytics?
Authors: Deho Oscar Blessed , Zhan Chen , Li Jiuyong , Liu Jixue , Liu Lin , Duy Le Thuc 
Published: April 2022

AbstractWith the widespread use of learning analytics (LA), ethical concerns about fairness have been raised. Research shows that LA models may be biased against students of certain demographic subgroups. Although fairness has gained significant attention in the broader machine learning (ML) community in the last decade, it is only recently that attention has been paid to fairness in LA. Furthermore, the decision on which unfairness mitigation algorithm or metric to use in a particular context remains largely unknown. On this premise, we performed a comparative evaluation of some selected unfairness mitigation algorithms regarded in the fair ML community to have shown promising results. Using a 3‐year program dropout data from an Australian university, we comparatively evaluated how the unfairness mitigation algorithms contribute to ethical LA by testing for some hypotheses across fairness and performance metrics. Interestingly, our results show how data bias does not always necessarily result in predictive bias. Perhaps not surprisingly, our test for fairness‐utility tradeoff shows how ensuring fairness does not always lead to drop in utility. Indeed, our results show that ensuring fairness might lead to enhanced utility under specific circumstances. Our findings may to some extent, guide fairness algorithm and metric selection for a given context.
Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic

LA is increasingly being used to leverage actionable insights about students and drive student success.
LA models have been found to make discriminatory decisions against certain student demographic subgroups—therefore, raising ethical concerns.
Fairness in education is nascent. Only a few works have examined fairness in LA and consequently followed up with ensuring fair LA models.
What this paper adds

A juxtaposition of unfairness mitigation algorithms across the entire LA pipeline showing how they compare and how each of them contributes to fair LA.
Ensuring ethical LA does not always lead to a dip in performance. Sometimes, it actually improves performance as well.
Fairness in LA has only focused on some form of outcome equality, however equality of outcome may be possible only when the playing field is levelled.
Implications for practice and/or policy

Based on desired notion of fairness and which segment of the LA pipeline is accessible, a fairness‐minded decision maker may be able to decide which algorithm to use in order to achieve their ethical goals.
LA practitioners can carefully aim for more ethical LA models without trading significant utility by selecting algorithms that find the right balance between the two objectives.
Fairness enhancing technologies should be cautiously used as guides—not final decision makers. Human domain experts must be kept in the loop to handle the dynamics of transcending fair LA beyond equality to equitable LA.
Internet use behaviour model for predicting students' performance
Authors: Khamis Shakiroh , Ahmad Mazida , Ahmad Azizah , Ahmad Mohammad Nazir 
Published: April 2022

AbstractInternet technology is vital in education as it is an enabler tool used by students for information exchange, communication and creation of knowledge. However, issues related to Internet use behaviour (IUB) and effects on students' performance are still being debated due to inconsistent results. Thus, the main aim of this paper is to propose a specific IUB classification model to discover comprehensive prediction models on students' performance by using educational data mining (EDM). Data related to the students' CGPA and their internet usage activities were collected from 469 undergraduate students. Primarily, in this study several techniques were ensembled to predict students' performance based on IUB. An EDM approach comprising of clustering, classification, correlation, and regression was used. The base classifiers including decision tree (j48) ensembled with EM clustering technique were exploited to develop a high accuracy of prediction results. At first, the usage of clustering technique was to cluster the dataset into smaller variable and applied classification technique to solve the complexity of the variables. Correlation come across to measure the degree of IUB and students' performance and later regression was applied to produce predictive results. Based on 11 IUB categories, the results indicate that online gaming has a negative significant effect on the students' performance. Additionally, the prediction model revealed a high correlation, which generates good predictions of 92%. The prediction model would enable higher learning institutions to detect as early as possible those students who are at risk. This will then help them in taking timely and proactive measures to improve their performance.
The expansion of Chinese banks along the routes of the Belt and Road Initiative: Following customers and geopolitical relations
Authors: Cai Yonglong , Pan Fenghua 
Published: April 2022

AbstractExisting studies on the global expansion of banks have been mostly based on the experience of the banks from more developed economies, while little is known about the geographies of internationalization of banks from less developed countries. The expansion of Chinese banks, with state‐owned commercial banks in the lead, has been accelerating since the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was proposed in 2013. This study contributes to existing research by providing new evidence and explanations based on the case of expansion of Chinese banks along the BRI routes. Chinese banks started to expand from Hong Kong and Macao, then expanded to Southeast Asia and the Arabian Peninsula, and finally reached Central Asia and other regions. The branches of Chinese banks are mainly clustered in Southeast Asian countries rather than other regions. Similar to their Western counterparts, Chinese bank branches are inclined to agglomerate in international or regional financial hubs. The regression analysis shows that two factors are crucial in explaining the spatial distribution of Chinese banks along the routes of the BRI. First, Chinese banks are likely to follow their customers, namely, state‐owned firms from the non‐financial sectors making direct investments in overseas regions. Second, Chinese banks are more inclined to open branches in countries that have good geopolitical relations with China reflecting the challenging international environment for Chinese banks to seek global expansion.
Comparison of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and lenvatinib in terms of efficacy and safety as primary systemic chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Maesaka Kazuki , Sakamori Ryotaro , Yamada Ryoko , Doi Akira , Tahata Yuki , Miyazaki Masanori , Ohkawa Kazuyoshi , Mita Eiji , Iio Sadaharu , Nozaki Yasutoshi , Yakushijin Takayuki , Imai Yasuharu , Kodama Takahiro , Hikita Hayato , Tatsumi Tomohide , Takehara Tetsuo 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAimAtezolizumab plus bevacizumab and lenvatinib have each shown efficacy as primary systemic chemotherapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in clinical trials. However, comparative trials of these two treatments have not been conducted. This study aimed to compare the therapeutic outcomes of these two treatments.MethodsThis prospectively registered multicenter study analyzed 272 patients with HCC who received atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (the Atezo + Beva group; n = 90) or lenvatinib (the Len group; n = 182) as primary systemic chemotherapy. After propensity score matching (PSM), 66 patients were assigned to each group.ResultsAfter PSM, the median progression‐free survival (PFS) was significantly longer in the Atezo + Beva group than in the Len group (8.8 vs. 5.2 months; p = 0.012). No significant differences were noted between the two groups in terms of median overall survival (not reached vs. 20.6 months; p = 0.577), objective response rates (43.8% vs. 52.4%; p = 0.330), and disease control rates (76.6% vs. 82.5%; p = 0.404). The percentage of patients with modified albumin‐bilirubin grades of one or 2a was maintained during treatment in the Atezo + Beva group but decreased over time in the Len group. The rate of discontinuation due to adverse events (AEs) was lower in the Atezo + Beva group than in the Len group (12.1% vs. 28.8%; p = 0.018).ConclusionsAtezolizumab plus bevacizumab showed prolonged PFS, maintained hepatic reserve, and had lower rates of severe AEs compared with that on using lenvatinib as primary systemic chemotherapy for HCC.
Gesture development in infancy: Effects of gender but not bilingualism
Authors: Germain Nathalie , Gonzalez‐Barrero Ana Maria , Byers‐Heinlein Krista 
Published: April 2022

AbstractGesture is an important communication tool that provides insight into infants' early language and cognitive development and predicts later language skills. While bilingual school‐age children have been reported to gesture more than monolinguals, there is a lack of research examining gesture use in infants exposed to more than one language. In this preregistered study, we compared three groups of 14‐month‐old infants (N = 150) learning French and/or English: bilinguals (hearing a second language at least 25% of the time), exposed (hearing a second language 10%–24% of the time), and monolinguals (hearing one language 90% of the time or more). Parent‐reported use of communicative gestures was gathered from the MacArthur‐Bates Communicative Development Inventories (CDI). Results showed that the three language groups had similarly sized gesture repertoires, suggesting that language exposure did not affect gesture development at this age. However, a gender effect was found, where girls produced more types of gestures than boys. Overall, these results suggest that gender, but not language exposure, contributes to differences in gesture development in infancy.
The effects of changes in daily life due to the COVID‐19 pandemic on the depressive symptoms among community‐dwelling older adults in Korea
Authors: Lee Hanyi , Chu Hyeon Sik 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACTThis study aims to identify the effects of daily life changes due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on the depressive symptoms among community‐dwelling older adults. This cross‐sectional and secondary data analysis study collected and analysed the data of 72 335 older adults aged older than 65 who participated in the 2020 Korean Community Health Survey. Changes in daily life due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic were measured by changes in physical activity, sleep duration, consumption of instant foods or soda drinks, alcohol consumption, smoking, and social contact compared to before the pandemic as perceived by the participants. The Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 was used to assess depressive symptoms, and multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between the two. After adjusting for socio‐demographic and health‐related factors, changes in daily life due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic that affected depressive symptoms in older adults living in the community were observed. This study confirmed that changes in daily life due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic negatively affected the mental health of older adults. Thus, there is a need to improve social support and care systems, by including non‐face‐to‐face programmes using remote communication technology. It will allow older adults to maintain their daily lives and mental health during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Allogeneic adipose tissue‐derived stem cells ELIXCYTE® in chronic kidney disease: A phase I study assessing safety and clinical feasibility
Authors: Zheng Cai‐Mei , Chiu I‐Jen , Chen Yu‐Wei , Hsu Yung‐Ho , Hung Lie‐Yee , Wu Mei‐Yi , Lin Yuh‐Feng , Liao Chia‐Te , Hung Yi‐Pei , Tsai Chia‐Chu , Cherng Yih‐Giun , Wu Mai‐Szu 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe purpose of this phase I clinical trial is to assess the safety and tolerability of allogeneic adipose tissue‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. 12 eligible CKD patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 15–44 ml/min/1.73 m2 received one dose of intravenous allogeneic ADSCs (ELIXCYTE®), as 3 groups: 3 low dose (6.4 × 107 cells in total of 8 ml), 3 middle dose (19.2 × 107 cells in total of 24 ml) and 6 high dose (32.0 × 107 cells in total of 40 ml) of ELIXCYTE® and evaluated after 48 weeks. Primary endpoint was the safety profiles in terms of incidence of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse event (SAE). Two subjects in high dose group experienced a total of 2 treatment‐related AEs which are Grade 1 slow speech and Grade 1 bradyphrenia after the infusion. One subject in middle dose group experienced an SAE unlikely related to treatment, grade 2 proteinuria. No fatal AE was reported in this study. An increase in eGFR was observed in 7 out of 12 subjects (58%) at Week 24 and in 6 of 12 subjects (50%) by Week 48. By Week 24, an increase in eGFR by more than 20% among all CKD patients with baseline eGFR ≧ 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 as compared to only 2 subjects in baseline eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 group. No significant reduction in proteinuria was noted among all subjects. This phase I trial demonstrated single‐dose intravenous ELIXCYTE was well tolerated in moderate‐to‐severe CKD patients and its preliminary efficacy warrants future studies.
Modified minimally invasive surgical technique in human intrabony defects with or without regenerative materials—10‐year follow‐up of a randomized clinical trial: Tooth retention, periodontitis recurrence, and costs
Authors: Cortellini Pierpaolo , Cortellini Simone , Bonaccini Daniele , Tonetti Maurizio S. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAimThe modified minimally invasive surgical technique (M‐MIST) optimizes wound stability in the treatment of intrabony defects. Short‐term observations show similar results as with flap alone or adjunctive regenerative materials. This study aims to compare the stability of the long‐term outcomes, complication‐free survival, and costs of the three treatment options.Materials and MethodsForty‐five intrabony defects in 45 patients were randomized to M‐MIST alone (N = 15), combined with enamel matrix derivative (M‐MIST + EMD, N = 15), or EMD plus bone‐mineral‐derived xenograph (M‐MIST + EMD + BMDX, N = 15). Supportive periodontal care (SPC) and necessary re‐treatment were provided for 10 years.ResultsThree subjects were lost to follow‐up. Clinical attachment level differences between 1 and 10 years were −0.1 ± 0.7 mm for M‐MIST, −0.1 ± 0.8 mm for M‐MIST + EMD, and −0.3 ± 0.6 mm for M‐MIST + EMD + BMDX (p > .05 for within‐ and between‐group differences). Four episodes of recurrence occurred in the M‐MIST group, four in the M‐MIST + EMD group, and five in the M‐MIST + EMD + BMDX group. No significant differences in complication‐free survival were observed between the three groups (p = .47). Complication‐free survival was 7.46 years (95% confidence interval: 7.05–7.87) for the whole population. The M‐MIST + EMD + BMDX group lost one treated tooth. Data indicated no significant inter‐group difference of the total cost of recurrence over 10 years. When the baseline cost of treatment was considered, the total cost was lower for M‐MIST alone.ConclusionsTeeth with deep pockets associated with intrabony defects can be successfully maintained over the long term with either M‐MIST alone or by adding a regenerative material in the context of a careful SPC programme. M‐MIST alone provided similar short‐ and long‐term benefits as regeneration, at a lower cost. These findings need to be confirmed in larger, independent studies.