bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Facility Reallocation on the Line
Authors: de Keijzer Bart , Wojtczak Dominik 
Published: June 2022

AbstractWe consider a multi-stage facility reallocation problems on the real line, where a facility is being moved between time stages based on the locations reported by n agents. The aim of the reallocation algorithm is to minimise the social cost, i.e., the sum over the total distance between the facility and all agents at all stages, plus the cost incurred for moving the facility. We study this problem both in the offline setting and online setting. In the offline case the algorithm has full knowledge of the agent locations in all future stages, and in the online setting the algorithm does not know these future locations and must decide the location of the facility on a stage-per-stage basis. We derive the optimal algorithm in both cases. For the online setting we show that its competitive ratio is $$(n+2)/(n+1)$$

(
n
+
2
)
/
(
n
+
1
)

. As neither of these algorithms turns out to yield a strategy-proof mechanism, we propose another strategy-proof mechanism which has a competitive ratio of $$(n+3)/(n+1)$$

(
n
+
3
)
/
(
n
+
1
)

for odd n and $$(n+4)/n$$

(
n
+
4
)
/
n

for even n, which we conjecture to be the best possible. We also consider a generalisation with multiple facilities and weighted agents, for which we show that the optimum can be computed in polynomial time for a fixed number of facilities.
Finding My Way from clinical trial to open access dissemination: comparison of uptake, adherence, and psychosocial outcomes of an online program for cancer-related distress
Authors: Beatty Lisa , Kemp Emma , Koczwara Bogda 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Purpose
Few digital psycho-oncology programs have been adopted into routine practice; how these programs are used after trial completion remains unexplored. To address this, the present study transitioned our evidence-based 6-module CBT-based program, Finding My Way, into open access (OA) after completion of the RCT, and compared uptake, usage, and psychosocial outcomes to the earlier RCT.

Methods
Recruitment was passive, via promotion through (1) media and social media releases, (2) public lectures, (3) radio interviews and podcasts, and (4) clinician-initiated referral. Measures included number of enrolled users, number of modules completed, and pre- and optional post-measures of distress and quality of life (QOL).

Results
Uptake was lower in OA (n = 120; 63% of RCT). Usage was markedly lower: 1.5 modules were completed on average (vs 3.7 in RCT), and only 13% completed a ‘therapeutic dose’ of 4 + modules (vs. 50% in RCT). Research attrition was high; n = 13 completed post-measures. OA users were more sociodemographically and clinically diverse than RCT users, had higher baseline distress (OA Mpre = 36.7, SD = 26.5; RCT Mpre = 26.5, SD = 21.7), and reported larger pre-post reductions than their RCT counterparts (OA Mpost = 23.9, SD = 20.7; RCT Mpost = 21.2, SD = 21.2). Moderate improvements in mental QOL occurred during OA (Mpre = 37.3, SD = 12.6; Mpost = 44.5, SD = 12.1), broadly replicating RCT findings.

Conclusion
Findings that OA users were more medically and sociodemographically diverse and distressed at baseline than their RCT counterparts, and — despite having lower usage of the program — achieved larger changes from baseline to post-program, will help to shape future intervention design, tailoring, and dissemination.
On $$W^{2,p}$$-estimates for solutions of obstacle problems for fully nonlinear elliptic equations with oblique boundary conditions
Authors: Byun Sun-Sig , Han Jeongmin , Oh Jehan 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThis paper concerns fully nonlinear elliptic obstacle problems with oblique boundary conditions. We investigate the existence, uniqueness and $$W^{2,p}$$

W

2
,
p

-regularity results by finding approximate non-obstacle problems with the same oblique boundary condition and then making a suitable limiting process.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Load-Bearing Mechanisms of Piles Socketed in Soft Rocks
Authors: Murali Arun Kumar , Tran Khoa M. , Haque Asadul , Bui Ha H. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractRock-socket pile design predominantly depends on the shaft resistance to support the load at the serviceability state. However, due to limited understanding of the pile–rock interactions, the pile capacity is normally calculated using empirical correlations. In this study, the load-bearing mechanisms of rock-socketed piles were investigated through a miniaturised pile–load test setup in a soft synthetic rock. X-ray CT imaging and numerical discrete element modelling were used to investigate the micro-mechanics influencing the load-bearing mechanisms at the pile–rock interface. The numerical pile model was established based on suitable constitutive models capable of simulating the soft rock behaviour. The analysis of X-ray CT images at various displacements revealed three different interface mechanisms, namely sliding, local shearing and progressive shearing. The numerical model validated this observed micro-mechanics in the rock asperities through the evolution of damage and micro-cracks. Insights from the experimental and numerical results indicated that the height of the rock asperities significantly dictates the failure mode. Results also illustrated that the shaft load–displacement response primarily depends on the forces acting on the leading edges of the pile asperity. In particular, it was observed that the bottom leading edge carried a predominant portion of the shaft loads due to its connectivity with the rock at the base of the pile. Though negligible, the forces on the trailing edges provided valuable information on the contribution of residual shaft resistance by the debris at the interface. Moreover, the numerical studies revealed the different failure modes at the pile–rock interface. The discussions presented in this study provide novel insights into the load-bearing mechanisms of piles socketed in soft rocks, which will help to improve design guidelines in the future.
VAMPIRE: vectorized automated ML pre-processing and post-processing framework for edge applications
Authors: Daher Ali W. , Ferrari Enrico , Muselli Marco , Chible Hussein , Caviglia Daniele D. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractMachine learning techniques aim to mimic the human ability to automatically learn how to perform tasks through training examples. They have proven capable of tasks such as prediction, learning and adaptation based on experience and can be used in virtually any scientific application, ranging from biomedical, robotic, to business decision applications, and others. However, the lack of domain knowledge for a particular application can make feature extraction ineffective or even unattainable. Furthermore, even in the presence of pre-processed datasets, the iterative process of optimizing Machine Learning parameters, which do not translate from one domain to another, maybe difficult for inexperienced practitioners. To address these issues, we present in this paper a Vectorized Automated ML Pre-processIng and post-pRocEssing framework, approximately named (VAMPIRE), which implements feature extraction algorithms capable of converting large time-series recordings into datasets. Also, it introduces a new concept, the Activation Engine, which is attached to the output of a Multi Layer Perceptron and extracts the optimal threshold to apply binary classification. Moreover, a tree-based algorithm is used to achieve multi-class classification using the Activation Engine. Furthermore, the internet of things gives rise to new applications such as remote sensing and communications, so consequently applying Machine Learning to improve operation accuracy, latency, and reliability is beneficial in such systems. Therefore, all classifications in this paper were performed on the edge in order to reach high accuracy with limited resources. Moreover, forecasts were applied on three unrelated biomedical datasets, and on two other pre-processed urban and activity detection datasets. Features were extracted when required, and training and testing were performed on the Raspberry Pi remotely, where high accuracy and inference speed were achieved in every experiment. Additionally, the board remained competitive in terms of power consumption when compared with a laptop which was optimized using a Graphical Processing Unit.
Efficacy of Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (MARPE) in late adolescents and adults with the Dutch Maxillary Expansion Device: a prospective clinical cohort study
Authors: Kapetanović Aldin , Odrosslij Bieke M. M. J. , Baan Frank , Bergé Stefaan J. , Noverraz René R. M. , Schols Jan G. J. H. , Xi Tong 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Objectives
To provide a higher degree of evidence on the efficacy of Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (MARPE) in late adolescents and adults, thereby applying the Dutch Maxillary Expansion Device (D-MED).

Materials and methods
D-MED was developed as an individualized, 3D-designed, and fabricated MARPE appliance supported by 4 palatal miniscrews. Patients from the age of 16 onwards with transverse maxillary deficiency were enrolled consecutively. Pre-expansion and immediate post-expansion CBCTs and intra-oral scans were acquired and measurements of skeletal, alveolar, and dental expansion as well as dental and periodontal side-effects were performed.

Results
Thirty-four patients were enrolled (8 men, 26 women) with mean age 27.0 ± 9.4 years. A success rate of 94.1% was achieved (32/34 patients). The mean expansion duration, or mean observation time, was 31.7 ± 8.0 days. The mean expansion at the maxillary first molars (M1) and first premolars (P1) was 6.56 ± 1.70 mm and 4.19 ± 1.29 mm, respectively. The expansion was 60.4 ± 20.1% skeletal, 8.1 ± 27.6% alveolar, and 31.6 ± 20.1% dental at M1 and 92.2 ± 14.5% skeletal, 0.0 ± 18.6% alveolar, and 7.8 ± 17.7% dental at P1, which was both statistically (p < 0.001) and clinically significant. Buccal dental tipping (3.88 ± 3.92° M1; 2.29 ± 3.89° P1), clinical crown height increase (0.12 ± 0.31 mm M1; 0.04 ± 0.22 mm P1), and buccal bone thinning (− 0.31 ± 0.49 mm M1; − 0.01 ± 0.45 mm P1) were observed, while root resorption could not be evaluated.

Conclusions
MARPE by application of D-MED manifested its efficacy in a prospective clinical setting, delivering a high amount of skeletal expansion with limited side-effects in late adolescents and adults.

Clinical relevance
Higher quality evidence is supportive of MARPE as a safe and successful non-surgical treatment option for transverse maxillary deficiency.
Introduction of Octadecyl-Bonded Porous Particles in 3D-Printed Transparent Housings with Multiple Outlets
Authors: Roca Liana S. , Adamopoulou Theodora , Nawada Suhas H. , Schoenmakers Peter J. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractMicrofluidic devices for comprehensive three-dimensional spatial liquid chromatography will ultimately require a body of stationary phase with multiple in- and outlets. In the present work, 3D printing with a transparent polymer resin was used to create a simplified device that can be seen as a unit cell for an eventual three-dimensional separation system. Complete packing of the device with 5-μm C18 particles was achieved, with reasonable permeability. The packing process could be elegantly monitored from the pressure profile, which implies that optical transparency may not be required for future devices. The effluent flow was different for each of the four outlets of the device, but all flows were highly repeatable, suggesting that correction for flow-rate variations is possible. The investigation into flow patterns through the device was supported by computational-fluid-dynamics simulations. A proof-of-principle separation of four standard peptides is described, with mass-spectrometric detection for each of the four channels separately.
Agile software development one year into the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ågren Pernilla , Knoph Eli , Berntsson Svensson Richard 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAs a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many agile practitioners had to transition into a remote work environment. Despite remote work not being a new concept for agile software practitioners, the forced or recommended nature of remote work is new. This study investigates how the involuntary shift to remote work and how social restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have affected agile software development (ASD), and how agile practitioners have been affected in terms of ways of working. An explanatory sequential mixed methods study was performed. Data were collected one year into the COVID-19 pandemic through a questionnaire with 96 respondents and in-depth semi-structured interviews with seven practitioners from seven different companies. Data were analyzed through Bayesian analysis and thematic analysis. The results show, in general, that the aspects of ASD that have been the most affected is communication and social interactions, while technical work aspects have not experienced the same changes. Moreover, feeling forced to work remotely has a significant impact on different aspects of ASD, e.g., productivity and communication, and industry practitioners’ employment of agile development and ways of working have primarily been affected by the lack of social interaction and the shift to digital communication. The results also suggest that there may be a group maturing debt when teams do go back into office, as digital communication and the lack of psychological safety stand in the way for practitioners’ ability to have sensitive discussions and progress as a team in a remote setting.
The Biota orientalis, oil extract Epiitalis®, is efficacious at reducing the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis: a pilot, multi-site, dose-ranging, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Mitchell Peter G. , Bright Corina A. , Bright Daniel R. , Srivastava Shalini N. , Raote Sonal S. , Kumar Santosh 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Objective
To explore the safety, and efficacy of a proprietary hydrolyzed oil extract from seeds of Biota orientalis (hBO/Epiitalis®, Interpath Pty Ltd) in patients with knee pain due to osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods
Patients aged 40–65 with X-ray diagnosed knee OA and knee pain ≥ 60 on a 100-point VAS (visual analog scale) were enrolled and randomized into four groups to receive daily hBO for 56 days as high (hBO-HD, 640 mg), mid (hBO-MD, 320 mg) or low (hBO-LD, 160 mg) doses, or a matched placebo oil. The primary outcome was change in VAS knee pain from baseline to 56 days in the mITT (modified intention to treat) population. Exploratory outcomes were the mWOMAC (modified Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index), and the SF-36 QoL (quality of life) questionnaire. The OMERACT-OARSI (Outcome Measures in Arthritis Clinical Trials–Osteoarthritis Research Society International) responder index was also calculated.

Results
223 patients were included in the mITT population. Reductions in VAS scores between baseline and day 56 [Least square mean (LS mean) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of LS mean] were 36.4 (31.7–41.0), 37.9 (33.2–42.7), 35.7 (31.2–40.1) and 9.8 (14.5–15.2) for the hBO-HD, hBO-MD, hBO-LD, and placebo groups respectively. The VAS changes in all hBO groups were significantly different (p < 0.0001) vs. changes in the placebo group. hBO treatment led to similar quantitative beneficial changes in mWOMAC, SF-36 and OMERACT-OARSI responder index. There were no SAEs and no adverse events ascribed to the intervention.

Conclusion
In a 56-day trial, hBO was safe, and was efficacious at reducing symptoms in patients with knee OA. Registration: NCT04117490; Oct 7, 2019.
An insight into polyscopoletin electrosynthesis by a quality-by-design approach
Authors: Goldoni Riccardo , Thomaz Douglas Vieira , Di Giulio Tiziano , Malitesta Cosimino , Mazzotta Elisabetta 
Published: June 2022

AbstractScopoletin (SP) as a functional monomer for electropolymerization has recently been investigated in the context of molecularly imprinted polymers for biosensing applications. Herein we describe an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms involved in the electropolymerization of SP toward the optimization of the experimental conditions for applications in sensor studies. PolySP films have been in situ synthesized on a standard glassy carbon electrodes by varying three independent experimental parameters, and the output of the analysis has been evaluated in terms of the resulting electroactive area and surface coverage. A quality-by-design approach including design-of-experiments principles and response surface methodology produced unbiased observations on the most relevant parameters to be controlled during the electropolymerization of SP. By combining the output of electroactive area and surface overage, we highlighted a strong dependence on the monomer concentration and scan rate. Thus, an appropriate selection of these two parameters should be sought to have an optimal electropolymerization process, leading to uniform films and homogeneous surface behavior. This study shows that the application of multi-factorial analysis in a comprehensive design of experiments allows the systematic study of polymer electrosynthesis. Therefore, this research is expected to guide further efforts in the electropolymerization of several functional monomers.
The mediating role of scientifical-medical satisfaction between COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs and vaccine confidence: a two-waves structural equation model
Authors: Mignemi Giuseppe , Panzeri Anna , Granziol Umberto , Bruno Giovanni , Bertamini Marco , Vidotto Giulio , Spoto Andrea 
Published: June 2022

AbstractVaccine confidence has emerged as one of the most relevant psychological factors implied in the worldwide affecting the fight against COVID-19—as well as public trust in doctors, medicine, and science. Indeed, the vaccine confidence is crucial to maximize the trust in vaccines and their use for prevention, with several implications for public health. This study aimed to analyse the relationships among between vaccine confidence, conspiracy beliefs about COVID-19, and satisfaction with science and medicine in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. A longitudinal observational survey was administered to a convenience sample (n = 544; mean age 52.76 y.o., SD = 15.11; females 46.69%) from the Italian general population. A two-waves mediation model—a structural equation model technique—was used. The survey was part of a larger international project (https://osf.io/qy65b/). The model highlighted that the conspiracy beliefs about COVID-19 had a negative effect on the satisfaction with medicine and science (β = − 0.13, se = 0.03, p < .001). The latter, in turn, had a positive effect on vaccine confidence (β = 0.10, se = .05, p < .001). Interestingly, the effect of conspiracy beliefs on vaccine confidence was completely mediated by the scientifical-medical satisfaction (β = − 0.02, se = 0.01, p < .05). These results highlight how the scientifical-medical satisfaction can fully mediate the relationship between conspiracy beliefs about COVID-19 and vaccine confidence. These findings about vaccine hesitancy and confidence and disclose have implications for psychological and social interventions that could promote vaccine confidence by targeting the satisfaction with science and medicine.
Microwave photonics analog link based on two integrated D-DPMZM linearized signals and with eliminated odd harmonics and all IMD’s
Authors: Shaqiri Shemsi , Haxha Shyqyri , Flint Ian , Ademgil Huseyin 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIn this paper a novel Microwave Photonics Analog Link (MPAL) system configuration based on two Dual-drive Dual-parallel Mach–Zehnder modulators (D-DPMZMs) and two Balanced Photo-Detectors (BPDs) is developed and system performance parameters are optimised for Radio over Fibre (RoF) high-speed transmissions. The Intermodulation Distortions (IMDs), as well as the harmonic distortions have been eliminated. The proposed linearization of RF signal configuration is double side banded in both D-DPMZM. A detailed mathematical system modelling is developed for the proposed RoF system configuration, benchmarked against newly generated system simulations, and implemented utilising particular device characteristics derived from experimental work. The proposed Microwave Photonic Link (MPL) system uses fewer RF shifters and is easier to implement in actual applications since all of the system's commercially available off-the-shelf components have already been experimentally demonstrated. The RF linearization for this configuration has been tested by introducing an additional RF signal, as well as phase and intensity errors in MZ branches. The proposed novel linearized MPAL with high spurious free dynamic range would have a great impact on future aerospace, radar, defense and satellite-to-ground downlink communication systems applications.
Understanding the academic achievement of the first- and second-generation immigrant students: a multi-level analysis of PISA 2018 data
Authors: Karakus Mehmet , Courtney Matthew , Aydin Hasan 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe present study explores the antecedents of first- and second-generation (1G and 2G) immigrant students’ academic performance using PISA 2018 data. The study draws on an international sample of 11,582 students from 534 schools in 20 countries and focuses on PISA schools that catered to a mix of 1G and 2G students. The study explores the role that student attributes, student-perceived peer and parental support, school provisions, and school equity-oriented policies have on immigrant student academic achievement. The analysis involved specifying three separate stepwise multi-level regression models for mathematics, science, and reading achievement. Findings suggested that, at the within-school level, perceived parental support and teacher enthusiasm and the adaption of instruction were associated with improved academic performance, while student experience of bullying was associated with more substantive negative academic outcomes. At the between-school level, the opportunity to participate in creative extracurricular activities was associated with improved academic performance. In contrast, a higher proportion of 1G students and the overall perceived level of bullying of immigrant students were associated with substantively negative academic outcomes between schools. Tests of moderation effects suggested that parental emotional support appeared to be of particular relevance to 1G students’ math and reading outcomes, while enhanced SES status appeared to be specifically relevant to improved science and reading outcomes for 1G students. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.