bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fractal analysis improves tumour size measurement on computed tomography in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: comparison with gross pathology and multi-parametric MRI
Authors: Michallek Florian , Haouari Mohamed Amine , Dana Ophélie , Perrot Antoine , Silvera Stéphane , Dallongeville Axel , Dewey Marc , Zins Marc 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Objectives
Tumour size measurement is pivotal for staging and stratifying patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). However, computed tomography (CT) frequently underestimates tumour size due to insufficient depiction of the tumour rim. CT-derived fractal dimension (FD) maps might help to visualise perfusion chaos, thus allowing more realistic size measurement.

Methods
In 46 patients with histology-proven PDA, we compared tumour size measurements in routine multiphasic CT scans, CT-derived FD maps, multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), and, where available, gross pathology of resected specimens. Gross pathology was available as reference for diameter measurement in a discovery cohort of 10 patients. The remaining 36 patients constituted a separate validation cohort with mpMRI as reference for diameter and volume.

Results
Median RECIST diameter of all included tumours was 40 mm (range: 18–82 mm). In the discovery cohort, we found significant (p = 0.03) underestimation of tumour diameter on CT compared with gross pathology (Δdiameter3D = −5.7 mm), while realistic diameter measurements were obtained from FD maps (Δdiameter3D = 0.6 mm) and mpMRI (Δdiameter3D = −0.9 mm), with excellent correlation between the two (R2 = 0.88). In the validation cohort, CT also systematically underestimated tumour size in comparison to mpMRI (Δdiameter3D = −10.6 mm, Δvolume = −10.2 mL), especially in larger tumours. In contrast, FD map measurements agreed excellently with mpMRI (Δdiameter3D = +1.5 mm, Δvolume = −0.6 mL). Quantitative perfusion chaos was significantly (p = 0.001) higher in the tumour rim (FDrim = 4.43) compared to the core (FDcore = 4.37) and remote pancreas (FDpancreas = 4.28).

Conclusions
In PDA, fractal analysis visualises perfusion chaos in the tumour rim and improves size measurement on CT in comparison to gross pathology and mpMRI, thus compensating for size underestimation from routine CT.

Key Points
• CT-based measurement of tumour size in pancreatic adenocarcinoma systematically underestimates both tumour diameter (Δdiameter = −10.6 mm) and volume (Δvolume = −10.2 mL), especially in larger tumours.
• Fractal analysis provides maps of the fractal dimension (FD), which enable a more reliable and size-independent measurement using gross pathology or multi-parametric MRI as reference standards.
• FD quantifies perfusion chaos—the underlying pathophysiological principle—and can separate the more chaotic tumour rim from the tumour core and adjacent non-tumourous pancreas tissue.
Acute intense fatigue does not modify the effect of EVA and TPU custom foot orthoses on running mechanics, running economy and perceived comfort
Authors: Van Alsenoy Ken , Ryu Joong Hyun , Girard Olivier 
Published: February 2022

AbstractWe determined whether fatigue modifies the effect of custom foot orthoses manufactured from ethyl-vinyl acetate (EVA) and expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) materials, both compared to standardized footwear (CON), on running mechanics, running economy, and perceived comfort. Eighteen well-trained, males ran on an instrumented treadmill for 6 min at the speed corresponding to their first ventilatory threshold (13.8 ± 1.1 km/h) in three footwear conditions (CON, EVA, and TPU). Immediately after completion of a repeated-sprints exercise (8 × 5 s treadmill sprints, rest = 25 s), these run tests were replicated. Running mechanics, running economy and perceived comfort were determined. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA [condition (CON, EVA, and TPU) × fatigue (fresh and fatigued)] were conducted. Flight time shortened (P = 0.026), peak braking (P = 0.016) and push-off (P = 0.032) forces decreased and vertical stiffness increased (P = 0.014) from before to after the repeated-sprint exercise, independent of footwear condition. There was a global fatigue-induced deterioration in running economy (− 1.6 ± 0.4%; P < 0.001). There was no significant condition × fatigue [except mean loading rate (P = 0.046)] for the large majority of biomechanical, cardio-respiratory [except minute ventilation (P = 0.020) and breathing frequency (P = 0.019)] and perceived comfort variables. Acute intense fatigue does not modify the effect of custom foot orthoses with different resilience characteristics on running mechanics, running economy and perceived comfort.
Automatic CT Angiography Lesion Segmentation Compared to CT Perfusion in Ischemic Stroke Detection: a Feasibility Study
Authors: Mäkelä Teemu , Öman Olli , Hokkinen Lasse , Wilppu Ulla , Salli Eero , Savolainen Sauli , Kangasniemi Marko 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIn stroke imaging, CT angiography (CTA) is used for detecting arterial occlusions. These images could also provide information on the extent of ischemia. The study aim was to develop and evaluate a convolutional neural network (CNN)–based algorithm for detecting and segmenting acute ischemic lesions from CTA images of patients with suspected middle cerebral artery stroke. These results were compared to volumes reported by widely used CT perfusion–based RAPID software (IschemaView). A 42-layer-deep CNN was trained on 50 CTA volumes with manually delineated targets. The lower bound for predicted lesion size to reliably discern stroke from false positives was estimated. The severity of false positives and false negatives was reviewed visually to assess the clinical applicability and to further guide the method development. The CNN model corresponded to the manual segmentations with voxel-wise sensitivity 0.54 (95% confidence interval: 0.44–0.63), precision 0.69 (0.60–0.76), and Sørensen–Dice coefficient 0.61 (0.52–0.67). Stroke/nonstroke differentiation accuracy 0.88 (0.81–0.94) was achieved when only considering the predicted lesion size (i.e., regardless of location). By visual estimation, 46% of cases showed some false findings, such as CNN highlighting chronic periventricular white matter changes or beam hardening artifacts, but only in 9% the errors were severe, translating to 0.91 accuracy. The CNN model had a moderately strong correlation to RAPID-reported Tmax > 10 s volumes (Pearson’s r = 0.76 (0.58–0.86)). The results suggest that detecting anterior circulation ischemic strokes from CTA using a CNN-based algorithm can be feasible when accompanied with physiological knowledge to rule out false positives.
Seismic fragility assessment of geotechnical seismic isolation (GSI) for bridge configuration
Authors: Forcellini Davide , Alzabeebee Saif 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe seismic vulnerability of bridges may be reduced by the application of Geotechnical Seismic Isolation (GSI) below the foundations of the columns and the abutments. However, the role of GSI on the seismic response of bridges has been limitedly examined in literature. Therefore, this research has been conducted to study the effect of applying GSI on the seismic response of bridges to address the aforementioned gap in knowledge. Advanced nonlinear dynamic three-dimensional finite element analyses have been conducted using OpenSees to study the influence of the GSI. The cases of traditional and isolated bridges subjected to earthquakes have been considered to assess the GSI effects. The results showed that the GSI reduces the seismic effect on the column while its effect seems to be less significant for the abutments. In addition, fragility curves for the traditional and isolated cases have been developed and compared to provide insights with a probabilistic-based approach. The results of this paper provide a useful benchmark for design considerations regarding the use of GSI for bridges.
Developing and piloting a communication assessment tool assessing patient perspectives on communication with pharmacists (CAT-Pharm)
Authors: Scala Daniela , Mucherino Sara , Wirth Francesca , Orlando Valentina , Polidori Piera , Faggiano Maria Ernestina , Iovine Daniela , Saturnino Paola , Cattel Francesco , Costantini Alberto , Giua Corrado , Makoul Gregory , Azzopardi Lilian M. , Menditto Enrica 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundEffective communication strategies in health care help to enhance patient empowerment and improve clinical outcomes.ObjectiveAdapt the original Communication Assessment (CAT) instrument for the pharmacist profession (CAT-Pharm) and to test its validity and reliability in two different settings.SettingFive hospital pharmacies in Italy and five community pharmacies in Malta.MethodPilot study involving a standardized multi-step process adhering to internationally accepted and recommended guidelines. Corrections and adjustments to the translation addressed linguistic factors and cultural components. CAT-Pharm, compared to the original CAT, maintained 10 out of the 14 items: one was slightly modified; three were changed to better fit the pharmacist role; one was added.Main outcome measuresCAT-Pharm development and testing its practicality to assess patient perceptions of pharmacists’ interpersonal and communication skills.ResultsCAT-Pharm was tested on 97 patients in the Italian setting and 150 patients in the Maltese setting to assess the practicality of the tool and its usefulness in investigating gaps and priorities for improving pharmacist-patient communication. Results Show reliability and internal validity of the CAT-Pharm tool. The analysis of patient perceptions of communication with the pharmacist in Italy indicated differences from that in Malta. The different settings provided insight into the utility of CAT-Pharm.ConclusionThis study provided a valid and reliable tool that could be applied to assess patient perception of the pharmacist's communication abilities.
Online Acoustic System Identification Exploiting Kalman Filtering and an Adaptive Impulse Response Subspace Model
Authors: Haubner Thomas , Brendel Andreas , Kellermann Walter 
Published: February 2022

AbstractWe introduce a novel algorithm for online estimation of Acoustic Impulse Responses (AIRs) which allows for fast convergence by exploiting prior knowledge about the fundamental structure of AIRs. The proposed method assumes that the variability of AIRs of an acoustic scene is confined to a low-dimensional manifold which is embedded in a high-dimensional space of possible AIR estimates. We discuss various approaches which exploit a training data set of AIRs, e.g., high-accuracy AIR estimates from the acoustic scene, to learn a local affine subspace approximation of the AIR manifold. The model is motivated by the idea of describing the generally nonlinear AIR manifold locally by tangential hyperplanes and its validity is verified for simulated data. Subsequently, we describe how the manifold assumption can be used to enhance online AIR estimates by projecting them onto an adaptively estimated subspace. Motivated by the assumption of manifolds being locally Euclidean, the parameters determining the adaptive subspace are learned from the nearest neighbor AIR training samples to the current AIR estimate. To assess the proximity of training data AIRs to the current AIR estimate, we introduce a probabilistic extension of the Euclidean distance which improves the performance for applications with non-white excitation signals. Furthermore, we describe how model imperfections can be tackled by a soft projection of the AIR estimates. The proposed algorithm exhibits significantly faster convergence properties in comparison to a high-performance state-of-the-art algorithm. Furthermore, we show an improved steady-state performance for speech-excited system identification scenarios suffering from high-level interfering noise and nonunique solutions.
Interactive effects of tropospheric ozone and blast disease (Magnaporthe oryzae) on different rice genotypes
Authors: Alam Muhammad Shahedul , Maina Angeline Wanjiku , Feng Yanru , Wu Lin-Bo , Frei Michael 
Published: February 2022

AbstractRising tropospheric ozone concentrations can cause rice yield losses and necessitate the breeding of ozone-tolerant rice varieties. However, ozone tolerance should not compromise the resistance to important biotic stresses such as the rice blast disease. Therefore, we investigated the interactive effects of ozone and rice blast disease on nine different rice varieties in an experiment testing an ozone treatment, blast inoculation, and their interaction. Plants were exposed to an ozone concentration of 100 ppb for 7 h per day or ambient air throughout the growth period. Half of the plants were simultaneously infected with rice blast inoculum. Grain yield was significantly reduced in the blast treatment (17%) and ozone treatment (37%), while the combination of both stresses did not further decrease grain yields compared to ozone alone. Similar trends occurred for physiological traits such as vegetation indices, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), photochemical reflectance index (PRI), Lichtenthaler index 2 (Lic2), and anthocyanin reflectance index 1 (ARI1), as well as stomatal conductance and lipid peroxidation. Ozone exposure mitigated the formation of visible blast symptoms, while blast inoculation did not significantly affect visible ozone symptoms. Although different genotypes showed contrasting responses to the two types of stresses, no systematic pattern was observed regarding synergies or trade-offs under the two types of stresses. Therefore, we conclude that despite the similarities in physiological stress responses to ozone and blast, the tolerance to these stresses does not appear to be genetically linked in rice.
Culturally relevant/responsive and sustaining pedagogies in science education: theoretical perspectives and curriculum implications
Authors: Smith Theila , Avraamidou Lucy , Adams Jennifer D. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe main focus of this paper is to put forward an argument about the value of asset-based, culturally relevant/responsive and sustaining pedagogies in science education, especially in former colonial contexts. Countering the framing hegemony of science education through a historically Euro-dominant lens, we call for a critical analysis of the state of science education in the Netherlands by exploring, specifically, the Dutch Caribbean community which includes Suriname and the former Dutch Antilles and Aruba and the need to respond with a more culturally relevant and sustaining pedagogical stance. In doing so, we provide a concrete example of a CR-SP-focused community-based STEAM program for young children and their parents in the north of the Netherlands. We hope that this paper will provide the foundation to springboard conversations among educators and researchers with an interest in designing, enacting and researching CR-SP-informed programs and curricula geared for historically marginalized families and children.
Healthy and Unhealthy Dimensions of Perfectionism: Perfectionism and Mental Health in Hungarian Adults
Authors: Juwono Ignatius Darma , Kun Bernadette , Demetrovics Zsolt , Urbán Robert 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPerfectionism is a multidimensional personality trait that may covary with both negative and positive indices of mental health. Different components of perfectionism might be associated in different ways with positive and negative aspects of mental health. However, past studies tended to focus only on one covariate at a time. This study aimed to test the association between domains of perfectionism to both positive (self-esteem, wellbeing) and negative mental health indices (narcissism and psychological distress) while testing the structural validity of the Short Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale in a large non-English speaking community-based sample in Hungary. A total of 4,340 participants (49.3% male) took part in an online survey that included Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire, World Health Organization Wellbeing Index-5, and parts of Brief Symptoms Inventory-18. Using structural equation modelling analyses, we confirmed the three-dimensional model of perfectionism in our community sample. In the multivariate analyses, all perfectionism factors were related to narcissism. Furthermore, only socially prescribed perfectionism was associated with low self-esteem and lower wellbeing; however, both socially prescribed and self-oriented perfectionism were associated with higher psychological distress. Our findings supported the notion that different domains of perfectionism correlate to mental health indices differently, indicating that socially prescribed perfectionism may be the harmful component of perfectionism.
Industry 4.0 implementation sequence for manufacturing companies
Authors: Dillinger Fabian , Bernhard Olivia , Kagerer Moritz , Reinhart Gunther 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAs a result of increasing globalization, manufacturing companies are confronted with rising costs and time pressure. A possibility to counter these challenges is Industry 4.0, which focuses on optimizing industrial processes and is characterized by the digitalization and networking of all value chain participants. This paper elaborates the one-to-one interrelation between relevant Industry 4.0 technologies using the Delphi study method and interdependency matrices. Based on this, an Industry 4.0 implementation sequence for manufacturing companies is derived and validated by experts. The contribution shall serve as an essential basis for companies to implement Industry 4.0 in their production.
Investigation of the material combination 20MnCr5 and X45CrSi9-3 in the Tailored Forming of shafts with bearing seats
Authors: Budde Laura , Biester Kai , Merkel Paulina , Lammers Marius , Kriwall Mareile , Hermsdorf Jörg , Stonis Malte , Behrens Bernd-Arno , Overmeyer Ludger 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe Tailored Forming process chain is used to manufacture hybrid components and consists of a joining process or Additive Manufacturing for various materials (e.g. deposition welding), subsequent hot forming, machining and heat treatment. In this way, components can be produced with materials adapted to the load case. For this paper, hybrid shafts are produced by deposition welding of a cladding made of X45CrSi9-3 onto a workpiece made from 20MnCr5. The hybrid shafts are then formed by means of cross-wedge rolling. It is investigated, how the thickness of the cladding and the type of cooling after hot forming (in air or in water) affect the properties of the cladding. The hybrid shafts are formed without layer separation. However, slight core loosening occurres in the area of the bearing seat due to the Mannesmann effect. The microhardness of the cladding is only slightly effected by the cooling strategy, while the microhardness of the base material is significantly higher in water cooled shafts. The microstructure of the cladding after both cooling strategies consists mainly of martensite. In the base material, air cooling results in a mainly ferritic microstructure with grains of ferrite-pearlite. Quenching in water results in a microstructure containing mainly martensite.
Toward a Culture-Informed Conceptualization of Child Agency in a Context Characterized by Political and Military Violence. A Qualitative Exploration throughout Experts’ Voices
Authors: Veronese Guido , Montali Lorenzo , Cavazzoni Federica , Mattiuzzi Daniela 
Published: February 2022

AbstractOur present study sought to qualitative explore the perceptions of experts on the meaning of children agency in a context characterized by ongoing colonial violence and structural racism. Namely, we explored culture and context-specific features of agency, experts’ perceptions about a decolonized definition, and gaps with the mainstream definition of the construct in Western contexts. The study involved 14 participants (N = 8 women), aged between 32 and 70 years with a mean age of 45 years (SD = 9.72) who came from the Gaza Strip, the West Bank (Ramallah, Bethlehem, Hebron and Jenin) and territories currently part of the State of Israel (Jerusalem and Jaffa). They are all mental health professionals in universities, research centres, hospitals and social welfare services. Secondly, the analysis resulted in a map of five themes representing a culturally oriented Palestinian children’s agency model. A threatening context, alleviating factors, healthy agency, aggravating factors, harmful agency. The Palestinian conceptualization of child agency lies in the multifaceted nature of the construct itself re-declined in a context characterized by multiple levels of complexity- cultural, political, social, economic. Our findings might contribute to creating indicators of Palestinian children’s agentic behaviours and a better operationalization of the construct itself.
Joint Consideration of Validity Indicators Embedded in Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS)
Authors: Becke Miriam , Tucha Lara , Weisbrod Matthias , Aschenbrenner Steffen , Tucha Oliver , Fuermaier Anselm B. M. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractA decade of research has both illustrated the need for accurate clinical assessment of adult ADHD and brought forward a series of validity indicators assisting this diagnostic process. Several of these indicators have been embedded into Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS). As their different theoretical underpinnings offer the opportunity of possible synergy effects, the present study sought to examine whether the item- or index-wise combination of multiple validity indicators benefits classification accuracy. A sample of controls (n = 856) and adults with ADHD (n = 72) answered the CAARS, including the ADHD Credibility Index (ACI) honestly, while a group of instructed simulators (n = 135) completed the instrument as though they had ADHD. First, original CAARS items, which are part of the CAARS Infrequency Index (CII), and items drawn from the ACI were combined into a new CII-ACI-Compound Index. Secondly, existing validity indicators, including suspect T-score elevations and the CII, were considered in combination. Both approaches were evaluated in terms of sensitivity and specificity. The combination of four CII and five ACI items into the CII-ACI-Compound Index yielded a sensitivity between 41 and 51% and an estimated specificity above 87%. Suspect T-score elevations on all three DSM scales emerged as another potentially useful validity indicator with a sensitivity of 45 to 46% and a specificity > 90%. Deeming examinees non-credible whenever two or more validity indicators showed suspect results ensured low false-positive rates (< 10%), but reduced sensitivity significantly. Classifying respondents as non-credible as soon as any given indicator fell into the suspect range resulted in frequent false positives (> 11% of misclassified adults with ADHD). Depending on whether high specificity or high sensitivity is prioritized, such combined considerations offer valuable additions to individual validity indicators. High sensitivity provided by “either/or” combinations could prove useful in screening settings, whereas high stakes settings could benefit from “and” combinations.