bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological and histological changes in the urethra after intraurethral nonablative erbium YAG laser therapy: an experimental study in beagle dogs
Authors: Xu Sheng-fei , Abulikim Kuerbanjiang , Wu Xiao-yu , Cheng Yu , Ling Qing , Rao Ke , Cui Kai , Chen Zhong , Du Guang-hui , Yuan Xiao-yi 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphological and histological changes in the urethra in beagle dogs after intraurethral Er:YAG laser irradiation in nonablative mode to confirm the safety of this therapy. Six 2-year-old healthy female virgin beagle dogs (13 ± 1.51 kg) were used in this study. The animals were divided into 2 groups: the sham group, which received sham treatment (n = 3) involving insertion of an intraurethral cannula and laser delivery handpiece into the urethra without laser irradiation, and the experimental group (n = 3), which received intraurethral Er:YAG laser irradiation. The laser irradiation parameters were set according to clinical criteria (4 mm spot size, 1.5 J/cm2, 1.4 Hz, and 4 pulses) in nonablative mode. All animals received three sequential sessions at 4-week intervals. Urethrography and urethroscopy were performed in the 12th week and 13th week, respectively, after the first treatment. After urethroscopy, the animals were sacrificed, and urethral tissue was harvested for histological investigations. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia (40 mg/kg 3% sodium pentobarbital, i.v.). Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression levels were measured to evaluate the biochemical characteristics of the scar. Urethral stricture was not found by urethrography or urethroscopy in either group. Urethral epithelium thickness and collagen expression under the urethral mucosa were significantly increased in the experimental group compared with the sham group. However, there were no significant differences in TGF-β1 and α-SMA expression between the experimental group and sham group (p > 0.05). Urethral stricture is not found in beagle dogs after clinically relevant intraurethral nonablative mode Er:YAG laser irradiation. Proliferation of urethral collagen and the urethral mucosa may be one of the mechanisms by which urine leakage symptoms can be improved.
Assessing the reliability and validity of an FRAM model: the case of driving in an overtaking scenario
Authors: Grabbe Niklas , Arifagic Almin , Bengler Klaus 
Published: May 2022

AbstractOver the past two decades, systemic-based risk assessment methods have garnered more attention, and their use and popularity are growing. In particular, the functional resonance analysis method (FRAM) is one of the most widely used systemic methods for risk assessment and accident analysis. FRAM has been progressively evolved since its starting point and is considered to be the most recent and promising step in understanding socio-technical systems. However, there is currently a lack of any formal testing of the reliability and validity of FRAM, something which applies to Human Factors and Ergonomics research as a whole, where validation is both a particularly challenging issue and an ongoing concern. Therefore, this paper aims to define a more formal approach to achieving and demonstrating the reliability and validity of an FRAM model, as well as to apply this formal approach partly to an existing FRAM model so as to prove its validity. At the same time, it hopes to evaluate the general applicability of this approach to potentially improve the performance and value of the FRAM method. Thus, a formal approach was derived by transferring both the general understanding and definitions of reliability and validity as well as concrete methods and techniques to the concept of FRAM. Consequently, predictive validity, which is the highest maxim of validation, was assessed for a specific FRAM model in a driving simulator study using the signal detection theory. The results showed that the predictive validity of the FRAM model is limited and a generalisation with changing system conditions is impossible without some adaptations of the model. The applicability of the approach is diminished because of several methodological limitations. Therefore, the reliability and validity framework can be utilised to calibrate rather than validate an FRAM model.
Maximum Entropy Technique and Regularization Functional for Determining the Pharmacokinetic Parameters in DCE-MRI
Authors: Amini Farsani Zahra , Schmid Volker J 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThis paper aims to solve the arterial input function (AIF) determination in dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), an important linear ill-posed inverse problem, using the maximum entropy technique (MET) and regularization functionals. In addition, estimating the pharmacokinetic parameters from a DCE-MR image investigations is an urgent need to obtain the precise information about the AIF–the concentration of the contrast agent on the left ventricular blood pool measured over time. For this reason, the main idea is to show how to find a unique solution of linear system of equations generally in the form of$$y=Ax+b,$$y=Ax+b,named an ill-conditioned linear system of equations after discretization of the integral equations, which appear in different tomographic image restoration and reconstruction issues. Here, a new algorithm is described to estimate an appropriate probability distribution function for AIF according to the MET and regularization functionals for the contrast agent concentration when applying Bayesian estimation approach to estimate two different pharmacokinetic parameters. Moreover, by using the proposed approach when analyzing simulated and real datasets of the breast tumors according to pharmacokinetic factors, it indicates that using Bayesian inference—that infer the uncertainties of the computed solutions, and specific knowledge of the noise and errors—combined with the regularization functional of the maximum entropy problem, improved the convergence behavior and led to more consistent morphological and functional statistics and results. Finally, in comparison to the proposed exponential distribution based on MET and Newton’s method, or Weibull distribution via the MET and teaching–learning-based optimization (MET/TLBO) in the previous studies, the family of Gamma and Erlang distributions estimated by the new algorithm are more appropriate and robust AIFs.
LncRNA ENSMUST_147219 mediates the progression of ischemic acute kidney injury by targeting the miR-221-5p/IRF6 axis
Authors: Liu Jing , Li Xiaozhou , Yang Jurong , Zhang Dongshan 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAlthough previous studies have revealed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate the progression of ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI), the exact role and mechanism of lncRNA ENSMUST_147219 in ischemic AKI are not clear. In the present study, lncRNA ENSMUST_147219 was induced by ischemic injury in vitro and in vivo. Functionally, lncRNA ENSMUST_147219 mediated apoptosis in mouse proximal tubule‐derived cell line (BUMPT). Mechanistically, lncRNA ENSMUST_147219 sponged the microRNA (miR)-221-5p to upregulate the expression of interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6) to drive apoptosis. Finally, knockdown of lncRNA ENSMUST_147219 markedly attenuated the ischemic AKI by targeting the miR-221-5p/IRF6 axis. Collectively, our data demonstrated that lncRNA ENSMUST_147219 promoted the development of ischemic AKI by regulating the miR-221-5p/IRF6 pathway, which could be considered a new therapeutic target for ischemic AKI.
Towards Preventative Psychiatry: Concurrent and Longitudinal Predictors of Postnatal Maternal-Infant Bonding
Authors: Doyle Frances L. , Dickson Sophie J. , Eapen Valsamma , Frick Paul J. , Kimonis Eva R. , Hawes David J. , Moul Caroline , Richmond Jenny L. , Mehta Divya , Dadds Mark R. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractMaternal-infant bonding is important for children’s positive development. Poor maternal-infant bonding is a risk factor for negative mother and infant outcomes. Although researchers have examined individual predictors of maternal-infant bonding, studies typically do not examine several concurrent and longitudinal predictors within the same model. This study aimed to evaluate the unique and combined predictive power of cross-sectional and longitudinal predictors of maternal-infant bonding. Participants were 372 pregnant women recruited from an Australian hospital. Data were collected from mothers at antenatal appointments (T0), following their child’s birth (T1), and at a laboratory assessment when their child was 5-11-months-old (T2). Poorer bonding at T2 was predicted at T0 by younger maternal age, higher education, and higher antenatal depressive symptoms. Poorer bonding at T2 was predicted at T1 by younger maternal age, higher education, and higher postnatal depressive symptoms. Poorer bonding at T2 was predicted at T2 by younger maternal age, higher education, higher postnatal depression symptoms, higher concurrent perceived social support, and more difficult infant temperament, when controlling for child age at T2. To promote positive maternal-infant bonding, global and targeted interventions in the perinatal period may benefit from targeting maternal psychopathology, perceived lack of social support, and coping with difficult infant temperament.
Designing Transparency for Effective Human-AI Collaboration
Authors: Vössing Michael , Kühl Niklas , Lind Matteo , Satzger Gerhard 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe field of artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing quickly, and systems can increasingly perform a multitude of tasks that previously required human intelligence. Information systems can facilitate collaboration between humans and AI systems such that their individual capabilities complement each other. However, there is a lack of consolidated design guidelines for information systems facilitating the collaboration between humans and AI systems. This work examines how agent transparency affects trust and task outcomes in the context of human-AI collaboration. Drawing on the 3-Gap framework, we study agent transparency as a means to reduce the information asymmetry between humans and the AI. Following the Design Science Research paradigm, we formulate testable propositions, derive design requirements, and synthesize design principles. We instantiate two design principles as design features of an information system utilized in the hospitality industry. Further, we conduct two case studies to evaluate the effects of agent transparency: We find that trust increases when the AI system provides information on its reasoning, while trust decreases when the AI system provides information on sources of uncertainty. Additionally, we observe that agent transparency improves task outcomes as it enhances the accuracy of judgemental forecast adjustments.
Sorption of Palladium(II) from Aqueous Solution Using Diphenylthiocarbazone Immobilized onto Kieselguhr
Authors: Gamal R. , Rizk S. E. , El-Hefny N. E. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractKieselguhr was immobilized with diphenylthiocarbazone (dithizone) and utilized as a new sorbent to extract palladium ions from an aqueous solution. The physicochemical features of the immobilized kieselguhr (K–Dz) were specified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis–differential thermal analysis. The average crystal size of the prepared material was found to be 24.41 nm. The sorption potential of the immobilized kieselguhr for the extraction of Pd(II) and La(III) in a batch mode was studied. The effects of pH, shaking time as well as the initial concentration of metals have been examined. The results demonstrate that the optimum pH was found to be 4.5 and the equilibrium was attained within 15.0 min. The adsorption kinetics and equilibrium data were well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Sips isothermal model with a maximum sorption capacity of 20.3 (mg/g). Thermodynamic parameters of the studied metal ions show that the process is spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The desorption process of Pd(II) was highly managed using acidified thiourea giving a desorption percent of approximately 80.0%. The separation possibility of Pd(II) from some metal ions such as La(III) was achieved successfully. The developed (K–Dz) composite method was applied for the recovery and separation of Pd(II) and other metal ions from a simulated automotive catalyst leachate solution. The results indicated that the (K–Dz) composite has a good reusability potential.
Diatom-inferred centennial-millennial postglacial climate change in the Pacific Northwest of North America
Authors: Egan Joanne , Fletcher William J. , Allott Timothy E. H. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractA diatom record from Moss Lake, Washington, USA spans the last 14,500 cal year and revealed Holocene climate change in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), including evidence for periodicities related to ocean-atmosphere teleconnections and/or variations in solar output. Three main climate phases were identified: (i) Late Pleistocene to early Greenlandian (until 10,800 cal year BP, spanning GI-1, GS-1), with a cold climate and low diatom abundance; (ii) early Greenlandian to Northgrippian (10,800–7500 cal year BP), shifting to a warmer climate; and (iii) late Northgrippian and Meghalayan from 7500 cal year BP onwards, with a cooler, moist climate. These climate shifts are in good agreement with the pollen record from the same core and other regional studies. Fluctuations in Discostella pseudostelligera and Aulacoseira taxa suggest climate cycles of different frequency and amplitude throughout the record. Spectral and wavelet analyses revealed periodicities of approximately 1400 and 400–500 years. We interpret the ~ 1400-year and ~ 400–500-year cycles to reflect alternating periods of enhanced (and reduced) convective mixing in the water column, associated with increased (and decreased) storms, resulting from ocean–atmosphere teleconnections in the wider Pacific region. The ~ 1400-year periodicity is evident throughout the Late Pleistocene and late Northgrippian/Meghalayan, reflecting high-amplitude millennial shifts from periods of stable thermal stratification of the water column (weak wind intensity) to periods of convective mixing (high wind intensity). The millennial cycle diminishes during the Greenlandian, in association with the boreal summer insolation maximum, consistent with suppression of ENSO-like dynamics by enhanced trade winds. Ocean–atmosphere teleconnection suppression is recorded throughout the PNW, but there is a time discrepancy with other records, some that reveal suppression during the Greenlandian and others during the Northgrippian, suggesting endogenic processes may also modulate the Moss Lake diatom record. The large amplitude of millennial variability indicated by the lake data suggests that regional climate in the PNW was characterised over the longer term by shifting influences of ocean–atmosphere dynamics and that an improved understanding of the external forcing is necessary for understanding past and future climate conditions in western North America.
Mapping terrestrial ecosystem health in drylands: comparison of field-based information with remotely sensed data at watershed level
Authors: Safaei Mojdeh , Bashari Hossein , Kleinebecker Till , Fakheran Sima , Jafari Reza , Große-Stoltenberg André 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Context
Combining field-based assessments with remote-sensing proxies of landscape patterns provides the opportunity to monitor terrestrial ecosystem health status in support of sustainable development goals (SDG).

Objectives
Linking qualitative field data with quantitative remote-sensing imagery to map terrestrial ecosystem health (SDG15.3.1 “land degradation neutrality”).

Methods
A field-based approach using the Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland-Health (IIRH) protocol was applied to classify terrestrial ecosystem health status at the watershed level as “healthy”, “at-risk”, and “unhealthy”. Quantitative complex landscape metrics derived from Landsat spaceborne data were used to explore whether similar health statuses can be retrieved on a broader scale. The assignment of terrestrial ecosystem health classes based on field and the remotely sensed metrics were tested using multivariate and cluster analysis methods.

Results
According to the IIRH assessments, soil surface loss, plant mortality, and invasive species were identified as important indicators of health. According to the quantitative landscape metrics, “healthy” sites had lower amounts of spectral heterogeneity, edge density, and resource leakage. We found a high agreement between health clusters based on field and remote-sensing data (NMI = 0.91) when using a combined approach of DBSCAN and k-means clustering together with non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS).

Conclusions
We provide an exemplary workflow on how to combine qualitative field data and quantitative remote-sensing data to assess SDGs indicators related to terrestrial ecosystem health. As we used a standardized method for field assessments together with publicly available satellite data, there is potential to test the generalizability and context-dependency of our approach in other arid and semi-arid rangelands.
Road extraction in vague images on gray scale consistency and improved MSR and D-S evidence
Authors: Weixing Wang , Limin Li , Zhen Zhou 
Published: May 2022

AbstractRoad detection on aerial and remote sensing vague images is a hard task. In this paper, an automatic road detection method for the vague images is proposed. The method firstly uses an improved MSR algorithm to enhance image, and it automatically takes different scales in different image regions, based on the image depths obtained by the dark channel prior algorithm. Then the enhanced image is roughly segmented on the principle of the local gray scale consistency, in that, an eight-neighborhood template is considered as a processing unit in which a threshold is utilized for all the neighboring pixels of the detecting pixel. Finally, the Dempster-Shafer (D-S) evidence for road features is applied to finalize road tracing in the binary image, where, the road features include length, width, aspect ratio and fullness rate, all the parameters are obtained in the least external rectangle of a road segment, and then the detected roads are regulated. In experiments, 300 vague road images were selected for testing, by comparing to several traditional algorithms and recent semantic methods, the testing results show that the new method is satisfactory, and the detection accuracy is up to 89%.
Sparse Causation and Mere Abundant Causation
Authors: Hansson Wahlberg Tobias 
Published: May 2022

AbstractSetting off from a familiar distinction in the philosophy of properties, this paper introduces a tripartite distinction between sparse causation, abundant causation and mere abundant causation (instances of the latter forming a sub-class of abundant causation). It is argued that the contrast between sparse and mere abundant causation allows us to resolve notorious philosophical issues having to do with negative causation, causation involving institutional properties and physical macro-causation in a way that is unified, intuitive and in line with scientific doctrines and practices.
A minute of your time: The impact of survey recruitment method and interview location on the value of travel time
Authors: Halse Askill H. , Flügel Stefan , Kouwenhoven Marco , de Jong Gerard , Sundfør Hanne B. , Hulleberg Nina , Jordbakke Guri N. , Lindhjem Henrik 
Published: May 2022

AbstractWeb-based stated preference (SP) surveys are widely used to estimate values of travel time (VTT) for cost–benefit analysis, often with internet panels as the source of recruitment. The recruitment method could potentially bias the results because (1) those who frequently participate in surveys may have a lower opportunity cost of time and (2) people who answer the survey at home or in the office may answer differently because the choice situation is less salient to them. In this paper, we investigate both mechanisms using data from a VTT choice experiment study where respondents were recruited from an internet panel, an alternative email register or on-board/on the station. Within all three groups, some complete the survey while making an actual trip. We find that respondents who were recruited from the internet panel or report being members of a panel have a significantly lower VTT, suggesting that internet panels are less representative in this respect compared to other recruitment methods. We also find that those who answer while traveling have a higher VTT, possibly because the benefits of saving travel time are more salient to them than to those who answer while not traveling.
Population Balance Models for Particulate Flows in Porous Media: Breakage and Shear-Induced Events
Authors: Icardi Matteo , Pasquale Nicodemo Di , Crevacore Eleonora , Marchisio Daniele , Babler Matthaus U. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractTransport and particulate processes are ubiquitous in environmental, industrial and biological applications, often involving complex geometries and porous media. In this work we present a general population balance model for particle transport at the pore-scale, including aggregation, breakage and surface deposition. The various terms in the equations are analysed with a dimensional analysis, including a novel collision-induced breakage mechanism, and split into one- and two-particles processes. While the first are linear processes, they might both depend on local flow properties (e.g. shear). This means that the upscaling (via volume averaging and homogenisation) to a macroscopic (Darcy-scale) description requires closures assumptions. We discuss this problem and derive an effective macroscopic term for the shear-induced events, such as breakage caused by shear forces on the transported particles. We focus on breakage events as prototype for linear shear-induced events and derive upscaled breakage frequencies in periodic geometries, starting from nonlinear power-law dependence on the local fluid shear rate. Results are presented for a two-dimensional channel flow and a three dimensional regular arrangement of spheres, for arbitrarily fast (mixing-limited) events. Implications for linearised shear-induced collisions are also discussed. This work lays the foundations of a new general framework for multiscale modelling of particulate flows.