bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional outcomes after transoral CO2 laser treatment for posterior glottic stenosis: a bicentric case series
Authors: Filauro Marta , Missale Francesco , Vallin Alberto , Mora Francesco , Marrosu Valeria , Carta Filippo , Puxeddu Roberto , Peretti Giorgio 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to evaluate functional outcomes in terms of decannulation rate and quality of life of patients affected by PGS (Grades I–IV) treated only by transoral CO2 laser microsurgery (TOLMS) in two tertiary centers.

Methods
An observational retrospective study was carried out, enrolling 22 patients affected by PGS who were treated by a transoral approach at two tertiary referral centers. Surgical treatment included TOLMS with tailored laser resection of the scar tissue combined with posterior cordotomy, resurfacing of the raw area with mucosal microflap, or placement of a Montgomery T-tube or Keel stent. All patients were evaluated and staged preoperatively and postoperatively, at least 6 months after the surgery. Functional outcomes were objectively evaluated by the Airway-Dysphonia-Voice-Swallowing (ADVS) staging system, Voice Handicap Index-30 (VHI-30), and Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) questionnaires.

Results
Quality of life significantly improved as measured by the VHI-30 questionnaire with a median variation of − 31.0 (p = 0.003), the EAT-10 with a median variation of − 4.0 (p = 0.042), and the ADVS with a median variation of − 3.5 (p < 0.001). No significant changes were observed in swallowing scores. We were able to decannulate 7 of 9 patients (almost 80%) with previous tracheotomy.

Conclusion
In conclusion, even if there is still no general agreement on an exact therapeutic algorithm to treat PGS, our results confirm that transoral surgery, in terms of scar tissue removal, combined in selected patients with posterior cordotomy and pedicled local flaps and/or placement of stents, represents a safe and effective surgical approach even for more severe PGS.
Tropical Geometric Variation of Tree Shapes
Authors: Lin Bo , Monod Anthea , Yoshida Ruriko 
Published: July 2022

AbstractWe study the behavior of phylogenetic tree shapes in the tropical geometric interpretation of tree space. Tree shapes are formally referred to as tree topologies; a tree topology can also be thought of as a tree combinatorial type, which is given by the tree’s branching configuration and leaf labeling. We use the tropical line segment as a framework to define notions of variance as well as invariance of tree topologies: we provide a combinatorial search theorem that describes all tree topologies occurring along a tropical line segment, as well as a setting under which tree topologies do not change along a tropical line segment. Our study is motivated by comparison to the moduli space endowed with a geodesic metric proposed by Billera, Holmes, and Vogtmann (referred to as BHV space); we consider the tropical geometric setting as an alternative framework to BHV space for sets of phylogenetic trees. We give an algorithm to compute tropical line segments which is lower in computational complexity than the fastest method currently available for BHV geodesics and show that its trajectory behaves more subtly: while the BHV geodesic traverses the origin for vastly different tree topologies, the tropical line segment bypasses it.
Care process optimization in a cardiovascular hospital: an integration of simulation–optimization and data mining
Authors: Vali Masoumeh , Salimifard Khodakaram , Gandomi Amir H. , Chaussalet Thierry J. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractTo provide health services, hospitals consume electrical power and contribute to the CO2 emission. This paper aims to develop a modelling approach to optimize hospital services while reducing CO2 emissions. To capture treatment processes and the production of carbon dioxide, a hybrid method of data mining and simulation–optimization techniques is proposed. Different clustering algorithms are used to categorize patients. Using quality indicators, clustering methods are evaluated to find the best cluster sets, and then patients are categorized accordingly. Discrete-event simulation is applied to each patient category to estimate performance measures such as number of patients being served, waiting times, and length of stay, as well as the amount of CO2 emission. To optimize performance measures of patient flow, metaheuristic searches have been used. The dataset of Bushehr Heart Hospital is considered as a case study. Based on K-means, K-medoid, Hierarchical clustering, and Fuzzy C-means clustering methods, patients are categorized into two groups of high-risk and low-risk patients. The number of patients being served, total waiting time, length of stay, and CO2 emitted during care processes are improved for both groups. The proposed hybrid method is an effective method for hospitals to categorize patients based on care processes. The problems and the proposed solution approach reported in this study could be applicable to other hospitals, worldwide to help both optimize the patient flow and minimize the environmental consequences of care services.
Recent advancement of flow-induced piezoelectric vibration energy harvesting techniques: principles, structures, and nonlinear designs
Authors: Cao Dongxing , Wang Junru , Guo Xiangying , Lai S. K. , Shen Yongjun 
Published: July 2022

AbstractEnergy harvesting induced from flowing fluids (e.g., air and water flows) is a well-known process, which can be regarded as a sustainable and renewable energy source. In addition to traditional high-efficiency devices (e.g., turbines and watermills), the micro-power extracting technologies based on the flow-induced vibration (FIV) effect have sparked great concerns by virtue of their prospective applications as a self-power source for the microelectronic devices in recent years. This article aims to conduct a comprehensive review for the FIV working principle and their potential applications for energy harvesting. First, various classifications of the FIV effect for energy harvesting are briefly introduced, such as vortex-induced vibration (VIV), galloping, flutter, and wake-induced vibration (WIV). Next, the development of FIV energy harvesting techniques is reviewed to discuss the research works in the past three years. The application of hybrid FIV energy harvesting techniques that can enhance the harvesting performance is also presented. Furthermore, the nonlinear designs of FIV-based energy harvesters are reported in this study, e.g., multi-stability and limit-cycle oscillation (LCO) phenomena. Moreover, advanced FIV-based energy harvesting studies for fluid engineering applications are briefly mentioned. Finally, conclusions and future outlook are summarized.
Myocardial deformation indices for detection of the functional significance of intermediate left anterior descending coronary artery stenosis: FFR guided study
Authors: Shereef Ahmed Shawky , Mosbah Suaad Abdallah Ali , Ghoniem Salwa Mohamed , Shehata Islam Elsayed 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of non-invasive resting myocardial deformation indices in identifying functional significance of intermediate stenosis of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. Patients with 50–70% LAD stenosis upon coronary angiography were enrolled and divided into group I with fractional flow reserve (FFR) > 0.8 and group II with FFR ≤ 0.8. Patients were subjected to conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography with measurement of myocardial deformation indices including regional peak longitudinal strain (PLS), global longitudinal strain (GLS), Post-systolic strain index (PSI), and time interval between Aortic valve closure (AVC) and PLS. The current study included 200 patients. Group II patients had significantly lower absolute mean values of regional (PLS) and (GLS) compared to group I (− 14.98 ± 5.05 and − 18.73 ± 3.92 vs. − 17.59 ± 3.62 and − 19.20 ± 2.61, p = 0.001 and 0.02, respectively). The FFR values of LAD correlated significantly and negatively with the time interval between AVC and regional PLS (r = − 0.201, p = 0.004) as well as PSI (r = − 0.257, p < 0.001). For identifying cases with FFR ≤ 0.8, the optimal cut-off value of the time interval between AVC and PLS was 76 ms with 77.8% sensitivity and 93.8% specificity. The best cut-off value of PSI was 13%, yielding 50% sensitivity and 87.5% specificity. In patients with intermediate 50–70% LAD coronary artery stenotic lesions, the PSI and the duration between AVC and regional PLS enabled the identification of functionally significant lesions with reasonable diagnostic accuracy.Trial registration ZU-IRB#3199-20-11-2015 Registered 20 November 2015, IRB_123@medicine.zu.edu.eg.
The Extent and Nature of Autistic People’s Violence Experiences During Adulthood: A Cross-sectional Study of Victimisation
Authors: Gibbs Vicki , Hudson Jennie , Pellicano Elizabeth 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis study investigated the extent and nature of violence experiences reported by autistic adults. Autistic (n = 118) and non-autistic (n = 110) adults completed a questionnaire about their experiences of sexual harassment, stalking and harassment, sexual violence and physical violence since the age of 15. Autistic adults reported higher rates of all violence types, multiple forms of violence and repeated instances of the same type of violence. Typical gender differences in the patterns of violence (more physical violence reported by men and more sexual violence reported by women) were apparent in the non-autistic but not the autistic group. Findings add to the limited research in this area and highlight the need to identify risk and protective factors. Policy and practice implications are also discussed.
Forging a New World Order? Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the Management of Metalworking and Ideological Change in the Late Bronze Age Carpathian Basin
Authors: Orfanou V. , Amicone S. , Sava V. , O’Neill B. , Brown L. E. F. , Bruyère C. , Molloy B. P. C. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe Carpathian Basin was a highly influential centre of metalworking in the 2nd mil. BC. Nevertheless, despite the abundance of metal objects from the Late Bronze Age, the scarcity of contextually associated metalworking remains representing distinct phases of the metalworking cycle from this region is striking. Here, we explore Late Bronze Age metalworking through the lens of a uniquely complete metalworking assemblage from the site of Șagu from contexts spanning the sixteenth to early thirteenth century BC. This material provides insights into changes in craft organisation following socio-political change after the collapse of Middle Bronze Age tell-centred communities. Our approach combines analytical and experimental data together with contextual analysis of technical ceramics (crucible, mould, and furnace fragments) to reconstruct the metalworking chaîne opératoire and place Șagu in its broader cultural context. Analyses demonstrate clear technological choices in ceramic paste recipes and strong interlinkages between metallurgy and other crafts practised on site, from domestic pottery production to building structures. Experimental replications reveal important intrinsic and experiential aspects of metallurgical activities at Șagu. Evidence on the spatial organisation of metallurgical workflows (routine sequence of actions and decisions) suggests they incorporated a high degree of visibility, which marks a distinct change in the use of craft space compared to the context of densely occupied Middle Bronze Age tells nearby. Combined, our archaeometric, experimental, and contextual results illustrate how changes in metalworking activities in the Late Bronze Age Carpathian Basin were deeply embedded in an ideological shift in the aftermath of the breakdown of Middle Bronze Age tells and the emergence of new social structures.
Conditioning of a Hybrid High-Order Scheme on Meshes with Small Faces
Authors: Badia Santiago , Droniou Jérôme , Yemm Liam 
Published: July 2022

AbstractWe conduct a condition number analysis of a Hybrid High-Order (HHO) scheme for the Poisson problem. We find the condition number of the statically condensed system to be independent of the number of faces in each element, or the relative size between an element and its faces. The dependence of the condition number on the polynomial degree is tracked. Next, we consider HHO schemes on cut background meshes, which are commonly used in unfitted discretisations. It is well known that the linear systems obtained on these meshes can be arbitrarily ill-conditioned due to the presence of sliver-cut and small-cut elements. We show that the condition number arising from HHO schemes on such meshes is not as negatively effected as those arising from conforming methods. We describe how the condition number can be improved by aggregating ill-conditioned elements with their neighbours.
Sulfate Protonation in Sodium Chloride and Sodium Perchlorate Media
Authors: Vielma Tuomas , Hefter Glenn 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe equilibrium (association) constant, KA, for the first protonation of the sulfate ion in aqueous solution: [H+(aq) + $${\text{SO}}_{4}^{2 - }$$

SO

4

2
-

(aq) ⇌ $${\text{HSO}}_{4}^{ - }$$

HSO

4

-

(aq)] has been measured at 298.15 K in NaCl and NaClO4 media using glass-electrode potentiometry at five ionic strengths in the range 0.5 ≤ I/(mol·dm−3) ≤ 5.0. The present KA values vary smoothly with I and are in good agreement with reliable literature data but indicate that the previously reported value of KA at I = 5 mol·dm−3 in NaClO4 media is in error.
Rapid radionuclide specific screening procedures in drinking water: alternative options to replace inaccurate gross activity measurements
Authors: Jobbágy Viktor 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIt was concluded from two European wide proficiency tests that the gross alpha/beta methods used for drinking water analysis have fundamental pitfalls regardless of the specific gross-counting methods. The majority of gross-counting methods suffer from serious trueness and repeatability issues. To replace inaccurate gross activity measurements an alternative rapid radionuclide specific screening procedure for water analysis is proposed. This procedure considers liquid scintillation counting, alpha-particle- and gamma-ray spectrometry. The proposed procedure is more robust and can achieve lower uncertainties than gross-counting methods. Furthermore, qualitative and quantitative analytical data can be obtained with turnaround times comparable to the gross-counting methods.
virToad: simulating the spatiotemporal population dynamics and management of a global invader
Authors: Pili Arman N. , Tingley Reid , Chapple David G. , Schumaker Nathan H. 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Context
The cane toad (Rhinella marina) is one of the most globally significant and well-studied invasive alien species, and the detrimental impacts of its invasions warrant the design and application of decision support tools. While many models have been developed for guiding policies addressing cane toad invasions, none reliably predict the species’ population dynamics at scales relevant to on-the-ground management.

Objectives
We describe virToad—an individual-based life-history simulator of the cane toad. We then illustrate virToad’s ability to forecast the cane toad’s spatiotemporal population dynamics at local- to landscape-scales, and its potential for improving management responses to cane toad invasions.

Methods
We designed virToad to make population dynamics an emergent consequence of the cane toad’s fitness-maximising behavioural responses to mechanistic constraints (e.g., water availability, kin selection), and to management actions. We used virToad to simulate cane toad population dynamics in the absence of management, and under alternative management strategies implemented across a spectrum of effort: hand-capturing and trapping of juveniles and adults, fencing waterbodies, and trapping and chemically suppressing tadpoles.

Results
virToad produced plausible predictions of cane toad population densities, detection probabilities, distributions, and spatial segregation. Simulation experiments indicated that the efficacy of competing management actions varied significantly, and that only moderate to high effort hand-capturing and trapping of juveniles and adults had the potential to suppress invasions.

Conclusion
virToad is an open-source, rigorous, and extensible decision support platform that will enable researchers and practitioners to defensibly forecast local- to landscape-scale cane toad spatiotemporal population dynamics and management outcomes.
Causal and Evidential Conditionals
Authors: Günther Mario 
Published: July 2022

AbstractWe put forth an account for when to believe causal and evidential conditionals. The basic idea is to embed a causal model in an agent’s belief state. For the evaluation of conditionals seems to be relative to beliefs about both particular facts and causal relations. Unlike other attempts using causal models, we show that ours can account rather well not only for various causal but also evidential conditionals.
The minimal important change for the EQ VAS based on the SF-36 health transition item: observations from 25772 spine surgery procedures
Authors: Joelson Anders , Nerelius Fredrik , Sigmundsson Freyr Gauti , Karlsson Jan 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Purpose
The EQ VAS is an integral part of EQ-5D, a commonly used instrument for health-related quality of life assessment. This study aimed to calculate the minimal important change (MIC) thresholds for the EQ VAS for improvement and deterioration after surgery for disk herniation or spinal stenosis.

Methods
Patients, who were surgically treated for disk herniation or spinal stenosis between 2007 and 2016, were recruited from the Swedish spine register. Preoperative and 1-year postoperative data for a total of 25772 procedures were available for analysis. We used two anchor-based methods to estimate MIC for EQ VAS: (1) a predictive model based on logistic regression and (2) receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. The SF-36 health transition item was used as anchor.

Results
The EQ VAS MIC threshold for improvement after disk herniation surgery ranged from 8.25 to 11.8 while the corresponding value for deterioration ranged from − 6.17 to 0.5. For spinal stenosis surgery the corresponding MIC values ranged from 10.5 to 14.5 and − 7.16 to − 6.5 respectively. There were moderate negative correlations (disk herniation − 0.47, spinal stenosis − 0.46) between the 1 year change in the EQ VAS and the SF-36 health transition item (MIC anchor).

Conclusions
For EQ VAS, we recommend a MIC threshold of 12 points for improvement after surgery for disk herniation or spinal stenosis, whereas the corresponding threshold for deterioration is − 7 points. There are marked differences between the EQ VAS MIC for improvement and deterioration after surgery for disk herniation or spinal stenosis. The MIC value varied depending on the method used for MIC estimation.
Alleviating cross-cultural challenges of Indian subcontinent students: University staff perspectives
Authors: Kansal Monika , Chugh Ritesh , Weber Anthony , Macht Stephanie , Grose Robert , Shah Mahsood 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe growth in student numbers from the Indian subcontinent countries has increased exponentially in the Australian higher education system over the past decade. Unfortunately, this growth has not been accompanied by initiatives to address the distinctive cross-cultural challenges faced by this cohort. This paper seeks to identify academic and professional staff perceptions of how they can help alleviate the social and academic challenges faced by subcontinent students. Thematic analysis of multiple focus group interviews established a range of simple initiatives that university staff and decision-makers could introduce to alleviate these challenges. Academic and professional staff should clearly and repeatedly articulate course, assessment and integrity expectations and make use of pre-arrival and orientation interactions. The pedagogic environment should be customised to subcontinent students in the classroom, and written teaching materials should be supplemented with engaging videos, ideally subtitled. The introduction of cross-cultural awareness training for academic and professional staff would improve the learning experience of subcontinent students. Adequate resourcing of academic skills and English language support and mental health support services also emerged as valuable initiatives. The cross-cultural awareness training for academic and professional staff should also be customised to their specific roles.
Emotionale Reaktionen älterer Menschen gegenüber Sozial Assistiven Robotern
Authors: Ruf Esther , Pauli Cora , Misoch Sabina 
Published: July 2022

ZusammenfassungDieser Beitrag der Zeitschrift Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. (GIO) beschreibt unterschiedliche emotionale Reaktionen älterer Personen auf in verschiedenen Settings eingesetzte Sozial Assistive Roboter (SAR). In Folge des demographischen Wandels gibt es zunehmend mehr Personen in hohem Lebensalter, welche zuhause oder in Institutionen Unterstützung benötigen. Der Einsatz von Robotern zur Unterstützung wird als eine Möglichkeit gesehen, den gesellschaftlichen Herausforderungen zu begegnen. Gerade SAR werden zunehmend für ältere Personen erprobt und eingesetzt. Systematische Reviews zeigen das positive Potenzial von SAR auf ältere Menschen hinsichtlich (sozial-)psychologischer und physiologischer Parameter, gleichzeitig hat der Einsatz von SAR bei älteren Menschen eine intensive ethische Diskussion ausgelöst. Emotionen von Nutzenden gegenüber Robotern stehen dabei im Fokus, da diese einen wichtigen Aspekt der Akzeptanz und Wirkung darstellen. Dabei werden vor allem Fragen, die mit einer emotionalen Bindung an den Roboter zusammenhängen, kritisch diskutiert. Das Institut für Altersforschung (IAF) der Ostschweizer Fachhochschule (OST) hat im Rahmen von Feldtestungen mit unterschiedlichen SAR bei unterschiedlichen Personengruppen und Einsatzbereichen geforscht. Im Rahmen einer Sekundäranalyse wurden eine Bandbreite emotionaler Reaktionen bis hin zu Bindungen der verschiedenen Nutzergruppen registriert. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass sozio-emotionale Bedürfnisse von Nutzenden durch den SAR gestillt werden können, und es zu Ablehnung kommen kann, wenn diesen nicht Rechnung getragen wird. Emotionale Bindungen sind jedoch differenziert zu betrachten, da der Einsatz von SAR, gerade bei vulnerablen Personen, trotz funktionaler Bindung auch neu induzierte negative Gefühle hervorrufen kann. Beim Einsatz von SAR in der Praxis es ist wichtig, alle Emotionen der Nutzenden gegenüber SAR frühzeitig zu erheben und im Hinblick auf mögliche unterwünschte Wirkungen wie (zu) starkem emotionalen Attachment zu beurteilen. Die dargestellten explorativen Studien ermöglichen es, exemplarische Einsatzfelder mit positivem Potential zu definieren, aber auch ethisch problematische Situationen zu beschreiben, um diese in Zukunft vermeiden zu können.