bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A hybrid approach for the analysis of complex categorical data structures: assessment of latent distance learning perception in higher education
Authors: Iannario Maria , D’Enza Alfonso Iodice , Romano Rosaria 
Published: September 2022

AbstractA long tradition of analysing ordinal response data deals with parametric models, which started with the seminal approach of cumulative models. When data are collected by means of Likert scale survey questions in which several scored items measure one or more latent traits, one of the sore topics is how to deal with the ordered categories. A stacked ensemble (or hybrid) model is introduced in the proposal to tackle the limitations of summing up the items. In particular, multiple items responses are synthesised into a single meta-item, defined via a joint data reduction approach; the meta-item is then modelled according to regression approaches for ordered polytomous variables accounting for potential scaling effects. Finally, a recursive partitioning method yielding trees provides automatic variable selection. The performance of the method is evaluated empirically by using a survey on Distance Learning perception.
Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Starmerella bacillaris on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of sparkling pear cider (Perry)
Authors: Guerrini Simona , Galli Viola , Barbato Damiano , Facchini Giulio , Mangani Silvia , Pierguidi Lapo , Granchi Lisa 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThis study was aimed to produce pear cider (Perry), using small caliber pears cv Abate Fètel, fermented by Starmerella bacillaris and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in co-inoculated (COF) and sequential (SEF) mixed cultures in comparison with S. cerevisiae monoculture fermentation (AXF), evaluating the influence of yeast starter cultures on Perry characteristics. The perries were re-fermented in bottle by S. cerevisiae strain EC1118. During primary fermentation, growth and fermentation kinetics were different in the co-inoculated and sequential fermentations in comparison with pure S. cerevisiae fermentation; however, sugars were depleted, and 6% (v/v) ethanol was produced in all the trials. Glycerol content was significantly higher in mixed fermentations due to Starm. bacillaris metabolism (+ 20% in COF, and + 42% in SEF conditions). After re-fermentation in bottle, higher levels of 3-Methyl-1-butanol, 1-propanol, acetaldehyde and esters were detected in Perry from the mixed fermentations. All the Perries were accepted by the consumers (general liking values from 6.01 to 6.26). Perries’ appearance from mixed fermentations was described as less intense and more clear. The use of small caliber pears cv Abate Fètel and Starm. bacillaris in combination with S. cerevisiae in Perry production might be a suitable tool to obtain novel beverages with distinctive organoleptic features.
Are Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Deficiency and Insufficiency Risk Factors for the Incidence of Dynapenia?
Authors: Delinocente Maicon Luís Bicigo , Luiz Mariane Marques , de Oliveira Dayane Capra , de Souza Aline Fernanda , Ramírez Paula Camila , de Oliveira Máximo Roberta , Soares Natália Cochar , Steptoe Andrew , de Oliveira Cesar , da Silva Alexandre Tiago 
Published: September 2022

AbstractEpidemiological evidence showing the association between low 25(OH)D and age-related reduction in neuromuscular strength (dynapenia) is a paucity and controversial and, to date, the effect of osteoporosis and vitamin D supplementation on these associations has not been measured. Thus, we analyze whether serum 25(OH)D deficiency and insufficiency are risk factors for the incidence of dynapenia in individuals aged 50 or older and whether osteoporosis or vitamin D supplementation modify these associations. For that, 3205 participants of the ELSA study who were non-dynapenic at baseline were followed for 4 years. Vitamin D was measured at baseline by the serum concentration of 25(OH)D and classified as sufficient (> 50 nmol/L), insufficient (≥ 30 and ≤ 50 nmol/L) or deficient (< 30 nmol/L). The incidence of dynapenia was determined by a grip strength < 26 kg for men and < 16 kg for women at the end of the 4-year follow-up. Poisson regression models were adjusted by sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical and biochemical characteristics. Serum 25(OH)D deficient was a risk factor for the incidence of dynapenia (IRR = 1.70; 95% CI 1.04–2.79). When only individuals without osteoporosis and those who did not use vitamin D supplementation were analyzed, both serum 25(OH)D deficiency (IRR = 1.78; 95% CI 1.01–3.13) and insufficiency (IRR = 1.77; 95% CI 1.06–2.94) were risk factors for the incidence of dynapenia. In conclusion, a serum level of 25(OH)D < 30 nmol/L is a risk factor for the incidence of dynapenia. Among individuals without osteoporosis and those who do not take vitamin D supplementation, the threshold of risk is higher (≤ 50 nmol/L).
Improvement of dicarboxylic acid production with Methylorubrum extorquens by reduction of product reuptake
Authors: Pöschel Laura , Gehr Elisabeth , Buchhaupt Markus 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The methylotrophic bacterium Methylorubrum extorquens AM1 has the potential to become a platform organism for methanol-driven biotechnology. Its ethylmalonyl-CoA pathway (EMCP) is essential during growth on C1 compounds and harbors several CoA-activated dicarboxylic acids. Those acids could serve as precursor molecules for various polymers. In the past, two dicarboxylic acid products, namely mesaconic acid and 2-methylsuccinic acid, were successfully produced with heterologous thioesterase YciA from Escherichia coli, but the yield was reduced by product reuptake. In our study, we conducted extensive research on the uptake mechanism of those dicarboxylic acid products. By using 2,2-difluorosuccinic acid as a selection agent, we isolated a dicarboxylic acid import mutant. Analysis of the genome of this strain revealed a deletion in gene dctA2, which probably encodes an acid transporter. By testing additional single, double, and triple deletions, we were able to rule out the involvement of the two other DctA transporter homologs and the ketoglutarate transporter KgtP. Uptake of 2-methylsuccinic acid was significantly reduced in dctA2 mutants, while the uptake of mesaconic acid was completely prevented. Moreover, we demonstrated M. extorquens-based synthesis of citramalic acid and a further 1.4-fold increase in product yield using a transport-deficient strain. This work represents an important step towards the development of robust M. extorquens AM1 production strains for dicarboxylic acids.

Key points
• 2,2-Difluorosuccinic acid is used to select for dicarboxylic acid uptake mutations.
• Deletion of dctA2 leads to reduction of dicarboxylic acid uptake.
• Transporter-deficient strains show improved production of citramalic acid.
Quantitative assay for farnesol and the aromatic fusel alcohols from the fungus Candida albicans
Authors: Boone Cory H. T. , Gutzmann Daniel J. , Kramer Jaxon J. , Atkin Audrey L. , Nickerson Kenneth W. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The dimorphic fungus Candida albicans is a commensal and opportunistic fungal pathogen of humans. It secretes at least four small lipophilic molecules, farnesol and three aromatic fusel alcohols. Farnesol has been identified as both a quorum sensing molecule (QSM) and a virulence factor. Our gas chromatography (GC)-based assay for these molecules exhibits high throughput, prevention of analyte loss by avoiding filtration and rotary evaporation, simultaneous cell lysis and analyte extraction by ethyl acetate, and the ability to compare whole cultures with their cell pellets and supernatants. Farnesol synthesis and secretion were separable phenomena and pellet:supernatant ratios for farnesol were high, up to 12:1. The assay was validated in terms of precision, specificity, ruggedness, accuracy, solution stability, detection limits (DL), quantitation limits (QL), and dynamic range. The DL for farnesol was 0.02 ng/µl (0.09 µM). Measurement quality was assessed by the relative error of the whole culture versus the sum of pellet and supernatant fractions (WPS). C. albicans strain SC5314 grown at 30 °C in complex and defined media (YPD and mRPMI) was assayed in biological triplicate 17 times over 3 days. Farnesol and the three aromatic fusel alcohols can be measured in the same assay. The levels of all four are greatly altered by the growth medium chosen. Significantly, the three fusel alcohols are synthesized during stationary phase, not during growth. They are secreted quickly without being retained in the cell pellet and may accumulate up to mM concentrations.

Key points
• Quantitative analysis of both intra- and extracellular farnesol, and aromatic fusel oils.
• High throughput, whole culture assay with simultaneous lysis and extraction.
• Farnesol secretion and synthesis are distinct and separate events.
The Hellenic Emergency Laparotomy Study (HELAS): A Prospective Multicentre Study on the Outcomes of Emergency Laparotomy in Greece
Authors: Lasithiotakis Konstantinos , Kritsotakis Evangelos I. , Kokkinakis Stamatios , Petra Georgia , Paterakis Konstantinos , Karali Garyfallia‐Apostolia , Malikides Vironas , Anastasiadis Charalampos S. , Zoras Odysseas , Drakos Nikolas , Kehagias Ioannis , Kehagias Dimitrios , Gouvas Nikolaos , Kokkinos Georgios , Pozotou Ioanna , Papatheodorou Panayiotis , Frantzeskou Kyriakos , Schizas Dimitrios , Syllaios Athanasios , Palios Ifaistion M. , Nastos Konstantinos , Perdikaris Markos , Michalopoulos Nikolaos V. , Margaris Ioannis , Lolis Evangelos , Dimopoulou Georgia , Panagiotou Dimitrios , Nikolaou Vasiliki , Glantzounis Georgios K. , Pappas‐Gogos George , Tepelenis Kostas , Zacharioudakis Georgios , Tsaramanidis Savvas , Patsarikas Ioannis , Stylianidis Georgios , Giannos Georgios , Karanikas Michael , Kofina Konstantinia , Markou Markos , Chrysos Emmanuel 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackgroundEmergency laparotomy (EL) is accompanied by high post‐operative morbidity and mortality which varies significantly between countries and populations. The aim of this study is to report outcomes of emergency laparotomy in Greece and to compare them with the results of the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA).MethodsThis is a multicentre prospective cohort study undertaken between 01.2019 and 05.2020 including consecutive patients subjected to EL in 11 Greek hospitals. EL was defined according to NELA criteria. Demographics, clinical variables, and post‐operative outcomes were prospectively registered in an online database. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of post‐operative mortality.ResultsThere were 633 patients, 53.9% males, ASA class III/IV 43.6%, older than 65 years 58.6%. The most common operations were small bowel resection (20.5%), peptic ulcer repair (12.0%), adhesiolysis (11.8%) and Hartmann's procedure (11.5%). 30‐day post‐operative mortality reached 16.3% and serious complications occurred in 10.9%. Factors associated with post‐operative mortality were increasing age and ASA class, dependent functional status, ascites, severe sepsis, septic shock, and diabetes. HELAS cohort showed similarities with NELA patients in terms of demographics and preoperative risk. Post‐operative utilisation of ICU was significantly lower in the Greek cohort (25.8% vs 56.8%) whereas 30‐day post‐operative mortality was significantly higher (16.3% vs 8.7%).ConclusionIn this study, Greek patients experienced markedly worse mortality after emergency laparotomy compared with their British counterparts. This can be at least partly explained by underutilisation of critical care by surgical patients who are at high risk for death.
The effect of rifampin on the pharmacokinetics of famitinib in healthy subjects
Authors: Li Ting , Li Xin , Jiang Xin , Wang Chenjing , Sun Feifei , Liu Yanping , Lin Pingping , Shi Ping , Fu Yao , Gao Xiaomeng , Zhang Yanyan , Cao Yu 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Famitinib is an oral, small-molecule, multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor under clinical investigation for the treatment of solid tumors. As famitinib is metabolized mainly by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), the study was conducted to investigate the effect of potent CYP3A4 inducer rifampin on the pharmacokinetics of famitinb.

Methods
This single-center, single-arm and fixed-sequence drug–drug interaction study enrolled 21healthy Chinese male subjects. Subjects received a single oral dose of famitinib 25 mg on days 1 and 16 and repeated administration of oral rifampin 600 mg once daily on days 10–23. Blood samples were collected and plasma concentrations of famitinib were measured by validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using noncompartmental analysis and safety was assessed.

Results
In the presence of rifampin, the famitinib geometric mean maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC0–∞) decreased by 48% and 69%, respectively, and the mean elimination half-life was shortened from 33.9 to 18.2 h. The geometric mean ratio (GMR) of famitinib Cmax and AUC0–∞ and their 90% CI were 0.52 (0.50, 0.54) and 0.31 (0.29, 0.33). Single dose of famitinib 25 mg was well tolerated and eight subjects (38.1%) reported treatment emergent adverse events, which were all grade 1–2 in severity.

Conclusion
Co-administration of rifampin considerably reduces plasma concentration of famitinb due to CYP3A4 induction. Concomitant administration of famitinib and strong CYP3A4 inducers should be avoided, whereas when simultaneous use with inducers of CYP3A4, dose adjustment of famitinb is recommended.

Clinical trial registration number
NCT04494659 (July 31, 2020).
Appraisal of cavity hot-wire probes for wall-shear-stress measurements
Authors: Perez Adalberto , Örlü Ramis , Talamelli Alessandro , Schlatter Philipp 
Published: September 2022

AbstractFlush-mounted cavity hot-wire probes have emerged as an alternative to classical hot-wire probes mounted several diameters above the surface for wall-shear stress measurements. They aim at increasing the frequency response and accuracy by circumventing the well-known issue of heat transfer to the substrate that hot-wire and hot-film probes possess. Their use, however, depends on the assumption that the cavity does not influence the flow field. In this study, we show that this assumption does not hold, and that turbulence statistics are modified by the presence of the cavity with sizes that are practically in use. The mean velocity and fluctuations increase near the cavity while the shear stress decreases in its surroundings, all seemingly stemming from the fact that the no-slip condition is not present anymore and that flow reversal occurs. Overall, the energy spectra and the probability density function of the wall shear stress fluctuations indicate a change of nature of turbulence by the presence of the cavity.
3D objects reconstruction from frontal images: an example with guitars
Authors: Beacco Alejandro , Gallego Jaime , Slater Mel 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThis work deals with the automatic 3D reconstruction of objects from frontal RGB images. This aims at a better understanding of the reconstruction of 3D objects from RGB images and their use in immersive virtual environments. We propose a complete workflow that can be easily adapted to almost any other family of rigid objects. To explain and validate our method, we focus on guitars. First, we detect and segment the guitars present in the image using semantic segmentation methods based on convolutional neural networks. In a second step, we perform the final 3D reconstruction of the guitar by warping the rendered depth maps of a fitted 3D template in 2D image space to match the input silhouette. We validated our method by obtaining guitar reconstructions from real input images and renders of all guitar models available in the ShapeNet database. Numerical results for different object families were obtained by computing standard mesh evaluation metrics such as Intersection over Union, Chamfer Distance, and the F-score. The results of this study show that our method can automatically generate high-quality 3D object reconstructions from frontal images using various segmentation and 3D reconstruction techniques.
Novelty detection and orienting: effects on skin conductance and heart rate
Authors: Zimmer Heinz , Richter Fabian 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIn a repetition-change paradigm it was explored whether the skin conductance response (SCR) and the heart rate (HR) response similarly reflect involuntary and voluntary orienting. Seven orienting stimuli, consisting of six contextually novel stimuli and one novel change, were presented to 144 participants. In order to evoke voluntary orienting, the signal value of the contextually novel stimuli was manipulated by task instruction. Results suggest that the SCR is a manifestation of the involuntary orienting response (iOR). The HR, however, showed a non-uniform pattern of response and turned out to be susceptible to voluntary orienting. While it responded to the last orienting stimulus, the novel change, with a clear-cut deceleration, the response to the first orienting stimulus had a polyphase structure and was sensitive to repetition and signal value. The HR response is, thus, of limited value as an indicator of the iOR because of its striking susceptibility to voluntary orienting.
Hydrodynamic limit of simple exclusion processes in symmetric random environments via duality and homogenization
Authors: Faggionato Alessandra 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWe consider continuous-time random walks on a random locally finite subset of $$\mathbb {R}^d$$

R

d

with random symmetric jump probability rates. The jump range can be unbounded. We assume some second-moment conditions and that the above randomness is left invariant by the action of the group $$\mathbb {G}=\mathbb {R}^d$$

G
=

R

d

or $$\mathbb {G}=\mathbb {Z}^d$$

G
=

Z

d

. We then add a site-exclusion interaction, thus making the particle system a simple exclusion process. We show that, for almost all environments, under diffusive space–time rescaling the system exhibits a hydrodynamic limit in path space. The hydrodynamic equation is non-random and governed by the effective homogenized matrix D of the single random walk, which can be degenerate. The above result covers a very large family of models including e.g. simple exclusion processes built from random conductance models on $$\mathbb {Z}^d$$

Z

d

and on crystal lattices (possibly with long conductances), Mott variable range hopping, simple random walks on Delaunay triangulations, random walks on supercritical percolation clusters.
Round-Competitive Algorithms for Uncertainty Problems with Parallel Queries
Authors: Erlebach Thomas , Hoffmann Michael , de Lima Murilo Santos 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIn computing with explorable uncertainty, one considers problems where the values of some input elements are uncertain, typically represented as intervals, but can be obtained using queries. Previous work has considered query minimization in the settings where queries are asked sequentially (adaptive model) or all at once (non-adaptive model). We introduce a new model where k queries can be made in parallel in each round, and the goal is to minimize the number of query rounds. Using competitive analysis, we present upper and lower bounds on the number of query rounds required by any algorithm in comparison with the optimal number of query rounds for the given instance. Given a set of uncertain elements and a family of m subsets of that set, we study the problems of sorting all m subsets and of determining the minimum value (or the minimum element(s)) of each subset. We also study the selection problem, i.e., the problem of determining the i-th smallest value and identifying all elements with that value in a given set of uncertain elements. Our results include 2-round-competitive algorithms for sorting and selection and an algorithm for the minimum value problem that uses at most $$(2+\varepsilon ) \cdot \mathrm {opt}_k+\mathrm {O}\left( \frac{1}{\varepsilon } \cdot \lg m\right) $$

(
2
+
ε
)

·

opt
k

+
O

1
ε

·
lg
m

query rounds for every $$0<\varepsilon <1$$

0
<
ε
<
1

, where $$\mathrm {opt}_k$$

opt
k

is the optimal number of query rounds.
An isogeometric finite element formulation for frictionless contact of Cosserat rods with unconstrained directors
Authors: Choi Myung-Jin , Klinkel Sven , Sauer Roger A. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThis paper presents an isogeometric finite element formulation for nonlinear beams with impenetrability constraints, based on the kinematics of Cosserat rods with unconstrained directors. The beam cross-sectional deformation is represented by director vectors of an arbitrary order. For the frictionless lateral beam-to-beam contact, a surface-to-surface contact algorithm combined with an active set strategy and a penalty method is employed. The lateral boundary surface of the beam is parameterized by its axis and cross-sectional boundary curves with NURBS basis functions having at least$$C^2$$C2-continuity, which yields a continuous surface metric and curvature for the closest point projection. Three-dimensional constitutive laws of hyperelastic materials are considered. Several numerical examples verify the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed beam contact formulation in comparison to brick element solutions. The lateral contact pressure distribution of the beam formulation is in excellent agreement with the contact pressure of the brick element formulation while requiring much less degrees-of-freedom.
The transfer accuracy of digital and conventional full-arch impressions influenced by fixed orthodontic appliances: a reference aid–based in vitro study
Authors: Schlenz Maximiliane Amelie , Klaus Katharina , Schmidt Alexander , Wöstmann Bernd , Mersmann Marco , Ruf Sabine , Bock Niko Christian 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the influence of fixed orthodontic appliances (FOAs) on the transfer accuracy of full-arch impressions by five intraoral scanners (IOSs): CS3600, Primescan, Trios 4, Medit i500, Emerald S, and one conventional alginate impression (CAI).

Materials and methods
To compare the data with the actual model situation, an established reference aid–based method was applied. A test model with human teeth was used and modified for each testing group, resulting in five different settings: natural teeth (group A), metal brackets without/with wire (groups B/C), ceramic brackets without/with wire (groups D/E). A total of 300 (n = 12 × 5 × 5) scan datasets of IOSs were analyzed using a 3D software (GOM Inspect) and 60 (n = 12 × 5) plaster casts of CAI were measured with a coordinate measurement machine. The deviations between the reference aid and the impressions were determined.

Results
For all groups with brackets (B to E), IOSs showed a higher transfer accuracy compared to CAI, even for long-span distances. However, some significant differences between the IOSs were observed (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
Within the limitations of this in vitro study, IOSs can be recommended for impressions with and without FOAs, even if CAI showed the smallest average deviations in settings without FOAs.

Clinical relevance
IOSs are widely used in orthodontics and the current study demonstrated that their use enables fast impression taking even in settings with fixed orthodontic appliances. In addition, for these settings, the transfer accuracy is higher than with conventional alginate impressions. Nevertheless, a re-investigation in a clinical setting should be performed to verify the current in vitro findings.