bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intraoperative radiotherapy during awake craniotomies: preliminary results of a single-center case series
Authors: Steininger K. , Kahl K. H. , Konietzko I. , Wolfert C. , Motov S. , Krauß P. E. , Bröcheler T. , Hadrawa M. , Sommer B. , Stüben G. , Shiban E. 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Awake craniotomies are performed to avoid postoperative neurological deficits when resecting lesions in the eloquent cortex, especially the speech area. Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) has recently focused on optimizing the oncological treatment of primary malignant brain tumors and metastases. Herein, for the first time, we present preliminary results of IORT in the setting of awake craniotomies. From 2021 to 2022, all patients undergoing awake craniotomies for tumor resection combined with IORT were analyzed retrospectively. Demographical and clinical data, operative procedure, and treatment-related complications were evaluated. Five patients were identified (age (mean ± standard deviation (SD): 65 ± 13.5 years (y)). A solid left frontal metastasis was detected in the first patient (female, 49 y). The second patient (male, 72 y) presented with a solid metastasis on the left parietal lobe. The third patient (male, 52 y) was diagnosed with a left temporoparietal metastasis. Patient four (male, 74 y) was diagnosed with a high-grade glioma on the left frontal lobe. A metastasis on the left temporooccipital lobe was detected in the fifth patient (male, 78 y). After awake craniotomy and macroscopic complete tumor resection, intraoperative tumor bed irradiation was carried out with 50 kV x-rays and a total of 20 Gy for 16.7 ± 2.5 min. During a mean follow-up of 6.3 ± 2.6 months, none of the patients developed any surgery- or IORT-related complications or disabling permanent neurological deficits. Intraoperative radiotherapy in combination with awake craniotomy seems to be feasible and safe.
Association of severe COVID-19 outcomes with radiological scoring and cardiomegaly: findings from the COVID-19 inpatients database, Japan
Authors: Kanayama Atsuhiro , Tsuchihashi Yuuki , Otomi Yoichi , Enomoto Hideaki , Arima Yuzo , Takahashi Takuri , Kobayashi Yusuke , Kaku Koki , Sunagawa Tomimasa , Suzuki Motoi ,   The COVID-19 discharge summary database (CDSD) group, Ajishi Yusuke , Ishii Hiroshi , Ishikawa Satoru , Iwagoe Hajime , Kaneko Yasushi , Kasahara Kei , Kawaguchi Yoji , Masuda Masafumi , Mawatari Momoko , Mishima Yasunori , Nagasaki Yoji , Ohmagari Norio , Okada Kensaku , Satoh Hiroshi , Terai Yasuhiko , Tsujie Katsuya , Watase Haruhito 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Purpose
We aimed to characterize novel coronavirus infections based on imaging [chest X-ray and chest computed tomography (CT)] at the time of admission.

Materials and methods
We extracted data from 396 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who were managed at 68 hospitals in Japan from January 25 to September 2, 2020. Case patients were categorized as severe (death or treatment with invasive ventilation during hospitalization) and non-severe groups. The imaging findings of the groups were compared by calculating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), adjusted for sex, age, and hospital size (and radiographic patient positioning for cardiomegaly). Chest X-ray and CT scores ranged from 0 to 72 and 0 to 20, respectively. Optimal cut-off values for these scores were determined by a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results
The median age of the 396 patients was 48 years (interquartile range 28–65) and 211 (53.3%) patients were male. Thirty-two severe cases were compared to 364 non-severe cases. At the time of admission, abnormal lesions on chest X-ray and CT were mainly observed in the lower zone/lobe. Among severe cases, abnormal lesions were also seen in the upper zone/lobe. After adjustment, the total chest X-ray and CT score values showed a dose-dependent association with severe disease. For chest X-ray scores, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.91 (95% CI = 0.86–0.97) and an optimal cut-off value of 9 points predicted severe disease with 83.3% sensitivity and 84.7% specificity. For chest CT scores, the AUC was 0.94 (95% CI = 0.89–0.98) and an optimal cut-off value of 11 points predicted severe disease with 90.9% sensitivity and 82.2% specificity. Cardiomegaly was strongly associated with severe disease [adjusted OR = 24.6 (95% CI = 3.7–166.0)].

Conclusion
Chest CT and X-ray scores and the identification of cardiomegaly could be useful for classifying severe COVID-19 on admission.
Micromotives of Vote Switchers and Macrotransitions: The Case of the Immigration Issue in a Regional Earthquake Election in Germany 2018
Authors: Thurner Paul W. , Klima André , Küchenhoff Helmut , Mauerer Ingrid , Mang Stefan , Walter-Rogg Melanie , Heinrich Tassilo , Knieper Thomas , Schnurbus Joachim 
Published: July 2022

AbstractWhich issue-related motives underlie voters’ decision to switch parties at the polls? Do switchers stick to the newly chosen party, or do they oscillate in a short-term way at intermediate elections? Relying on the behavioral theory of elections, we assumed aspiration-based voting of boundedly rational voters. We elicited issue-related switch and stay motives in an open-ended survey question format to identify the individual dominant aspirational frame. We traced the respondents’ voting trajectories over three consecutive elections, including two state (2013 and 2018) elections in Bavaria (Germany) and one German federal election (2017). We focused on one of the most polarizing and salient issues in these elections, namely immigration. The case of reference is the 2018 Bavarian state election. Here, the incumbent majoritarian center-right party Christian Social Union tried to deter the entry of the right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany by adapting to it on the immigration issue in tone and position. The selected case allows assessment of the impact of issue-based adaptive behavior of the incumbent party at the level of the voters’ switch or stay choices. We estimated the direction and number of voter flows for two interelection sequences of different lengths between different types of polls (federal and state). Our transition estimates are based on the hybrid multinomial Dirichlet model, a new technique integrating individual-level survey data and official aggregate data. Our estimates uncover substantial behavioral differences in the immigration issue public.
Isothermal Mashing of Barley Malt: New Insights into Wort Composition and Enzyme Temperature Ranges
Authors: Laus Andreas , Endres Frank , Hutzler Mathias , Zarnkow Martin , Jacob Fritz 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe basic step in beer production is mashing, during which insoluble starch chains, and to a lesser extent cell walls and proteins are broken down by enzymatic hydrolysis. Since the beginning of the modern brewing process there have been empirical studies into the optimum effective temperatures of the corresponding enzymes, and mashing has been carried out accordingly. The resulting resting temperatures of proteolysis, cytolysis and amylolysis with the maltose and saccharification rest, are now rarely changed, only being adapted to the properties of the raw materials used to a limited extent. New varieties of barley and other raw materials used in breweries, as well as modern processes in malting plants, ensure better enzyme potential and optimized malt gelatinization temperatures. The aim of this paper is to determine enzyme activity in barley malt during mashing. For this purpose, isothermal mashing was used, i.e., a mashing process with a constant resting temperature over the entire mashing period. The obtained worts were analyzed for the attributes of extract, final attenuation, β-glucan, total nitrogen, free amino nitrogen, viscosity, and pH as well as sugar composition and individual amino acids. The change in these attributes indicates the enzyme activity of the malt.
Analytic Torsion of Generic Rank Two Distributions in Dimension Five
Authors: Haller Stefan 
Published: July 2022

AbstractWe propose an analytic torsion for the Rumin complex associated with generic rank two distributions on closed 5-manifolds. This torsion behaves as expected with respect to Poincaré duality and finite coverings. We establish anomaly formulas, expressing the dependence on the sub-Riemannian metric and the 2-plane bundle in terms of integrals over local quantities. For certain nilmanifolds, we are able to show that this torsion coincides with the Ray–Singer analytic torsion, up to a constant.
Will Technology-Aided Creativity Force Us to Rethink Copyright’s Fundamentals? Highlights from the Platform Economy and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Bonadio Enrico , Lucchi Nicola , Mazziotti Giuseppe 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe platform economy, the move towards artificial intelligence (AI) and the growing importance of new creative and transformative technologies such as 3D printing raise questions as to whether copyright law suffices in its present form. Our article argues that copyright law is malleable enough to fulfil some of its traditional functions in this new technology-aided (and technology-dominated) environment. However, certain adjustments and complementary instruments seem to be necessary to revitalise these functions. For example, moral rights could be more effectively harmonised at international level, and made more easily enforceable, to reflect the global reach of social media and to protect their essential reputational value in a digital economy that prioritises online exposure over remuneration opportunities. We also consider that creators’ rights are difficult, if not impossible, to license and enforce in an environment where contractual practices such as social media terms and conditions impose standard agreements that either do not compensate creators at all or compensate them only marginally. In this context, restoring the bargaining power of creators through the right of access to the platforms’ data seems to have become as important as copyright itself. Finally, doubts remain as to whether requirements such as authorship and originality can continue to apply and trigger copyright protection. To this end, we believe that the distinction between fully generative machines and other technologies that merely assist human creators is essential for the proper identification of “authorless” works. For such works we advocate the adoption of a very short right that would support computational creativity without stifling human ingenuity.
Forensic applications of micro-computed tomography: a systematic review
Authors: Franchetti Giorgia , Viel Guido , Fais Paolo , Fichera Giulia , Cecchin Diego , Cecchetto Giovanni , Giraudo Chiara 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this systematic review was to provide a comprehensive overview of micro-CT current applications in forensic pathology, anthropology, odontology, and neonatology.

Methods
A bibliographic research on the electronic databases Pubmed and Scopus was conducted in the time frame 01/01/2001–31/12/2021 without any language restrictions and applying the following free-text search strategy: “(micro-computed tomography OR micro-CT) AND (forensic OR legal)”. The following inclusion criteria were used: (A) English language; (B) Application of micro-CT to biological and/or non-biological materials to address at least one forensic issue (e.g., age estimation, identification of post-mortem interval). The papers selected by three independent investigators have been then classified according to the investigated materials.

Results
The bibliographic search provided 651 records, duplicates excluded. After screening for title and/or abstracts, according to criteria A and B, 157 full-text papers were evaluated for eligibility. Ninety-three papers, mostly (64) published between 2017 and 2021, were included; considering that two papers investigated several materials, an overall amount of 99 classifiable items was counted when referring to the materials investigated. It emerged that bones and cartilages (54.55%), followed by teeth (13.13%), were the most frequently analyzed materials. Moreover, micro-CT allowed the collection of structural, qualitative and/or quantitative information also for soft tissues, fetuses, insects, and foreign materials.

Conclusion
Forensic applications of micro-CT progressively increased in the last 5 years with very promising results. According to this evidence, we might expect in the near future a shift of its use from research purposes to clinical forensic cases.
Diagnostica genetica dell’infertilità maschile: nuovi approcci
Authors: Calogero Aldo E. , La Vignera Sandro , Condorelli Rosita A. 
Published: July 2022

SommarioL’infertilità maschile, caratterizzata dall’alterazione dei parametri spermatici convenzionali e/o biofunzionali, viene riscontrata, da sola o in associazione con quella femminile, in circa il 50% dei casi di infertilità di coppia. Una causa genetica si riscontra in circa il 15% dei pazienti con azoospermia o oligozoospermia. Nonostante un approccio diagnostico approfondito, si stima però che la causa dell’infertilità rimane sconosciuta in una grande percentuale dei partner maschili delle coppie infertili. Recentemente, alcune evidenze hanno suggerito l’esistenza di nuove cause genetiche responsabili di alterazioni della spermatogenesi. Lo scopo di questa Rassegna è quello di valutare le evidenze relative alle alterazioni della spermatogenesi di natura genetica, rivedendo i dati disponibili sia nei modelli animali che nell’uomo. I dati di tale revisione della letteratura ci hanno permesso di suggerire l’uso di un pannello che comprende oltre 60 geni nell’iter diagnostico dei pazienti con alterazioni dei parametri spermatici di natura idiopatica. Alcuni di questi geni sembrerebbero associarsi a uno specifico quadro istologico testicolare. Se confermate, queste evidenze potrebbero in futuro avere un ruolo importante nell’iter decisionale relativo alla gestione del paziente infertile.
A privacy-preserving student status monitoring system
Authors: Wu Haopeng , Lu Zhiying , Zhang Jianfeng 
Published: July 2022

AbstractTimely feedback of students’ listening status is crucial for teaching work. However, it is often difficult for teachers to pay attention to all students at the same time. By leveraging surveillance cameras in the classroom, we are able to assist the teaching work. However, the existing methods either lack the protection of students’ privacy, or they have to reduce the accuracy of success, because they are concerned about the leakage of students’ privacy. We propose federated semi-supervised class assistance system to evaluate the listening status of students in the classroom. Rather than training the semi-supervised model in a centralized manner, we train a semi-supervised model in a federated manner among various monitors while preserving students’ privacy. We also formulate a new loss function according to the difference between the pre-trained initial model and the expected model to restrict the training process of the unlabeled data. By applying the pseudo-label assignment method on the unlabeled data, the class monitors are able to recognize the student class behavior. In addition, simulation and real-world experimental results demonstrate that the performance of the proposed system outperforms that of the baseline models.
Scoping Bullying and Cyberbullying Victimisation Among a Sample of Gifted Adolescents in Ireland
Authors: Laffan Derek A. , Slonje Robert , Ledwith Catriona , O’Reilly Colm , Foody Mairéad 
Published: July 2022

AbstractResearch has indicated that gifted adolescents experience an increased amount of bullying and cyberbullying compared to their non-gifted peers. However, there has not been a sufficient attempt to investigate the extent of bullying and cyberbullying victimisation among gifted adolescent populations in Ireland. A total of 195 gifted adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18 years completed a comprehensive online survey assessing the bullying and cyberbullying prevalence, wellbeing, indicative mental health, and friendship quality outcomes. The results showed considerably higher prevalence rates of bullying and cyberbullying victimisation among gifted adolescents compared to an all-Ireland national prevalence rate. Bullying and cyberbullying victimisation was associated with higher levels of negative outcomes. Females, LGBTI + , and twice-exceptional participants scored significantly lower on satisfaction with life and significantly higher on negative outcomes compared to other gifted participants. The results are discussed alongside recommendations for anti-bullying policies and teacher education provisions.
Cystatin C as Predictor of Long-Term Mortality in Elderly: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tanto Chris , Bawazier Lucky Aziza , Marbun Maruhum Bonar Hasiholan , Rizka Aulia , Renaldi Kaka 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Prediction of mortality in growing aged population will offer several benefits for health sector. Cystatin C, which has long been known as biomarker to more accurately evaluate glomerular filtration rate in elderly, has also been shown to predict mortality from several studies. Studies regarding its predictive ability were vastly varied, and there has not been systematic review to examine its ability in predicting long-term mortality in elderly population. This study aimed to evaluate cystatin C performance as predictor for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among elderly population. A systematic review of prospective cohort studies was performed. Literature searching was done in major databases such as PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, EBSCOhost, and ProQuest. Manual searching was also performed. Inclusion criteria were studies involving elderly age 65 or older, cystatin C serum levels available, all-cause mortality as outcome, and 5-year minimum of follow-up. Study selection was performed according to PRISMA algorithm. Newcastle–Ottawa scale for cohort study was used to assess primary studies’ quality and risk of bias. Study results were presented in descriptive tables and forest plot. Initial searching revealed 609 hits with 12 studies eligible for the review: five studies evaluated all-cause mortality, three studies evaluated cardiovascular mortality, and four studies evaluated both. Meta-analysis showed that high cystatin C levels are increasing risk of long-term all-cause mortality [(HR: 1.74 (95% CI: 1.48–2.04); p < 0.0001)] and cardiovascular mortality [HR: 2.01 (95% CI: 1.63–2.47); p < 0.0001)]. The prognostic ability of cystatin C was considerably moderate [AUC 0.70 (95% CI: 0.68–0.72); p = 0.02]. Cystatin C was able to predict long-term mortality in elderly population.
Biochar and organic substitution improved net ecosystem economic benefit in intensive vegetable production
Authors: Bi Ruiyu , Zhang Qianqian , Zhan Liping , Xu Xintong , Zhang Xi , Dong Yubing , Yan Xiaoyuan , Xiong Zhengqin 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBiochar amendment and substituting chemical fertilizers with organic manure (organic substitution) have been widely reported to increase crop production and decrease reactive nitrogen (Nr) loss including nitrous oxide (N2O), nitric oxide (NO), and ammonia (NH3) emissions, and N runoff and leaching. However, few comprehensive evaluations have been performed on the environmental and economic aspects of biochar amendment or organic substitution. Here, we studied the comprehensive effects of biochar amendment, organic substitution, and biochar amendment combined with organic substitution on crop production, Nr loss, and net ecosystem economic benefit (NEEB) in intensive vegetable production by integrating life-cycle assessment for Nr footprints, empirical models for NH3 volatilization and N runoff and leaching derived from peer-reviewed publications and validated by the current measurements and direct field measurement for N2O and NO emissions during 5 consecutive years of vegetable crop rotations. Five fertilization treatments were applied (SN: synthetic fertilizer application; SNB: SN plus 20 t ha−1 biochar amendment; SNM: substituting 50% of chemical N fertilizer with organic manure; SNMB: SNM plus 20 t ha−1 biochar amendment; and CK: no fertilizer or biochar addition). Compared with the SN, the SNB increased vegetable yield (28.4%, p < 0.05; interannually varying from − 10 to 74.9%) and nitrogen use efficiency (29.2%, interannually varying from − 39.7 to 150.4%), and decreased field Nr loss (45.4%, p < 0.01; interannually varying from − 40.3 to 78.4%), and thus improved NEEB by 7.1%; meanwhile, the SNM increased vegetable yield (11.6%, interannually varying from − 5.4 to 27.1%) and nitrogen use efficiency (45.7%, p < 0.05; interannually varying from 2.3 to 154%), reduced field Nr loss (34.9%, p < 0.01; interannually varying from 8.4–39.0%), and thus improved NEEB by 17.8% (p < 0.05) compared to the SN, being 56.0 × 103 Chinese Yuan (CNY) ha−1 crop−1. Due to the high foreground Nr loss during organic manure production and high input costs of biochar production, the SNMB decreased the NEEB by 8.0% as compared to the SN. Moreover, the SNB and SNM improved vegetable qualities by increasing protein, soluble sugar, and vitamin C contents while decreasing nitrate content (p < 0.05). Therefore, single application of biochar amendment or organic substitution would achieve better NEEB and product quality in vegetable production.
Graphical Abstract
A Linearized Mathematical Formulation for Combined Centralized and Distributed Waste Water Treatment Network Design
Authors: Broukos Pantelis , Fragkogios Antonios , Shah Nilay 
Published: July 2022

AbstractWaste water treatment (WWT) is a very important issue affecting both the environment and public health in the twenty-first century. The increasing earth’s population together with the growing urbanism leads to the need of redesigning effective WWT. In this paper, the problem of optimal Waste Water Treatment Network Design (WWTND) is addressed. To this end, various parameters affecting the problem have been taken into consideration, such as the distance between the residential areas and the treatment plants, estimations for future population of towns and costs of expanding existing network or building a new one. The last parameter of cost has a lot of components (pipeline cost, treatment plant cost, etc.), all of which are non-linear functions depending on the amount of waste water produced and treated within the network. The authors have developed a mathematical model for the solution of WWTND problem and have applied piecewise linearization in order to deal with the non-linear terms. The developed model has been implemented on an area in Luxemburg, for which data were collected. The results prove the model’s validity and usefulness, while its solution is computationally affordable.