bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiopulmonary testing in adult patients with β-thalassemia major in comparison to healthy subjects
Authors: Piatti G. , Giuditta M. , Consonni D. , Cassinerio E. , Cappellini M. D. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
β-Thalassemia patients often have a reduced capacity of exercise and abnormal respiratory function parameters, but the reasons are unclear. In order to identify the causes of the exercise limitation, we performed a cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in a group of 54 adult β-thalassemia major (TM) patients without pulmonary arterial hypertension and in a group of healthy control subjects. All subjects underwent cardiac echocardiography and carried out pulmonary function tests. TM patients also filled an IPAQ questionnaire on usual physical activity (PA).Overall, TM patients have a diminished exercise performance in comparison to control subjects. In fact, peak oxygen uptake (V’O2 peak), expressing maximum exercise capacity, was decreased in 81.5% of the patients; similarly, anaerobic threshold (V’O2@AT) and O2 pulse also resulted lowered. In multivariable regression models adjusted for gender, age, BMI, and mean haemoglobin, V’O2 peak and O2 pulse were positively associated with cardiac iron overload (T2*). No ventilatory limitation to exercise was observed. The most important causes of exercise limitation in these patients were muscular deconditioning and reduced cardiac inotropism due to iron deposition. Only 15/54 (27.8%) TM patients used to perform vigorous physical activity. These results suggest that a program of regular physical activity may be useful to increase the tolerance to effort and therefore to improve the quality of life in these patients.
New inflammatory indicators for cell-based liquid biopsy: association of the circulating CD44+/CD24− non-hematopoietic rare cell phenotype with breast cancer residual disease
Authors: Schreier Stefan , Budchart Prapaphan , Borwornpinyo Suparerk , Arpornwirat Wichit , Lertsithichai Panuwat , Chirappapha Prakasit , Triampo Wannapong 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Breast cancer residual disease assessment in early-stage patients has been challenging and lacks routine identification of adjuvant therapy benefit and objective measure of therapy success. Liquid biopsy assays targeting tumor-derived entities are investigated for minimal residual disease detection, yet perform low in clinical sensitivity. We propose the detection of CD44−related systemic inflammation for the assessment of residual cancer.

Methods
Circulating CD44+/CD45− rare cells from healthy, noncancer- and cancer-afflicted donors were enriched by CD45 depletion and analyzed by immuno-fluorescence microscopy. CD44+ rare cell subtyping was based on cytological feature analysis and referred to as morphological index. AUC analysis was employed for identification of the most cancer-specific CD44+ subtype.

Results
The EpCam−/CD44+/CD24−/CD71−/CD45−/DNA+ phenotype alludes to a distinct cell type and was found frequently at concentrations below 5 cells per 5 mL in healthy donors. Marker elevation by at least 5 × on average was observed in all afflicted cohorts. The positive predicted value for the prediction of malignancy-associated systemic inflammation of a CD44+ rare cell subtype with a higher morphological index was 87%. An outlook for the frequency of sustained inflammation in residual cancer may be given to measure 78%.

Conclusion
The CD44+ rare cell and subtype denotes improvement in detection of residual cancer disease and may provide an objective and alternative measure of disease burden in early-stage breast cancer.
Soft Skills and STEM Education: Vision of the European University EURECA-PRO
Authors: Villán-Vallejo Ainhoa , Zitouni Abir , García-Llamas Paula , Fernández-Raga María , Suárez-Corona Adriana , Baelo Roberto 
Published: September 2022

AbstractScience, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines play an increasingly important role in the current socio-economic context. Higher education systems are working to equip students with the appropriate skills and competencies to cope with current demands and, in particular, to join a labour market strongly informed by STEM disciplines. Many such skills are non-disciplinary and are known as transversal or soft skills. Soft skills, including interpersonal and socio-emotional skills, are highly sought after in the labour market. These skills not only reflect personal abilities but also draw on concepts, such as social responsibility, creativity, ethics, and emotional intelligence. The European University on Responsible Consumption and Production (EURECA-PRO) seeks to foster soft skills development in our activities and curricula.
$${\mathcal{H}}$$-matrix approximability of inverses of FEM matrices for the time-harmonic Maxwell equations
Authors: Faustmann Markus , Melenk Jens Markus , Parvizi Maryam 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe inverse of the stiffness matrix of the time-harmonic Maxwell equation with perfectly conducting boundary conditions is approximated in the blockwise low-rank format of $${\mathcal{H}}$$
H
-matrices. Under a technical assumption on the mesh, we prove that root exponential convergence in the block rank can be achieved, if the block structure conforms to a standard admissibility criterion.
Cyclic compression of sands at constant stress ratio—experimental investigations and constitutive modelling
Authors: Carow Christian , Rackwitz Frank 
Published: September 2022

AbstractSeveral constitutive models for sands are based on an additive split of the effective stress rate into two terms. One term accounts for the deviatoric stress ratio $$\varvec{r}$$

r

, the other for the mean effective stress $${p}$$
p
. While sophisticated techniques are available to account for monotonic and cyclic variations of $$\varvec{r}$$

r

, the $${p}$$
p
term is usually treated by means of rather rudimentary constitutive mechanisms. In particular, no plasticity sand model seems to exist whose functions take into account cyclic changes of $${p}$$
p
in a realistic manner. However, cyclic changes of $${p}$$
p
frequently occur in geotechnical boundary value problems and can cause irrecoverable deformation in non-cohesive soils. Present sand models significantly under- or overestimate these deformations. This issue is tackled in the paper. First, results from a comprehensive series of triaxial tests on Toyoura Sand are presented. The samples were loaded with cyclic changes of $${p}$$
p
at constant stress ratio in order to study the effects of mean effective stress variations exclusively. The test results show that the samples accumulate significant irrecoverable strains throughout successive loading cycles. The results furthermore allow to investigate the effects of pressure level, pressure amplitude, stress ratio level and density on the strain evolution. Second, new constitutive functions for an existing Bounding Surface Plasticity model are proposed in the paper. They are intended to improve the simulation results obtained with the model for monotonic and cyclic changes of $${p}$$
p
at constant stress ratio. The extended model is then carefully calibrated and validated using the experimental data from the triaxial tests. The results of the validation prove that the new constitutive functions have the desired effect.
Evidence on percutaneous radiofrequency and microwave ablation for liver metastases over the last decade
Authors: Tomita Koji , Matsui Yusuke , Uka Mayu , Umakoshi Noriyuki , Kawabata Takahiro , Munetomo Kazuaki , Nagata Shoma , Iguchi Toshihiro , Hiraki Takao 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Purpose
This review aimed to summarize the treatment outcomes of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) for metastatic liver tumors based on the findings of published studies over the last decade.

Materials and methods
Literature describing the survival outcomes of ablation therapy for liver metastases was explored using the PubMed database on April 26, 2022, and articles published in 2012 or later were selected. The included studies met the following criteria: (i) English literature, (ii) original clinical studies, and (iii) literature describing overall survival (OS) of thermal ablation for metastatic liver tumors. All case reports and cohort studies with fewer than 20 patients and those that evaluated ablation for palliative purposes were excluded.

Results
RFA was the most commonly used method for ablation, while MWA was used in several recent studies. RFA and MWA for liver metastases from various primary tumors have been reported; however, majority of the studies focused on colorectal cancer. The local control rate by RFA and MWA varied widely among the studies, ranging approximately 50–90%. Five-year survival rates of 20–60% have been reported following ablation for colorectal liver metastases by a number of studies, and several reports of 10-year survival rates were also noted.

Conclusion
Comparative studies of local therapies for colorectal liver metastases demonstrated that RFA provides comparable survival outcomes to surgical metastasectomy and stereotactic body radiation therapy.
A new genus, Rockhausenia (Compositae: Senecioneae: Senecioninae)
Authors: Hind D. J. Nicholas 
Published: September 2022

SummaryWerneriaKunth (Compositae: Senecioneae: Senecioninae) was effectively lectotypified by Rockhausen based onWerneria rigida. Two later lectotypifications have apparently been made, firstly (presumably by Cabrera)W. graminifoliaand secondly (presumably by Funk)W. nubigena, yet theIndex Nominum Genericorumwebsite has no type stated. In removingW. rigidato the then newly recognisedXenophylllum, Funk moved Rockhausen’s type thereby creating a superfluous generic synonym. All species that Funk recognised inXenophyllumare thus wernerias in the nomenclatural sense. Two species ofXenophyllumdescribed since Funk’s revision are transferred toWerneria:X. funkianumandX. lorochaqui. The remainder of the species ofWerneriaare here placed in the new genusRockhausenia(Compositae: Senecioneae: Senecioninae), a generitype is selected, and the corresponding 27 combinations are made at species level; the relevant subgeneric and sectional combinations are also made with two subgenera recognised, one with three sections. The confusion surrounding the generic nameOresigoniais commented on. A nomenclator of all relevant names inRockhausenia,WerneriaandXenophyllum, is provided.
Behavior of Precast Segmental Beams Made of High-strength Concrete and Ultra-high Performance Fiber Concrete Connected by Shear Keys Technique
Authors: Elsamak Galal , Salama Magdy I. , Hamoda Ahmed 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe segments of the precast concrete beams can be assembled by joints have interlaced shear keys. This paper presents an experimental and numerical study of ten samples, six of them were tested under the influence of direct shear; these samples represent reinforced and non-reinforced shear keyed joints made of high-strength concrete (HSC) and ultra-high performance fiber concrete (UHPFC) under the influence of different levels of confining stress. In addition, four beams were tested under the influence of bending, two of them are unconnected control beams made of HSC and UHPFC, and the other two beams are precast segmented and were assembled using reinforced shear keyed joints of the same joints tested under direct shear. All the details of the shear keyed joints are fixed in all samples and they are dry non-epoxy joints, the external prestressing technique was used. Also, Abaqus program was used for numerical modeling of all samples that were tested in the experimental program using the 3D solid element model. The success of the modeling process was verified by comparing the experimental and numerical results as the results of the relationship between load and displacement and also the failure pattern. From the experimental and numerical study, it was found that by reinforcing the shear keys and/or by increasing the confining stress of the joints made of HSC and UHPFC, the shear capacity of the joints is increased. If the value of the used confining stress is constant at a value of 3 N/mm2 and by reinforcing the shear keys with reinforcement, the maximum load increases by 18% and 48%, respectively, than its non-reinforced counterparts joints. It was also found that by increasing the confining stress of the reinforced shear keyed joints from 3 N/mm2 to 6 N/mm2, the maximum load value is increased by 18% and 16%, for HSC and UHPFC shear keyed joints, respectively.
Bioinspired Injectable Self-Healing Hydrogel Sealant with Fault-Tolerant and Repeated Thermo-Responsive Adhesion for Sutureless Post-Wound-Closure and Wound Healing
Authors: Liang Yuqing , Xu Huiru , Li Zhenlong , Zhangji Aodi , Guo Baolin 
Published: September 2022

AbstractHydrogels with multifunctionalities, including sufficient bonding strength, injectability and self-healing capacity, responsive-adhesive ability, fault-tolerant and repeated tissue adhesion, are urgently demanded for invasive wound closure and wound healing. Motivated by the adhesive mechanism of mussel and brown algae, bioinspired dynamic bonds cross-linked multifunctional hydrogel adhesive is designed based on sodium alginate (SA), gelatin (GT) and protocatechualdehyde, with ferric ions added, for sutureless post-wound-closure. The dynamic hydrogel cross-linked through Schiff base bond, catechol-Fe coordinate bond and the strong interaction between GT with temperature-dependent phase transition and SA, endows the resulting hydrogel with sufficient mechanical and adhesive strength for efficient wound closure, injectability and self-healing capacity, and repeated closure of reopened wounds. Moreover, the temperature-dependent adhesive properties endowed mispositioning hydrogel to be removed/repositioned, which is conducive for the fault-tolerant adhesion of the hydrogel adhesives during surgery. Besides, the hydrogels present good biocompatibility, near-infrared-assisted photothermal antibacterial activity, antioxidation and repeated thermo-responsive reversible adhesion and good hemostatic effect. The in vivo incision closure evaluation demonstrated their capability to promote the post-wound-closure and wound healing of the incisions, indicating that the developed reversible adhesive hydrogel dressing could serve as versatile tissue sealant.
A dynamic flow model mimicking duodenoscope reprocessing after bacterial contamination for translational research
Authors: Heuvelmans Maarten , Woudstra Willem , Wunderink Herman F. , Monkelbaan Jan F. , van der Mei Henny C. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Objective:
Duodenoscopy-associated infections and outbreaks are reported globally despite strict adherence to duodenoscope reprocessing protocols. Therefore, new developments in the reprocessing procedure are needed.

Design:
We evaluated a novel dynamic flow model for an additional cleaning step between precleaning and manual cleaning in the reprocessing procedure.

Methods:
A parallel plate flow chamber with a fluorinated ethylene propylene bottom plate was used to mimic the duodenoscope channels. The flow chamber was inoculated with a suspension containing Klebsiella pneumoniae to simulate bacterial contamination during a duodenoscopic procedure. After inoculation the flow chamber was flushed with a detergent mimicking precleaning. Subsequently the flow chamber was subjected to different interventions: flow with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), flow with 2 commercial detergents, flow with sodium dodecyl sulfate with 3 different concentrations, and flow with microbubbles. Adhering bacteria were counted using phase-contrast microscopy throughout the experiment, and finally, bacterial viability was assessed.

Results:
During precleaning both PBS and 1% (v/v) Neodisher Mediclean Forte were able to desorb bacteria, but neither proved superior. After precleaning only sodium dodecyl sulfate could desorb bacteria.

Conclusions:
Flushing during precleaning is an essential step for reducing adhering luminal bacteria, and sodium dodecyl sulfate is a promising detergent for bacterial desorption from duodenoscope channels after precleaning.
How teams adapt to exogenous shocks: Experimental evidence with node knockouts of central members
Authors: Edgerton Jared F. , Cranmer Skyler J. , Finomore Victor 
Published: September 2022

AbstractResearchers have found that although external attacks, exogenous shocks, and node knockouts can disrupt networked systems, they rarely lead to the system’s collapse. Although these processes are widely understood, most studies of how exogenous shocks affect networks rely on simulated or observational data. Thus, little is known about how groups of real individuals respond to external attacks. In this article, we employ an experimental design in which exogenous shocks, in the form of the unexpected removal of a teammate, are imposed on small teams of people who know each other. This allows us to causally identify the removed individual’s contribution to the team structure, the effect that an individual had on those they were connected, and the effect of the node knockout on the team. At the team level, we find that node knockouts decrease overall internal team communication. At the individual level, we find that node knockouts cause the remaining influential players to become more influential, while the remaining peripheral players become more isolated within their team. In addition, we also find that node knockouts may have a nominal influence on team performance. These findings shed light on how teams respond and adapt to node knockouts.
The effect of various automatic cluster removal switch-point settings on milking and overmilking duration and total, peak and overmilking claw vacuum in dairy cows
Authors: Vermaak Pieter , Petzer Inge-Marie , Dzidic Alen , Karzis Joanne 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThis research communication describes the effect of three automatic cluster removal (ACR) switch-point settings on machine-on time, overmilking duration, and the mean, peak-flow and overmilking vacuums. The objective was to reduce the overmilking and milking time, attaining a lower mean claw vacuum during overmilking. In a randomised experiment, 25 cows were subjected to three ACR switch-point settings at flow rates of 0.840 kg/min, 0.630 kg/min and 0.504 kg/min each for 15 morning-milkings. Pre-milking preparations and cow comfort were observed and evaluated, showing evidence that the switch-point setting of 0.840 kg/ml denoted the least proportion of behavioural problems (1.1% ± 0.6) compared to the settings at 0.640 kg/ml (16.0% ± 2.2) and 0.504 kg/ml (9.4% ± 1.7). A VaDia device (Biocontrol) determined the machine-on time and vacuum levels at the claw, mouthpiece and pulsator chamber. The machine-on time varied from 290 ± 72.8 (mean ± sd) to 289 ± 64.4 and 303 ± 66.3 for the 0.840, 0.630 and 0.504 kg/min settings, respectively. Overmilking was shortened by 29.3% and 26.4% and the claw vacuum during overmilking was reduced by 3.7 kPa and 4.3 kPa when using the 0.840 kg/min switch-point setting, compared to the others. An increased cluster-removal milk flow threshold reduced both overmilking and vacuum level during overmilking, lowering the risk of teat damage. Adapting ACR switch-point settings offers a valuable opportunity to increase parlour efficiency and cow comfort in dairy herds.
Do Private Equity Managers Raise Funds on (Sur)real Returns? Evidence from Deal-Level Data
Authors: Hüther Niklas 
Published: September 2022

AbstractRecent studies on agency problems in private equity fueled the suspicion that fund managers strategically manipulate performance estimates around fundraising times. While these studies use aggregated portfolio data, this paper offers the first analysis of “window dressing” in private equity based on deal-level performance. In contrast to previous findings of a smoking gun at the fund level, I do not find any evidence of inflated performance at the deal level. Fund performance peaks are driven by a cohort effect whereby late investments are made under pressure before fundraising and have lower returns than those made earlier in the fund’s life.
The dubious precision and utility of heritability estimates
Authors: Heine Steven J. , Dar-Nimrod Ilan 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Uchiyama et al. question heritability estimates in a convincing manner. We offer additional arguments to further bolster their claims, highlighting methodological issues in heritability coefficients' derivation, their misuse in various contexts, and their potential contributions to exacerbating common erroneous intuitions that have been shown to lead to deleterious social phenomena. We conclude that science should move away from using them.
Changes in heritability: Unpredictable and of limited use
Authors: Downes Stephen M. , Kaplan Jonathan Michael 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
We argue that heritability estimates cannot be used to make informed judgments about the populations from which they are drawn. Furthermore, predicting changes in heritability from population changes is likely impossible, and of limited value. We add that the attempt to separate human environments into cultural and non-cultural components does not advance our understanding of the environmental multiplier effect.
Hidden clusters beyond ethnic boundaries
Authors: Velilla Alejandro Peréz , Moser Cody J. , Smaldino Paul E. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Hidden cluster problems can manifest when broad ethnic categories are used as proxies for cultural traits, especially when traits are assumed to encode cultural distances between groups. We suggest a granular understanding of cultural trait distributions within and between ethnic categories is fundamental to the interpretation of heritability estimates as well as general behavioral outcomes.
There is no such thing as culture-free intelligence
Authors: Lupyan Gary 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Cognitive scientists and psychometricians are unaccustomed to thinking about culture, often treating their measures – memory, vocabulary, intelligence – as natural kinds. Relying on these measures, behavioral geneticists likewise seem to not wonder about their origin and cultural provenance. I argue that complex human traits – the sort we are most interested in measuring – are cultural products. We can measure them and their heritability, but to conclude that what we have measured is unbound to a time and place is hubris.
Unpackaging cultural variability in behavioral phenotypes
Authors: Fischer Ronald 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
We need better understanding of functional differences of behavioral phenotypes across cultures because cultural evolution (e.g., temporal changes in innovation within populations) is less important than culturally molded phenotypes (e.g., differences across populations) for understanding gene effects. Furthermore, changes in one behavioral domain likely have complex downstream effects in other domains, requiring careful parsing of phenotypic variability and functions.
Cultural evolution may influence heritability by shaping assortative mating
Authors: Zeng Tian Chen , Henrich Joseph 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Uchiyama et al. productively discuss how culture can influence genetic heritability and, by modifying environmental conditions, limit the generalizability of genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Here, we supplement their account by highlighting how recent changes in culture and institutions in industrialized, westernized societies – such as increased female workforce participation – may have increased assortative mating. This alters the distribution of genotypes themselves, increasing heritability and phenotypic variance, and may be detectable using the latest methods.