bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kidney biopsy adequacy and complications in children — does technique matter?
Authors: Pettit Chen , Kanagaratnam Roshana , Coughlan Finbarr , Graf Nicole , Hahn Deirdre , Durkan Anne 
Published: April 2022

AbstractKidney biopsy is part of the diagnostic workup of many children with renal disease. Traditionally, a perpendicular approach to the biopsy has been used, but more recently, some proceduralists have favoured a tangential approach. It is not clear if one technique is superior with regards to tissue adequacy or complication rates. In our centre, interventional radiologists (IR) use general anaesthetic and a tangential approach, whereas paediatric nephrologists (PN) use sedation and a perpendicular approach. We examined consecutive native kidney biopsies performed between January 2008 and December 2017 for adequacy (sufficient tissue for light and electron microscopy and immunofluorescence) and examined the electronic medical records for data regarding technique and complications. IR performed 72 (29%) of the 245 native kidney biopsies, obtaining more total glomeruli (median 39 vs 16, p < 0.001) and more glomeruli per tissue core (median 13 vs 8, p < 0.001) than PN. No differences in specimen adequacy were observed between the two groups (79% IR vs 81% PN, p = 0.75) and a diagnosis could be made in 99% and 94% respectively (p = 0.1). A statistically lower rate of peri-nephric haematoma (28% vs 42%, p = 0.04) was detected in the IR group, but there were no significant differences in other complications. One patient required a blood transfusion (PN) and another required surgical intervention for a perinephric haematoma (IR).Conclusion: IR obtained larger samples and number of glomeruli, but the overall adequacy for native kidney biopsies was good using both perpendicular and tangential techniques, with low rates of significant complications.

What is Known:• Kidney biopsy is integral to the diagnostic work-up of many children with kidney disease.• Kidney biopsy is a safe procedure with well-established complications in a minority of children.

What is New:• Interventional radiologists had higher biopsy yield than paediatric nephrologists, possibly due to the tangential approach.• Biopsy adequacy rates are high using both techniques and provided a diagnosis in over 95% of cases.
Genomics and justice: mitigating the potential harms and inequities that arise from the implementation of genomics in medicine
Authors: Clarke A. J. , van El C. G. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAdvances in human genetics raise many social and ethical issues. The application of genomic technologies to healthcare has raised many questions at the level of the individual and the family, about conflicts of interest among professionals, and about the limitations of genomic testing. In this paper, we attend to broader questions of social justice, such as how the implementation of genomics within healthcare could exacerbate pre-existing inequities or the discrimination against social groups. By anticipating these potential problems, we hope to minimise their impact. We group the issues to address into six categories: (i) access to healthcare in general, not specific to genetics. This ranges from healthcare insurance to personal behaviours. (ii) data management and societal discrimination against groups on the basis of genetics. (iii) epigenetics research recognises how early life exposure to stress, including malnutrition and social deprivation, can lead to ill health in adult life and further social disadvantage. (iv) psychiatric genomics and the genetics of IQ may address important questions of therapeutics but could also be used to disadvantage specific social or ethnic groups. (v) complex diseases are influenced by many factors, including genetic polymorphisms of individually small effect. A focus on these polygenic influences distracts from environmental factors that are more open to effective interventions. (vi) population genomic screening aims to support couples making decisions about reproduction. However, this remains a highly contentious area. We need to maintain a careful balance of the competing social and ethical tensions as the technology continues to develop.
The impact of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic on work-related accidents in Austria in 2020
Authors: Huber Dominikus , Frank Roland , Crevenna Richard 
Published: April 2022

Summary
Background
This study aims to investigate the impact of the lockdowns during the COVID-19 (Corona-Virus-Disease 19) pandemic in Austria on work-related accidents in the year 2020. Apart from the lockdowns, multiple work-related measures were introduced in 2020, such as the new law on short-term work and regulation on accidents during home-office. Their combined effects on work-related accidents are unknown and a secondary parameter of this study.

Methods
Daily data on the number of accepted and rejected cases of work-related accidents from the Allgemeine Unfallversicherungsanstalt were obtained for the years 2019 and 2020. Based on data provided by the World Health Organization and government publications, the beginning and end dates of national hard and soft lockdown periods were derived. From this database, a difference-in-differences regression analysis on the absolute number of daily work-related accidents was conducted.

Results
On average 272.3 work-related accidents per day were registered in 2019 and 199.4 in 2020, a statistically significant reduction of 72.9 accidents per day and total decrease of 26,164 less accidents compared to 2019. Both lockdowns had a statistically highly significant effect on work-related accidents: The hard lockdown reduced the average number of daily registered work-related accidents by 40%. The light lockdown phases reduced this number by an average of 51%. Weekends and holidays had the greatest impact on work-related accidents with a reduction of 69% and 73%, respectively.

Conclusion
Both lockdown qualities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria led to a significant reduction in work-related accidents for their duration. These findings merit further investigation with more detailed data on sectors and injury-quality.
Analysis and optimization of a Caco-2 cell culture model for infection with human norovirus
Authors: Pohl Clara , Szczepankiewicz Grit , Liebert Uwe Gerd 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHuman noroviruses (hNoVs) are an important cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. However, the lack of a reproducible in vitro cell culture system has impaired research and the development of preventive measures, therapeutic drugs, and vaccines. The aim of this study was to analyze and optimize a suitable cell line for in vitro cultivation of hNoV. The Caco-2 cell line, which is of colorectal origin and differentiates spontaneously into intestinal enterocyte-like cells, was chosen as a model. It was found that differentiated cells were more susceptible to infection with hNoV, resulting in a higher virus yield. This was accompanied by an increase in H type 1 antigen in the cell membrane during differentiation, which functions as an attachment factor for hNoV. Induced overexpression of H type 1 antigen in undifferentiated Caco-2 cells resulted in an increase in viral output to a level similar to that in differentiated cells. However, the relatively low level of viral output, which contrasts with what is observed in vivo, shows that the viral replication cycle is restricted in this model. The results indicate that there is a block at the level of viral release.
Patent portfolios and firms’ technological choices
Authors: Comino Stefano , Manenti Fabio M. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIn many industrial sectors, firms amass large patent portfolios to reinforce their bargaining position with competitors. In a context where patents have a pure strategic nature, we discuss how the presence and effectiveness of a patent system affect the technology decisions of firms. Specifically, we present a game where firms choose whether to agglomerate (i.e. develop technologies for the same technological territory) or to separate (i.e. develop technologies for different territories) prior to taking their patenting decisions. We show that strong patents may distort technology choices causing firms to follow inefficient technology trajectories in an attempt to reduce their competitors’ patenting activity. We also discuss how such distortions change when a firm is prevented from obtaining its optimal number of patents.
The effect of citrate in cardiovascular system and clot circuit in critically ill patients requiring continuous renal replacement therapy
Authors: Trakarnvanich Thananda , Sirivongrangson Phatadon , Trongtrakul Konlawij , Srisawat Nattachai 
Published: April 2022

AbstractWe aimed to evaluate the impact of citrate on hemodynamic responses and secondary outcomes, including the filter life span, metabolic complications, and levels of inflammatory cytokines, in critically ill patients who required CRRT compared with those who underwent the heparin-free method. This prospective, multicenter, open-label randomized trial compared regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) with a heparin-free protocol in severe acute kidney injury (AKI) patients who received continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) in the postdilution mode. We measured hemodynamic changes using the FloTrac Sensor/EV1000™ Clinical Platform at certain time points after starting CRRT (0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h.). The levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-ɑ) were measured on days 1 and 3. Forty-one patients were recruited and randomized into the heparin (n = 20) and citrate groups (n = 21). The cardiac performances were not significantly different between the 2 groups at any time point. The inflammatory cytokines declined similarly in both treatment arms. The maximum filter survival time was insignificantly longer in the RCA group than in the heparin-free group (44.64 ± 26.56 h. vs p = 0.693 in citrate and heparin free group). No serious side effects were observed for either treatment arm, even in the group of liver dysfunction patients. RCA did not affect hemodynamic changes during CRRT. Inflammatory cytokines decreased similarly in both treatment arms.The filter life span was longer in the citrate group. RCA is a valid alternative to traditional anticoagulation and results in stable hemodynamic parameters.
Changes in tidal asymmetry in the German Wadden Sea
Authors: Hagen Robert , Winter Christian , Kösters Frank 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The recent morphological development of the German Wadden Sea (North Sea, Europe) has been characterized by expanding intertidal flats and deepening, narrowing tidal channels at declining subtidal volume. This study analyzes the effect of these changes on tidal asymmetry, based on numerical modeling with high-resolution bathymetry data, and discusses possible adaptations of the import and export behavior in intertidal systems. As common descriptors of tidal asymmetry may show a high spatial variability in bathymetrically complex intertidal systems, we develop a novel subregion averaging approach for a more robust trend estimation. Our data reveal a statistically significant decrease in flood and flood current duration in the period from 1996 to 2016 resulting in declining flood dominance or enhanced ebb dominance in most tidal basins of the German Wadden Sea. Mean and peak current asymmetry also indicate significant decreases in mean flood current magnitude. We relate decreasing flood dominance mostly to local bathymetric volume changes rather than tidal amplitude. However, it appears likely that the sum of local effects facilitates the adaptation of regional tidal dynamics which affects especially the northern German Bight. This regional shift is explained by the deceleration of rising tides due to increased friction on laterally expanded intertidal flats and decreased subtidal channel volume. The decrease in flood or increase in ebb dominance, respectively, indicates that the recent trend of sediment accretion in Wadden Sea areas may cease soon.
A new membrane formulation for modelling the flow of stomatocyte, discocyte, and echinocyte red blood cells
Authors: Karandeniya D. M. W. , Holmes D. W. , Sauret E. , Gu Y. T. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIn this work, a numerical model that enables simulation of the deformation and flow behaviour of differently aged Red Blood Cells (RBCs) is developed. Such cells change shape and decrease in deformability as they age, thus impacting their ability to pass through the narrow capillaries in the body. While the body filters unviable cells from the blood naturally, cell aging poses key challenges for blood stored for transfusions. Therefore, understanding the influence RBC morphology and deformability have on their flow is vital. While several existing models represent young Discocyte RBC shapes well, a limited number of numerical models are developed to model aged RBC morphologies like Stomatocytes and Echinocytes. The existing models are also limited to shear and stretching simulations. Flow characteristics of these morphologies are yet to be investigated. This paper aims to develop a new membrane formulation for the numerical modelling of Stomatocyte, Discocytes and Echinocyte RBC morphologies to investigate their deformation and flow behaviour. The model used represents blood plasma using the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) and the RBC membrane using the discrete element method (DEM). The membrane and the plasma are coupled by the Immersed Boundary Method (IBM). Previous LBM-IBM-DEM formulations represent RBC membrane response based on forces generated from changes in the local area, local length, local bending, and cell volume. In this new model, two new force terms are added: the local area difference force and the local curvature force, which are specially incorporated to model the flow and deformation behaviour of Stomatocytes and Echinocytes. To verify the developed model, the deformation behaviour of the three types of RBC morphologies are compared to well-characterised stretching and shear experiments. The flow modelling capabilities of the method are then demonstrated by modelling the flow of each cell through a narrow capillary. The developed model is found to be as accurate as benchmark Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) approaches while being significantly more computationally efficient.
Analysis of structure from motion and airborne laser scanning features for the evaluation of forest structure
Authors: Rodríguez-Vivancos Alejandro , Manzanera José Antonio , Martín-Fernández Susana , García-Cimarras Alba , García-Abril Antonio 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAirborne Laser Scanning (ALS) is widely extended in forest evaluation, although photogrammetry-based Structure from Motion (SfM) has recently emerged as a more affordable alternative. Return cloud metrics and their normalization using different typologies of Digital Terrain Models (DTM), either derived from SfM or from private or free access ALS, were evaluated. In addition, the influence of the return density (0.5–6.5 returns m-2) and the sampling intensity (0.3–3.4%) on the estimation of the most common stand structure variables were also analysed. The objective of this research is to gather all these questions in the same document, so that they serve as support for the planning of forest management. This study analyses the variables collected from 60 regularly distributed circular plots (r = 18 m) in a 150-ha of uneven-aged Scots pine stand. Results indicated that both ALS and SfM can be equally used to reduce the sampling error in the field inventories, but they showed differences when estimating the stand structure variables. ALS produced significantly better estimations than the SfM metrics for all the variables of interest, as well as the ALS-based normalization. However, the SfM point cloud produced better estimations when it was normalized with its own DTM, except for the dominant height. The return density did not have significant influence on the estimation of the stand structure variables in the range studied, while higher sampling intensities decreased the estimation errors. Nevertheless, these were stabilized at certain intensities depending on the variance of the stand structure variable.
PRINS: scalable model inference for component-based system logs
Authors: Shin Donghwan , Bianculli Domenico , Briand Lionel 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBehavioral software models play a key role in many software engineering tasks; unfortunately, these models either are not available during software development or, if available, quickly become outdated as implementations evolve. Model inference techniques have been proposed as a viable solution to extract finite state models from execution logs. However, existing techniques do not scale well when processing very large logs that can be commonly found in practice. In this paper, we address the scalability problem of inferring the model of a component-based system from large system logs, without requiring any extra information. Our model inference technique, called PRINS, follows a divide-and-conquer approach. The idea is to first infer a model of each system component from the corresponding logs; then, the individual component models are merged together taking into account the flow of events across components, as reflected in the logs. We evaluated PRINS in terms of scalability and accuracy, using nine datasets composed of logs extracted from publicly available benchmarks and a personal computer running desktop business applications. The results show that PRINS can process large logs much faster than a publicly available and well-known state-of-the-art tool, without significantly compromising the accuracy of inferred models.
Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Integration in Business: Trends from a Bibliometric-Content Analysis
Authors: Kumar Satish , Lim Weng Marc , Sivarajah Uthayasankar , Kaur Jaspreet 
Published: April 2022

AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain are the two disruptive technologies emerging from the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) that have introduced radical shifts in the industry. The amalgamation of AI and blockchain holds tremendous potential to create new business models enabled through digitalization. Although research on the application and convergence of AI and blockchain exists, our understanding of the utility of its integration for business remains fragmented. To address this gap, this study aims to characterize the applications and benefits of integrated AI and blockchain platforms across different verticals of business. Using bibliometric analysis, this study reveals the most influential articles on the subject based on their publications, citations, and importance in the intellectual network. Using content analysis, this study sheds light on the subject’s intellectual structure, which is underpinned by four major thematic clusters focusing on supply chains, healthcare, secure transactions, and finance and accounting. The study concludes with 10 application areas in business that can benefit from these technologies.
Novel cryoballoon to isolate pulmonary veins in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: long-term outcomes in a multicentre clinical study
Authors: Martin Andrew , Fowler Marina , Breskovic Toni , Ouss Alexandre , Dekker Lukas , Yap Sing-Chien , Bhagwandien Rohit , Albrecht Elizabeth M. , Cielen Nele , Richards Elizabeth , Tran Binh C. , Lever Nigel , Anic Ante 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Background
Recently, a novel cryoballoon ablation catheter has demonstrated acute safety and efficacy in de novo pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). However, there are limited studies demonstrating the long-term efficacy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of this novel cryoballoon in treating PAF.

Methods
This was a non-randomized, prospective, multicentre study enrolling 58 consecutive patients. Cryoablation was delivered for 180 s if time to isolation was ≤ 60 s. Otherwise a 240-s cryoablation was performed. One centre performed pre- and post-ablation high-density mapping (n = 9) to characterize lesion formation. After a 3-month blanking period, recurrence was defined as having any documented, symptomatic episode(s) of AF or atrial tachycardia. All patients were followed for 1 year.

Results
Acute PVI was achieved in 230 of 231 pulmonary veins (99.6%) with 5.3 ± 1.6 cryoablations per patient (1.3 ± 0.7 cryoablations per vein). Forty-three (77%) patients remained arrhythmia-free at 1-year follow-up. Four patients (6.9%) experienced phrenic nerve injury (3 resolved during the index procedure; 1 resolved at 6 months). One serious adverse device event was reported: femoral arterial embolism event occurring 2 weeks post-index procedure. For patients who underwent high-density mapping, cryoablation was antral with 50% of the posterior wall ablated.

Conclusions
Initial multicentre clinical experience with a novel cryoballoon has demonstrated safety and efficacy of PVI in patients with PAF. Ablation with this cryoballoon provides a wide, antral lesion set with significant debulking of the posterior wall of the left atrium.
An integrated modeling scheme for characterizing 3D hydrogeological heterogeneity of the New Jersey shelf
Authors: Thomas Ariel T. , von Harten Jan , Jusri Tomi , Reiche Sönke , Wellmann Florian 
Published: April 2022

AbstractContinental shelves around the globe are hosts to vast reservoirs of offshore freshened groundwater. These systems show considerable complexity, often as a function of the geological heterogeneity. Data needed to characterise these systems are often sparse, and numerical models rely on generalized simplifications of the geological environment. In order to improve our understanding of these systems, it is necessary to implement modelling approaches that can produce large-scale geologically representative models using sparse data. We present an interdisciplinary stochastic modelling workflow incorporating borehole data, 2D depth-migrated seismic profiles, seismic attributes, and prior knowledge of the depositional setting. We generate a conditioned Gaussian field of porosity on the New Jersey shelf. We also perform a petrophysical conversion to a corresponding permeability distribution. The model dimensions are 134 km × 69 km × 1.7 km, with an adjustable resolution that can be adapted for process-based models of flow and solute transport. The integrated approach successfully translates small-scale porosity variations to a shelf-scale model that honors key characteristics of the New Jersey shelf wave-dominated depositional environment. The model was generated using open-source packages. All data and code to reproduce the complete workflow are provided along with this study so the model can be reproduced at any resolution for further studies of continental shelf processes offshore New Jersey.