bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcranial direct current stimulation in neglect rehabilitation after stroke: a systematic review
Authors: González-Rodriguez B. , Serradell-Ribé N. , Viejo-Sobera R. , Romero-Muñoz J. P. , Marron Elena M. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractHemispatial neglect is one of the most frequent attention disorders after stroke. The presence of neglect is associated with longer hospital stays, extended rehabilitation periods, and poorer functional recovery. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a new technique with promising results in neglect rehabilitation; therefore, the objective of this systematic review, performed following the PRISMA guidelines, is to evaluate the effectiveness of tDCS on neglect recovery after stroke. The search was done in MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and BioMed Central databases. A total of 311 articles were found; only 11 met the inclusion criteria, including 152 post-stroke patients in total. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed for all the studies, and methodological characteristics of the studies, sample sizes, methods, main results, and other relevant data were extracted. tDCS intervention ranged from one to twenty sessions distributed in 1 day to 4 weeks, with intensity ranged from 1 to 2 mA. We found moderate evidence for the efficacy of tDCS in the rehabilitation of hemispatial neglect after a stroke, being more effective in combination with other interventions. Nonetheless, the limited number of studies and some studies' design characteristics makes it risky to draw categorical conclusions. Since scientific evidence is still scarce, further research is needed to determine the advantage of this treatment in acute, sub-acute and chronic stroke patients. Future studies should include larger samples, longer follow-ups, and broader neurophysiological assessments, with the final aim of establishing the appropriate use of tDCS as an adjuvant intervention in neurorehabilitation settings.
Machine learning techniques for prediction of multiple sclerosis progression
Authors: Branco Dario , Martino Beniamino di , Esposito Antonio , Tedeschi Gioacchino , Bonavita Simona , Lavorgna Luigi 
Published: September 2022

AbstractPatients afflicted by multiple sclerosis experience a relapsing-remitting course in about 85% of the cases. Furthermore, after a 10/15-year period their situation tends to worse, resulting in what is considered the second phase of multiple sclerosis. While treatments are now available to reduce the symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease, the administration of drugs must be adapted to the course of the disease, and predicting relapsing periods and the worsening of the symptoms can greatly improve the outcome of the treatment. For this reason, indicators such as the patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been largely used to support early diagnosis and prediction of future relapsing periods in patients affected by multiple sclerosis. However, such indicators are insufficient, as the prediction they provide is often not accurate enough. In this paper, machine learning techniques have been applied to data obtained from clinical trial, in order to improve the prediction capabilities and provide doctors with an additional instrument to evaluate the clinical situation of patients. After the application of correlation indicators and the use of principal component analysis for the reduction of the dimensionality of the feature space, classification algorithms have been applied and compared, in order to identify the best suiting one for our purposes. After the application of re-balance algorithms, the accuracy of the machine learning-based prediction system reaches 79%, demonstrating the capability of the framework to correctly predict future progression of disability.
Effect of MBT on landfill behavior: an Italian case study
Authors: Amato Alessia , Magi Galluzzi Lorenzo , Beolchini Francesca 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBad choices in municipal waste (MW) management cause negative effects on sustainability. Evolving regulation has identified prevention and recycling as the best strategies; nevertheless, disposal in landfilling sites plays an essential role since a complete zero-waste scenario is not realistic, currently. Nowadays, policies require a preliminary waste stabilization to decrease the putrescible content. Therefore, mechanical biological treatment (MBT) has replaced the previous crushing, aimed at simple volume reduction. Literature has proved the effectiveness of MBT when MW collection system is ineffective. The present paper considered a facility in an area with a high-performance MW collection system. A long-term (1999–2019) on-site sampling allowed the comparison between two sites of the facility: the old site (before the MBT activation) and the new area, where the stabilized waste is disposed of. Monitoring of biogas, leachate (analyzed parameters: pH, BOD5, COD, ammonia-nitrogen) and odorous emissions was performed to verify the effect of the stabilization process. The considered long period and the on-site sampling support the relevance of the results, compared to the available literature, often referred to as laboratory scale. The results proved the relatively low benefit of stabilization at the considered facility, which cannot justify the energy consumption of MBT.
Breaking the Cycle of Marginalization: How to Involve Local Communities in Multi-stakeholder Initiatives?
Authors: Eikelenboom Manon , Long Thomas B. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWhile the benefits of including local communities in multi-stakeholder initiatives have been acknowledged, their successful involvement remains a challenging process. Research has shown that large business interests are regularly over-represented and that local communities remain marginalized in the process. Additionally, little is known about how procedural fairness and inclusion can be managed and maintained during multi-stakeholder initiatives. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate how marginalized stakeholders, and local communities in particular, can be successfully involved during the course of a multi-stakeholder initiative. An action research approach was adopted where the first author collaborated with a social housing association on an initiative to involve the local community in the design and implementation of circular economy approaches in a low-income neighbourhood. This study contributes to the multi-stakeholder initiative literature by showing that the successful involvement of marginalized stakeholders requires the initiators to continuously manage a balance between uncertainty–certainty, disagreement–agreement and consensus- and domination-based management strategies. Furthermore, our study highlights that factors which are regularly treated as challenges, including uncertainty and disagreement, can actually play a beneficial role in multi-stakeholder initiatives, emphasizing the need to take a temporally sensitive approach. This study also contributes to the circular economy literature by showing how communities can play a bigger role than merely being consumers, leading to the inclusion of a socially oriented perspective which has not been recognized in the previous literature.
Glycyrrhizin and boswellic acids, the golden nutraceuticals: multitargeting for treatment of mild–moderate COVID-19 and prevention of post-COVID cognitive impairment
Authors: Gomaa Adel A. , Abdel-Wadood Yasmin A. , Gomaa Mohamed A. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBreakthrough infections have been reported in fully vaccinated persons. Furthermore, rebound symptoms have been reported following the new FDA granted emergency use to combat SARS-CoV-2. Glycyrrhizin (GR) and boswellic acids (BAs) combination has been shown to have highly successful actions against COVID-19 in our recent clinical trial. However, the study is limited by the small sample size, and therefore, the aim of this article is to comprehensively evaluate recent evidence on the efficacy of GR and BAs in preventing the development of COVID-19 in patients with mild and moderate infections and in preventing post-COVID-19 cognitive impairment, which is the most important symptom after recovery from Covid-19 disease. We have reviewed and discussed information published since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic until July 2022 on preclinical (in vivo, in vivo and bioinformatics) and clinical studies related to the antiviral, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity of Gr and BAs. Sixteen studies were performed to determine the efficacy of GR against SARS-CoV-2. Ten studies were used primarily for in vitro and in vivo assays and six used molecular docking studies. However, the antiviral activity of BAs against SARS-CoV-2 was determined in only five studies using molecular modeling and bioinformatics. All these studies confirmed that GR n and BAs have strong antiviral activity and can be used as a therapeutic agent for COVID-19 and as a protective agent against SARS-CoV-2. They may act by inhibiting the main protease SARS-CoV-2 (Mpro) responsible for replication and blocking spike protein-mediated cell entry. Only seven rigorously designed clinical trials regarding the usefulness of GR, BAs or their combinations in the treatment of COVID-19 have been published as of July 2022. Although there is no clinical study regarding the treatment of cognitive impairment after COVID-19 that has been published so far, several preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the potential effect of GR and BAs in the prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment by inhibiting the activity of several molecules that activate inflammatory signaling pathway. In conclusion, the findings of our study documented the beneficial use of GR and BAs to treat SARS-CoV-2 and its variants and prevent post-COVID cognitive impairment. However, it warrants further studies with a larger randomized sample size to ensure that the studies have sufficient evidence of benefits against COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 symptoms.
The role of customers’ awareness towards the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of banks on their behavior
Authors: Stauropoulou Athanasia , Sardianou Eleni , Malindretos George , Evangelinos Konstantinos , Nikolaou Ioannis 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Banks and sustainable development have lately gone hand in hand. Of late, banks have focused on sustainable management in order to improve their environmental footprint, to eliminate financial risks, to promote social issues, and to exploit new opportunities. The sustainable development management of organizations attracts new customers over and above conventional institutions thus leading to greater market share and increased revenues. This paper aims to examine if and how sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted by banking institutions play a role in customers’ decisions and behavior. The way that banks, SDGs, and sustainable image affect customer behavior, attitudes, trust, loyalty, satisfaction, and perceived fair pricing policy is assessed. To this end, 1084 questionnaires were collected and the PLS-SEM method was utilized. The findings show a positive relationship between the stance of banks relating to SDGs and customer trust, loyalty, and perceived fair pricing policy. Finally, the SDGs adopted by banks are an important strategic tool which strengthens relationship with their customers.
The role of epistemic emotions in undergraduate students’ proof construction
Authors: Schubert Sandra , Pekrun Reinhard , Ufer Stefan 
Published: September 2022

AbstractProofs as epistemic tools are central to mathematical practice, as they establish and provide explanations for the validity of mathematical statements. Considering the challenge that proof construction poses to learners of all ages, prior research has investigated its cognitive determinants, but the impact of affective-motivational experiences on proof construction has been insufficiently investigated. Emotions related to knowledge acquisition (i.e., epistemic emotions) are assumed to play a key role in epistemic processes. In this study we investigated how the performance of 80 mathematics undergraduate students in a geometric proof construction task relates to the epistemic emotions experienced during proof construction. Controlling for geometry knowledge, we included control and value appraisals as antecedents in our investigation of epistemic emotions, and attention and motivation as mediators of their effects on proof construction performance. The results indicate that positive as well as negative emotions are influenced by students’ appraisals, also indicating an interaction of both appraisal dimensions. Primarily enjoyment and curiosity mediate the effects of these appraisals on attention and motivation. These two markers of the proof construction process, in turn, mediate the effects of enjoyment and boredom on proof construction performance. In this study we investigated systematically the role of epistemic emotions in geometric proof construction and we offer insights that complement the existing research on the cognitive determinants of proof performance. Moreover, this study extended research on epistemic emotions into the area of proof construction, an epistemic process central to mathematics.
The exploration of a ‘model’ for understanding the contribution of emotion regulation to students learning. The role of academic emotions and sense of coherence
Authors: Karagiannopoulou Evangelia , Desatnik Alex , Rentzios Christos , Ntritsos Georgios 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe present study is exploring a pathway connecting emotion regulation with academic progress. Specifically, the pattern through which emotion regulation is implicated in learning and academic progress through academic emotions and sense of coherence. This cross-sectional study involves of 406 undergraduate social science students recruited from a university in western Greece. Participants anonymously and voluntarily completed a number of self-report measures. The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, the Sense of Coherence Scale, the Student Experience of Emotions Inventory and the Approaches to Learning and Studying Inventory, were used to measure emotion regulation, sense of coherence, academic emotional experiences and approaches to learning, respectively. Α four-stage model was tested with structural equation modelling techniques. In particular, the model examined associations between emotion regulation, sense of coherence, academic emotions, approaches to learning and academic progress. The analysis revealed pathways through which these associations appear to be maintained and driven by emotion regulation. Emotion regulation is associated with students’ academic emotions that in turn are linked with approaches to learning and academic progress. Both positive and negative emotions appear to play a role in enabling an adaptive approach to learning. Moreover, sense of coherence may serve as an important meta-cognitive factor enabling students to approach the learning process more effectively. The findings are discussed in the light of the recent literature.
German fishery’s adaptation to historic events, Western Baltic Sea, 1890–1950
Authors: Schacht Karoline , Voss Rudi 
Published: September 2022

AbstractMarine social-ecological systems (SES) have been providing important cultural, social, and economic services for many centuries. They are, however, increasingly threatened by fast changing environmental, ecological, and socio-economic conditions. As historical marine research is increasingly developing into a multidisciplinary endeavour, it offers outstanding points of departure to analyse historic events and the response and adaptation of the respective SES. Such knowledge helps to inform today’s fisheries management and promotes successful management of changing ecosystems. Here, we compile and analyse historical data (1890–1950) of the German Western Baltic Sea fishery SES. This period is characterised by a series of strong impacts due to political, technological, economic, and ecological changes, such as two world wars, a global economic crisis, and other economic or ecological disasters. In our opinion, potential negative effects of those events were in the past attenuated by the system’s high capacity to adapt. However, most of the fishers´ historic options on how to respond and adapt have recently become no longer available. New threats (e.g. climate change) have emerged instead. We conclude that today’s fisheries management needs to integrate options of adaptation by exhausting all present or future opportunities. Adaptive fisheries management should not only focus on environmental change but need to include socio-economic change as well.
Assessment of COVID -19 associated coagulopathy and multiple hemostatic markers: a single center study in Egypt
Authors: Abdelaal Azza , Abu-Elfatth Ahmed , Bakkar Lamees M. , El-Azeem Hanan G. Abd , Hetta Helal F. , Badawy Eman R. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Coagulopathy is still a serious pattern of coronavirus-19 disease. We aimed to evaluate COVID-19-associated coagulopathy and multiple hemostatic markers in Egyptian patients. In addition, to assess coagulation acute phase reactants and its effect on the outcome.

Methods
The study included 106 COVID-19 patients, and 51 controls. All patients were positive for COVID-19 infection by nasopharyngeal swab for detection of viral RNA by real-time PCR. In addition to baseline data and radiological findings, the coagulation profile was done with special attention to Fibrinogen, d-dimer, Factor VIII, von Willebrand factor (VWF), Protein C, Protein S, Antithrombin III (ATIII) and Lupus anticoagulant (LA)-1 and 2.

Results
The results showed significantly higher VWF, d-dimer, and LA1 (screening) and LA2 (confirmation) in patients than a control group. Significantly higher d-dimer FVIII, VWF and LA1-2 were detected in the severe group. ATIII had high diagnostic accuracy in severity prediction. We found a significantly higher international randomized ratio (INR) and VWF among patients with thrombotic events. For prediction of thrombosis; VWF at cutoff > 257.7 has 83.3% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity.

Conclusion
Patients with COVID-19 infection are vulnerable to different forms of coagulopathy. This could be associated with poor outcomes. d-Dimer is a chief tool in diagnosis, severity evaluation but not thrombosis prediction. Early screening for this complication and its proper management would improve the outcome.
Nonlinear Markov chains with finite state space: invariant distributions and long-term behaviour
Authors: Neumann Berenice Anne 
Published: September 2022

AbstractNonlinear Markov chains with finite state space were introduced by Kolokoltsov (Nonlinear Markov Processes and Kinetic Equations, 2010). The characteristic property of these processes is that the transition probabilities depend not only on the state, but also on the distribution of the process. Here we provide first results regarding their invariant distributions and long-term behaviour: we show that under a continuity assumption an invariant distribution exists and provide a sufficient criterion for the uniqueness of the invariant distribution. Moreover, we present examples of peculiar limit behaviour that cannot occur for classical linear Markov chains. Finally, we present for the case of small state spaces sufficient (and easy-to-verify) criteria for the ergodicity of the process.
Spleen as an organ at risk in adjuvant chemoradiotherapy for gastric cancer: a retrospective dosimetric study
Authors: Velu Umesh , Shetty Preethi S. , Sharan Krishna , Salins Shirley , Singh Anshul 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Introduction:
This study aimed to determine the radiation dose to the spleen in adjuvant chemoradiotherapy for gastric cancer, resulting in haematological toxicities.

Methods:
This retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was conducted at a tertiary referral cancer centre. All patients with biopsy-proven non-metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma planned for adjuvant chemoradiotherapy from January 2017 to December 2021 were included. The mean dose to the spleen (Dmean) was estimated and correlated with the development of haematological toxicities.

Results:
The mean spleen volume was 186·65 cc. The Dmean to the spleen was 35·35 Gy (20–42 Gy). Grade 3 leukopenia was observed in 67%, grade 4 in 15%, and grade 3 thrombocytopenia was noted in 41% of patients. Radiotherapy (RT) dose > 35·5 Gy to the spleen resulted in ≥ grade 3 leukopenia. RT dose ≥ 36·5 Gy resulted in grade 3 thrombocytopenia. The occurrence of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia was also affected by the location of the primary gastric cancer (higher incidence in distal than in proximal tumours).

Conclusion:
The spleen should be considered as an important organs at risk during adjuvant RT for gastric cancer. Dmean to the spleen should be < 35·5 Gy to prevent major haematological toxicities.
Analysis of Magmatic Crystal Destruction by Backscattered Electron Imaging
Authors: Sturm Robert 
Published: September 2022

Abstract:
After their crystallization from magmatic melt, minerals such as accessory zircon are often subject to different kinds of chemical impairment. This includes the radiation-induced damage of the crystal lattice due to the incorporation of radioactive elements (U, Th) and the dissolution of the mineral structure due to the permanent action of aggressive fluid phases. Both phenomena can be best studied by using specific crystal sections and electron microscopy visualization techniques (backscattered electron imaging, BSEI). Crystal damage by the emission of α-particles corresponds to a continuous transformation of the regularly structured lattice into an amorphous mass. Mineral dissolution is expressed by the formation of specific corrosion pits, which may be refilled by recrystallized material.
Hygroscopicity and CCN Activity of Water‐Soluble Extracts From the Arctic Aerosols in Winter to Early Summer
Authors: Kawana Kaori , Kawamura Kimitaka , Fu Pingqing , Barrie Leonard A. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe hygroscopicity and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity of water‐soluble extracts from Arctic lower tropospheric aerosols during winter to summer were investigated under sub‐ and super‐saturated conditions, with chemical composition and air mass origin. The κ values from the hygroscopic growth factor at 80%–90% relative humidity (κHTDMA) during winter, spring, and summer were 0.34 ± 0.06, 0.41 ± 0.05, and 0.25 ± 0.02, respectively, whereas those derived from CCN activation diameter at 0.29%–0.59% supersaturation (κCCNC) were 0.42 ± 0.03, 0.43 ± 0.05, and 0.34 ± 0.11, respectively. The hygroscopicity and CCN activity showed clear seasonal variations following changes in composition that are linked to natural, anthropogenic, and biogenic sources. During winter and spring, κ was high when highly hygroscopic components such as sea salts, sulfate, and highly‐oxidized/aged particles were dominant due to long‐range atmospheric transport and photochemical reactions. In contrast, κ was significantly lower in summer when water‐insoluble (22%) and water‐soluble organic matter (OM) (17%) were dominated with high biogenic activity associated with ice‐edge zones. The κCCNC and κHTDMA values agreed well within 8% and the surface tension agreed with that of pure water within 10%. The κ for OM (κOM) estimated from chemical composition during spring and summer was on average 0.04 ± 0.06 (up to ∼0.17). This result suggests that highly hygroscopic components such as sea salt and sulfate mainly controlled particle hygroscopicity and CCN activity in winter, but water‐soluble OM could also contribute in spring and summer.