bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trained to lead: Evidence from industrial research
Authors: Gagliardi Luisa , Mariani Myriam
Published: October 2021

Research Summary

This study investigates the importance of early life training for people's leadership roles later in the workplace. We focus on team leaders in industrial research and analyze changes in team leadership after the abandonment of the military draft by the United States in 1973. This policy produced a twofold effect on leadership training opportunities: it eliminated the training provided during the draft and reduced the incentives to pursue long‐term education to defer conscription. Our results show a decrease in the probability of team leadership for men subject to the policy change. This effect, which is likely explained by the education channel, reduces over time. We discuss the implications of our findings for the formation of human capital to fulfill strategic leadership roles.

Managerial Summary

The progressive shift toward team‐based innovation practices puts organizations in need of new leaders. Whether leaders can be trained as such is, however, a controversial topic. We argue that one can learn to become a leader through life‐changing experiences. Our results show that people who undergo pervasive leadership‐enhancing opportunities early in life have higher chances of fulfilling leadership positions later in the workplace. Therefore, our study calls for the provision of early life, inclusive leadership enhancing opportunities to shape leadership attitudes and capabilities. These include formal education, corporate internships, and on‐the‐job training but could also span to other domains, such as political activism, associationism, and sporting activities.
Cobalt‐Based Electrocatalysts as Air Cathodes in Rechargeable Zn–Air Batteries: Advances and Challenges
Authors: Yang Fan , Gao Xingyuan , Xie Jinhao , Liu Xiaoqing , Jiang Jiuxing , Lu Xihong
Published: October 2021

Rechargeable Zn–air batteries (ZABs) are efficient devices for renewable energy conversion and storage. One of the bottlenecks of current ZAB technology lies in the lack of robust and cost‐effective catalysts for effectively driving oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) reactions simultaneously at air electrodes. Owing to the high intrinsic catalytic activity, low cost, and abundant reserves, cobalt (Co)‐based nanomaterials have become one of the most promising bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts. Recently, considerable efforts have been devoted to developing high‐performance ZABs by using Co‐based compounds as cathodes. Herein, the recent progress of Co‐based electrocatalysts in ZABs is covered in four categories, including cobalt chalcogenides, cobalt oxides, Co‐based layered double hydroxides (LDHs), and Co–N–C structures. In each category, synthesis approaches and modification strategies are illustrated, and the structure–performance relationships are discussed. To conclude, a brief summary of current achievements and challenges is provided, and a prospect for future explorations is proposed.
An algorithm for distributed Bayesian inference
Authors: Shyamalkumar Nariankadu D. , Srivastava Sanvesh
Published: October 2021

Monte Carlo algorithms, such as Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) and Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (HMC), are routinely used for Bayesian inference; however, these algorithms are prohibitively slow in massive data settings because they require multiple passes through the full data in every iteration. Addressing this problem, we develop a scalable extension of these algorithms using the divide‐and‐conquer (D&C) technique that divides the data into a sufficiently large number of subsets, draws parameters in parallel on the subsets using a powered likelihood and produces Monte Carlo draws of the parameter by combining parameter draws obtained from each subset. The combined parameter draws play the role of draws from the original sampling algorithm. Our main contributions are twofold. First, we demonstrate through diverse simulated and real data analyses focusing on generalized linear models (GLMs) that our distributed algorithm delivers comparable results as the current state‐of‐the‐art D&C algorithms in terms of statistical accuracy and computational efficiency. Second, providing theoretical support for our empirical observations, we identify regularity assumptions under which the proposed algorithm leads to asymptotically optimal inference. We also provide illustrative examples focusing on normal linear and logistic regressions where parts of our D&C algorithm are analytically tractable.
From England to Italy: The Intriguing Story of Poli’s Engine for the King of Naples
Authors: Esposito Salvatore
Published: October 2021

An interesting, yet unknown episode concerning the effective permeation of the scientific revolution in eighteenth-century Kingdom of Naples (and Italy more generally) is recounted. The intriguing story of James Watt’s steam engine, prepared to serve a Royal Estate of the King of Naples in Carditello, reveals a fascinating piece of the history of that kingdom, as well as an unknown step in the history of Watt’s steam engine, whose final entrepreneurial success for the celebrated Boulton & Watt company was a direct consequence. This story reveals that, contrary to what claimed in the literature, the first introduction in Italy of the most important technological innovation of the eighteenth century did not take place with the construction of the first steamship of the Mediterranean Sea, but rather thirty years before that, thanks to the incomparable work of Giuseppe Saverio Poli, a leading scholar and an influential figure in the Kingdom of Naples. The tragic epilogue of Poli’s engine accounts for its vanishing from historical memory.
Analytical challenges of glycosaminoglycans at biological interfaces
Authors: Szekeres Gergo Peter , Pagel Kevin , Heiner Zsuzsanna
Published: October 2021

The analysis of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) is a challenging task due to their high structural heterogeneity, which results in diverse GAG chains with similar chemical properties. Simultaneously, it is of high importance to understand their role and behavior in biological systems. It has been known for decades now that GAGs can interact with lipid molecules and thus contribute to the onset of atherosclerosis, but their interactions at and with biological interfaces, such as the cell membrane, are yet to be revealed. Here, analytical approaches that could yield important knowledge on the GAG-cell membrane interactions as well as the synthetic and analytical advances that make their study possible are discussed. Due to recent developments in laser technology, we particularly focus on nonlinear spectroscopic methods, especially vibrational sum-frequency generation spectroscopy, which has the potential to unravel the structural complexity of heterogeneous biological interfaces in contact with GAGs, in situ and in real time.

Graphical abstract
Ilizarov technology in China: a historic review of thirty-one years
Authors: Zhu Yue-Liang , Guo Bao-Feng , Zang Jian-Chen , Pan Qi , Zhang Ding-Wei , Peng Yue , Qin Si-He
Published: October 2021

Purpose

To summarize the evolution of Ilizarov technology in China, highlight important milestones, introduce the atmosphere of the era concerning the first uses and development of this technology, and share Chinese modification and experience in this field.

Method

A thorough interview with senior ASAMI members of China and literature search and physical books in libraries was undertaken to summarize the history of Ilizarov technology in China.

Results

The formal development of Ilizarov technology began when professor Ilizarov himself came to Beijing (1991) and gave a speech. In the following 31 years, his technology was rapidly developed through China, with many symposiums held and associations established including ASAMI China (2003) and ILLRS China (2015). Today, Ilizarov technology has become the main treatment of complex fractures, defects, nonunion, infections, deformities, and chronic ischemic ulcers of the limbs. In those years, Chinese scholars also developed some special treatment methods and made many modifications to Ilizarov external fixators.

Conclusion

Ilizarov technology has developed in China for 31 years. It revolutionized the treatment of complex limb traumas, deformities, and diseases. In the treatment of millions of patients, Chinese scholars had many unique experiences and made modifications to this technology which is worthy to share with the world.
Farm-Level Effects of Emissions Tax and Adjustable Drainage on Peatlands
Authors: Purola Tuomo , Lehtonen Heikki
Published: October 2021

Drained agricultural peatlands emit significantly higher amounts of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per hectare than mineral soils. GHG abatement costs for representative cereals (CF) and dairy (DF) farms in southwestern Finland were estimated by integrating an emission-based tax together with an option to invest in a subsidized adjustable drainage system on peat soils in a farm-level dynamic optimization model. With an average 10% share of peat soils from overall farm area, emissions tax rates over 15 (CF) and 19 (DF) €/tCO2e triggered adjustable drainage investments with a significant reduction in GHG emissions per ha, when assuming no crop-yield effect from the adjustable drainage. Abatement costs for emissions tax rates €12–50/tCO2e/ha were €16–44/tCO2e (CF) and €26–51/tCO2e (DF) for whole farm-soil emissions, depending on the share of peatlands on the farm, on the yield effects of adjustable drainage, and on crop prices. High emissions tax rates imply higher abatement costs since farms have a limited capability to adjust their production and land use. Thus, emissions reductions from peatlands can be achieved at reasonable costs when investing in adjustable drainage on peatlands. The income losses due to emissions tax, however, are high, but they can be compensated for farmers by lumpsum payments independent of their production decisions. Since existing agricultural policies such as the EU CAP system may have limited effectiveness on GHG emissions, the emissions tax and adjustable drainage on peatlands could promote GHG abatement significantly on farms and areas with abundant peatlands.
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment of acute appendicitis in China
Authors: Zheng ZhiXue , Bi Jing Tao , Liu Ya Qi , Cai Xuan
Published: October 2021

Objective

This research aims to analyze the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic on the hospital visits of patients with acute appendicitis.

Methods

The retrospective analysis was designed to look at the treatment of acute appendicitis in the Department of General Surgery in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019–2020). Data was analyzed by the numbers of patients, sex, age, onset time, fever or not, laboratory examination, imaging test, and treatment. And we analyzed the differences between the “pre-COVID group” and “during-COVID group”.

Results

Compared with the year 2019, the number of acute appendicitis patients has diminished substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020), but the number elevated with the control of the pandemic. Even if we did not find the differences of the treatment before and during the pandemic (P = 0.932), the onset time to emergency was significantly longer (P < 0.001), and more patients had showed fever (P < 0.001) during the COVID-19 pandemic. And the total number of white blood cells and C reactive protein level were significantly higher in 2020 than those in 2019 (P = 0.006, 0.003). And the same result was found in patients with appendiceal fecalith (P = 0.047).

Conclusion

During the pandemic of the new coronavirus pneumonia, the number of patients with acute appendix treatment dropped significantly, mainly because it took longer than before, and the condition was more severe. It can be seen that the new coronary pneumonia has a great impact on the patients’ medical treatment behavior, and the active prevention and treatment of the new coronavirus pneumonia is currently an important and urgent issue.
Development and application of a diagnostic and severity scale to grade post-operative pediatric cerebellar mutism syndrome
Authors: Ricci Federica S. , D’Alessandro Rossella , Somà Alessandra , Salvalaggio Anna , Rossi Francesca , Rampone Sara , Gamberini Giorgia , Davico Chiara , Peretta Paola , Cacciacarne Mario , Gaglini Pierpaolo , Pacca Paolo , Pilloni Giulia , Ragazzi Paola , Bertin Daniele , Vallero Stefano G. , Fagioli Franca , Vitiello Benedetto
Published: October 2021

The post-operative pediatric cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS) affects about one-third of children and adolescents following surgical removal of a posterior fossa tumor (PFT). According to the Posterior Fossa Society consensus working definition, CMS is characterized by delayed-onset mutism/reduced speech and emotional lability after cerebellar or 4th ventricle tumor surgery in children, and is frequently accompanied by additional features such as hypotonia and oropharyngeal dysfunction/dysphagia. The main objective of this work was to develop a diagnostic scale to grade CMS duration and severity. Thirty consecutively referred subjects, aged 1–17 years (median 8 years, IQR 3–10), were evaluated with the proposed Post-Operative Pediatric CMS Survey after surgical resection of a PFT and, in case of CMS, for 30 days after the onset (T0) or until symptom remission. At day 30 (T1), CMS was classified into mild, moderate, or severe according to the proposed scale. CMS occurred in 13 patients (43%, 95% C.I.: 25.5–62.6%), with mild severity in 4 cases (31%), moderate in 4 (31%), and severe in 5 (38%). At T1, longer symptom persistence was associated with greater severity (p = 0.01). Greater severity at T0 predicted greater severity at T1 (p = 0.0001). Children with a midline tumor location and those aged under 5 years at diagnosis were at higher risk of CMS (p = 0.025 and p = 0.008, respectively). In conclusion, the proposed scale is a simple and applicable tool for estimating the severity of CMS at its onset, monitoring its course over time, and providing an early prognostic stratification to guide treatment decisions.

What is Known:• Post-operative pediatric Cerebellar Mutism Syndrome (CMS) is a complex phenomenon with a wide spectrum of symptoms that may manifest in children undergoing the resection of a posterior fossa tumor (PFT) and that can result into long-term impairment.

What is New:• This study developed and pilot-tested an easily applicable diagnostic and severity scale to grade the duration and the severity of symptoms of the CMS.• The proposed scale was found to be a sensitive instrument to identify even mild CMS presentations.• By scoring not only the duration but also the severity of symptoms the scale allows a more accurate prognostic stratification for an optimal planning of clinical and rehabilitative interventions.
Therapeutic plasma exchange in children with acute liver failure (ALF): is it time for incorporation into the ALF armamentarium?
Authors: Alexander Emma C. , Deep Akash
Published: October 2021

Paediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is a rare but devastating condition with high mortality. An exaggerated inflammatory response is now recognised as pivotal in the pathogenesis and prognosis of ALF, with cytokine spill from the liver to systemic circulation implicated in development of multi-organ failure associated with ALF. With advances in medical management, especially critical care, there is an increasing trend towards spontaneous liver regeneration, averting the need for emergency liver transplantation or providing stability to the patient awaiting a graft. Hence, research is ongoing for therapies, including extracorporeal liver support devices, that can bridge patients to transplant or spontaneous liver recovery. Considering the immune-related pathogenesis and inflammatory phenotype of ALF, plasma exchange serves as an ideal liver assist device as it performs both the excretory and synthetic functions of the liver and, in addition, works as an immunomodulatory therapy by suppressing the early innate immune response in ALF. After a recent randomised controlled trial in adults demonstrated a beneficial effect of high-volume plasma exchange on clinical outcomes, this therapy was incorporated in European Association for the Study of Liver (EASL) recommendations for managing adult patients with ALF, but no guidelines exist for PALF. In this review, we discuss rationale, timing, practicalities, and existing evidence regarding the use of plasma exchange as an immunomodulatory treatment in PALF. We discuss controversies in delivery of this therapy as an extracorporeal device, and practicalities of use of plasma exchange as a ‘hybrid’ therapy alongside other extracorporeal liver assist devices, before finally reviewing outstanding research questions for the future.
Multi-view dual attention network for 3D object recognition
Authors: Wang Wenju , Cai Yu , Wang Tao
Published: October 2021

The existing view-based 3D object classification and recognition methods ignore the inherent hierarchical correlation and distinguishability of views, making it difficult to further improve the classification accuracy. In order to solve this problem, this paper proposes an end-to-end multi-view dual attention network framework for high-precision recognition of 3D objects. On one hand, we obtain three feature layers of query, key, and value through the convolution layer. The spatial attention matrix is generated by the key-value pairs of query and key, and each feature in the value of the original feature space branch is assigned different importance, which clearly captures the prominent detail features in the view, generates the view space shape descriptor, and focuses on the detail part of the view with the feature of category discrimination. On the other hand, a channel attention vector is obtained by compressing the channel information in different views, and the attention weight of each view feature is scaled to find the correlation between the target views and focus on the view with important features in all views. Integrating the two feature descriptors together to generate global shape descriptors of the 3D model, which has a stronger response to the distinguishing features of the object model and can be used for high-precision 3D object recognition. The proposed method achieves an overall accuracy of 96.6% and an average accuracy of 95.5% on the open-source ModelNet40 dataset, compiled by Princeton University when using Resnet50 as the basic CNN model. Compared with the existing deep learning methods, the experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves state-of-the-art performance in the 3D object classification accuracy.
Decoding neurobiological spike trains using recurrent neural networks: a case study with electrophysiological auditory cortex recordings
Authors: Szabó Péter , Barthó Péter
Published: October 2021

Recent advancements in multielectrode methods and spike-sorting algorithms enable the in vivo recording of the activities of many neurons at a high temporal resolution. These datasets offer new opportunities in the investigation of the biological neural code, including the direct testing of specific coding hypotheses, but they also reveal the limitations of present decoder algorithms. Classical methods rely on a manual feature extraction step, resulting in a feature vector, like the firing rates of an ensemble of neurons. In this paper, we present a recurrent neural-network-based decoder and evaluate its performance on experimental and artificial datasets. The experimental datasets were obtained by recording the auditory cortical responses of rats exposed to sound stimuli, while the artificial datasets represent preset encoding schemes. The task of the decoder was to classify the action potential timeseries according to the corresponding sound stimuli. It is illustrated that, depending on the coding scheme, the performance of the recurrent-network-based decoder can exceed the performance of the classical methods. We also show how randomized copies of the training datasets can be used to reveal the role of candidate spike-train features. We conclude that artificial neural network decoders can be a useful alternative to classical population vector-based techniques in studies of the biological neural code.
Constraints on the $$\varLambda $$-Neutron Interaction from Charge Symmetry Breaking in the $$\mathbf {^4_\Lambda \mathrm{He}}$$ - $$\mathbf {^4_\Lambda \mathrm{H}}$$ Hypernuclei
Authors: Haidenbauer Johann , Meißner Ulf-G. , Nogga Andreas
Published: October 2021

We utilize the experimentally known difference of the $$\varLambda $$
Λ
separation energies of the mirror hypernuclei $${^4_\varLambda \mathrm{He}}$$

Λ
4

He

and $${^4_\varLambda \mathrm{H}}$$

Λ
4

H

to constrain the $$\varLambda $$
Λ
-neutron interaction. We include the leading charge-symmetry breaking (CSB) interaction into our hyperon-nucleon interaction derived within chiral effective field theory at next-to-leading order. In particular, we determine the strength of the two arising CSB contact terms by a fit to the differences of the separation energies of these hypernuclei in the $$0^+$$

0
+

and $$1^+$$

1
+

states, respectively. By construction, the resulting interaction describes all low energy hyperon-nucleon scattering data, the hypertriton and the CSB in $${^4_\varLambda \mathrm{He}}$$

Λ
4

He

-$${^4_\varLambda \mathrm{H}}$$

Λ
4

H

accurately. This allows us to provide first predictions for the $$\varLambda $$
Λ
n scattering lengths, based solely on available hypernuclear data.
Electron carriers involved in autotrophic and heterotrophic acetogenesis in the thermophilic bacterium Thermoanaerobacter kivui
Authors: Katsyv Alexander , Jain Surbhi , Basen Mirko , Müller Volker
Published: October 2021

Thermoanaerobacter kivuiis an acetogenic model organism that reduces CO2with electrons derived from H2or CO, or from organic substrates in the Wood–Ljugdahl pathway (WLP). For the calculation of ATP yields, it is necessary to know the electron carriers involved in coupling of the oxidative and reductive parts of metabolism. Analyses of key catabolic oxidoreductases in cell-free extract (CFE) or with purified enzymes revealed the physiological electron carriers involved. The glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GA3P-DH) assayed in CFE was NAD+-specific, NADP+was used with less than 4% and ferredoxin (Fd) was not used. The methylene-THF dehydrogenase was NADP+-specific, NAD+or Fd were not used. A Nfn-type transhydrogenase that catalyzes reduced Fd-dependent reduction of NADP+with NADH as electron donor was also identified in CFE. The electron carriers used by the potential electron-bifurcating hydrogenase (HydABC) could not be unambiguously determined in CFE for technical reasons. Therefore, the enzyme was produced homologously inT. kivuiand purified by affinity chromatography. HydABC contained 33.9 ± 4.5 mol Fe/mol of protein and FMN; it reduced NADP+but not NAD+. The methylene-THF reductase (MetFV) was also produced homologously inT. kivuiand purified by affinity chromatography. MetFV contained 7.2 ± 0.4 mol Fe/mol of protein and FMN; the complex did neither use NADPH nor NADH as reductant but only reduced Fd. In sum, these analysis allowed us to propose a scheme for entire electron flow and bioenergetics inT. kivui.
The efficacy and safety of a combined multipolar radiofrequency with pulsed electromagnetic field technology for the treatment of vaginal laxity: a double-blinded, randomized, sham-controlled trial
Authors: Wattanakrai Penpun , Limpjaroenviriyakul Nattawan , Thongtan Darin , Wattanayingcharoenchai Rujira , Manonai Jittima
Published: October 2021

Non-invasive vaginal rejuvenation with radiofrequency (RF) and lasers devices have gained popularity, but well-designed studies confirming their effectiveness are lacking. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of a multipolar RF and pulsed electromagnetic field-based device (PEMF) versus sham for vaginal laxity. Thirty-two premenopausal females with ≥ 1 vaginal delivery and self-reported vaginal laxity were randomized into 2 groups: active (RF + PEMF) and sham. Both groups received 3 vaginal treatments at 3-week interval. The Vaginal Laxity Questionnaire (VLQ), perineometer measurements, and Brink score were conducted at baseline, 4, and 12 weeks after treatments. Pre and post-treatment vaginal histology, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), subjects’ satisfaction, pain, and adverse events were assessed. The active group VLQ scores increased and were significantly better than the sham group (p < 0.001). At the final follow-up, 50% of the active group reported no vaginal laxity (VLQ > 4) versus 12% in the sham group (p = 0.054). In the active group, all domains of perineometer measurements and Brink scores (p < 0.001), FSFI scores (p < 0.05), and patients’ satisfaction (p < 0.001) were significantly increased and higher in the active group. Mild adverse effects including pain and burning sensation were not different between groups except for itch which was significantly higher in the sham arm (p = 0.014). Histology after RF + PEMF treatments demonstrated neocollagenesis, neoelastogenesis, and neoangiogenesis. In conclusion, combination RF + PEMF therapy was safe, improved vaginal laxity, strengthened pelvic floor muscles, and improved female sexual function for at least 12-week post-procedures with confirmed histological improvements. This study was registered on the Thai Clinical Trials Registry, TCTR20200803002 on 2020–07-30 “retrospectively registered.”
Opportunities for an African greenhouse gas observation system
Authors: Merbold Lutz , Scholes Robert J. , Acosta Manuel , Beck Johannes , Bombelli Antonio , Fiedler Bjoern , Grieco Elisa , Helmschrot Joerg , Hugo Wim , Kasurinen Ville , Kim Dong-Gill , Körtzinger Arne , Leitner Sonja , López-Ballesteros Ana , Ndisi Mylene , Nickless Aecia , Salmon Emmanuel , Saunders Matthew , Skjelvan Ingunn , Vermeulen Alexander T. , Kutsch Werner L.
Published: October 2021

Global population projections foresee the biggest increase to occur in Africa with most of the available uncultivated land to ensure food security remaining on the continent. Simultaneously, greenhouse gas emissions are expected to rise due to ongoing land use change, industrialisation, and transport amongst other reasons with Africa becoming a major emitter of greenhouse gases globally. However, distinct knowledge on greenhouse gas emissions sources and sinks as well as their variability remains largely unknown caused by its vast size and diversity and an according lack of observations across the continent. Thus, an environmental research infrastructure—as being setup in other regions—is more needed than ever. Here, we present the results of a design study that developed a blueprint for establishing such an environmental research infrastructure in Africa. The blueprint comprises an inventory of already existing observations, the spatial disaggregation of locations that will enable to reduce the uncertainty in climate forcing’s in Africa and globally as well as an overall estimated cost for such an endeavour of about 550 M€ over the next 30 years. We further highlight the importance of the development of an e-infrastructure, the necessity for capacity development and the inclusion of all stakeholders to ensure African ownership.
Sources, fate and distribution of inorganic contaminants in the Svalbard area, representative of a typical Arctic critical environment–a review
Authors: Rudnicka-Kępa Paulina , Zaborska Agata
Published: October 2021

Global environmental changes not only contribute to the modification of global pollution transport pathways but can also alter contaminant fate within the Arctic. Recent reports underline the importance of secondary sources of pollution, e.g. melting glaciers, thawing permafrost or increased riverine run-off. This article reviews reports on the European Arctic–we concentrate on the Svalbard region–and environmental contamination by inorganic pollutants (heavy metals and artificial radionuclides), including their transport pathways, their fate in the Arctic environment and the concentrations of individual elements in the ecosystem. This review presents in detail the secondary contaminant sources and tries to identify knowledge gaps, as well as indicate needs for further research. Concentrations of heavy metals and radionuclides in Svalbard have been studied, in various environmental elements since the beginning of the twentieth century. In the last 5 years, the highest concentrations of Cd (13 mg kg−1) and As (28 mg kg−1) were recorded for organic-rich soils, while levels of Pb (99 mg kg−1), Hg (1 mg kg−1), Zn (496 mg kg−1) and Cu (688 mg kg−1) were recorded for marine sediments. Increased heavy metal concentrations were also recorded in some flora and fauna species. For radionuclides in the last 5 years, the highest concentrations of137Cs (4500 Bq kg−1),238Pu (2 Bq kg−1) and239 + 240Pu (43 Bq kg−1) were recorded for cryoconites, and the highest concentration of241Am (570 Bq kg−1) was recorded in surface sediments. However, no contamination of flora and fauna with radionuclides was observed.
Fatigue crack growth under mixed-mode I + II and I + III in heat treated 42CrMo4 steel
Authors: Duda Monika , Rozumek Dariusz , Lesiuk Grzegorz , Smolnicki Michał , Babiarczuk Bartosz , Warycha Joanna
Published: October 2021

The paper contains the results of an experimental investigation of fatigue crack development under mixed-mode I + II and I + III in heat-treated 42CrMo4 steel. Tests were performed on heat-treated compact tension shear specimens and rectangular cross-section specimens for mixed-mode I + III. Mixed-mode I + II tests were conducted for 30 and 60° loading angle, while the test for I + III mixed-mode was conducted for 30 and 45°. Additionally, the paper presents fracture analysis results of fatigue crack path development.
Radiomics-based prediction of multiple gene alteration incorporating mutual genetic information in glioblastoma and grade 4 astrocytoma, IDH-mutant
Authors: Sohn Beomseok , An Chansik , Kim Dain , Ahn Sung Soo , Han Kyunghwa , Kim Se Hoon , Kang Seok-Gu , Chang Jong Hee , Lee Seung-Koo
Published: October 2021

Purpose

In glioma, molecular alterations are closely associated with disease prognosis. This study aimed to develop a radiomics-based multiple gene prediction model incorporating mutual information of each genetic alteration in glioblastoma and grade 4 astrocytoma, IDH-mutant.

Methods

From December 2014 through January 2020, we enrolled 418 patients with pathologically confirmed glioblastoma (based on the 2016 WHO classification). All selected patients had preoperative MRI and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation, O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation, epidermal growth factor receptor amplification, and alpha-thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked (ATRX) loss status. Patients were randomly split into training and test sets (7:3 ratio). Enhancing tumor and peritumoral T2-hyperintensity were auto-segmented, and 660 radiomics features were extracted. We built binary relevance (BR) and ensemble classifier chain (ECC) models for multi-label classification and compared their performance. In the classifier chain, we calculated the mean absolute Shapley value of input features.

Results

The micro-averaged area under the curves (AUCs) for the test set were 0.804 and 0.842 in BR and ECC models, respectively. IDH mutation status was predicted with the highest AUCs of 0.964 (BR) and 0.967 (ECC). The ECC model showed higher AUCs than the BR model for ATRX (0.822 vs. 0.775) and MGMT promoter methylation (0.761 vs. 0.653) predictions. The mean absolute Shapley values suggested that predicted outcomes from the prior classifiers were important for better subsequent predictions along the classifier chains.

Conclusion

We built a radiomics-based multiple gene prediction chained model that incorporates mutual information of each genetic alteration in glioblastoma and grade 4 astrocytoma, IDH-mutant and performs better than a simple bundle of binary classifiers using prior classifiers’ prediction probability.
Die Klassenwiederholung als kritisches Lebensereignis für das Wohlbefinden von Schulkindern an weiterführenden Schulen?
Authors: Vockert Theres , Loter Katharina , Herke Max , Richter Matthias , Rathmann Katharina
Published: October 2021

Hintergrund

In Deutschland erlebt knapp ein Fünftel aller Schulkinder (18,1 %) eine Klassenwiederholung, die häufig als kritisches Ereignis wahrgenommen wird. Der Effekt auf das Wohlbefinden wurde bislang kaum untersucht.

Fragestellung

Welche Bedeutung hat eine Rückversetzung und Klassenwiederholung für das Wohlbefinden von Schulkindern an weiterführenden Schulen, differenziert nach Schulform sowie Ab- und Aufwärtsmobilität (Schulwechsel an eine Schule mit niedrigerem beziehungsweise höherem Bildungsabschluss)?

Material und Methode

Datenbasis bildet die Startkohorte 3 ab Klasse 5 (Welle 1 bis 9, n = 3738 aus 280 Schulen) des Nationalen Bildungspanels (NEPS), welche mittels Fixed Effects Regressionen ausgewertet werden.

Ergebnisse

Die Ergebnisse zeigen kurzfristig negative und mittel- und langfristig positive Effekte der Klassenwiederholung auf das Wohlbefinden von Schulkindern aller Schulformen, mit Ausnahme der Hauptschule. Auch bei Schulkindern, die an eine Schule mit niedrigerem Bildungsabschluss wechselten, zeigt sich eine positive Entwicklung des Wohlbefindens nach einer Klassenwiederholung.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die Studie weist darauf hin, dass bei der Entwicklung von Maßnahmen zur Förderung des Wohlbefindens von Klassenwiederholer*innen auf unterschiedliche Schulformen und mögliche Schulformwechsel eingegangen werden sollte.
Risk of COVID-19 and its complications in patients with atopic dermatitis undergoing dupilumab treatment—a population-based cohort study
Authors: Kridin Khalaf , Schonmann Yochai , Solomon Arie , Onn Erez , Bitan Dana Tzur , Weinstein Orly , Cohen Arnon D.
Published: October 2021

The risk of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection and its complications among patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) treated by dupilumab is yet to be determined. We aimed to assess the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19-associated hospitalization, and mortality among patients with AD treated by dupilumab. A population-based cohort study was conducted to compare AD patients treated by dupilumab (n = 238) with those treated by prolonged systemic corticosteroids (≥ 3 months; n = 1,023), phototherapy (n = 461), and azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF; n = 194) regarding the incidence of COVID-19 and its complications. The incidence rate of COVID-19, COVID-19-associated hospitalization, and mortality among patients treated by dupilumab was 70.1 (95% CI, 40.5–116.4), 5.0 (95% CI, 0.3–24.7), and 0.0 per 1,000 person-year, respectively. The use of dupilumab was not associated with an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection [adjusted HR for dupilumab vs. prolonged systemic corticosteroids: 1.13 (95% CI, 0.61–2.09); dupilumab vs. phototherapy: 0.80 (95% CI, 0.42–1.53); dupilumab vs. azathioprine/MMF: 1.10 (95% CI, 0.45–2.65)]. Dupilumab was associated with a comparable risk of COVID-19-associated hospitalization [adjusted HR for dupilumab vs. prolonged systemic corticosteroids: 0.35 (95% CI, 0.05–2.71); dupilumab vs. phototherapy: 0.43 (95% CI, 0.05–3.98); dupilumab vs. azathioprine/MMF: 0.25 (95% CI, 0.02–2.74)]. When applicable, the risk of mortality was not elevated in patients with AD treated by dupilumab [HR for dupilumab vs. prolonged systemic corticosteroids: 0.04 (95% CI, 0.00–225.20)]. To conclude, dupilumab does not impose an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 complications in patients with AD. Dupilumab should be continued and considered as a safe drug for moderate-to-severe AD during the pandemic.
Effects of Exercise on Sexual Dysfunction in Patients with Prostate Cancer – A Systematic Review
Authors: Reimer Nadine , Zopf Eva Maria , Böwe Rebecca , Baumann Freerk Theeagnus
Published: October 2021

Background

Emerging evidence suggests that exercise interventions may improve sexual dysfunction, one of the most common and distressing long-term adverse effects of cancer treatment.

Aim

The aim of this systematic review is to provide an overview of the effects of exercise on sexual dysfunction in prostate cancer patients.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement. The systematic literature search was performed on 13th July 2021 using CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Medline and Web of Science. Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing sexual function in prostate cancer patients conducting an exercise intervention alone or in combination with other supportive interventions. The methodological quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Education Database Score and Jadad scale. Outcomes were reported as between-group differences. Intragroup differences were also reported if significant.

Outcomes

Positive intervention effects on sexual function were primarily observed in patients following prostatectomy and undergoing anti-hormone treatment and for pelvic floor muscle exercises as well as aerobic and resistance exercise.

RESULTS

22 RCTs (n = 1.752 patients) met the eligibility criteria, conducting either an exercise-only intervention (n = 10), a multimodal (exercise plus other supportive therapy) intervention (n = 4), or pelvic floor muscle exercises (n = 8). 6 RCTs assessed sexual dysfunction as a primary endpoint and 8 RCTs used dedicated assessment methods. 9 of the 22 RCTs found significant between-group differences in favor of the intervention group.

Clinical Implications

The multifaceted etiology of sexual dysfunction provides a strong rationale to further investigate the effects of exercise on sexual dysfunction in prostate cancer patients and also to consider a multidisciplinary approach.

Strengths and Limitations

A strength is the comprehensive literature search to identify RCTs involving different exercise interventions and a wide range of sexual function assessments. Further, this is the first systematic review on this topic. The main limitations include the difficulty to compare studies due to the heterogeneity of exercise interventions and low questionnaire completion rates in some studies.

CONCLUSION

Preliminary data from a small number of studies suggest that certain exercise interventions may improve sexual dysfunction in prostate cancer patients, however further trials involving sexual dyfunction as a primary outcome and more comprehensive assessment tools are needed to confirm the rehabilitative and preventive effects of exercise on sexual dysfunction in prostate cancer patients.
Safety of restarting continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy following endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery
Authors: Chaskes Mark B. , Rabinowitz Mindy R.
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are at increased risk of perioperative and postoperative morbidity. The use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in the perioperative period may be of potential benefit. However, among patients who have undergone endonasal skull base surgery, many surgeons avoid prompt re‐initiation of CPAP therapy due to the theoretical increased risk of epistaxis, excessive dryness, pneumocephalus, repair migration, intracranial introduction of bacteria, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. The objective of this article is to review the most up‐to‐date literature regarding when it is safe to resume CPAP usage in the patient undergoing endonasal skull base surgery.

Data Sources and Methods

This review combines the most recent literature as queried through PubMed regarding the safety of CPAP resumption following endonasal skull base surgery.

Results

Recent surveys of skull base surgeons demonstrate little consensus regarding the post‐operative management of OSA. Recent cadaveric studies suggest that approximately 85% of delivered CPAP pressures are transmitted to the sphenoid sinus. Further, at frequently prescribed CPAP pressure settings, common sellar reconstruction techniques maintain their integrity while preventing very little transmission of pressure into the sella. In small retrospective case series, patients with OSA who received CPAP immediately following transsphenoidal pituitary surgery had similar rates of surgical complications as OSA patients who did not receive CPAP in the immediate post‐operative period. Concerns of re‐initiating CPAP too early, such as the development of pneumocephalus, rarely develop.

Conclusions

There remains a paucity of objective data regarding when it is safe to resume CPAP following endonasal skull base surgery. Recent cadaveric studies and small retrospective case series suggest that it may be safe to resume CPAP earlier than is often practiced following endonasal skull base surgery.
Validity of ICD-10 Codes for Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Depends on Clinical Context
Authors: Zhou Lily W. , Yu Amy Y. X. , Hall William , Hill Michael D. , Field Thalia S.
Published: October 2021

We examined the accuracy of International Classification of Disease 10th iteration (ICD-10) diagnosis codes within Canadian administrative data in identifying cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). Of 289 confirmed cases of CVT admitted to our comprehensive stroke center between 2008 and 2018, 239/289 were new diagnoses and 204/239 were acute events with only 75/204 representing symptomatic CVTs not provoked by trauma or structural processes. Using ICD-10 codes in any position, sensitivity was 39.1% and positive predictive value was 94.2% for patients with a current or history of CVT and 84.0% and 52.5% for acute and symptomatic CVTs not provoked by trauma or structural processes.
Emergency Hospital Evacuation From a Hospital Within 5 km Radius of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant: A Retrospective Analysis of Disaster Preparedness for Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Sawano Toyoaki , Senoo Yuki , Yoshida Izumi , Ozaki Akihiko , Nishikawa Yoshitaka , Hori Arinobu , Oikawa Tomoyoshi , Tanigawa Koichi , Shigetomi Shuichi , Tsubokura Masaharu
Published: October 2021

Emergency evacuation during disasters may have significant health impacts on vulnerable populations. The Japanese Government issued evacuation orders for surrounding residents of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (FDNPP) immediately after the March 11, 2011, nuclear accident. Little is known of difficulties associated with the disaster-specific evacuation from health care facilities located in this area. Among the 338 patients hospitalized at Futaba Hospital, located 4.6 km west of FDNPP, at the time of the accident, 39 patients (11.5%), predominantly critically ill patients who were bedridden or disabled, died before the evacuation was completed. The shortage of hospital staff and disruption of infrastructure resulted in a lack of adequate care provision, such as infusion therapy or sputum suctioning, leading to premature death of some hospitalized patients during the emergency hospital evacuation. As hospital evacuation is sometimes unavoidable during disasters, potential health impacts of hospital evacuation should be recognized and reflected in disaster preparedness plans.
Uncertainty, Administrative Decision-Making and Judicial Review: The Courts’ Perspectives
Authors: CAFAGGI Fabrizio , IAMICELI Paola
Published: October 2021

The role of courts has been rather significant in the COVID-19 pandemic, weakening the theory that the judiciary is not equipped to contribute to governing crisis management. Although differences exist across countries, depending on institutional varieties and political contexts, the analysis shows that, even in times of emergency, courts can provide the necessary balance to the power shift towards the executives. Both action and inaction affecting fundamental rights have been scrutinised, taking into account fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. Deference to political decision-making has varied across jurisdictions and across the multiple phases of the health crisis. Differences in the balancing have emerged compared to during ordinary times. Uncertainty has played a major role, calling for new strategies in regulatory, administrative and judicial decision-making and new balances between precaution and evidence-based approaches. The role of scientific evidence has been at the core of judicial review to ensure transparency and procedural accountability. Proportionality and reasonableness with multiple conceptual variants across countries have been used to scrutinise the legality of measures. Courts are likely to continue playing a significant but different role in the years to come, when liability issues and recovery measures will likely become the core of litigation.
Two monkey wrenches in the Russian regulatory reform
Authors: KUDRYAVTSEV Vladimir , KUCHAKOV Ruslan , KUZNETSOVA Daria
Published: October 2021

The latest Russian regulatory reform (2016) sought to introduce the risk-orientated approach – a move away from the “blanket inspections” (or the risk regulation reflex – a term coined by Blanc in 2011) method that has been criticised by the Russian business community. The present paper aims to assess its success using administrative data on federal watchdogs’ inspections. We argue that this reform ultimately failed in its goal regarding the overall number of inspections, and thus the volume of regulatory burden did not change significantly throughout the reform. This failure resulted from two mechanisms. First, the legal framing of the reform radically redefined risk as the probability of incompliance (as opposed to the likelihood of accident). Second, the watchdogs used key performance indicators that incentivised “street-level” inspectors to maintain the pre-reform regulatory burden levels.
Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among health care workers in Amhara region referral hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Aemro Agazhe , Amare Nakachew Sewnet , Shetie Belayneh , Chekol Basazinew , Wassie Mulugeta
Published: October 2021

Vaccine hesitancy remains a serious global threat to achieve herd immunity, and this study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Amhara regional referral hospitals. A web-based anonymised survey was conducted among 440 HCWs in the Amhara region referral hospitals. The questionnaire was designed using Google Forms and distributed using telegram and e-mail from 15 May to 10 June 2021 to the randomly selected participants in each hospital. The data were analysed with Stata 14.0 and described using frequency tables. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was fitted and model fitness was checked with the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness of fit test. Out of 440 participants, 418 were willing to participate in the study and the mean age was about 30 years. Overall, 45.9% (n = 192) of participants reported vaccine hesitancy. After applying multivariate analysis, age ≤25 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 5.6); do not wear a mask (aOR = 2.4); not compliance with physical distancing (aOR = 3.6); unclear information by public health authorities (aOR = 2.5); low risk of getting COVID-19 infection (aOR = 2.8); and not sure about the tolerability of the vaccine (aOR = 3.76) were associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. A considerable proportion of HCWs were hesitant towards COVID-19 vaccine, and this can be tackled with the provision of clear information about the vaccine.