bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of digital economy on social entrepreneurship: Evidence from China
Authors: Li Bin
Published: June 2023

Social entrepreneurship provides novel entrepreneurial solutions for complex social and environmental problems. Research on the antecedents of social entrepreneurship has emphasized the importance of sociocultural and economic factors; however, little is known about the influence of the digital economy in this context. Integrating the digital economy studies and social entrepreneurship studies for the first time, we propose that the development of the digital economy contributes to the growth of regional social enterprises. We further predict that the effect of the digital economy on social entrepreneurship is mediated by the improvement of regional government activism and regional innovation capability. This study contributes to the literature about the antecedents of social entrepreneurship and effect of the digital economy. This study also provides some practical recommendations for promoting digital technology for the good and stimulating social entrepreneurship with the power of the digital economy.
Genetic Testing in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Pal Gian , Cook Lola , Schulze Jeanine , Verbrugge Jennifer , Alcalay Roy N. , Merello Marcelo , Sue Carolyn M. , Bardien Soraya , Bonifati Vincenzo , Chung Sun Ju , Foroud Tatiana , Gatto Emilia , Hall Anne , Hattori Nobutaka , Lynch Tim , Marder Karen , Mascalzoni Deborah , Novaković Ivana , Thaler Avner , Raymond Deborah , Salari Mehri , Shalash Ali , Suchowersky Oksana , Mencacci Niccolò E. , Simuni Tanya , Saunders‐Pullman Rachel , Klein Christine
Published: June 2023

Genetic testing for persons with Parkinson's disease is becoming increasingly common. Significant gains have been made regarding genetic testing methods, and testing is becoming more readily available in clinical, research, and direct‐to‐consumer settings. Although the potential utility of clinical testing is expanding, there are currently no proven gene‐targeted therapies, but clinical trials are underway. Furthermore, genetic testing practices vary widely, as do knowledge and attitudes of relevant stakeholders. The specter of testing mandates financial, ethical, and physician engagement, and there is a need for guidelines to help navigate the myriad of challenges. However, to develop guidelines, gaps and controversies need to be clearly identified and analyzed. To this end, we first reviewed recent literature and subsequently identified gaps and controversies, some of which were partially addressed in the literature, but many of which are not well delineated or researched. Key gaps and controversies include: (1) Is genetic testing appropriate in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals without medical actionability? (2) How, if at all, should testing vary based on ethnicity? (3) What are the long‐term outcomes of consumer‐ and research‐based genetic testing in presymptomatic PD? (4) What resources are needed for clinical genetic testing, and how is this impacted by models of care and cost‐benefit considerations? Addressing these issues will help facilitate the development of consensus and guidelines regarding the approach and access to genetic testing and counseling. This is also needed to guide a multidisciplinary approach that accounts for cultural, geographic, and socioeconomic factors in developing testing guidelines. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Segmentation of pancreatic tumors based on multi‐scale convolution and channel attention mechanism in the encoder‐decoder scheme
Authors: Du Yue , Zuo Xiaoying , Liu Shidong , Cheng Dai , Li Jie , Sun Mingzhu , Zhao Xin , Ding Hui , Hu Yabin
Published: June 2023

Background

Computer‐aided diagnosis is of great significance to improve the diagnostic accuracy of pancreatic cancer that has an insidious course and does not have obvious symptoms at first. However, segmentation of pancreatic cancer is challenging because the tumors vary in size with the smallest tumor having a size of about 0.5 in diameter, and most of them have irregular shapes and unclear boundaries.

Purpose

In this study, we developed a deep learning architecture Multi‐Scale Channel Attention Unet (MSCA‐Unet) for pancreatic tumor segmentation and collected CT images of 419 patients from The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University and a public dataset. We embedded the multi‐scale network into the encoder to extract semantic information at different scales and the decoder to provide supplemental information to overcome the loss of information in the upsampling and the drift of the localized tumor due to the upsampling and skip connections.

Methods

We adopted the channel attention unit after the multi‐scale convolution to emphasize the informative channels, which was observed to have the effects of accelerating the positioning process, reducing false positives, and improving the accuracy of outlining very small, irregular pancreatic tumors.

Results

Our results show that our network outperformed the other current mainstream segmentation networks and achieved a Dice index of 68.03%, a Jaccard of 59.31%, and an FPR of 1.36% on the private dataset Task‐01 without data pre‐processing. Compared with the other pancreatic tumor segmentation networks on the public dataset Task‐02, our network produced the best Dice index, 80.12%, with the assistance of the data pre‐processing scheme.

Conclusions

This study strategically utilizes the multi‐scale convolution and channel attention mechanism of the architecture to provide a dedicated network for segmentation of small and irregular pancreatic tumors.
Quantifying the benefits of customized vaccination strategies: A network‐based optimization approach
Authors: Li Su , Aprahamian Hrayer
Published: June 2023

We study the problem of designing vaccine distribution strategies that maximally mitigate the negative impact of an infectious disease outbreak. This is achieved through a multiperiod optimization‐based framework that embeds important subject‐specific risk and contact information into the decision‐making process. By analyzing the structure of the resulting optimization problem, we identify key structural properties which we use to construct a globally convergent solution scheme (suitable for smaller problem instances) and two, more scalable, heuristic schemes. We demonstrate the benefits of the considered framework through a case study on COVID‐19 in Texas. Our results highlight the importance of considering risk and contact information as doing so substantially reduces the total expected number of fatalities over conventional compartmental‐based approaches. These findings indicate that customization can have a significant benefit, particularly for community‐scale planning.
Incidence of adverse mental health outcomes after sleeve gastrectomy compared with gastric bypass and restrictive bariatric procedures: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Sumithran Priya , Roberts Leo , Caterson Ian D. , Brown Robyn M. , Spittal Matthew J. , Brown Wendy A.
Published: June 2023

Objective

This study examined rates of suicide and hospitalization with psychiatric diagnoses after sleeve gastrectomy compared with gastric bypass and restrictive procedures (gastric banding/gastroplasty).

Methods

This was a longitudinal retrospective cohort study comprising all patients who underwent primary bariatric surgery in New South Wales or Queensland, Australia, between July 2001 and December 2020. Hospital admission records, death registration, and cause of death records (if applicable) within these dates were extracted and linked. Primary outcome was death by suicide. Secondary outcomes were admissions with self‐harm; substance‐use disorder, schizophrenia, mood, anxiety, behavioral, and personality disorders; any of these; and psychiatric inpatient admission.

Results

A total of 121,203 patients were included, with median follow‐up of 4.5 years per patient. There were 77 suicides, with no evidence of difference in rates by surgery type (rates [95% CI] per 100,000 person years: 9.6 [5.0–18.4] restrictive, 10.8 [8.4–13.9] sleeve gastrectomy, 20.4 [9.7–42.8] gastric bypass; p = 0.18). Rates of admission with self‐harm declined after restrictive and sleeve procedures. Admission with anxiety disorders, any psychiatric diagnosis, and as a psychiatric inpatient increased after sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, but not restrictive procedures. Admissions with substance‐use disorder increased after all surgery types.

Conclusions

Variable associations between bariatric surgeries and hospitalization with psychiatric diagnoses might indicate distinct vulnerabilities among patient cohorts or that differing anatomical and/or functional changes may contribute to effects on mental health.
Progress toward resilient and sustainable water management in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta
Authors: Tri Van Pham Dang , Yarina Lizzie , Nguyen Hong Quan , Downes Nigel K.
Published: June 2023

Sinking and shrinking, the Vietnamese Mekong Delta is a materialization of dynamic river flows, sediment flows, and coastline processes. Past policy aspirations and extensive water infrastructures have shaped the delta into one the most significant food producing landscapes in Southeast Asia. Yet, these changes have also created new environmental risks by transforming the hydrological system. Research has produced a growing and increasingly diverse empirical literature on the delta's environmental context, without necessarily providing water resource managers, policymakers and practitioners with the information needed to galvanize more resilient development. This focus review presents a detailed overview of the recent scientific findings, exploring how the management of water resources is changing, as well as their inter‐relationship with land use, policy, socio‐economic transitions, and global environmental crises. Compound and systemic risks to the delta include climate change, hydrometeorological hazards, upstream developments and an unsustainable development trajectory. We outline scientific knowledge gaps, as well as the pressing need for sharable analysis‐ready data and innovations. Finally, we provide recommended future research avenues for multiscale actions toward a sustainable and resilient delta future.

This article is categorized under:

Human Water > Water Governance

Science of Water > Water Extremes

Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change
Undervalued and novel roles of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins in autoimmune diseases: Resurgence as potential biomarkers and targets
Authors: Chen Kangzhi , Luo Mengchuan , Lv Yuanzhi , Luo Zhaohui , Yang Huan
Published: June 2023

Autoimmune diseases are mainly characterized by the abnormal autoreactivity due to the loss of tolerance to specific autoantigens, though multiple pathways associated with the homeostasis of immune responses are involved in initiating or aggravating the conditions. The heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are a major category of RNA‐binding proteins ubiquitously expressed in a multitude of cells and have attracted great attentions especially with their distinctive roles in nucleic acid metabolisms and the pathogenesis in diseases like neurodegenerative disorders and cancers. Nevertheless, the interplay between hnRNPs and autoimmune disorders has not been fully elucidated. Virtually various family members of hnRNPs are increasingly identified as immune players and are pertinent to all kinds of immune‐related processes including immune system development and innate or adaptive immune responses. Specifically, hnRNPs have been extensively recognized as autoantigens within and even beyond a myriad of autoimmune diseases, yet their diagnostic and prognostic values are seemingly underestimated. Molecular mimicry, epitope spreading and bystander activation may represent major putative mechanisms underlying the presence of autoantibodies to hnRNPs. Besides, hnRNPs play critical parts in regulating linchpin genes expressions that control genetic susceptibility, disease‐linked functional pathways, or immune responses by interacting with other components particularly like microRNAs and long non‐coding RNAs, thereby contributing to inflammation and autoimmunity as well as specific disease phenotypes. Therefore, comprehensive unraveling of the roles of hnRNPs is conducive to establishing potential biomarkers and developing better intervention strategies by targeting these hnRNPs in the corresponding disorders.

This article is categorized under:

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein‐RNA Interactions: Functional Implications
Secondary Education Teachers’ Effective Teaching Behaviour Across Five Countries: Does it Change Over Time?
Authors: Maulana Ridwan , Bruscato Amanda Maraschin , Helms-Lorenz Michelle , Irnidayanti Yulia , de Jager Thelma , Galindev Ulziisaikhan , Adiyasuren Amarjargal , Shahzad Abid , Fadhilah Nurul , Chun Seyeoung , Lee Okhwa , Coetzee Thys , Moorer Peter
Published: June 2023

Over the last decade, a limited number of studies have documented changes in effective teaching behaviour in secondary education over time. However, the studies are rather fragmented and heterogeneous in terms of measurements, contexts, and time intervals.

This study aims to investigate changes in secondary school teachers’ teaching behaviour over time, by using a uniform observation instrument in five contrasting national contexts. The study focuses on the examination of inter- and intra-individual differences in teachers’ effective teaching behaviour across Indonesia, Mongolia, Pakistan, South Africa, and the Netherlands. A total of 3158 teachers across the five countries participated in this study. Their classroom lessons were observed by trained observers in the natural classroom setting longitudinally using a uniform observation measure called International Comparative Analysis of Learning and Teaching (ICALT). Results show that, in general, between-schools, between-teachers, and within-teacher differences are visible, with some degree of variations in proportion depending on the country and the type of teaching behaviour. Within-teacher differences are consistently large across countries. This provides evidence regarding the dynamic characteristics (i.e., change) of teaching behaviour cross-nationally. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Effective and Inspiring Teaching in STEM Classrooms: Evidence from Classroom Observations with Instrument Comparisons
Authors: Ko James
Published: June 2023

This book chapter reports findings in a case study on the video clips of 97 STEM lessons at a local secondary school. The impact of Effective and inspiring teaching on student engagement in classrooms was explored using the same high-inference classroom observation instruments. Cluster analysis indicated that effective teaching dimensions tended to cluster together. However, inspiring teaching dimensions (i.e., Flexibility, Innovative teaching, and Teaching reflective thinking) tended to cluster with Teaching collaborative learning. While there was no subject difference for inspiring teaching practices, Mathematics significantly performed the best and Technology the worst in effective teaching practices. Multiple regression results indicated that both effective and inspiring teaching practices have a significant but moderate impact on learner engagement, but none showed significant effects on student engagement. In contrast, while the effective teaching dimension Professional knowledge and expectations positively affected overall teaching quality perceptions.
The Influence of Science Teachers’ Beliefs and Practices on Students’ Learning Spaces and Processes: Insights from Singapore
Authors: Tan Yuen Sze Michelle , Caleon Imelda Santos
Published: June 2023

Implicit within the reform efforts in Science Education is the necessity for teachers to shift from transmissionist approaches to constructivist teaching approaches; the former emphasizes unproblematic transfer of a fixed set of ideas from credible sources to students while the latter puts primacy on students’ role in knowledge construction. Teachers’ beliefs may influence the implementation of reform initiatives; conversely, enactment of reform efforts may affect teachers’ beliefs. Teachers’ beliefs about teaching and learning, and their perceptions of their students, have been the subject of a limited and yet expanding body of research that intends to enhance the likelihood of enacting curriculum reforms that can promote students’ meaningful learning. The focus of this article is to understand how teachers’ beliefs influence classroom decisions that determine students’ learning spaces and processes within the context of implementing school reforms.
Differentiated Instruction as an Approach to Establish Effective Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms
Authors: Gheyssens Esther , Griful-Freixenet Júlia , Struyven Katrien
Published: June 2023

Differentiated Instruction has been promoted as a model to create more inclusive classrooms by addressing individual learning needs and maximizing learning opportunities. Whilst differentiated instruction was originally interpreted as a set of teaching practices, theories now consider differentiated instruction rather a pedagogical model with philosophical and practical components than the simple act of differentiating. However, do teachers also consider differentiated instruction as a model of teaching? This chapter is based on a doctoral thesis that adopted differentiated instruction as an approach to establish effective teaching in inclusive classrooms. The first objective of the dissertation focused on how differentiated instruction is perceived by teachers and resulted in the DI-Quest model. This model, based on a validated questionnaire towards differentiated instruction, pinpoints different factors that explain differences in the adoption of differentiated instruction. The second objective focused on how differentiated instruction is implemented. This research consisted of four empirical studies using two samples of teachers and mixed method. The results of four empirical studies of this dissertation are discussed and put next to other studies and literature about differentiation. The conclusions highlight the importance of teachers’ philosophy when it comes to implementing differentiated instruction, the importance of perceiving and implementing differentiated instruction as a pedagogical model and the importance and complexity of professional development with regard to differentiated instruction.
Adapting Teaching to Students’ Needs: What Does It Require from Teachers?
Authors: van Geel Marieke , Keuning Trynke , Meutstege Kyra , de Vries Jitske , Visscher Adrie , Wolterinck Christel , Schildkamp Kim , Poortman Cindy
Published: June 2023

Teachers are increasingly expected to adapt their teaching to students’ needs. This can be done by implementing differentiated instruction (DI) or assessment for learning (AfL). These concepts are regarded as two distinct approaches to identifying students’ needs and adapting instruction accordingly. In the current study, we aim to identify empirical similarities and differences in teacher knowledge and skills required for differentiated instruction and assessment for learning respectively. Based on combined insights from two cognitive task analyses (CTA’s), it appears that – in line with many other aspects of effective teaching – four phases are closely related for the task (either DI or AfL) as a whole: preparing a lesson series, preparing a lesson, enacting a lesson and, after this enactment, evaluating a lesson. The teacher skills required for DI and/or AfL in each of these phases are similar, however, the emphasis given to each skill differs in practice and this can be noted throughout all four interrelated phases. For AfL, the emphasis is on eliciting evidence during the lesson, for DI, the emphasis is on pro-active alignment of instruction and activities, based on students’ needs. Since teachers need the same underlying skills to be able to perform either DI or AfL, we can hypothesize that teachers who are proficient at either DI or AfL, will also be able to develop and implement AfL or DI in practice.
How Do Dutch Teachers Implement Differentiation In Primary Mathematics Education?
Authors: Prast Emilie J. , Hickendorff Marian
Published: June 2023

Adapting education to students’ diverse educational needs is widely recognised as an important, but also complex aspect of effective teaching. In this chapter, we provide insight into how Dutch primary school teachers implement differentiation based on students’ current mathematics achievement level. We review evidence from four independent samples in which the same teacher self-assessment questionnaire was administered (N = 907 teachers in total), supplemented with qualitative data from various perspectives: external observers, students, and teachers. Based on these sources of information, we identify the following general patterns. Teachers generally implement achievement-based differentiation at least to some extent. That is, student achievement is monitored, and efforts are taken to adapt instruction or practice to students’ current achievement level. This is often organised using within-class homogeneous achievement groups. While low-achieving students regularly receive additional instruction, specific instruction for high-achieving students is uncommon. Refined, qualitative strategies to diagnose students’ individual educational needs and to adapt education to these individual needs are also used relatively infrequently. These relatively infrequently used strategies point to areas for improvement. Furthermore, the flexibility of within-class achievement groups seems to vary and deserves more attention in future research and practice.
Differences in Perceived Instructional Quality of the Same Classrooms with Two Different Classroom Observation Instruments in China: Lessons Learned from Qualitative Analysis of Four Lessons Using TEACH and ICALT
Authors: Lei Jieyan Celia , Chen Zhijun , Ko James
Published: June 2023

Research accumulated has suggested that narrowing instructional quality gaps can improve educational equity and the well-being of children in social and economic backgrounds. Considering that the disparity of instructional quality may affect educational inequality across different regions in China, this study explored how teaching quality varied in 30 lessons primary English classrooms in an economically disadvantaged province in China. This study adopted a mixed-method strategy with quantitative classroom observation data to select four lessons contrastive in teaching quality for subsequent qualitative analysis to explore classroom processes in-depth. Using two internationally validated classroom observation instruments, ICALT and TEACH, added a further dimension to examine how characteristics of instruments might influence perceived instructional quality. Results revealed that while both high-inference instruments were theoretically comparable in distinguishing teaching quality, only ICALT predicted learner engagement. While quantitative instruments could not provide detailed accounts of classroom processes, qualitative accounts of the four lessons could uncover the deep relationships between teacher-student interactions and differences in instructional quality. These findings suggest that conceptually similar instruments may vary in predictive power and that systematic qualitative analysis is indispensable in complementing high-inference instruments to provide an objective teacher evaluation.
Median artery persistence in coexistence with a bifid median nerve and interconnections of the median with the ulnar nerve and vice versa
Authors: Piagkou Maria , Tsakotos George , Triantafyllou George , Koutserimpas Christos , Totlis Trifon , Karampelias Vasilios , Natsis Konstantinos
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This report describes a bilateral persistent median artery (PMA) originating from the ulnar artery and terminating at different levels of the upper limb. The PMA coexisted with a bilateral bifid median nerve (MN) and two bilateral interconnections (ICs characterized with the symbol -) of the MN with the ulnar nerve (UN) (MN-UN) and a unilateral reverse IC (UN-MN). Emphasis was given to the artery’s developmental background.

Methods

The PMA was identified in an 80-year-old formalin-embalmed donated male cadaver.

Results

The right-sided PMA terminated at the wrist, posterior to the palmar aponeurosis. Two neural ICs were identified: the UN joined the MN deep branch (UN-MN), at the forearm’s upper third, and the MN deep stem joined the UN palmar branch (MN-UN), at the lower third (9.7 cm distally to the 1st IC). The left-sided PMA ended in the palm giving off the 3rd and 4th proper palmar digital arteries. An incomplete superficial palmar arch was identified by the contribution of the PMA, radial, and ulnar arteries. After the MN bifurcation into superficial and deep branches, the deep branches formed a loop, that was penetrated by the PMA. The MN deep branch communicated with the UN palmar branch (MN-UN).

Conclusions

The PMA should be evaluated as a causative factor of carpal tunnel syndrome. The modified Allen's test and the Doppler ultrasound may detect the arterial flow and the angiography may depict the vessel thrombosis in complex cases. PMA could also be a "salvage" vessel for the hand supply, in radial and ulnar artery trauma.
Synergistic effects of vagus nerve stimulation and antiseizure medication
Authors: Winter Yaroslav , Sandner Katharina , Glaser Martin , Ciolac Dumitru , Sauer Viktoria , Ziebart Andreas , Karakoyun Ali , Chiosa Vitalie , Saryyeva Assel , Krauss Joachim , Ringel Florian , Groppa Sergiu
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an effective, non-pharmacological therapy for epileptic seizures. Until now, favorable combinations of different groups of antiseizure medication (ASM) and VNS have not been sufficiently addressed. The aim of this study was to identify the synergistic effects between VNS and different ASMs.

Methods

We performed an observational study of patients with epilepsy who were implanted with VNS and had a stable ASM therapy during the first 2 years after the VNS implantation. Data were collected from the Mainz Epilepsy Registry. The efficacy of VNS depending on the concomitantly used ASM group/individual ASMs was assessed by quantifying the responder rate (≥ 50% seizure reduction compared to the time of VNS implantation) and seizure freedom (absence of seizures during the last 6 months of the observation period).

Results

One hundred fifty one patients (mean age 45.2 ± 17.0 years, 78 females) were included in the study. Regardless of the used ASM, the responder rate in the whole cohort was 50.3% and the seizure freedom was 13.9%. Multiple regression analysis showed that combination of VNS with synaptic vesicle glycoprotein (SV2A) modulators (responder rate 64.0%, seizure freedom 19.8%) or slow sodium channel inhibitors (responder rate 61.8%, seizure freedom 19.7%) was associated with a statistically significant better responder rate and seizure freedom than combinations of VNS and ASM with other mechanism of action. Within these ASM groups, brivaracetam showed a more favorable effect than levetiracetam, whereas lacosamide and eslicarbazepine were comparable in their effects.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that the combination of VNS with ASMs belonging to either SV2A modulators or slow sodium channel inhibitors could be optimal to achieve a better seizure control following VNS. However, these preliminary data require further validation under controlled conditions.
Motion perception in touch: resolving contradictory findings by varying probabilities of different trial types
Authors: Merz Simon , Frings Christian , Spence Charles
Published: June 2023

Representational momentum describes the typical overestimation of the final location of a moving stimulus in the direction of stimulus motion. While systematically observed in different sensory modalities, especially vision and audition, in touch, empirical findings indicate a mixed pattern of results, with some published studies suggesting the existence of the phenomenon, while others do not. In the present study, one possible moderating variable, the relative probabilities of different trial types, was explored in an attempt to resolve the seemingly contradictory findings in the literature. In some studies, only consistently moving target stimuli were presented and no representational momentum was observed, while other studies have included inconsistently moving target stimuli in the same experimental block, and observed representational momentum. Therefore, the present study was designed to systematically compare the localization of consistent target motion stimuli across two experimental blocks, for which either only consistent motion trials were presented, or else mixed with inconsistent target motion trials. The results indicate a strong influence of variations in the probability of different trial types on the occurrence of representational momentum. That is, representational momentum only occurred when both trial types (inconsistent and consistent target motion) were presented within one experimental block. The results are discussed in light of recent theoretical advancements in the literature, namely the speed prior account of motion perception.
Incidence, risk factors, and burden of incisional hernia repair after abdominal surgery in France: a nationwide study
Authors: Ortega-Deballon P. , Renard Y. , de Launay J. , Lafon T. , Roset Q. , Passot G.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Incisional hernias are common after laparotomies. The aims of this study were to assess the rate of incisional hernia repair after abdominal surgery, recurrence rate, hospital costs, and risk factors, in France.

Methods

This national, retrospective, longitudinal, observational study was based on the exhaustive hospital discharge database (PMSI). All adult patients (≥ 18 years old) hospitalised for an abdominal surgical procedure between 01-01-2013 and 31-12-2014 and hospitalised for incisional hernia repair within five years were included. Descriptive analyses and cost analyses from the National Health Insurance (NHI) viewpoint (hospital care for the hernia repair) were performed. To identify risk factors for hernia repair a multivariable Cox model and a machine learning analysis were performed.

Results

In 2013–2014, 710074 patients underwent abdominal surgery, of which 32633 (4.6%) and 5117 (0.7%) had ≥ 1 and ≥ 2 incisional hernia repair(s) within five years, respectively. Mean hospital costs amounted to €4153/hernia repair, representing nearly €67.7 million/year. Some surgical sites exposed patients at high risk of incisional hernia repair: colon and rectum (hazard ratio [HR] 1.2), and other sites on the small bowel and the peritoneum (HR 1.4). Laparotomy procedure and being ≥ 40 years old put patients at high risk of incisional hernia repair even when operated on low-risk sites such as stomach, duodenum, and hepatobiliary.

Conclusion

The burden of incisional hernia repair is high and most patients are at risk either due to age ≥ 40 or the surgery site. New approaches to prevent the onset of incisional hernia are warranted.
Stochastic modeling with robust Kalman filter for real-time kinematic GPS single-frequency positioning
Authors: Wang Rui , Becker Doris , Hobiger Thomas
Published: June 2023

The centimeter-level positioning accuracy of real-time kinematic (RTK) depends on correctly resolving integer carrier-phase ambiguities. To improve the success rate of ambiguity resolution and obtain reliable positioning results, an enhanced Kalman filtering procedure has been developed. Based on a posteriori residuals of measurements and state predictions, the measurement noise variance–covariance matrix for double-differenced measurements is adaptively estimated, rather than approximated by an empirical function which uses satellite elevation angle as input. Since, in real-world situations, unexpected outliers and carrier-phase outages can degrade the filter performance, a stochastic model based on robust Kalman filtering is proposed, for which the double-differenced measurement noise variance–covariance matrix is computed empirically with a modified version of the IGG (Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics) III method in order to detect and identify outliers. The performance of the proposed method is assessed by two tests, one with simulated data and one with real data. In addition, the performance of F-ratio and W-ratio tests as proxies for the success of ambiguity fixing is investigated. Experimental results reveal that the proposed method can improve the reliability and robustness of relative kinematic positioning for simulation scenarios as well as in a real urban test.
Development of an offline OOH advertising recommendation system using negative sampling and deep interest network
Authors: Seo Hyun-Woo , Kim Soo-Hyeok , Ryu Sang-Gi , Jo Seung-Kyu , Cho Su-Phil , Sohn Jong-Soo , Lim Chi-Ehyeon
Published: June 2023

The out-of-home (OOH) advertising market has been operated exclusively following the know-how of salespeople. Thus, it is difficult to make scientific decisions and systematically provide various options to advertisers. In this regard, this study develops an OOH advertising recommendation system by analyzing past OOH history data. The OOH advertising allocation problem has the characteristics that the training data are implicit feedback, and only one advertisement can be posted per offline billboard. This study proposes a recommendation system suitable for OOH history data using negative sampling and Deep Interest Network. The proposed recommendation system showed a higher performance than excisting models used for comparison purposes, and the findings of this study present implications for solving similar recommendation problems.
Fracture Resistance and Crack Growth Mechanisms in Functionally Graded Ti–TiB
Authors: Sahragard-Monfared G. , Smudde C. M. , Carpenter R. D. , Munir Z. A. , Gibeling J. C.
Published: June 2023

This paper presents the results of fracture tests and crack path observations for a layered functionally graded material (FGM) consisting of Ti and TiB phases. The composition varied in a nearly linear manner from a TiB-rich layer at the bottom to commercially pure (CP) Ti at the top. Elastic properties of the mixed phase interlayers were measured using nanoindentation testing, demonstrating a linear variation with composition. These results differ significantly from approximations calculated in previous studies using a non-linear rule-of-mixtures approach. Fracture tests were conducted on single edge notch bend [SEN(B)] specimens with the notch aligned orthogonal to the direction of the composition gradient. For this crack orientation, "average" R-curve behavior based on the J-integral was investigated to understand the mechanics of crack growth. The value of J was found to be minimal (less than 1 N/mm) below 47 pct volume fraction of TiB compared to a reported value of approximately 150 N/mm for pure Ti. These results indicate that a steeper transition to high concentrations of the metallic phase is necessary to achieve adequate fracture resistance in this metal/ceramic FGM. Observations on the specimen surface indicate crack path toughening mechanisms of this functionally graded material include crack bridging, branching, and deflection.
The application of mixed nitrogen increases photosynthetic and antioxidant capacity in rice (Oryza sativa) under heat stress at flowering stage
Authors: You Cuicui , Xu Peng , He Yizhe , Wang Huayun , Ke Jian , He Haibing , Wu Liquan
Published: June 2023

In recent years, heat stress has become a serious threat to rice production in China. It is well documented that nitrogen forms can regulate the heat tolerance of plants. However, its effect on the rice plants has not been described before. In this study, a pot experiment was performed with two restorer lines of indica rice, heat-tolerant 996 (HT 996) and heat-sensitive 343 (HS 343), to investigate whether nitrogen forms could mitigate heat stress at flowering stage and their physiological mechanism. The experiment received five treatments: (1) NN0: natural temperature level (32 ℃) with urea-N; (2) HN0: high temperature level (38 ℃) with urea-N; (3) HN1: high temperature level with NH4+-N; (4) HN2: high temperature level with mixed N [NH4+: NO3− at 50: 50 (w:w)]; and (5) HN3: high temperature level with NO3−-N, respectively. The results showed that heat stress reduced seed setting, photosynthetic characteristics, leaf nitrogen content and antioxidant enzyme activities of rice. However, the application of mixed N significantly increased the 1000-grain weight and seed setting rate under heat stress, thus increasing yield. The increased yield was mainly caused by higher leaf N content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance, which led to a reduction in panicle and leaf temperatures. Meanwhile, the application of mixed N also improved the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and reduced the amount of reactive oxygen species, thereby mitigating the damage caused by exposure to high temperature. In conclusion, the application of mixed N can effectively alleviate the adverse consequences of high temperature, and could be further applied to provide strategies for the prevention and control of high temperature-prone areas during the rice flowering period.
Temperature control for thermomechanical ring rolling
Authors: Lafarge Rémi , Brosius Alexander
Published: June 2023

Thermomechanical tangential profiled ring rolling enables the manufacture of ring shaped parts with specified geometry and hardness within a single step. Some influence over the cooling rate of the ring is achieved using supplementary cooling with compressed air. Earlier work has shown that some form of control is necessary in order to obtain an acceptable reproducibility. In this study, the possibility to control the temperature of the ring using closed loop control is shown. A model of the controlled system is implemented in order to determine PID parameters. Finally, the improvement of the process repeatability is demonstrated.
Imaging Techniques to Differentiate Benign Testicular Masses from Germ Cell Tumors
Authors: Saidian Ava , Bagrodia Aditya
Published: June 2023

Purpose of Review

To discuss role of different diagnostic imaging modalities in differentiation of benign testicular masses from seminomatous germ cell tumors (SGCTs) and non-seminomatous GCTs (NSGCTs).

Recent Findings

New modalities of ultrasonography, including contrast enhancement and shear wave elastography, may help differentiate between benign and malignant intratesticular lesions.

Ultrasonography remains the recommended imaging modality for initial evaluation of testicular masses. However, MRI can be used to better define equivocal testicular lesions on US.
Assessing the methodological strengths and limitations of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) guidelines: a critical appraisal using AGREE II and AGREE-REX tool
Authors: Santero Marilina , de Mas Júlia , Rifà Berta , Clavero Inés , Rexach Irene , Bonfill Cosp Xavier
Published: June 2023

Background

The Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) has provided open-access guidelines for cancer since 2014. However, no independent assessment of their quality has been conducted to date. This study aimed to critically evaluate the quality of SEOM guidelines on cancer treatment.

Methods

Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) and AGREE-REX tool was used to evaluate the qualities of the guidelines.

Results

We assessed 33 guidelines, with 84.8% rated as “high quality”. The highest median standardized scores (96.3) were observed in the domain “clarity of presentation”, whereas “applicability” was distinctively low (31.4), with only one guideline scoring above 60%. SEOM guidelines did not include the views and preferences of the target population, nor did specify updating methods.

Conclusions

Although developed with acceptable methodological rigor, SEOM guidelines could be improved in the future, particularly in terms of clinical applicability and patient perspectives.
Fit-For-Purpose Method Development to Determine Co-Occurring Multiclass Mycotoxins in Apple and Apple Puree Samples
Authors: Carbonell-Rozas Laura , Van der Cruyssen Linde , Dall’Asta Chiara , Leggieri Marco Camardo , Battilani Paola
Published: June 2023

Due to the impact of the climate change on mycotoxins production and their occurrence in foods, it is important to consider the potential accumulation of unexpected mycotoxins in matrices susceptible to be contaminated such as apples. In this regard, a fit-for-purpose LC–MS/MS method to determine co-occurring mycotoxins in apple purees has been proposed, considering the fungal profile isolated from stored apple fruits. Due to the isolation ofFusariumspp., fumonisins were included in the method along withAlternariatoxins (alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, and tentoxin), aflatoxins, and the only so far regulated patulin. The method was fully characterized in terms of linearity, sensitivity (LODs and LOQs below 0.4 and 1.4 µg kg−1, respectively, except for patulin being lower than 1.2 and 4.1 µg kg−1), precision, and recovery. The optimized method was then applied to the analysis of stored apples and apple purees from retail market. The preliminary survey brought the first evidence of FB1 occurrence in apple purees and highlighted the need for monitoring mycotoxins co-occurrence in apples and apple-based products.
Examining different perspectives on “disadvantage” in European education systems as a basis for developing remedial interventions for disadvantaged schools
Authors: Anderson-Park Eva , Kindlinger Marcus , van Veldhuizen Myrte , Abs Hermann Josef
Published: June 2023

In the context of disadvantaged schools, remedial interventions are implemented to compensate for unfavourable conditions. However, there seems to be no clear rationale linking the characteristics which education systems use to decide whether a school is disadvantaged and the prospective remedial interventions. In addition, the specific needs and challenges faced by novice teachers working in disadvantaged schools are not well understood. Yet, this is important for the success of pedagogical measures improving outcomes for both teachers and students. This article aims to fill this gap by examining the terminology and indicators used across European educational systems to identify disadvantaged schools, as well as the perceptions of novice teachers at these schools about the issues they face. The empirical part of the article draws on evaluation data from a European project (NEST—Novice Educator Support and Training) which implemented an adaptive mentoring programme in Austria and six other European education systems. In a first step, the authors approach the definition of the concept of disadvantage and examine how disadvantaged schools are designated in the seven education systems. To this end, document analyses and expert interviews were examined. Analysing novice teacher data from the questionnaires developed for project evaluation, the authors observe how the challenges of disadvantaged schools are perceived from both the perspective of novice teachers as well as educational administrations. The findings provide valuable insights for the design and implementation of remedial interventions that are tailored to the unique challenges disadvantaged schools face.
Odour-sensitive passenger comfort in small aircraft cabins
Authors: Nasoulis C.P. , Mantziou S. , Gkoutzamanis V.G. , Kalfas A.I.
Published: June 2023

This work presents a numerical investigation targeting to simulate the slice of a small aircraft cabin as an experimental facility with a controlled environment, to assess passenger comfort when exposed to high volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations. The mixing and transport of chemical species are evaluated using computational fluid dynamics for 800 s of in-cabin actual flow time and measurements are taken every 10 s from selected computational nodes close to the passengers’ noses. The results are used to create a dataset that trains four different machine learning classifiers, namely, the Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, Logistic Regression and Naive Bayes, and their performance is compared. Moreover, an additional simulation of the cabin with a filtering system utilising high-efficiency particulate air and activated carbon filters is conducted, to evaluate the impact of the molecular weight of the compounds on their residence time, and compare it to the simulation without the filters. Results indicate that the model is insensitive to the inlet air mass flow variation and that the mass of the VOCs measured in the monitored computational nodes remains relatively unaffected, meaning that the impact of the air-conditioning system setting is minor. Additionally, a Boruta feature selection algorithm is used to determine the importance of each measurement of the simulation and to form a dataset that will train the four machine learning classifiers. Furthermore, the comparison of the two simulations, the one with and the one without the filters, indicates that the residence time (RT) of the compounds is independent of their molecular weight, as they all show equivalent percentile reductions, with the naphthalene and styrene showing a 28.5% and 28.3% reduction respectively, compared to the simulation without the filters. Finally, in-cabin flow irregularities are present, disrupting the flow symmetry and suggesting that not all passengers share the same traveling experience.
Optimism and pessimism toward science: A new way to look at the public’s evaluations of science and technology discoveries and recommendations
Authors: Kang Ki Eun , Vedlitz Arnold , Goldsmith Carol L. , Seavey Ian
Published: June 2023

While there have always been those in the American public who mistrust science and scientists’ views of the world, they have tended to be a minority of the larger public. Recent COVID-19 related events indicate that could be changing for some key groups. What might explain the present state of mistrust of science within an important component of the American public? In this study, we delve deeply into this question and examine what citizens today believe about science and technology and why, focusing on core theories of trust, risk concern, and political values and on the important role of science optimism and pessimism orientations. Using national public survey data, we examine the correlates of science optimism and pessimism and test the efficacy of this construct as drivers of biotechnology policy. We find that science optimism and pessimism are empirically useful constructs and that they are important predictors of biotechnology policy choices.