bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Commons for Whom? Racism and the Environmental Movement
Authors: Ghoche Ralph , Udoh Unyimeabasi
Published: June 2023

The question of whether we must ‘save the world,’ in an ecological sense, has in its wake another, more insidious question: for whom? This chapter looks at troubling elements in the postwar environmental movement that embraced racist and misanthropic assumptions regarding peoples of the Global South. It pays special attention to “The Tragedy of the Commons,” a 1968 article by the ecologist Garrett Hardin, highlighting the nativist and white nationalist themes that run through this well-known text. It locates the emergence of these biases in the revival of interest in population theories in the 1940s, which warned that the maximum population the earth could sustain would soon be surpassed. The chapter concludes by considering two attitudes that prompt misguided interpretations of the human role in nature: the first “naturalizes” human action, subsuming it under nature’s own set of priorities, while the second “denatures” humanity, seeing it as a “parasite” existing outside of nature and acting in a wholly disruptive way. We argue that recent environmental action and scholarship are challenging these problematic viewpoints.
The Four Pillars of Peer Assessment for Collaborative Teamwork in Higher Education
Authors: Sridharan Bhavani , McKay Jade , Boud David
Published: June 2023

Peer learning is an umbrella term covering diverse strategies supporting students to learn from each other. Studies highlight the power of combining two intertwined models of peer learning, namely peer assessment/feedback and collaborative team-based learning, to prepare graduates for the world of work and encourage acceptable social behaviours. Nevertheless, this approach comes with distinct challenges of marking bias, implementation difficulties, quality, trust and other issues. Studies addressing these challenges in the collaborative teamwork context are sparse and fail to consider the complex and intertwined challenges. Responding to this need, we propose a four-pillar framework comprising veracity, validity, volume and literacy to provide a strong footing on which to base future work in this area. Each of the pillars supports specific but overlapping aspects of peer assessment including assessment design (veracity pillar); implementation considerations (validity pillar); technology factors (volume pillar); and roles and responsibilities (literacy pillar). The framework aims to support educators, policymakers and scholars in mitigating challenges to reimagine and renew peer learning practices to effect positive change.
Support Student Integration of Multiple Peer Feedback on Research Writing in Thesis Circles
Authors: Hsiao Ya Ping , Rajagopal Kamakshi
Published: June 2023

The setup of thesis circles at the exit level of undergraduate programs expects students to co-supervise each other’s work and multiple peer feedback is used to replace supervisor formative feedback. Integrating multiple peer feedback requires students to be able to make evaluative judgements by identifying relation patterns among different feedback givers and make a reasoned decision for improving their own work. Unfortunately, most undergraduate students find it difficult to deal with this high degree of multiplicity. Therefore, teachers should support feedback receivers through sufficient training materials and well-designed instructional activities to effectively make sense and integrate multiple peer feedback. Increasingly diverse research on peer feedback makes it difficult for teachers to interconnect all aspects in their instructional design. In this chapter, we develop a conjecture map to structure the design of instructional activities and to advance the current literature in four ways: (1) we use a combination of analogical/holistic and analytical comparisons to guide students throughout the peer review process, (2) we engage feedback receivers in epistemic reflection so that they grasp intra- and inter-feedback, (3) we describe the mediating processes on how these activities result in intervention outcomes of evaluative judgements and improved thesis work, and (4) we propose how to structure a feedback dialogue and generate a self-feedback report. Our instructional design demonstrates how to apply various design principles from multiple text integration and feedback literature to student integration of multiple peer feedback.
Impact of nuclear matrix element calculations for current and future neutrinoless double beta decay searches
Authors: Pompa Federica , Schwetz Thomas , Zhu Jing-Yu
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Nuclear matrix elements (NME) are a crucial input for the interpretation of neutrinoless double beta decay data. We consider a representative set of recent NME calculations from different methods and investigate the impact on the present bound on the effective Majorana mass mββ by performing a combined analysis of the available data as well as on the sensitivity reach of future projects. A crucial role is played by the recently discovered short-range contribution to the NME, induced by light Majorana neutrino masses. Depending on the NME model and the relative sign of the long- and short-range contributions, the current 3σ bound can change between mββ< 40 meV and 600 meV. The sign-uncertainty may either boost the sensitivity of next-generation experiments beyond the region for mββ predicted for inverted mass ordering or prevent even advanced setups to reach this region. Furthermore, we study the possibility to distinguish between different NME calculations by assuming a positive signal and by combining measurements from different isotopes. Such a discrimination will be impossible if the relative sign of the long- and short-range contribution remains unknown, but can become feasible if mββ ≳ 40 meV and if the relative sign is known to be positive. Sensitivities will be dominated by the advanced 76Ge and 136Xe setups assumed here, but NME model-discrimination improves if data from a third isotope is added, e.g., from 130Te or 100Mo.
Asymptotic Completeness in a Class of Massive Wedge-Local Quantum Field Theories in any Dimension
Authors: Duell Maximilian , Dybalski Wojciech
Published: June 2023

A recently developed$$n$$n-particle scattering theory for wedge-local quantum field theories is applied to a class of models described and constructed by Grosse, Lechner, Buchholz, and Summers. In the BLS-deformation setting we establish explicit expressions for$$n$$n-particle wave operators and the$$S$$S-matrix of ordered asymptotic states, and we show that ordered asymptotic completeness is stable under the general BLS-deformation construction. In particular, the (ordered) Grosse–Lechner$$S$$S-matrices are non-trivial also beyond two-particle scattering and factorize into 2-particle scattering processes, which is an unusual feature in space-time dimension$$d > 1+1$$d>1+1. Most notably, the Grosse–Lechner models provide the first examples of relativistic (wedge-local) QFT in space-time dimension $$d > 1+1$$d>1+1which are interacting and asymptotically complete.
Dynamics of neocortical networks: connectivity beyond the canonical microcircuit
Authors: Luhmann Heiko J.
Published: June 2023

The neocortical network consists of two types of excitatory neurons and a variety of GABAergic inhibitory interneurons, which are organized in distinct microcircuits providing feedforward, feedback, lateral inhibition, and disinhibition. This network is activated by layer- and cell-type specific inputs from first and higher order thalamic nuclei, other subcortical regions, and by cortico-cortical projections. Parallel and serial information processing occurs simultaneously in different intracortical subnetworks and is influenced by neuromodulatory inputs arising from the basal forebrain (cholinergic), raphe nuclei (serotonergic), locus coeruleus (noradrenergic), and ventral tegmentum (dopaminergic). Neocortical neurons differ in their intrinsic firing pattern, in their local and global synaptic connectivity, and in the dynamics of their synaptic interactions. During repetitive stimulation, synaptic connections between distinct neuronal cell types show short-term facilitation or depression, thereby activating or inactivating intracortical microcircuits. Specific networks are capable to generate local and global activity patterns (e.g., synchronized oscillations), which contribute to higher cognitive function and behavior. This review article aims to give a brief overview on our current understanding of the structure and function of the neocortical network.
The role of digital literacy in augmented, virtual, and mixed reality in popular science education: a review study and an educational framework development
Authors: Chang Chu-Yang , Kuo Hsu-Chan , Du Zhengyi
Published: June 2023

This study aims to bridge the gap between extended reality (XR) and digital literacy (DL) in popular science education and further develop a DL–XR framework. XR includes augmented, virtual, and mixed reality (AR, VR, and MR), which has received increased attention and has been used for educational purposes in recent years. However, the studies of XR in popular science education and its impact on students are scant. It is also challenging to find studies entailing XR and DL in education. This study not only offers an overview of the status quo of XR education but also is the first research presenting a referential framework that systematically integrates the many dimensions of XR and DL for future research and educational practices. XR has been extensively used in museums, benefiting users with immersive, authentic, hands-on, and interactive experiences. In the DL–XR framework, based on the variations of “individual-group” and “passive consumption-active creation”, eight dimensions of DL linked to XR are proposed, including “access and understanding”, “evaluation”, “ethics and well-being”, “interaction”, “collaboration”, “creation”, “problem-solving”, and “civic engagement and responsibility”. In the nurturing of DL, evidence revealed that XR is mostly used for learners to access knowledge/information and interact with virtual items; nonetheless, its applications for active creation, problem-solving, and collaboration are seldom prioritised. This study further proposes integrating project-based learning into XR pedagogical practices, which can maximise its impact on learning and empower the learners to achieve advanced levels of DL.
GNSS-based precise orbit determination for maneuvering LEO satellites
Authors: Mao Xinyuan , Arnold Daniel , Kalarus Maciej , Padovan Sebastiano , Jäggi Adrian
Published: June 2023

Maneuverability is essential for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to fulfill various operational objectives. However, the precise orbit determination (POD) process might deteriorate due to imperfect satellite orbital dynamics modeling. This article develops a generic POD strategy with maneuver handling for LEO satellites equipped with high-performance spaceborne Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers. Given the time span of an executed maneuver, a set of constant thrust accelerations in the satellite body-fixed reference frame is estimated without using a-priori maneuver accelerations. In addition, different numbers of velocity pulses are estimated at predefined epochs determined by the duration of a maneuver. POD experiments are done for the GRACE-FO and Sentinel-3 satellites, for which the orbit maneuvers vary significantly. The orbits are assessed via internal consistency checks and external orbit validations. Internally, in each direction, the agreement between the reduced-dynamic and kinematic orbits reaches a level of 1 cm, which is comparable with the reference day without maneuvers. Externally, comparisons with the official GRACE-FO products and orbits from the Sentinel-3 Copernicus POD Quality Working Group confirm the reliability of the new orbits with maneuver handling. Finally, satellite laser ranging and K-band ranging measurements indicate a 1-cm accuracy of the absolute orbits and a 2-mm accuracy of the GRACE-FO relative orbits. The maneuver handling strategy is tested in the Bernese GNSS Software, consistently developed at the Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern.
Numerical Dissipation Rate Analysis of Finite-Volume and Continuous-Galerkin Methods for LES of Combustor Flow-Field
Authors: Saini Vishal , Xia Hao , Page Gary
Published: June 2023

A growing body of literature indicates that element-based high-order methods can exhibit considerable accuracy/cost benefit over conventional second-order finite-volume (FV) methods for large-eddy simulations (LES). This may even hold true for complex configurations relevant to industry that involve under-resolving unstructured grids. However, it is not often clear whether the accuracy/cost benefit stems from the low-dissipative nature of the high-order numerical schemes or from using a different LES approach (implicit/explicit), or a combination of the two. The present paper employs a numerical dissipation rate analysis technique due to Schranner et al. (Comput Fluids 114:84–97, 2015) to better understand the reasons for the high-order benefit seen previously on a complex LES test case related to gas-turbine combustors. It is established that a high(fifth)-order LES run provides better accuracy than its second-order FV counterpart at the same computational cost primarily because of lower numerical dissipation and the LES model dissipation has a secondary role to play. The numerical dissipation is found to contribute 60–90% of the total (numerical and LES model) dissipation.
Application of the continuum suitability index (csi) model to display the permeability of the alpine-dinaric landscape and to define intervention priorities for ecological linkages
Authors: Favilli Filippo , Laner Peter , Bertoncelj Irena
Published: June 2023

The Alps and the Dinaric Mountains are European biodiversity hubs and still show one of the lowest levels of landscape fragmentation in Europe, although some parts of the two mountain ranges are subjected to heavy human-related pressures. The aim of the present study was to analyse the current state of landscape connectivity and identify the most important geographical areas for preservation of unimpeded movement of species and the flow of natural processes from northern Italy to northern Greece, using the Continuum Suitability Index (CSI) in combination with a least-cost path (LCP) model.

Results show 21.2% of the of the area displays high level of permeability with functioning ecological linkages (named Strategic Connectivity Areas, SACA1) of which 82% are already under environmental protection. However, results indicate a noticeable difference in the proportion of SACA1 area under environmental protection between EU and non-EU countries. The proportion of the national territory assigned to SACA1 varies considerably among countries from 7.2% in Bosnia and Herzegovina to 31.3% in Albania. The identified macro-regional LCP covers 105,669 km2 interlinking 52% of the SACA1 surface. Almost half of the SACA1 are transboundary, indicating high importance of synchronised cross-border conservation efforts and spatial planning. Results of this structural connectivity model are useful for policy maker on the macro-regional scale, however future efforts should focus on functional connectivity on the local and regional scales.
Repeated measures of mammographic density and texture to evaluate prediction and risk of breast cancer: a systematic review of the methods used in the literature
Authors: Anandarajah Akila , Chen Yongzhen , Stoll Carolyn , Hardi Angela , Jiang Shu , Colditz Graham A.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

It may be important for women to have mammograms at different points in time to track changes in breast density, as fluctuations in breast density can affect breast cancer risk. This systematic review aimed to assess methods used to relate repeated mammographic images to breast cancer risk.

Methods

The databases including Medline (Ovid) 1946-, Embase.com 1947-, CINAHL Plus 1937-, Scopus 1823-, Cochrane Library (including CENTRAL), and Clinicaltrials.gov were searched through October 2021. Eligibility criteria included published articles in English describing the relationship of change in mammographic features with risk of breast cancer. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool.

Results

Twenty articles were included. The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System and Cumulus were most commonly used for classifying mammographic density and automated assessment was used on more recent digital mammograms. Time between mammograms varied from 1 year to a median of 4.1, and only nine of the studies used more than two mammograms. Several studies showed that adding change of density or mammographic features improved model performance. Variation in risk of bias of studies was highest in prognostic factor measurement and study confounding.

Conclusion

This review provided an updated overview and revealed research gaps in assessment of the use of texture features, risk prediction, and AUC. We provide recommendations for future studies using repeated measure methods for mammogram images to improve risk classification and risk prediction for women to tailor screening and prevention strategies to level of risk.
Parallel mutation testing for large scale systems
Authors: Cañizares Pablo C. , Núñez Alberto , Filgueira Rosa , de Lara Juan
Published: June 2023

Mutation testing is a valuable technique for measuring the quality of test suites in terms of detecting faults. However, one of its main drawbacks is its high computational cost. For this purpose, several approaches have been recently proposed to speed-up the mutation testing process by exploiting computational resources in distributed systems. However, bottlenecks have been detected when those techniques are applied in large-scale systems. This work improves the performance of mutation testing using large-scale systems by proposing a new load distribution algorithm, and parallelising different steps of the process. To demonstrate the benefits of our approach, we report on a thorough empirical evaluation, which analyses and compares our proposal with existing solutions executed in large-scale systems. The results show that our proposal outperforms the state-of-the-art distribution algorithms up to 35% in three different scenarios, reaching a reduction of the execution time of—at best—up to 99.66%.
Evaluation of teachers’ orchestration tools usage in robotic classrooms
Authors: Shahmoradi Sina , Kothiyal Aditi , Bruno Barbara , Dillenbourg Pierre
Published: June 2023

Teachers’ self-efficacy in managing classrooms is an important consideration when it comes to bringing educational robots to classrooms. Orchestration tools support teachers by providing awareness indicators of students’ progress as well as levers to control the flow of the lesson. We designed and evaluated the impact of an orchestration tool for a series of robot-based learning activities to teach a basic concept in mathematics to children, aged 7-10. Six teachers in primary schools across Switzerland used the orchestration tool to manage the activities in six sessions involving a total of ninety-one students. We observed teachers’ usage of the orchestration tool during the sessions and interviewed them after the sessions about the usefulness of these functionalities. Our findings show that even though teachers used the tool in different ways from each other, in general, it supported them in their classroom orchestration practices, mainly to manage the activity sequence and get aware of the robot technical failures and, to a lesser degree, get aware of students’ progress for the purpose of activity transitions and enriching class discussions. We discuss the theoretical implications of these results, relating our findings to the literature on classroom orchestration tool design, especially highlighting the importance of educational level and the type of learning technology as contextual factors affecting teachers’ usage of orchestration tools. We also provide implications for designing orchestration tools, focusing on the necessity of providing different types of awareness indicators and multiple options for activity management to fulfil the variety of teachers’ orchestration needs.
Drivers of Bilateral Climate Finance Aid: The Roles of Paris Agreement Commitments, Public Governance, and Multilateral Institutions
Authors: Han Xuehui , Cheng Yuan
Published: June 2023

Using granular data from the OECD from 2010 to 2018 that differentiate between adaptation and mitigation measures to address climate change, we employed a double-hurdle model to examine whether countries’ Paris Agreement commitments and governance capacity help attract international climate-change-related financial aid. We found that (1) countries received a short-term aid boost in the year when they submitted the nationally determined contribution, and countries that committed only to action targets rather than emission goals were more likely to receive funds; (2) both the quality of the budget and financial management and the quality of public administration significantly enhanced the likelihood of receiving aid, but only the quality of public administration contributed to attracting funding for adaptations; and (3) multilateral institutions played catalytic roles in fostering bilateral international climate-change aid, particularly by increasing the likelihood of funding.
Parent–Teacher Meetings in the Context of Inclusion: Preschool Teachers and Parents of Children with Disabilities in Counseling Situations
Authors: Then Daniel , Pohlmann-Rother Sanna
Published: June 2023

Parent–teacher meetings are an important element of preschool education. Parents of children with disabilities especially show a high need for counseling, particularly at their child's transition to school. How preschool teachers address this need in their meetings with parents is heavily influenced by how they perceive their relationship with parents. This study, therefore, investigates how preschool teachers (n = 22) perceive their relationship with parents of children with disabilities in transition-related meetings. The data were collected in guideline-based interviews and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The results show that most teachers think their own perspective on the child is more accurate than the parents’ perspective. Parents are predominantly seen as needing support. Furthermore, the teachers’ statements indicate that the children are rarely directly involved in the meetings. The teachers justify this with the children’s disabilities, for example. Overall, the findings suggest that an ‘educational partnership’ is not realized in meetings with parents of children with disabilities. The findings also imply that the concept of ‘educational partnerships’ is a questionable construct when adequately describing the relationship between parents and preschool teachers. In conclusion, the concept of educational alliances is presented as an alternative.
A Testing Load: Investigating Test Mode Effects on Test Score, Cognitive Load and Scratch Paper Use with Secondary School Students
Authors: Pengelley James , Whipp Peter R. , Rovis-Hermann Nina
Published: June 2023

The aim of the present study is to reconcile previous findings (a) that testing mode has no effect on test outcomes or cognitive load (Comput Hum Behav 77:1–10, 2017) and (b) that younger learners’ working memory processes are more sensitive to computer-based test formats (J Psychoeduc Assess 37(3):382–394, 2019). We addressed key methodological limitations in past cognitive load research by employing a repeated measures design with 263, year 9 (aged 13–14) science students in Western Australia. Question difficulty (intrinsic cognitive load) and test mode (extraneous cognitive load) were manipulated to measure changes in test performance, cognitive load and scratch paper use on equivalent paper and computer-based versions of an Ohm’s Law revision quiz. Hierarchical linear modelling indicated significantly higher paper-based test performance on difficult questions in addition to greater cognitive load and scratch paper use for all paper questions. Testing mode effects on test score, as well as both measures of cognitive load, were not significant when controlling for working memory capacity, although the testing mode*question difficulty interaction remained significant. Together, these results contradict previous findings that computer-based testing can be implemented without consequence for all learners. With the increased use of computer-based testing in national and international-level assessments, these findings warrant further research into the effect of different testing modes on school-aged students.
Demographic dynamics of waterborne disease and perceived associated WASH factors in Bushenyi and Sheema districts of South-Western Uganda
Authors: Onohuean Hope , Nwodo Uchechukwu U.
Published: June 2023

Water remains a significant player in spreading pathogens, including those associated with neglected tropical diseases. The implications of socio-demographic delineations of water quality, sanitation, and hygiene (“WASH”) interventions are on the downswing. This study assessed waterborne diseases and perceived associated WASH factors in the Bushenyi and Sheema districts of South-Western Uganda. This study examines the linear relationship between WASH and identifies the association of specific demographic factors as well as their contributions/correlations to waterborne disease in the study area. A structured qualitative and quantitative data collection approach was adopted in face-to-face questionnaire-guided interviews of 200 respondents on eight surface water usage. Most participants, 65.5%, were females and had a higher score of knowledge of WASH (71%), 68% score on the improper practice of WASH, and 64% score on unsafe water quality. Low score for basic economic status was (57%), report of common diarrhoea was (47%), and a low incidence of waterborne disease outbreaks (27%). The principal component analysis (PCA) depicts the knowledge and practice of WASH to have a strong positive correlation (r = 0.84, p < 0.001; r = 0.82, p < 0.001); also economic status positively correlated with grade of water source, knowledge, and practice of WASH (correlation coefficient = 0.72; 0.99; 0.76 and p-values = 0.001; < 0.001; < 0.001 respectively). Occupation (p = 0.0001, OR = 6.798) was significantly associated with knowledge and practice of WASH, while age (r = −0.21, p < 0.001) was negatively associated with knowledge and practice of WASH. The basic economic status explains why “low economic population groups” in the remote villages may not effectively implement WASH, and diarrhoea was common among the population. Diarrhoea associated with unsafe water quality and improper practice of WASH is common among the study population, and there is a low incidence of waterborne disease outbreaks. Therefore, government, stakeholders, and non-governmental organisations should work together to promote proper practice of WASH conditions to limit the occurrence of diarrhoea and prevent potential waterborne disease outbreaks.
Are rotifer indices suitable for assessing the trophic status in slow-flowing waters of canals?
Authors: Kolarova Nikola , Napiórkowski Paweł
Published: June 2023

Zooplankton indicators based on rotifers (TSIROT) and an indicator based on Secchi disk visibility (TSISD) were used to assess trophic state changes in artificial, slow-flowing, and stagnant canal waters. The study was conducted in the summers of 2019, 2021, and 2022 in the Bydgoszcz Canal and the Noteć Canal (Poland). Water samples were taken from five sites once in the month of July and once in August. In terms of the species number and density, rotifers dominated among zooplankton (at almost all sites), which reflected the high trophic state. Our results showed statistically significant correlations between TSIROT and TSISD as well as between the individual indicators TSIROT1 (Rotifer numbers), TSIROT2 (Rotifer biomass), TSIROT3 (bacterivorous numbers of rotifers), TSIROT6 (rotifers indicating high trophic state), and TSISD. According to our study, the presented indices most likely determine the trends between TSIROT cumulative and TSISD in the studied canals. Similarly to previous studies performed on lakes and small reservoirs, zooplankton constituted a useful indicator of trophic state. It seems that, for stagnant and slowly flowing waters of canals such as the Bydgoszcz Canal and the Noteć Canal, the method of zooplankton trophic status indicators based on rotifers may be applied.
Quality information gaps in housing listings: Do words mean the same as pictures?
Authors: Hebdzyński Michał
Published: June 2023

The incomplete or defective information on the listed housing quality may impair the market clearing processes, may lead to the adverse selection and would have its reflection in the data needed to perform market analyses. To pinpoint the existing information gaps, this paper inspects the quality-related information disclosure strategies of agents who list apartments for sale or rent in online listing platforms. The first part of the empirical study compares the direct declarations of the listed housing quality with the quality indirectly signaled via photos attached to listings and shows that there extists a discrepancy between them. Combined with the high share of observations, for which the full information on quality is not being disclosed it contributes to the existence of informations gaps. The second part of the study answers, whether indirect textual quality signals (descriptions of apartments), processed with the use of Wordscores—a supervised machine learning algorithm are consistent with visual quality signals. It has been documented, that the sales listings’ quality signals have agreed in 63–90% of cases, depending on the model’s variant. For the rental market, the descriptive quality signals have matched the visual ones in 71–83% of cases. Moreover, it has been shown that among rental listings the consistency has been higher for listings posted by landlords, while for sales listings—by brokers. Finally, it may be argued that to fill the existing information gaps one may utilize the often-unused information conveyed via textual quality-signalling channel.
Establishing psychological safety in online design-thinking education: a qualitative study
Authors: Moffett Jenny , Little Ruth , Illing Jan , de Carvalho Filho Marco Antonio , Bok Harold
Published: June 2023

Design thinking, an approach traditionally used to develop or improve products, services, or processes within design and engineering sectors, has emerged as a novel pedagogical approach. As design thinking becomes more widely established within education contexts, it is important to gain deeper insight as to how such learning environments operate. The aim of this study was to explore online design thinking through the lens of psychological safety. We used a qualitative single-case study design to investigate nine students’ experiences across a nine-week design-thinking project. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and reflective journal entries, and analysed through reflexive thematic analysis. Our findings suggested that psychological safety is a valuable consideration in the design and implementation of online design-thinking learning environments. Facilitators of psychological safety included having collaborative environments, encouraging leadership, and a focus on team formation. Barriers to psychological safety included difficulties connecting, fear of speaking, and cultural considerations. Our findings also highlighted several outcomes of psychologically safe team climates, including creativity, collaboration, and the development of approaches to working with uncertainty.
Intentional presence and the accompaniment of dying patients
Authors: Guité-Verret Alexandra , Vachon Mélanie , Girard Dominique
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we offer a phenomenological and hermeneutical perspective on the presence of clinicians who care for the suffering and dying patients in the context of end-of-life care. Clinician presence is described as a way of (1) being present to the patient and to oneself, (2) being in the present moment, and (3) receiving and giving a presence (in the sense of a gift).We discuss how presence is a way of restoring human beings’ relational and dialogical nature. To inform a different perspective on relational ethics, we also discuss how accompaniment refers to the clinician’s awareness of the human condition and its existential limits.
A proximal subgradient algorithm with extrapolation for structured nonconvex nonsmooth problems
Authors: Pham Tan Nhat , Dao Minh N. , Shah Rakibuzzaman , Sultanova Nargiz , Li Guoyin , Islam Syed
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we consider a class of structured nonconvex nonsmooth optimization problems, in which the objective function is formed by the sum of a possibly nonsmooth nonconvex function and a differentiable function with Lipschitz continuous gradient, subtracted by a weakly convex function. This general framework allows us to tackle problems involving nonconvex loss functions and problems with specific nonconvex constraints, and it has many applications such as signal recovery, compressed sensing, and optimal power flow distribution. We develop a proximal subgradient algorithm with extrapolation for solving these problems with guaranteed subsequential convergence to a stationary point. The convergence of the whole sequence generated by our algorithm is also established under the widely used Kurdyka–Łojasiewicz property. To illustrate the promising numerical performance of the proposed algorithm, we conduct numerical experiments on two important nonconvex models. These include a compressed sensing problem with a nonconvex regularization and an optimal power flow problem with distributed energy resources.
Optimal coordinated congestion pricing for multiple regions: a surrogate-based approach
Authors: Chen Yifan , Gu Ziyuan , Zheng Nan , Vu Hai L.
Published: June 2023

Congestion pricing is one of the efficient travel demand management strategies. Many existing researches focus on dealing with the toll optimization problem for a single area. However, the urban network is often composed of several administrative regions. Furthermore, even inside a single administrative region, there may be multiple subnetworks with different traffic dynamics. As a result, the centric pricing scheme may not be applicable. This paper aims to design a coordinated dynamic pricing scheme for such a scenario with multiple adjacent areas which experience an overlapping congested period. Unlike the traditional approach centered on the bi-level mathematical programming, we adopt the regressing Kriging model to estimate the input–output mapping, thus searching for the simulation-based optimal solution in the toll design problem. Two types of coordinated pricing schemes are proposed. The first or unconstrained scheme only focuses on the network performance, while the second or constrained scheme further takes into account the pricing efficiency. The proposed coordinated pricing scheme is further compared with the perimeter control. The results indicate that our scheme is more moderate without imposing traffic burden on the links/corridors heading to protected zones.
Update zur Nationalen Diabetes-Surveillance
Authors: Tuncer Oktay , Du Yong , Baumert Jens , Reitzle Lukas , Heidemann Christin
Published: June 2023

Hintergrund

Die fragmentierte Informationsgrundlage zum Diabetesgeschehen in Deutschland führte zur Förderung des Projekts Nationale Diabetes-Surveillance am Robert Koch-Institut (RKI) durch das Bundesministerium für Gesundheit.

Ziel

Es soll eine indikatorenbasierte und nutzerorientierte Berichterstattung zu Risikofaktoren, Häufigkeit, Versorgung und Folgen des Diabetes aufgebaut und weiterentwickelt werden.

Methoden

Die konsentierten Indikatoren werden auf Basis von RKI-Gesundheitssurveys, Abrechnungs- und Versorgungsdaten, amtlichen Statistiken und Diabetesregistern abgebildet. Die Ergebnisse werden durch interaktive Visualisierungen und weitere Formate über die Webseite der Nationalen Diabetes-Surveillance bereitgestellt.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt sind über 90 % aller Diabetesfälle dem Typ 2 und etwa 5,5 % dem Typ 1 zuzuordnen. Die meisten Empfehlungen zur Versorgungsqualität des Typ-2-Diabetes werden von der Mehrheit der Erwachsenen erreicht, dennoch verbleibt ein Verbesserungspotenzial; dies steht in Einklang mit der als mittelmäßig selbsteingeschätzten Versorgungsqualität. Die Verbreitung von neuen Technologien in der Therapie bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Typ-1-Diabetes weist auf deren verbesserte Versorgung hin. Die Screeningquote für Gestationsdiabetes (GDM) ist angestiegen, jedoch ist bei Frauen mit GDM das Risiko für ausgewählte Komplikationen weiterhin erhöht. Kardiovaskuläre Erkrankungen und eine depressive Symptomatik treten häufiger bei Personen mit als bei Personen ohne Diabetes auf. Die Rate ambulant-sensitiver Krankenhausfälle ging zurück. Von den insgesamt verlorenen Lebensjahren sind bei Typ-2-Diabetes 67,4 % durch gesundheitliche Einschränkungen und bei Typ-1-Diabetes 54,3 % durch Versterben bedingt.

Diskussion

Die Nationale Diabetes-Surveillance bildet als Pilotprojekt die Basis für die Entwicklung einer umfassenden Surveillance weiterer nichtübertragbarer Krankheiten.
Effect of a National VHA Medical Scribe Pilot on Provider Productivity, Wait Times, and Patient Satisfaction in Cardiology and Orthopedics
Authors: Palani Sivagaminathan , Saeed Iman , Legler Aaron , Sadej Izabela , MacDonald Carol , Kirsh Susan R. , Pizer Steven D. , Shafer Paul R.
Published: June 2023

Background

Section 507 of the VA MISSION Act of 2018 mandated a 2-year pilot study of medical scribes in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), with 12 VA Medical Centers randomly selected to receive scribes in their emergency departments or high wait time specialty clinics (cardiology and orthopedics). The pilot began on June 30, 2020, and ended on July 1, 2022.

Objective

Our objective was to evaluate the impact of medical scribes on provider productivity, wait times, and patient satisfaction in cardiology and orthopedics, as mandated by the MISSION Act.

Design

Cluster randomized trial, with intent-to-treat analysis using difference-in-differences regression.

Patients

Veterans using 18 included VA Medical Centers (12 intervention and 6 comparison sites).

Intervention

Randomization into MISSION 507 medical scribe pilot.

Main Measures

Provider productivity, wait times, and patient satisfaction per clinic-pay period.

Key Results

Randomization into the scribe pilot was associated with increases of 25.2 relative value units (RVUs) per full-time equivalent (FTE) (p < 0.001) and 8.5 visits per FTE (p = 0.002) in cardiology and increases of 17.3 RVUs per FTE (p = 0.001) and 12.5 visits per FTE (p = 0.001) in orthopedics. We found that the scribe pilot was associated with a decrease of 8.5 days in request to appointment day wait times (p < 0.001) in orthopedics, driven by a 5.7-day decrease in appointment made to appointment day wait times (p < 0.001), and observed no change in wait times in cardiology. We also observed no declines in patient satisfaction with randomization into the scribe pilot.

Conclusions

Given the potential improvements in productivity and wait times with no change in patient satisfaction, our results suggest that scribes may be a useful tool to improve access to VHA care. However, participation in the pilot by sites and providers was voluntary, which could have implications for scalability and what effects could be expected if scribes were introduced to the care process without buy-in. Cost was not considered in this analysis but is an important factor for future implementation.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04154462.
Using Nudges to Reduce Missed Appointments in Primary Care and Mental Health: a Pragmatic Trial
Authors: Teo Alan R. , Niederhausen Meike , Handley Robert , Metcalf Emily E. , Call Aaron A. , Jacob R. Lorie , Zikmund-Fisher Brian J. , Dobscha Steven K. , Kaboli Peter J.
Published: June 2023

Background

Missed appointments (“no-shows”) are a persistent and costly problem in healthcare. Appointment reminders are widely used but usually do not include messages specifically designed to nudge patients to attend appointments.

Objective

To determine the effect of incorporating nudges into appointment reminder letters on measures of appointment attendance.

Design

Cluster randomized controlled pragmatic trial.

Patients

There were 27,540 patients with 49,598 primary care appointments, and 9420 patients with 38,945 mental health appointments, between October 15, 2020, and October 14, 2021, at one VA medical center and its satellite clinics that were eligible for analysis.

Interventions

Primary care (n = 231) and mental health (n = 215) providers were randomized to one of five study arms (four nudge arms and usual care as a control) using equal allocation. The nudge arms included varying combinations of brief messages developed with veteran input and based on concepts in behavioral science, including social norms, specific behavioral instructions, and consequences of missing appointments.

Main Measures

Primary and secondary outcomes were missed appointments and canceled appointments, respectively.

Statistical Analysis

Results are based on logistic regression models adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics, and clustering for clinics and patients.

Key Results

Missed appointment rates in study arms ranged from 10.5 to 12.1% in primary care clinics and 18.0 to 21.9% in mental health clinics. There was no effect of nudges on missed appointment rate in primary care (OR = 1.14, 95%CI = 0.96–1.36,p = 0.15) or mental health (OR = 1.20, 95%CI = 0.90–1.60,p = 0.21) clinics, when comparing the nudge arms to the control arm. When comparing individual nudge arms, no differences in missed appointment rates nor cancellation rates were observed.

Conclusions

Appointment reminder letters incorporating brief behavioral nudges were ineffective in improving appointment attendance in VA primary care or mental health clinics. More complex or intensive interventions may be necessary to significantly reduce missed appointments below their current rates.

Trial Number

ClinicalTrials.gov, Trial number NCT03850431.
Continuity of the Temperature in a Multi-Phase Transition Problem. Part III
Authors: Gianazza Ugo , Liao Naian
Published: June 2023

We establish local continuity of locally bounded weak solutions to a doubly nonlinear parabolic equation that models the temperature in multi-phase transitions. The enthalpy allows for general maximal monotone graphs of the temperature. Remarkably, moduli of continuity can be estimated without an explicit form of the enthalpy.
Reprogramming Human Female Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Primordial Germ Cell-Like Cells
Authors: Salvatore Giulia , Dolci Susanna , Camaioni Antonella , Klinger Francesca Gioia , De Felici Massimo
Published: June 2023

In the last two decades, considerable progress has been made in the derivation of mammalian germ cells from pluripotent stem cells such as Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs) and induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs). The pluripotent stem cells are generally first induced into pre-gastrulating endoderm/mesoderm-like status and then specified into putative primordial germ cells (PGCs) termed PGC-like cells (PGCLCs) which possess the potential to generate oocytes and sperms. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) are multipotent cells, having the capacity to differentiate into cell types such as adipocytes, osteocytes and chondrocytes. Since no information is available about the capability of female human ASCs (hASCs) to generate PGCLCs, we compared protocols to produce such cells from hASCs themselves or from hASC-derived iPSCs. The results showed that, providing pre-induction into a peri-gastrulating endoderm/mesoderm-like status, hASCs can generate PGCLCs. This process, however, shows a lower efficiency than when hASC-derived iPSCs are used as starting cells. Although hASCs possess multipotency and express mesodermal genes, direct induction into PGCLCs resulted less efficient.
Diagnosis and treatment of acute inflammatory sacroiliitis in pregnant or post-partum women: a systematic review of the current literature
Authors: Viroli G. , Cerasoli T. , Barile F. , Modeo M. , Manzetti M. , Traversari M. , Ruffilli A. , Faldini C.
Published: June 2023

The aim of the present study is to systematically review the current literature about diagnosis and treatment of acute inflammatory sacroiliitis in pregnant or post-partum women. A systematic search was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Data about clinical presentation, diagnosis methods and treatment strategies were retrieved from included studies and reported in a table. After screening, five studies on 34 women were included; they were all affected by acute inflammatory sacroiliitis. Clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging were used to confirm diagnosis. In four studies, patients were treated with ultrasound-guided sacroiliac injections of steroids and local anesthetics, while one study used only manual mobilization. Clinical scores improved in all patients. Ultrasound-guided injections proved to be a safe and effective strategy for inflammatory sacroiliitis treatment during pregnancy or post-partum.
Jongeren en zelfdoding op het spoor. Een mixed-methods-onderzoek
Authors: Mérelle Saskia Y. M. , Balt Elias , Schweren Lizanne , van den Brand Isa , van Eijk Nikki L. , Creemers Daan , Popma Arne , Gilissen Renske
Published: June 2023

Samenvatting

Inleiding

In Nederland betreft 31% van de suïcides op het spoor een jong persoon (tot 30 jaar). Jongeren zijn wellicht oververtegenwoordigd omdat zij impulsiever kunnen handelen en minder toegang hebben tot andere dodelijke middelen. Omdat het aantal suïcides onder jongeren stijgt, heeft dit onderzoek als doel om inzicht te krijgen in de kenmerken van jongeren die op het spoor overlijden.

Methode

Dit onderzoek gebruikt microdata van het CBS en interviewdata van een psychosociaal autopsieonderzoek in de periode 2017–2021. Er zijn chi-kwadraattoetsen, logistische regressieanalyses en kwalitatieve analyses uitgevoerd om kenmerken van spoorsuïcides te identificeren.

Resultaten

In totaal overleden 1.366 jongeren door zelfdoding, van wie 304 jongeren op het spoor. Dit waren vooral jonge mannen. Nederlandse herkomst, onderwijs volgen, laag opgeleid zijn en woonachtig bij ouders zijn waren kenmerken die vaker voorkwamen bij spoorsuïcides dan bij andere methoden, waarvan alleen onderwijs volgen sterk samenhing met spoorsuïcides. Opvallende thema’s in de interviews waren problemen op school, het niet kunnen realiseren van een zelfstandig leven en psychische problemen van jonge mannen met autisme.

Beschouwing en conclusie

Dit onderzoek geeft inzicht in de kenmerken van jongeren die zijn overleden door zelfdoding op het spoor. Naast fysieke maatregelen is in het onderwijs suïcidepreventie nodig en moeten er betere signalering en hulp komen voor jongeren met autisme.