bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary involvement in newly diagnosed and untreated rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis: a prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Winter Lone , Petzinna Simon M. , Skowasch Dirk , Pizarro Carmen , Weber Marcel , Kütting Daniel , Behning Charlotte , Bauer Claus-Jürgen , Schäfer Valentin S.
Published: December 2024

Objectives

To longitudinally assesses pulmonary involvement in newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients over a 12-months follow-up. To identify biomarkers and establish a diagnostic algorithm for monitoring pulmonary changes.

Methods

Newly diagnosed RA and PsA patients were examined with clinical and laboratory assessments, pulmonary function tests (PFT), and chest radiography (CXR) at three-months intervals for one year.

Results

The study enrolled 50 patients (26 RA, 24 PsA) and 26 controls. At baseline, 37.0% of arthritis patients (50.0% RA, 22.7% PsA) exhibited radiographic pulmonary involvement, with 64.7% being asymptomatic. No association was observed between CXR and PFTs. Reduced pathological breathing width was noted in 64.0% of patients (RA 69.2%, PsA 58.3%) and 23.1% of controls (p < .001). Thoracic excursion and lung auscultation showed no differences. During follow-up, PFT and physical examination findings remained stable. Mean CRP levels significantly decreased in RA patients from 23.5 mg/l (± 33.6; 95% CI: 9.9–37.1) to 2.7 mg/L (± 3.4; 95% CI: 1.0-4.3), and in PsA patients from 13.3 mg/L (± 18.0; 95% CI: 5.7–20.9) to 8.1 mg/L (± 16.2; 95% CI: 0.1–16.2) (p < .001). Additionally, significant reductions in disease activity scores and improvements in six-minute walking distance were observed (p < .001). No associations were identified between PFT outcomes, disease activity, or rheumatological medications throughout the disease course.

Conclusion

Our study underscores the prevalence of significant, predominantly asymptomatic pulmonary involvement in newly diagnosed RA and PsA patients. The lack of correlation between pulmonary function, disease activity, and medication during disease progression suggests that reducing arthritic disease activity does not necessarily mitigate the risk or severity of pulmonary involvement. Finally, our finding underscore the need for more sensitive biomarkers and optimized monitoring strategies.
Radiotherapy and inflammaging: the influence of prostate cancer radiotherapy on systemic inflammation
Authors: Paal Katarzyna , Stranz Bettina , Thurner Eva-Maria , Niedrist Tobias , Renner Wilfried , Langsenlehner Tanja
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The present study was performed to investigate the association of prostate cancer radiotherapy with inflammaging, a condition characterized by the elevation of inflammatory blood parameters that significantly increases the susceptibility to the occurrence or progression of age-related conditions.

Patients and Methods

A total of 306 patients treated with curative radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer were enrolled into the prospective study. Aging-related inflammatory parameters including C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, fibrinogen, cholesterol, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were analyzed before and at the end of RT, and 3 and 15 months after completion of the RT. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric variance analysis.

Results

Overall variance analysis showed a significant influence of RT on all inflammatory parameters (p < 0.001) with the exception of CRP (p = 0.498). Pairwise analysis revealed a significant elevation of fibrinogen (p = 0.041), NLR (p < 0.001), and PLR levels (p < 0.001) as well as a significant decrease of albumin (p < 0.001) and cholesterol levels (p < 0.001) during the RT course. After completion of RT, a significant recovery was detected for NLR, PLR, albumin and cholesterol. However, 15 months after RT, PLR, fibrinogen, and cholesterol remained significantly lower when compared to the baseline (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our results indicate that radiation therapy triggers chronic inflammatory processes that could contribute to the development, acceleration or worsening of age-related alterations and conditions. Further investigations to estimate the long-term consequences of curative radiation therapy on clinical manifestations of aging are warranted.
Simultaneous patellar tendon and anterior cruciate ligament rupture: a systematic review, meta-analysis and algorithmic approach
Authors: Ismailidis Petros , Neopoulos Georgios , Egloff Christian , Mündermann Annegret , Halbeisen Florian S. , Nüesch Corina , Appenzeller-Herzog Christian , Müller Sebastian A.
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Isolated patellar tendon (PT) or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are common injuries, yet the co-occurrence of both presents a rare challenge for clinicians. The objectives of the study are to document diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, outcomes, and complications of combined PT and ACL injuries and to develop an algorithm to guide clinicians in decision-making.

Methods

The systematic review und metanalysis was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Studies reporting on simultaneous PT and ACL ruptures were included. Meta-analysis was performed to compare different diagnostic modalities and treatment strategies.

Results

Thirty-six studies reporting on 56 Patients were included. 88% of patients had a concomitant injury (apart from PT and ACL) to the ipsilateral knee. Part of the diagnosis was missed in 23% of the cases. Performance of MRI significantly reduced the risk of missing a part of the injury (5% with MRI vs 69% without MRI, p < 0.001). Surgical treatment was used only for the PT in 21% of the cases and for the PT and ACL in 77% of the cases (48% one-stage, 52% two-stage surgical treatment).

Conclusion

Combined ACL and PT rupture is rare, and recognizing its full extent is crucial for successful management. Performing an MRI in PT rupture from high-energy trauma and diagnostic arthroscopy/arthrotomy when MRI is not done is essential. PT ruptures should be treated surgically. For ACL rupture, conservative and operative treatment, one- or two-stage surgery are possible based on the patient's profile and concomitant injuries. Based on the limited available literature, this systematic review provides a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm to assist in clinical decision-making.
Increased risk of adverse events following the treatment of associated versus elementary acetabular fractures: a matched analysis of short-term complications
Authors: Cole Sarah , Whitaker Sarah , O’Neill Conor , Satalich James , Ernst Brady , Kang Le , Hawila Rami , Satpathy Jibanananda , Kates Stephen
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This retrospective cohort study aims to compare short-term complication rates between patients receiving open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for associated versus elementary acetabular fractures, with a secondary objective of identifying independent risk factors for adverse outcomes.

Methods

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was queried using current procedural terminology (CPT) codes to identify patients that underwent ORIF for associated acetabular (CPT 27228) or elementary acetabular fractures (CPT 27226, 27227) from 2010 to 2021. Propensity score matching was employed to account for baseline differences and the short-term complication rates were compared between the cohorts.

Results

We identified 1,330 patients who underwent ORIF for an acetabular fracture between 2010 and 2021, including 868 patients with elementary fractures and 462 with associated fractures. After matching, there were 462 patients in each cohort. The matched associated acetabular fracture group experienced higher rates of any adverse event (AAE, p = 0.029), transfusion (p = 0.010), and reoperation (p = 0.049). Increased age, increased operative time, higher body mass index (BMI), and prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS) augmented the risk of any complication.

Conclusion

The findings of this study identify areas of greater risk of postoperative complications after ORIF in individuals with associated versus elementary acetabular fractures. Discussion of these heightened risks is critical to appropriate patient care. Understanding these risks plays an important role in the clinical decision-making process and may identify areas to monitor patients postoperatively.
Stochastic modeling with time-inhomogeneous Jacobi diffusions: applications to bounded and seasonal environmental processes
Authors: Larsson Karl
Published: December 2024

In this paper we explore stochastic modeling of bounded processes in continuous time using time-inhomogeneous Jacobi diffusions. We present some basic general results and introduce a subclass of models with seasonal time variation. In the seasonal models we derive the conditional mean and variance in closed form and propose a strategy for estimation based on quasi maximum likelihood. An empirical application is carried out to daily time series data on relative humidity. Simulation methods are used to investigate properties of the resulting parameter estimators. The results show that the proposed seasonal Jacobi model gives a very satisfactory fit to data and that the estimation procedure works well.
Solutes in water affect the primary cavitation bubble generated by a pulsed erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser
Authors: Meire Maarten , van Aelst Ben , Sehovic Aldin , Deari Shengjile , Zehnder Matthias
Published: December 2024

Laser-activated irrigation (LAI) of root canal systems depends on the generation of cavitation bubbles in the endodontic irrigant. Physical studies thus far focused on pulse energy, pulse length, frequency, and fiber tip shape, mostly in plain water. This study investigated the effect of endodontically relevant molecules (sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), and their combination) in water on physical properties of the resulting solution, and their impact on primary cavitation bubble features. A commercially available 3% NaOCl irrigant was used, as well as an etidronate powder (Dual Rinse HEDP) to be admixed. Physical parameters (density, surface tension, and viscosity) of these solutions were assessed, including HEDP effects in an ascending concentration series of up to 20%. Primary cavitation bubble features (dimensional and temporal) in conjunction with a pulsed erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Er: YAG) laser equipped with a flat or conical fiber tip were studied in these liquids using a high-speed camera. Solutes increased the solution’s density, surface tension, and viscosity, with an almost linear response to HEDP dosage (Pearson correlation coefficient > 0.95). This reduced the speed of the primary cavitation bubble, and increased its size and lifetime. Increased HEDP concentrations had a pronounced effect on the shape of bubbles generated at the flat tip. NaOCl and HEDP alter the physical properties of water, which, in turn, affect its cavitation behavior.
Neighborhood persistency of the linear optimization relaxation of integer linear optimization
Authors: Kimura Kei , Nakayama Kotaro
Published: December 2024

For an integer linear optimization (ILO) problem, persistency of its linear optimization (LO) relaxation is a property that for every optimal solution of the relaxation that assigns integer values to some variables, there exists an optimal solution of the ILO problem in which these variables retain the same values. Although persistency has been used to develop heuristic, approximation, and fixed-parameter algorithms for special cases of ILO, its applicability remains unknown in the literature. In this paper, we reveal a maximal subclass of ILO such that its LO relaxation has persistency. Specifically, we show that the LO relaxation of ILO on unit-two-variable-per-inequality (UTVPI) systems has persistency and is (in a certain sense) maximal among such ILO. Our result generalizes the persistency results by Nemhauser and Trotter, Hochbaum et al., and Fiorini et al. Even more, we propose a stronger property called neighborhood persistency and show that the LO relaxation of ILO on UTVPI systems in general has this property. Using this stronger result, we obtain a fixed-parameter algorithm (where the parameter is the optimal value) and another proof of 2-approximability for ILO on UTVPI systems where objective functions and variables are non-negative.
Racial Disparities in Cesarean Section Rates Between Non-Hispanic Black and Non-Hispanic White Populations in the United States
Authors: Yang Yanchao , Mullen Margaret , Zhang Guangda
Published: December 2024

This study uses national natality data from the National Vital Statistics System, provided by the National Center for Health Statistics, covering the years 2011 to 2018 (N = 23,810,031) to investigate racial disparities in cesarean section (C-section) rates between non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White mothers in the United States. This analysis offers a comprehensive perspective on the factors contributing to C-section disparities by considering mothers' demographic characteristics, health conditions, and infant health status. Using multivariable logistic regression, the findings reveal consistently higher C-section rates for non-Hispanic Black mothers compared to non-Hispanic White mothers, with the gap widening over time. Even after adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related factors, non-Hispanic Black mothers remained more likely to undergo C-sections. Using Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition methods, key factors contributing to this C-section rates disparity include maternal age, the source of delivery payment, and fetal presentation. This study highlights the pressing need for further investigation into healthcare system factors and racial inequities driving these disparities, alongside the growing urgency for policy and practical interventions to reduce unnecessary C-sections.
Biomarkers of cellular senescence and major health outcomes in older adults
Authors: Cummings Steven R. , Lui Li-Yung , Zaira Aversa , Mau Theresa , Fielding Roger A. , Atkinson Elizabeth J. , Patel Sheena , LeBrasseur Nathan
Published: December 2024

The geroscience hypothesis proposes that underlying biological processes, such as the accumulation of senescent cells, have deleterious effects on multiple tissues and increase the risk of many chronic conditions with aging. Senescent cells produce heterogenous biomarkers, also called senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Circulating concentrations of senescence biomarkers may reflect an underlying burden of senescent cells in various tissues. Plasma levels of these proteins have been associated with increased mortality and poorer physical function. The associations of them with the incidence of major age-related conditions including heart failure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and dementia, have not been studied. We measured 35 senescence biomarkers in baseline plasma samples from 1678 participants aged 70–79 years old in the longitudinal Health ABC cohort study. Clinical outcomes were ascertained and validated over an average 11.5 year follow-up. In models adjusted for age, sex, and race, higher levels of most of senescence biomarkers were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, mobility limitation, and heart failure. Several were also associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and dementia. Very few were associated with the risk of cancer. Proteins that were selected by Lasso regression for each outcome that commonly included GDF15 and IL6, significantly improved the prediction of mortality, mobility limitation, and heart failure compared with age, sex, and race alone. These results indicate that levels of senescence biomarkers predict an increased risk of several age-related clinical outcomes and may identify individuals most likely to benefit from senotherapeutics.
Hybrid intelligence – systematic approach and framework to determine the level of Human-AI collaboration for production management use cases
Authors: Sauer Carl René , Burggräf Peter
Published: December 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have emerged as transformative technologies in production management, enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency across a range of use cases. The challenge of determining the optimal level of Human-AI collaboration in decision-making processes persists for many organizations, despite the potential benefits of such integration. However, the current systematic approaches frequently lack a structured approach to determine the level of Human-AI collaboration in production management use cases. This results in inconsistent applications and suboptimal outcomes. This study presents a first and superior systematic approach for the systematic evaluation, development and implementation of AI in production management and introduces a structured framework that can be employed to assess and determine the optimal level of Human-AI collaboration for a range of production use cases. The framework classifies use cases based on critical factors such as data availability, process variability, error susceptibility, and decision complexity. This classification assists managers in calibrating the balance between automation and human intervention. The application of this framework could enhance the efficacy, productivity, and accuracy of Human-AI collaboration in production management. Furthermore, the systematic approach incorporates continuous evaluation and adaptation, ensuring long-term success in dynamic production environments. These findings provide a practical tool for managers to strategically implement AI, improving decision-making processes and operational outcomes. The proposed framework offers immediate opportunities to enhance production management through a structured, scalable, and human-centered approach to AI integration.
Allee pits in metapopulations: critical dispersal rates for connectivity to be beneficial
Authors: Grumbach Carolin , Hilker Frank M.
Published: December 2024

Habitat fragmentation divides populations into smaller subpopulations. At the same time, the Allee effect reduces the growth and thereby the viability of small populations. Hence, habitat fragmentation and the Allee effect can synergistically amplify negative impacts on spatially distributed populations. To support endangered populations, management and conservation strategies aim to improve connectivity between subpopulations by creating corridors and stepping stones, for instance. This study investigates how enhanced connectivity (strength of connections between subpopulations in terms of dispersal rate) influences a fragmented population subject to the Allee effect. Using a generic two-patch discrete-time model with a positively density-dependent growth function, we study the impact of connectivity on the asymptotic total population size through simulations. Due to the Allee effect, low connectivity can lead to a decline in the asymptotic total population size, which we call the Allee pit. However, increased connectivity facilitates the rescue effect, wherein a persistent subpopulation in one patch can save an extinction-prone subpopulation in another patch. We find that for connectivity to benefit the asymptotic total population size, dispersal must be sufficiently large to push the smaller subpopulation above its Allee threshold. If dispersal is below this critical dispersal rate, there remains a detrimental effect on the asymptotic total population size. Therefore, this study implies that conservation strategies should not only aim to increase connectivity in fragmented populations subject to Allee effects but also ensure that the critical dispersal rate is surpassed.
Personalized decision making of neoadjuvant chemotherapy vs. upfront surgery in pancreatic cancer by a simple blood collection?
Authors: Kirchweger Patrick , Doleschal Bernhard , Rumpold Holger , Wundsam Helwig , Biebl Matthias
Published: December 2024

Pancreatic cancer still has dismal survival rates and high rates of early recurrence despite improvements of multimodal treatment options and more and more aggressive surgical approaches in recent years. Thus, precise and personalized management strategies to improve patient outcomes are needed. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), a component of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in body fluids, harbors genetic and epigenetic signatures of tumors and can be detected noninvasively for example through simple blood collections or peritoneal fluid during staging laparoscopy (liquid biopsies). This biomarker provides real-time insights into systemic tumor burden, heterogeneity, and genetic profile and has been proven to be of significant prognostic relevance for several gastrointestinal malignancies. Furthermore, the testing of ctDNA has emerged as a pivotal prognostic biomarker to indicate patients with high biological risk for recurrence and worse overall survival. Especially in pancreatic cancer, it has been shown that preoperative ctDNA detectability in peripheral blood is associated with systemic tumor burden (even volumetric). This indicates potential micrometastatic or subclinical disseminated disease, suggesting a benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy to address the systemic component of the disease prior to surgery. Furthermore, dynamic changes in ctDNA during systemic treatment can predict therapeutic response and guide adjustments in treatment regimens. Postoperatively, ctDNA presence could assist in detecting minimal residual disease which also predicts early relapse, facilitating timely intervention (or immediate adjuvant chemotherapy as already shown in colorectal cancer, e.g., Dynamic trial). Therefore, perioperative ctDNA detection has the potential to refine the management of pancreatic cancer, enhancing decision-making processes and optimizing personalized treatment approaches in serving as an additional highly sensitive biomarker for guiding treatment decisions between upfront surgery and neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. The first ever personalized change of treatment decision from upfront surgery (by current gold standard staging) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy based on additional liquid biopsy results was documented in March 2024 (Linz, Austria).
COVID-19, food insecurity and panic buying behavior: Evidence from rural Bangladesh
Authors: Malek Mohammad Abdul , Truong Hoa Thi , Sonobe Tetsushi
Published: December 2024

The uncertainties, such as the pandemic (COVID-19), natural calamities, and war, disrupt agricultural production and supply chains, leading to concerns about food access in developing countries. Therefore, this study uses panel data collected through three survey rounds in June and September 2020 and January 2021 to analyze changes in household food expenditure and consumption behaviors and to investigate the association between household characteristics and food insecurity. The results show that households with diverse income sources, including multiple farm products, non-farm businesses, and remittances from absent members, are less likely to reduce food consumption quality and quantity, and be in the lower tail of food expenditure distribution. -However, households in the upper tail of the food expenditure distribution aggressively stock up on food in the second quarter of the year, fearing that lockdown measures would interrupt the food supply. These households tend to have an urban way of living characterized by salaried jobs, small family size, high educational attainment, and proximity to the capital city. The levels of food expenditure remain high even after the lifting of lockdown and movement restrictions, and the reason might be possible uncertainty about crop harvests, despite the eventual good harvests in the year. Overall, these findings suggest that diversification of income sources for rural households in developing countries can help households cope with disruptions to food production and supply chains. The findings also suggest that policies to ensure food access during the pandemic should target households with limited income sources and those in the lower tail of the food expenditure distribution.
Measuring the Connection Between Open Innovation, Dynamic Capabilities, and LinkedIn in Tech-Based Companies
Authors: Franco-Riquelme José N. , Tejero Alberto , Rubalcaba Luis , Ordieres-Meré Joaquín B.
Published: December 2024

Organizations face challenges in acquiring the necessary expertise and dynamic capabilities (DCs) to rapidly develop products and services due to the current technological environment. Open innovation (OI) offers greater flexibility by enabling cooperation with external partners and motivating personnel to adopt new business approaches. Social media can play a crucial role in this strategy, providing valuable information that can enhance the performance of innovation projects by accessing market insights and innovative technical solutions. The article aims to analyze how social media and OI strategy, integrated with DCs, can enhance business opportunities and challenges. This research proposes an analytical framework contributing to literature and theory on using social media analysis to gauge innovation strategy implementation and contrast it with DC theory. It provides a comprehensive framework addressing essential characteristics to navigate changing scenarios by using an innovative method (netnography) to understand and measure companies’ interaction on social media, utilizing primary data (surveys on openness to innovation) and secondary data (LinkedIn data analyzed through machine learning and natural language processing). The empirical section of the paper quantifies the strategic advantages of OI and DCs with a focus on eight innovative multinational tech-based corporations, analyzing their “degree of openness” and adaptability. Organizations that are more open and accumulate integrated knowledge gain competitive advantages, enhancing their ability to innovate, coordinate, rapidly market, and respond to market changes, demonstrating the development of DC alongside OI. Managerial implications relate to the need to match OI strategy with DCs associated with social media.
Quasiclassical approximation does not have to be applied to all degrees of freedom: the solution for the S-states of singular attractive potentials
Authors: Oks Eugene
Published: December 2024

For the spherically symmetric potentials V(r), the quasiclassical approximation (QA) usually is applied as follows. For the $$\upvarphi $$
φ
-motion, the QA is not applied: instead, the exact solution is used. The QA is then applied to both the $$\uptheta $$
θ
-motion and the r-motion. The resulting QA wave function for the $$\uptheta $$
θ
-motion is valid for some, but not all values of $$\uptheta $$
θ
. Besides, the resulting QA wave function for the $$\uptheta $$
θ
-motion is valid only with the substitution of L(L$$+$$
+
1) by (L$$+$$
+
1/$$2)^{\textrm{2}}$$

2
)

2

, where L is the angular momentum quantum number. Then the QA is applied to the r-motion, but again with the substitution of L(L$$+$$
+
1) by (L$$+$$
+
1/$$2)^{\textrm{2}}$$

2
)

2

in the centrifugal energy term. As a result of the above standard procedure, the obtained QA wave functions are valid only for (L $$+$$
+
1/2) greater or of the order of $$\hbox {N}^{\mathrm {1/2}}$$

N

1
/
2

, where N is the principal quantum number. Besides, for potentials having the pole of the order 3 or higher at r $$=$$
=
0 or for relatively large r, it would be preferable to have L(L $$+$$
+
1) without the substitution by (L$$+$$
+
1/$$2)^{\textrm{2}}$$

2
)

2

. This is yet another restriction of the QA validity in this procedure. In the first part of the present paper, we provide a better alternative. This alternative can also be applied to some potentials whose geometrical symmetry is not spherical. In the second part of the present paper, we focus on the attractive singular spherically-symmetric potentials V(r) $$= -\hbox {a}_{\textrm{n}}$$

=
-

a
n

/$$\hbox {r}^{\textrm{n}}$$

r
n

, where $$\hbox {a}_{\textrm{n}}$$

a
n

> 0 and the integer n > 2. They are encountered in many physical systems. There exists a paradigm that “singular attractive potentials do not lead to physically reasonable results” because eigenfunctions depend on the chosen cutoff at small r. In the present paper we disprove this paradigm. We demonstrate that while the unnormalized eigenfunctions of singular attractive potentials do depend on the cutoff at small r, there is no such problem for the corresponding normalized eigenfunctions. Namely, the normalized eigenfunctions, corresponding to any two different sufficiently small cutoffs (all other parameters being the same), are equal to each other or differ just by the sign. The sign difference does not affect the probability density: the latter is invariant to the variations of the cutoff. Thus, we prove that singular attractive potentials actually do lead to physically reasonable results. In doing so, we also demonstrated that a divergent integral can lead to physically meaningful results independent of the cutoff. This is a counterintuitive result of the importance from the fundamental point of view both for physics and mathematics.
Performance of computer scientists in the assessment of thyroid nodules using TIRADS lexicons
Authors: Trimboli P. , Colombo A. , Gamarra E. , Ruinelli L. , Leoncini A.
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Ultrasound (US) evaluation is recognized as pivotal in assessing the risk of malignancy (RoM) of thyroid nodules (TNs). Recently, various US-based risk-classification systems (Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data Systems [TIRADSs] have been developed. An important ongoing project concerns the creation of an international system (I-TIRADS) using unique terminology. Since online tool allow clinicians and patients to stratify the RoM of any TN, the role of computer scientist (CS) should be relevant. This study explored the performance of CS in assessing TNs across the TIRADS categories.

Methods

The most diffused TIRADSs (i.e., ACR, EU, and K) were considered. Three-hundred scenarios were created. A CS was asked to assess the 300 TNs according to ACR-, EU-, and K-TIRADS. These data were compared with that of clinicians. The inter-observer agreement was estimated with Cohen kappa (κ). Word-cloud plots were used to graph the US descriptors with disagreement.

Results

The correspondence of the CS’s assessment with the physicians was 100%, 81%, and 43%, using ACR-, EU-, and K-TIRADS, respectively. The CS was unable to classify 19/100 TNs according to EU-TIRADS and 15/100 TNs according to K-TIRADS. The inter-observer agreement between CS and physicians was excellent for ACR-TIRADS (κ = 1), moderate for EU-TIRADS (κ = 0.56), and fair for K-TIRADS (κ = 0.22). Among the non-concordant cases, 16/22 descriptors for EU-TIRADS and 18/18 descriptors for K-TIRADS were found.

Conclusion

CSs are confident with the ACR-TIRADS lexicon and structure while not with EU- and K-TIRADS, probably because they are pattern-based systems requiring medical training.
Position paper dupilumab and vaccination
Authors: Schmidt Sebastian M. , Ankermann Tobias , Bauer Carl-Peter , Fischer Peter , Gappa Monika , Gerstlauer Michael , Kopp Matthias V. , Lau Susanne , Lex Christiane , Mischo Bernd , Schaub Bianca , Spindler Thomas , Vogelberg Christian
Published: December 2024

The extension of the approval of dupilumab for the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis in children 6 months of age and older in Germany creates a potential conflict with the administration of live attenuated vaccines. According to the product information, the administration of live attenuated vaccines is contraindicated during ongoing dupilumab therapy. This position paper, written by specialists in pediatric immunology and allergology from Germany and Switzerland, aims to support pediatricians to provide their patients with the best possible treatment with dupilumab and appropriate vaccinations based on the currently available evidence, including statements and advice for clinical situations. The practical implementation of these statements requires a differentiated approach. The position paper covers the situation in Germany, with special attention to the recommendations of the STIKO (Standing Committee on Vaccination) and the Robert Koch Institute for German-speaking countries and the legal situation here.
Uniform stabilization in Besov spaces with arbitrary decay rates of the magnetohydrodynamic system by finite-dimensional interior localized static feedback controllers
Authors: Lasiecka Irena , Priyasad Buddhika , Triggiani Roberto
Published: December 2024

We consider the d-dimensional MagnetoHydroDynamics (MHD) system defined on a sufficiently smooth bounded domain, $$d = 2,3$$

d
=
2
,
3

with homogeneous boundary conditions, and subject to external sources assumed to cause instability. The initial conditions for both fluid and magnetic equations are taken of low regularity. We then seek to uniformly stabilize such MHD system in the vicinity of an unstable equilibrium pair, in the critical setting of correspondingly low regularity spaces, by means of explicitly constructed, static, feedback controls, which are localized on an arbitrarily small interior subdomain. In additional, they will be minimal in number. The resulting space of well-posedness and stabilization is a suitable product space $$\displaystyle \widetilde{\textbf{B}}^{2- ^{2}\!/_{p}}_{q,p}(\Omega )\times \widetilde{\textbf{B}}^{2- ^{2}\!/_{p}}_{q,p}(\Omega ), \, 1< p < \frac{2q}{2q-1}, \, q > d,$$

B
~

q
,
p

2

-
2

/
p

(
Ω
)

×

B
~

q
,
p

2

-
2

/
p

(
Ω
)

,

1
<
p
<

2
q

2
q
-
1

,

q
>
d
,

of tight Besov spaces for the fluid velocity component and the magnetic field component (each “close” to $$\textbf{L}^3(\Omega )$$

L
3

(
Ω
)

for $$d = 3$$

d
=
3

). Showing maximal $$L^p$$

L
p

-regularity up to $$T = \infty $$

T
=
∞

for the feedback stabilized linear system is critical for the analysis of well-posedness and stabilization of the feedback nonlinear problem.
Women participation in South Asian agriculture: a comprehensive systematic review
Authors: Islam Md. Monirul , Jannat Arifa , Al Rafi Dewan Abdullah
Published: December 2024

Agriculture holds significant socioeconomic importance in South Asia, with women playing vital roles in various agricultural activities. Recognising their contributions is essential for food security, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. This research investigates the crucial role of women in agricultural development in South Asia, employing systematic review methods and text-mining techniques. The study utilised a systemic review methodology for thorough review procedures and data analysis, incorporating the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) model and text mining techniques. The initial search on Scopus generated 292 papers, while the Web of Science (WoS) databases provided 324 relevant articles. Following a thorough screening process, 47 articles were ultimately included in the review. The word cloud analysis highlights key terms like “women,” “empowerment,” and “agriculture,” underscoring their significance in women’s involvement in agriculture. The review also identified a research gap in intersectionality, an essential aspect of gender studies. Furthermore, VOSviewer software’s network analysis depicted various parameters’ interconnectedness in women’s agriculture participation. This systematic review extensively examined recommendations, extensions, and policies concerning women’s involvement in South Asian agriculture. Finally, the study emphasises the crucial link between women, agriculture, and South Asia, advocating for policy interventions and further research to empower women.
Mental health in children admitted with paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS): a follow-up study at 6 months of the Swissped-RECOVERY trial
Authors: Schöbi Nina , Sanchez Carlos , Atkinson Andrew , Andre Maya C. , Blanchard-Rohner Geraldine , Perez Maria-Helena , Trück Johannes , Welzel Tatjana , Schlapbach Luregn J. , Bielicki Julia , Grazioli Serge
Published: December 2024

Background

PIMS-TS presents with features considered to pose a risk for the development of unfavourable long-term mental health outcomes which haven’t been prospectively investigated. These include neurological symptoms (headache, confusion, and delirium), systemic inflammation, and critical illness requiring PICU support. Therefore, we set out to investigate mental health at 6-month follow-up in patients recruited into Swissped-RECOVERY trial.

Methods

This is a pre-planned analysis of the Swissped-RECOVERY trial (clinicaltrial.gov, NCT 04826588) investigating intravenous immunoglobulins versus intravenous methylprednisolone in patients with PIMS-TS. Mental health was assessed 6 months after hospital discharge using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), leading to a score concerning mental well-being (total score scale 0–40 points, subdomains 0–10 points). At population level it is expected that 80% of children belong to the normal, 10% to the borderline, and 10% to the abnormal band of the SDQ scores.

Findings

Seventy-five patients were included, 66 (88%) parent-reported and 26 (78.8%) self-reported SDQs were returned. The median total difficulty score was 7.0 [4.0, 11.8] for parent-reported and 11.0 [7.0, 14.8] for self-reported SDQ. The total difficulty score was borderline or abnormal in 12/58 (20.7%) of parent-reported and 7/26 (26.9%) of self-reported SDQs. Emotional problems were reported borderline or abnormal in 19% and 27% of the parent- and self-reported SDQ, respectively, and for hyperactivity/inattention 21% and 27%, respectively.

Conclusion

Emotional problems and hyperactivity/inattention appeared to be the pressing concerns. Potential interference with daily activities such as home life, friendship, etc., makes early identification important to ensure adequate support.

Trail registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, ID NCT04826588, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04826588.
‘I can’t segregate myself’: self-narrating and ‘small boundary’ work in Nairobi’s ghettos
Authors: Lanne Jean-Baptiste , Pommerolle Marie-Emmanuelle
Published: December 2024

This article explores the trajectories and narratives of people who have exited marginalized urban spaces in Nairobi to move through other social spaces in the city, or abroad. Claiming to belong to the ‘ghetto’, an idiom that refers to both a local space of exclusion and a globalized cultural and political imaginary, our interlocutors embrace the contradictions of this belonging in their everyday experiences. The careers they have built in different fields (art, activism, sport, academia) identify them as figures of social success and make them question their relationships with those around them. Defining their aspirations as intimately linked with the ghetto, but perceiving it as a strong constraint, they are not cutting ties with the place they come from. Drawing on qualitative fieldwork that pays attention to both their self-narratives and their writing, we propose the notion of ‘small boundaries’ to describe how social and spatial mobility from the ghetto produces, for each individual in a different way, an intimate cleavage within the self. We then propose to unpack this specific self as a configuration of three types of distancing (social, spatial and self-distancing) that allow both their aspirations and their obligations to coexist in everyday life.
THE EXERCISE OF STATE POWER OVER MIGRANTS AT SEA THROUGH TECHNOLOGIES OF REMOTE CONTROL: RECONCEPTUALIZING HUMAN RIGHTS JURISDICTION
Authors: Papachristodoulou Aphrodite
Published: December 2024

The employment of cutting-edge technology in the European Union's external border management is transforming the way that States acquire control over seaborne migrants and deconstructing traditional conceptions of border and territory. This article sheds light on a new generation of human rights violations on the high seas, where people's rights become contingent on their geographical location which is increasingly traceable by monitoring bodies. Amidst the burgeoning phenomena of abandonment at sea and contemporary forms of migrant push-backs, this article contends that human rights jurisdiction ought to be reconceptualized in functional terms to capture new modalities of State power, that if and when exercised, can amount to effective control, triggering a State's human rights obligations.
THE ARMED ATTACK EXCEPTION TO NEUTRALITY IN INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY LAW
Authors: Wentker Alexander
Published: December 2024

This article argues that the scope of the neutrality duties of non-assistance and prevention allows for an exception – a carve-out for assistance given to the victim State of an armed attack. Rather than weighing in on debates as to whether current State practice accepted as law suffices to establish this rule inductively, the article offers a different approach to grounding the argument for this exception in the methodology of the sources of international law, which thus far has been underexplored. The central argument of the article is that the exception or carve-out—and its contours—deductively flows from the structure of international law of peace and security and, in particular, the victim State's right to self-defence. The purpose of that right—enabling the effective termination of the armed attack—must not be undermined through prohibitions of military assistance and duties of prevention. These considerations define the scope of neutrality duties as revealed through systemic treaty interpretation. Such deductive reasoning equally determines the scope of customary neutrality duties, whether discerning that scope is framed as systemic interpretation or as identification of custom.
Radial-to-axial flows in a scaled pulsed-power scheme for producing outflows resembling YSO jets
Authors: Hasson Hannah R. , Erez I. Nesli , Evans Matthew , West-Abdallah Imani , Young James , Angel Jay , Chen Chiatai , Freeman Euan , Greenly John B. , Hammer David A. , Kusse Bruce R. , Lavine E. Sander , Potter William M. , Gourdain Pierre-A.
Published: December 2024

Young stellar objects (YSOs) are protostars that exhibit bipolar outflows fed by accretion disks. Theories of the transition between disk and outflow often involve a complex magnetic field structure thought to be created by the disk coiling field lines at the jet base; however, due to limited resolution, these theories cannot be confirmed with observation and thus may benefit from laboratory astrophysics studies. We create a dynamically similar laboratory system by driving a

$\sim$

1 MA current pulse with a 200 ns rise through a

$\approx$

2 mm-tall Al cylindrical wire array mounted to a three-dimensional (3-D)-printed, stainless steel scaffolding. This system creates a plasma that converges on the centre axis and ejects cm-scale bipolar outflows. Depending on the chosen 3-D-printed load path, the system may be designed to push the ablated plasma flow radially inwards or off-axis to make rotation. In this paper, we present results from the simplest iteration of the load which generates radially converging streams that launch non-rotating jets. The temperature, velocity and density of the radial inflows and axial outflows are characterized using interferometry, gated optical and ultraviolet imaging, and Thomson scattering diagnostics. We show that experimental measurements of the Reynolds number and sonic Mach number in three different stages of the experiment scale favourably to the observed properties of YSO jets with

$Re\sim 10^5\unicode{x2013}10^9$

and

$M\sim 1\unicode{x2013}10$

, while our magnetic Reynolds number of

$Re_M\sim 1\unicode{x2013}15$

indicates that the magnetic field diffuses out of our plasma over multiple hydrodynamical time scales. We compare our results with 3-D numerical simulations in the PERSEUS extended magnetohydrodynamics code.
When Serving the Public Interest Generates Private Gains: Private Actor Governance and Two-Sided Digital Markets
Authors: Beaumier Guillaume , Newman Abraham
Published: December 2024

From speech to privacy, broad public interests are increasingly governed online by policy decisions taken by private companies. We examine when and how firms make such decisions. In contrast to the shadow of hierarchy and functionalist explanations of private authority, we build an analytical framework based on business power and the economics literature concerned with two-sided markets. We argue that companies operating as digital platforms may use private actor governance to consolidate their influence. More precisely, public-interest regulation on one side of the market (e.g., protecting the privacy of end-users) may increase the dependence of firms on the other side of the market (e.g., increasing the price paid for information by advertisers). We probe our argument by looking at the privacy policy implemented by Apple in 2021. Our findings demonstrate the growing role played by digital companies in global regulatory debates and call attention to how market structures can simultaneously incentivize public-interest regulation and become a source of business power.
The Role of Epistemic Communities in Formulating EU Policy: The PrecisionTox Project
Authors: Čavoški Aleksandra , Lee Robert , Holden Laura
Published: December 2024

The interface of science and law is a territory frequently occupied by policymakers. In facilitating this interface, epistemic communities have become significant influencers in policymaking, especially at the European Union (EU) level, as a result of its complex multilevel governance system. In this article we assess the quality and nature of interactions between epistemic communities and EU stakeholders on the Horizon-funded project ‘PrecisionTox’, by deploying the concept of epistemic communities developed by Haas, as well as the learning modes of epistemic communities as presented and adapted by Dunlop. The overarching goal of PrecisionTox is to advance the safety assessment of chemicals by establishing a new, cost-effective testing paradigm built from evolutionary theory, which entails reduction, replacement, and refinement of mammalian testing (the 3Rs). The study shows that EU-funded projects can provide an excellent platform for building epistemic communities and forging alliances with EU policymakers, especially when novel technologies may be unlocked and socialized. This study also explores the early interaction of policymakers with epistemic communities through different forms of learning to better understand the complexities surrounding these new technologies in order to set an agenda for policy interventions.