bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A study on pulmonary function in children with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome
Authors: Zeng Chun-qin , Yuan Hu-wei , Wang Hao-cheng , Yang Hong , Teng Yi-shu
Published: May 2024

Objective

To investigate the pulmonary function of children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Methods

A total of 328 children aged 3 to 12 years old who were evaluated for a sleep disorder from January 2022 to June 2023 were selected as the observation group, classified into mild, moderate, and severe categories based on the apnea hypopnea index. The number of children with mild, moderate, and severe obstructive sleep apnea is 228, 62, and 28 respectively. Additionally, 126 healthy individuals aged 3 to 13 years old undergoing health examinations during the same period were selected as the control group. All subjects underwent sleep respiratory monitoring, pulmonary function tests, and impulse oscillometry. Comparative analysis was performed on pulmonary function indices (forced vital capacity, maximum ventilation, inspiratory capacity, total lung capacity, and inspiratory reserve volume), and respiratory impedance indices (resonant frequency, total respiratory impedance, viscous resistance at 5 Hz, 20 Hz, and 35 Hz). Pulmonary function indices were also compared among patients in the observation group with mild, moderate, and severe conditions.

Results

In the observation group, the FVC pre% of patients decreased by 10.5 ± 5.99 compared to the control group. The MVV of the control group decreased by 28.10 ± 2.22 compared to patients in the observation group. The IC of the control group decreased by 0.68 ± 0.44 compared to patients in the observation group. The TLC of the control group decreased by 1.354 ± 0.51 compared to patients in the observation group. The ERV of the control group decreased by 0.53 ± 0.30 compared to patients in the observation group. Additionally, the Fres, Zrs, R5, R20, and R35 of the observation group were higher than those of the control group by 10.73 ± 0.18, 1.78 ± 0.24, 0.11 ± 0.17, 0.86 ± 0.13, and 0.02 ± 0.21, respectively. In sum, the pulmonary function indices of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group, while the respiratory impedance indices were higher (P < 0.05). Within the observation group, the pulmonary function indices of severe patients were lower than those of moderate and mild patients, and moderate patients had lower pulmonary function indices than mild patients (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The pulmonary function of children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is impaired and varies in severity. There are significant differences in pulmonary function, underscoring the importance of monitoring pulmonary function in these children for clinical assessment and treatment prognosis.
Wirksamkeit eines Achtsamkeitstrainings bei Menschen mit intellektueller Beeinträchtigung: Ergebnisse einer kontrollierten Studie
Authors: Karing Constance , Wolferstetter Vera , Edinger Rebeka
Published: May 2024

Hintergrund

Menschen mit intellektueller Beeinträchtigung sind vulnerabler für psychische Erkrankungen als die Allgemeinbevölkerung. Bisher gibt es nur wenig Forschung, inwieweit achtsamkeitsbasierte Interventionen bei Menschen mit intellektueller Beeinträchtigung zur Gesundheitsförderung beitragen können. Ziel der Studie ist die Entwicklung und Evaluation einer Achtsamkeitsintervention für Personen mit intellektueller Beeinträchtigung.

Methodik

Es wurde eine achtsamkeitsbasierte Gruppenintervention durchgeführt und anhand eines Kontrollgruppendesigns mit Prä- und Postinterviews evaluiert. Die aktive Kontrollgruppe umfasste eine Musikintervention. Die Interventionen umfassten jeweils 8 Sitzungen. Es nahmen insgesamt 21 Personen mit leichter und mittelgradiger intellektueller Beeinträchtigung teil. Im Rahmen der Interviews wurden Angst- und Depressionssymptome, Aggressivität, Besorgtheit und Anspannung erhoben. Zum Beginn und Ende der jeweiligen Sitzung wurde das Wohlbefinden der Teilnehmenden erfasst.

Ergebnisse

Die Achtsamkeitsintervention im Gruppensetting führte über die Zeit zu einer signifikanten Reduzierung von Angst- und Depressionssymptomen und Aggressivität, während in der aktiven Kontrollgruppe die Aggressivität und Anspannung abnahm. Darüber hinaus zeigte sich deskriptiv für die Interventionsgruppe ein gleichbleibendes Wohlbefinden während der Sitzungen. Dagegen ergab sich für die aktive Kontrollgruppe im Mittel eine positive Veränderung des Wohlbefindens.

Schlussfolgerung

Achtsamkeitsbasierte Interventionen sollten im Rahmen einer multimodalen Behandlung bei psychischen Erkrankungen bei Personen mit intellektueller Beeinträchtigung einbezogen werden. Eine aktivere Gestaltung der Sitzungen und die Verwendung von Musik bei Achtsamkeitsinterventionen erscheinen lohnenswert.
Systemic barriers preventing farmer engagement in the agricultural climate transition: a qualitative study
Authors: Whitton John , Carmichael Andrew
Published: May 2024

Farmers and the agricultural sector are facing an uncertain future, due to rapidly changing agricultural policy and a nexus of commercial, environmental and biodiversity challenges brought on by anthropogenic climate change. Balancing the interests of the farming community and natural environment is generating organisational and personal conflict, rather than effective agricultural adaption and a focus on the net zero transition. In this paper, we consider how farmers and the wider farming community can participate in engagement and decision-making for the transition, on their own terms, whilst ensuring social justice for fair and equitable decision-making. We discuss findings from our research project, that used questionnaires and follow up semi-structured interviews with farmers and farming groups to reveal systemic issues that prevent farmers engaging with the climate transition to net zero during their everyday practice. We highlight the structural relationships that form these barriers and frustrate farmers when designing and implementing farm interventions to agricultural systems during times of transition. Farmers have highlighted barriers to be associated with policy, (uncertain government strategy, landowner bias in government policy and tenancy restrictions, government bureaucracy—particularly environment schemes), commercial (market forces—downward pressure from supermarkets on price points, availability of labour due to seasonal migration restrictions, increasing cost of labour) and interpersonal (succession—uncertain future of the family farm due to limited income). This frustrates the ability of farmers to address climate change through farming practices and undermines the implementation of innovative engagement practices, such as co-produced interventions, in policy and decision-making settings.
Synthesizing three decades of digital servitization: a systematic literature review and conceptual framework proposal
Authors: Minaya Pedro E. , Avella Lucía , Trespalacios Juan A.
Published: May 2024

This study, through a systematic literature review spanning 1990 to 2023, interrogates how servitization, and nowadays digital servitization, enhances manufacturing competitiveness. It introduces the DASOBI (Drivers, Actors, Strategies, Obstacles, Benefits, and Impact) framework for navigating the digital servitization transition, emphasizing strategic adaptability and technological alignment. Analysis of 157 articles reveals a significant increase in research, highlighting digital servitization’s role in competitive enhancement and customer engagement. The DASOBI framework offers manufacturers a novel approach for managing this transition, marking a unique contribution by distilling extensive literature into actionable insights for both theory and practice in the evolving field of digital servitization.
Structural network disruption of corticothalamic pathways in cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Jia Xuejia , Li Yingying , Jia Xiuqin , Yang Qi
Published: May 2024

Generalized fractional anisotropy (GFA) can eliminate the crossing fiber effect, which may be more reflective of brain tissue changes in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). This study aimed to explore the alterations of structural networks based on GFA and its relationship with cognitive performance in CSVD patients. We recruited 50 CSVD patients which were divided into two groups: cognitive impairment (CSVD-CI) and normal cognition (CSVD-NC), and 22 healthy controls (HCs). All participants underwent the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and MRI examinations. The structural topological properties were compared among the three groups. The correlation between these structural alterations and MoCA was analyzed. Compared with HCs, significantly decreased nodal efficiency and connectivity were detected in the corticothalamic pathways in both patient groups, of which some were significantly decreased in CSVD-CIs compared with CSVD-NCs. Moreover, both patient groups exhibited global network disruption including decreased global efficiency and increased characteristic path length compared with HCs. Furthermore, the nodal efficiency in the right pallidum positively correlated with MoCA in CSVD-NCs controlling for nuisance variables (r = 0.471, p = 0.031). The alterations in corticothalamic pathways indicated that the brain structural network underwent extensive disruption, providing evidence for the consideration of CSVD as a global brain disease.
Disagreement amongst counterfactual explanations: how transparency can be misleading
Authors: Brughmans Dieter , Melis Lissa , Martens David
Published: May 2024

Counterfactual explanations are increasingly used as an Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) technique to provide stakeholders of complex machine learning algorithms with explanations for data-driven decisions. The popularity of counterfactual explanations resulted in a boom in the algorithms generating them. However, not every algorithm creates uniform explanations for the same instance. Even though in some contexts multiple possible explanations are beneficial, there are circumstances where diversity amongst counterfactual explanations results in a potential disagreement problem among stakeholders. Ethical issues arise when for example, malicious agents use this diversity to fairwash an unfair machine learning model by hiding sensitive features. As legislators worldwide tend to start including the right to explanations for data-driven, high-stakes decisions in their policies, these ethical issues should be understood and addressed. Our literature review on the disagreement problem in XAI reveals that this problem has never been empirically assessed for counterfactual explanations. Therefore, in this work, we conduct a large-scale empirical analysis, on 40 data sets, using 12 explanation-generating methods, for two black-box models, yielding over 192,000 explanations. Our study finds alarmingly high disagreement levels between the methods tested. A malicious user is able to both exclude and include desired features when multiple counterfactual explanations are available. This disagreement seems to be driven mainly by the data set characteristics and the type of counterfactual algorithm. XAI centers on the transparency of algorithmic decision-making, but our analysis advocates for transparency about this self-proclaimed transparency.
Australia II: A Case Study in Engineering Ethics
Authors: van Oossanen Peter , Peterson Martin
Published: May 2024

Australia II became the first foreign yacht to win the America's Cup in 1983. The boat had a revolutionary wing keel and a better underwater hull form. In official documents, Ben Lexcen is credited with the design. He is also listed as the sole inventor of the wing keel in a patent application submitted on February 5, 1982. However, as reported in New York Times, Sydney Morning Herald, and Professional Boatbuilder, the wing keel was in fact designed by engineer Peter van Oossanen at the Netherlands Ship Model Basin in Wageningen, assisted by Dr. Joop Slooff at the National Aerospace Laboratory in Amsterdam. Based on telexes, letters, drawings, and other documents preserved in his personal archive, this paper presents van Oossanen’s account of how the revolutionary wing keel was designed. This is followed by an ethical analysis by Martin Peterson, in which he applies the American NSPE and Dutch KIVI codes of ethics to the information provided by van Oossanen. The NSPE and KIVI codes give conflicting advice about the case, and it is not obvious which document is most relevant. This impasse is resolved by applying a method of applied ethics in which similarity-based reasoning is extended to cases that are not fully similar. The key idea, presented in Peterson’s book The Ethics of Technology (Peterson, The ethics of technology: A geometric analysis of five moral principles, Oxford University Press, 2017), is to use moral paradigm cases as reference points for constructing a “moral map”.
The Ethics of Electronic Tracking Devices in Dementia Care: An Interview Study with Developers
Authors: Howes Jared , Denier Yvonne , Vandemeulebroucke Tijs , Gastmans Chris
Published: May 2024

Wandering is a symptom of dementia that can have devastating consequences on the lives of persons living with dementia and their families and caregivers. Increasingly, caregivers are turning towards electronic tracking devices to help manage wandering. Ethical questions have been raised regarding these location-based technologies and although qualitative research has been conducted to gain better insight into various stakeholders' views on the topic, developers of these technologies have been largely excluded. No qualitative research has focused on developers’ perceptions of ethics related to electronic tracking devices. To address this, we performed a qualitative semi-structured interview study based on grounded theory. We interviewed 15 developers of electronic tracking devices to better understand how they perceive ethical issues surrounding the design, development, and use of these devices within dementia care. Our results reveal that developers are strongly motivated by moral considerations and believe that including stakeholders throughout the development process is critical for success. Developers felt a strong sense of moral obligation towards topics within their control and a weaker sense of moral obligation towards topics outside their control. This leads to a perceived moral boundary between development and use, where some moral responsibility is shifted to end-users.
Adolescent Weapon Carrying Inside and Outside of School: The Impact of Experiences and Perceptions of Violence
Authors: McCuddy Timothy , Wyatt Austin , Watts Stephen
Published: May 2024

This study examined factors that distinguish adolescent weapon carrying in school compared to only in the community. We look at how experiences (offending, victimization, and gang-involvement) and perceptions (school, neighborhood, individual) toward violence are associated with self-reported weapon carrying in these two locations. Data came from two waves of the University of Missouri – St. Louis Comprehensive School Safety Initiative, a longitudinal study on the causes and consequences of school violence. Multinomial logistic regression was used to predict weapon carrying among three mutually exclusive categories: those who do not carry, those who carry only in the community, and those who carry both in school and in the community. We find that victim/offenders are more likely to carry weapons regardless of context, but school weapon carrying is positively associated with fatalism and gang-involvement. One school factor, school commitment, impacted carrying both inside and outside of school. Our results identify unique factors that can reduce adolescent weapon carrying in general and specifically in school.
Assessing the impact of heat mitigation measures on thermal performance and energy demand at the community level: A pathway toward designing net-zero energy communities
Authors: Ullah Khan Rahmat , Prodanovic Veljko , Pignatta Gloria , Deletic Ana , Santamouris Mattheos
Published: May 2024

In the context of escalating global energy demands, urban areas, specifically the building sector, contribute to the largest energy consumption, with urban overheating exacerbating this issue. Utilizing urban modelling for heat-mitigation and reduction of energy demand is crucial steps towards a sustainable built-environment, complementing onsite energy generation in the design and development of Net-zero Energy (NZE) Settlement, especially in the context of Australian weather conditions. Addressing a significant gap in existing literature, this study offers empirical analysis on the climate and energy efficacy of integrated heat mitigation strategies applied in 14 neighbourhood typologies located in Sydney, Australia. Examining the application of cool materials on roads, pavements, and rooftops, alongside urban vegetation enhancement, the analysis demonstrates scenario effectiveness on heat mitigation that leads to reduce ambient temperature and energy demands along with CO2 emissions within the neighbourhoods. Considering building arrangement, built-area ratio, building height, and locations, ENVI-met and CitySim are utilized to assess the heat-mitigation and the energy demand of neighbourhoods, respectively. Results indicate that mitigation measures can lead up to a 2.71 °C reduction in ambient temperature and over 25% reduction in Cooling Degree Hours, with a 34.34% reduction in cooling energy demand and overall energy savings of up to 12.49%. In addition, the annual energy-saving yields a CO2 reduction of approximately 141.12 tonnes, where additional vegetation further amplifies these reductions by enhancing CO2 absorption. This study showcases the pathway towards achieving NZE goals in climates similar to that of Australia, highlighting significant benefits in heat-mitigation, environmental impact, and energy-savings.
A Beacon of Health: Ultra-Orthodox Women Graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education
Authors: Gilad Lilach , Moran Daniel S.
Published: May 2024

This study examines the effect of a physical education bachelor’s degree program on the healthy lifestyle practices of ultra-Orthodox women. The study included 59 physical education teacher education (PETE) graduates and a group of 78 ultra-Orthodox women who specialized in “healthy activity” at a seminar. Variance analyses were used to analyze the data. The results indicate a significant improvement in the physical activity and nutrition habits of the PETE graduate women compared with the seminar trainee group. This comparative study provides evidence of the positive impact of higher education on the health behaviors of ultra-Orthodox women.
Insights of Inflammatory Heart Involvement in Cardiac Sarcoidosis – A Systemic Review
Authors: Treiber Julia , Hamm Christian W. , Sossalla Samuel T. , Rolf Andreas
Published: May 2024

Purpose of the Review

The purpose of this paper is to review the current knowledge regarding imaging inflammation in cardiac sarcoidosis (CS).

Recent Findings

Noninvasive imaging methods like cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) positron-emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scans have emerged as the most important modalities in diagnosing and monitor therapy efficacy in CS. The differentiation between an active and a chronic, silent clinical state is crucial for decision making. T1- and T2-mapping by CMR provide a unique opportunity to discriminate normal and diseased myocardium by detecting myocardial edema and fibrosis. While T1-mapping is sensitive to fibrosis and edema, T2 is primarily influenced by tissue water content. Increased 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) uptake in positron-emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scan is a hallmark feature of CS and defines active inflammation. Therefore, the hybrid application of both CMR and 18FDG-PET-CT scans has evolved as the standard procedure to detect CS and monitor the therapeutic response.

Imaging inflammation in CS is basically performed by CMR T2-mapping and 18FDG uptake in PET-CT scan. Both are reliable methods in identifying active CS and follow up therapy and can be used synergistically. Additionally CMR provides further prognostic insights by late gadolinium enhancement that increases the risk for malignant arrhythmia and for relapse after therapy weaning.
Increased farmer willingness to pay for quality cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) planting materials: evidence from experimental auctions in Cambodia and Lao PDR
Authors: Delaquis Erik , Slavchevska Vanya , Almekinders Conny J. M. , Newby Jonathan C. , Sareth Chea , Tanthapone Chanphasouk , Struik Paul C.
Published: May 2024

Varietal turnover is a major mechanism for farmer adaptation to rapidly changing environmental and market conditions. Understanding factors related to varietal turnover is critical for safeguarding food security in the face of increasingly rapid changes to production contexts. Preference elicitation methods like experimental auctions reveal farmers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for seeds with different characteristics. We engaged farmers growing cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) across a wide geographic scope in Cambodia (n = 321, 4 provinces) and Lao PDR (n = 391, 5 provinces) in modified second-price experimental auctions to determine WTP for three cassava seed classes: farmer-produced planting stems of an undescribed variety, farmer-produced planting stems of an elite variety with lower susceptibility to Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD), and virus-free tested planting stems of the same elite variety. In Lao PDR, mean auction bids for a bundle of 20 planting stems were 0.54, 0.92, and 1.40 USD for farmer, elite, and elite tested stems, while in Cambodia the analogous mean bids were 0.58, 0.77, and 1.16 USD, respectively. A significantly higher WTP associated with elite variety and tested stems in both countries was influenced by both geographic location (province) and individual socioeconomic farmer characteristics. In Lao PDR this included lower WTP of women, higher WTP of ethnic minorities, and, for improved stems, lower WTP of farmers with increased cassava growing experience. In Cambodia fewer socioeconomic variables affected WTP. Our results indicate significant increases in WTP for clean planting materials and new varieties, supporting market-based clean seed approaches as a component of regional control strategies for the CMD epidemic currently threatening a global agri-food value chain.
New Vaccine Therapy for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Harris Paul E. , Rubsamen Reid
Published: May 2024

Purpose of the review

The objective of this review is to provide an analysis of early-phase clinical trials investigating vaccine therapies for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Specifically, the focus is on ongoing trials that are actively recruiting or in progress, while excluding vaccines that target neoantigens or those that have already completed trials.

Recent findings

Over the past decade, notable transformations have occurred in the strategy of breast cancer vaccine design. Traditional approaches to identifying tumor antigens, such as SEREX, have been replaced with modern techniques, such as RNA sequencing, HLA typing, and immunoinformatics. These new methods enable the identification and characterization of tumor antigens. Notably, current clinical investigations into tumor targets extend beyond mutated self-proteins or proteins that are overexpressed following neoplastic transformation. Clinical researchers are currently examining protein targets associated with cancer stem cells or non-malignant immune regulatory cell types within the tumor microenvironment. However, the application of up-to-date antigen delivery methods for certain types of breast cancer vaccine therapies still lags behind. Another significant transformation in comparison to previous breast cancer vaccine therapies is the emphasis on stimulating robust T-cell responses against breast cancer cells, independent of any B-cell response directed at the tumor.

In conclusion, we critically assessed the tumor antigens targeted by vaccine immunotherapies in these new clinical trials, the delivery methods used for these antigens, and conclude by discussing potential future directions for the development of new TNBC vaccine therapies.
miRNA-200c-3p deficiency promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition in triple-negative breast cancer by activating CRKL expression
Authors: Nie Fangfang , Zhang Qinfang , Ma WeiNa , Yan Jun
Published: May 2024

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in malignant progression of Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Many studies have confirmed that miRNA-200c-3p is related to EMT. And we found that it is involved in the regulation of EMT, but the exact mechanism is unclear. CRKL is highly expressed in a variety of tumors and plays a role in EMT. In this study, the potential targets of miRNA-200c-3p were searched in miRPathDB, Targetscan and PicTar. And there are 68 potential targets at the intersection of the three databases. Then, bioinformatics and text mining performed by Coremine Medica, and found that among 68 potential targets, CRKL has the strongest correlation with EMT in TNBC. Therefore, we speculated that miRNA-200c-3p involvement in EMT might be related to CRKL. To verify miRNA-200c-3p inhibits the malignant phenotype of TNBC by regulating CRKL, RT‒PCR, western blotting, Clonal formation assays,CCK-8 proliferation assays, transwell invasion assays, Luciferase reporter assay and nude mouse transplantation tumor assay were performed. In this study, we found that miRNA-200c-3p is under-expressed and EMT-related genes are up-regulated in TNBC, and miRNA-200c-3p can inhibit cancer cell proliferation, invasion and the expression of EMT-related genes and proteins in TNBC. Further research confirmed that miRNA-200c-3p could inhibit EMT by inhibiting the expression of CRKL that directly combining CRKL gene.
Human endogenous retrovirus W in multiple sclerosis: transcriptional activity is associated with decline in oligodendrocyte proportions in the white matter of the brain
Authors: Nevalainen Tapio , Autio-Kimura Arttu , Hurme Mikko
Published: May 2024

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease. One of the basic mechanisms in this disease is the autoimmune response against the myelin sheet leading to axonal damage. There is strong evidence showing that this response is regulated by both genetic and environmental factors. In addition, the role of viruses has been extensively studied, especially in the case of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs). However, although several associations with MS susceptibility, especially in the case of HERV-W family have been observed, the pathogenic mechanisms have remained enigmatic. To clarify these HERV-mediated mechanisms as well as the responsible HERV-W loci, we utilized RNA sequencing data obtained from the white matter of the brain of individuals with and without MS. CIBERSORTx tool was applied to estimate the proportions of neuronal, glial, and endothelial cells in the brain. In addition, the transcriptional activity of 215 HERV-W loci were analyzed. The results indicated that 65 HERV-W loci had detectable expression, of which 14 were differentially expressed between MS and control samples. Of these, 12 HERV-W loci were upregulated in MS. Expression levels of the 8 upregulated HERV-W loci had significant negative correlation with estimated oligodendrocyte proportions, suggesting that they are associated with the dynamics of oligodendrocyte generation and/or maintenance. Furthermore, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) results indicated that expression levels of three upregulated HERV-W loci: 2p16.2, 2q13, and Xq13.3, are associated with suppression of oligodendrocyte development and myelination. Taken together, these data suggest new HERV-W loci candidates that might take part in MS pathogenesis.
Dynamical and numerical analysis of classical multiple roots finding methods applied for different multiplicities
Authors: Campos Beatriz , Villalba Eva G. , Vindel Pura
Published: May 2024

The aim of this paper is the study of the robustness of classical methods defined for finding multiple roots with single multiplicity m when they are used for approximating different roots of a function having different multiplicities. To do so, we first study the dynamical behaviour of such methods when they are applied for approximating multiple roots with different multiplicities of a polynomial. Secondly, based on the obtained dynamical results, we analyse numerically their behaviour and convergence when we carry out the approximation in the case of functions that combine polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions.
Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy in patients aged 75 years or older – comparing the risk of complications with their younger counterparts
Authors: Petersson Rasmus D. , Fode Mikkel , Niebuhr Malene H. , Rashu Badal S. , Thomsen Frederik F.
Published: May 2024

Background & aim

More elderly patients are diagnosed with kidney tumors where partial nephrectomy is technically possible. We investigated whether patients ≥ 75 years old had an increased risk of complications following robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) compared to younger patients.

Methods

Retrospective, consecutive study including patients who underwent RAPN between May 2016 – April 2023. Preoperative data, operative data and complications within 90 days were recorded by patient record review. Complications were classified according to Clavien-Dindo (CD).

Results

451 patients underwent RAPN and a postoperative complication was recorded in 131 (29%) patients of which 28 (6%) were CD ≥ III. Any postoperative complication was recorded in 24/113 patients (21%) < 55 years, 40/127 patients (31%) 55–64 years, 45/151 patients (42%) 65–74 years, and 22/60 patients (37%) ≥ 75 years. Comparable numbers for a CD ≥ III postoperative complication were 2/113 (2%) < 55 years, 6/127 (7%) 55–64 years, 12/151 (8%) 65–74 years, and 5/60 (8%) ≥ 75 years. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, patients ≥ 75 years had a non-significant increased risk of complications when controlling for preoperative variables (OR 1.82 [95% CI 0.80–4.13]) or perioperative variables (OR 1.98 [95% CI 0.86–4.58]) compared to patients < 55 years. Two patients died postoperatively. Both were ≥ 75 years (2/60, 3%).

Discussion and conclusions

Selected patients ≥ 75 years can undergo RAPN without a significantly increased risk of postoperative complications. However, a mortality rate of 3% in this age group indicates that these patients are frail when postoperative complications occur.
Preserving the Rule of Law Through Transnational Soft Law: The Cooperation and Verification Mechanism
Authors: Ștefan Oana
Published: May 2024

This contribution reflects on the role of soft law instruments to address the rule of law crisis, a topic of high relevance in the context of this special issue. Indeed, the EU-15 enlargement towards the ‘periphery’ proceeded also through soft law instruments, perceived to allow greater flexibility in monitoring. Soft law – or rules of conduct that have no legally binding force but may have legal and practical effects (Snyder 1993, 64) have been considered inappropriate by the literature in dealing with the regulation of values in EU law. However, a closer look at the career of soft law issued for Romania under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism appears to suggest a more nuanced picture. Whilst time is not yet ripe for a full assessment of the effectiveness of the tools, there are signs that show that the reports issued by the Commission within the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism process have had an influence in fostering change. They did so by catalysing litigation and, as a result, informing and fuelling an institutional dialogue on the rule of law at the transnational level.
Nachhaltige Arbeit durch Beteiligung an arbeitsökologischen Innovationen – Erfolgsvoraussetzungen und Hindernisse
Authors: Becke Guido
Published: May 2024

Der Beitrag untersucht Gelingensbedingungen und Hemmnisse direkter Beschäftigtenbeteiligung in arbeitsökologischen Innovationsprozessen, d. h. bei der Integration arbeitsbezogener und ökologischer Innovationaspekte, anhand einer kontrastiven Betriebsfallstudie. Als zentrale Gelingensbedingungen können aufseiten der Beschäftigten die Anerkennung ihrer ökologischer Sinnansprüche an die Arbeit sowie ihrer Ansprüche an gute Arbeitsbedingungen identifiziert werden. Als Erfolgsfaktor erweist sich zudem eine Reziprozitätsbalance zwischen dem Arbeits- und Innovationsengagement der Beschäftigten und dafür erhaltenen betrieblichen Gegenleistungen, wie materielle und symbolische Anerkennung.

Praktische Relevanz Der Beitrag bietet praxisorientierte Ansatzpunkte für die Entwicklung nachhaltiger Arbeitssysteme auf betrieblicher Ebene. Hierzu werden empirisch gestützte Handlungsempfehlungen für gelingende, partizipativ orientierte arbeitsökologische Innovationsprozesse entwickelt. Hierbei wird für eine Integration von arbeitsbezogenen und ökologischen Zielen sowie für reflexive Gestaltungsprozesse plädiert, damit arbeitsökologische Innovationen eine breite Verankerung in Belegschaften erhalten und ungeplante Nebenfolgen konstruktiv bearbeitet werden können.
Metabolic relationships between marine red algae and algae-associated bacteria
Authors: Kim Kyung Hyun , Kim Jeong Min , Baek Ju Hye , Jeong Sang Eun , Kim Hocheol , Yoon Hwan Su , Jeon Che Ok
Published: May 2024

Mutualistic interactions between marine phototrophs and associated bacteria are an important strategy for their successful survival in the ocean, but little is known about their metabolic relationships. Here, bacterial communities in the algal sphere (AS) and bulk solution (BS) of nine marine red algal cultures were analyzed, and Roseibium and Phycisphaera were identified significantly more abundantly in AS than in BS. The metabolic features of Roseibium RMAR6-6 (isolated and genome-sequenced), Phycisphaera MAG 12 (obtained by metagenomic sequencing), and a marine red alga, Porphyridium purpureum CCMP1328 (from GenBank), were analyzed bioinformatically. RMAR6-6 has the genetic capability to fix nitrogen and produce B vitamins (B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, and B12), bacterioferritin, dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), and phenylacetate that may enhance algal growth, whereas MAG 12 may have a limited metabolic capability, not producing vitamins B9 and B12, DMSP, phenylacetate, and siderophores, but with the ability to produce bacitracin, possibly modulating algal microbiome. P. purpureum CCMP1328 lacks the genetic capability to fix nitrogen and produce vitamin B12, DMSP, phenylacetate, and siderophore. It was shown that the nitrogen-fixing ability of RMAR6-6 promoted the growth of P. purpureum, and DMSP reduced the oxidative stress of P. purpureum. The metabolic interactions between strain RMAR6-6 and P. purpureum CCMP1328 were also investigated by the transcriptomic analyses of their monoculture and co-culture. Taken together, potential metabolic relationships between Roseibium and P. purpureum were proposed. This study provides a better understanding of the metabolic relationships between marine algae and algae-associated bacteria for successful growth.
Context-dependent antioxidant defense system (ADS)-based stress memory in response to recurrent environmental challenges in congeneric invasive species
Authors: Li Hanxi , Huang Xuena , Zhan Aibin
Published: May 2024

Marine ecosystems are facing escalating environmental fluctuations owing to climate change and human activities, imposing pressures on marine species. To withstand recurring environmental challenges, marine organisms, especially benthic species lacking behavioral choices to select optimal habitats, have to utilize well-established strategies such as the antioxidant defense system (ADS) to ensure their survival. Therefore, understanding of the mechanisms governing the ADS-based response is essential for gaining insights into adaptive strategies for managing environmental challenges. Here we conducted a comparative analysis of the physiological and transcriptional responses based on the ADS during two rounds of 'hypersalinity-recovery' challenges in two model congeneric invasive ascidians, Ciona robusta and C. savignyi. Our results demonstrated that C. savignyi exhibited higher tolerance and resistance to salinity stresses at the physiological level, while C. robusta demonstrated heightened responses at the transcriptional level. We observed distinct transcriptional responses, particularly in the utilization of two superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoforms. Both Ciona species developed physiological stress memory with elevated total SOD (T-SOD) and glutathione (GSH) responses, while only C. robusta demonstrated transcriptional stress memory. The regulatory distinctions within the Nrf2-Keap1 signalling pathway likely explain the formation disparity of transcriptional stress memory between both Ciona species. These findings support the 'context-dependent stress memory hypothesis', emphasizing the emergence of species-specific stress memory at diverse regulatory levels in response to recurrent environmental challenges. Our results enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of environmental challenge management in marine species, particularly those related to the ADS.
How do implants overlying the spine influence “The Law of Diminishing Returns” in early-onset scoliosis patients?
Authors: Mitchell Stuart L. , Heyer Jessica H. , Anari Jason B. , Baldwin Keith D. , Kodali Pranav , Ramo Brandon S. , Flynn Jack M. , Fitzgerald Ryan , Truong Walter , Li Ying , Andras Lindsay , Brooks Jaysson , Cahill Patrick J.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The “law of diminishing returns” (LODR) in early-onset scoliosis (EOS) is well-known. We hypothesized that previously observed variations between constructs may be related to the lateral distance that each construct lies from the spine. We therefore sought to determine whether the curve magnitude improvement and spinal length gains for distraction-based constructs in EOS are positively correlated with the collinearity of the spine and the convex-sided implant on posteroanterior radiographs.

Methods

A prospectively-collected, multicenter EOS registry was queried for all patients who underwent non-fusion, distraction-based instrumentation surgery. Post-index radiographs were graded from 1 to 5 based on amount of overlap between the convex-sided rod and the apical vertebra. Grade 1: convex rod is lateral to convex-sided pedicle; Grade 2: overlaps the convex-sided pedicle; Grade 3: lies between pedicles; Grade 4: overlaps concave-sided pedicle; Grade 5: medial to concave-sided pedicle. ANOVA assessed the correlations between post-index overlap grade and change in (a) curve magnitude and (b) T1–T12 height. Multivariable regression modeling further assessed these associations.

Results

284 patients met all selection criteria and were included. On ANOVA, post-index grade was associated with curve magnitude (p <0.001) and T1-12 height (p = 0.028) change. Better curve correction and height change were associated with higher grade. On regression modeling, curve correction (R = 0.574) and T1–T12 height change (R = 0.339) remained significantly associated with grade when controlling for time, anchor locations, age, underlying diagnosis, and pre-index curve magnitude.

Conclusion

More apical overlap by the convex rod was associated with better spinal deformity control and improved height gain.

Level of Evidence III

Therapeutic.
PERCORE: A Deep Learning-Based Framework for Persian Spelling Correction with Phonetic Analysis
Authors: Dashti Seyed Mohammad Sadegh , Khatibi Bardsiri Amid , Jafari Shahbazzadeh Mehdi
Published: May 2024

This research introduces a state-of-the-art Persian spelling correction system that seamlessly integrates deep learning techniques with phonetic analysis, significantly enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of natural language processing (NLP) for Persian. Utilizing a fine-tuned language representation model, our methodology effectively combines deep contextual analysis with phonetic insights, adeptly correcting both non-word and real-word spelling errors. This strategy proves particularly effective in tackling the unique complexities of Persian spelling, including its elaborate morphology and the challenge of homophony. A thorough evaluation on a wide-ranging dataset confirms our system’s superior performance compared to existing methods, with impressive F1-Scores of 0.890 for detecting real-word errors and 0.905 for correcting them. Additionally, the system demonstrates a strong capability in non-word error correction, achieving an F1-Score of 0.891. These results illustrate the significant benefits of incorporating phonetic insights into deep learning models for spelling correction. Our contributions not only advance Persian language processing by providing a versatile solution for a variety of NLP applications but also pave the way for future research in the field, emphasizing the critical role of phonetic analysis in developing effective spelling correction system.
Neutrosophic Topp-Leone Distribution for Interval-Valued Data Analysis
Authors: Ahsan-ul-Haq Muhammad , Zafar Javeria , Aslam Muhammad , Tariq Saadia
Published: May 2024

Many issues in real life are riddled with confusion, vagueness, and ambiguity. The Topp-Leone distribution is a significant one-parameter probability distribution in the context of classical probability theory. There is a gap in the literature when it comes to dealing with circumstances involving interval-valued data with a classical Topp-Leone distribution. So, in this connection, neutrosophic Topp-Leone distribution is presented in this paper as an extension of the traditional Topp-Leone distribution. The new neutrosophic distribution takes into account the indeterminacy and crisp form of interval-valued distributions. The suggested distribution's mathematical features were derived, including moments and related measures, quantile function, survival, hazard, inverted hazard functions, and mills ratio. Maximum likelihood is used to estimate model parameters. Finally, a complex dataset is utilized to show the usefulness of the proposed distributions.
LGBTQ+ and Feminist Digital Activism
Authors: Zottola Angela
Published: May 2024

This Element focuses on the linguistic and discursive practices employed by digital citizens to promote their causes on social media, that is to engage in digital activism, drawing attention to the growing importance of this phenomenon in relation to gender identity and sexuality issues. I propose the label LGBTQ+ Digital Activism to join the already existing one Feminist Digital Activism and argue that, while these have been areas of interest from sociology and communication specialists, digital activism is still to be embraced as a field of research by applied linguists. I point out to a number of linguistic and discursive features that are popular among digital activists and support this through the analysis of the use of the hashtag #wontbeerased combining Social Media Critical Discourse Analysis and Corpus-Assisted Discourse Studies. I suggest that further research is needed to explore how language is used to propagate and popularize emancipatory discourses online.
The Index of Middle English Prose: Handlist XXV
Authors: Pattwell Niamh
Published: May 2024

A Handlist to manuscripts in Trinity College Dublin, covering all 79 Middle English prose manuscripts and indexing more than 539 separate items.
Cocaine use in sinonasal surgery: patients’ perspective on its use and the need for pre-operative consent
Authors: Yeo Justin Jui Yuan , Badrol Sharifah Sara Syed , Maan Amandeep , Chan Jacquline , Barraclough James , Jervis Suzanne
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Intranasal cocaine is commonly used in endoscopic sinus surgery due to its vasoconstrictive and anaesthetic properties. This study aimed to understand patients’ perspectives and whether patients should have to give their consent for its use.

Methods

Prospective data were collected over a three-month period in ENT departments in the out-patient setting of two district general hospitals. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to all adult patients asking for their thoughts on cocaine use in sinonasal surgery and the need for peri-operative discussion.

Results

In total, 123 patient questionnaires were analysed. It was found that 9.8 per cent of patients knew of cocaine use in sinonasal surgery, 73.2 per cent of patients stated they would like a pre-operative discussion on cocaine use before surgery and 83.1 per cent of patients raised concerns over cocaine's illicit status, mainly its effect on work and driving. Only 34 per cent of patients said that they would prefer an alternative to cocaine.

Conclusion

This study found that patients want to know if and when cocaine is being used intra-operatively without necessarily objecting to it.
High-throughput sequencing of Strongyloides stercoralis – a fatal disseminated infection in a dog
Authors: Nosková Eva , Svobodová Vlasta , Hypská Vilma , Cerezo-Echevarria Argiñe , Kurucová Terézia , Ilík Vladislav , Modrý David , Pafčo Barbora
Published: May 2024

The rhabditid nematode Strongyloides stercoralis is known worldwide as the causative agent of strongyloidiasis in humans. In addition to public health concerns, S. stercoralis also infects dogs, which represent a possible reservoir for potentially zoonotic transmissions. We describe the first confirmed case of fatal disseminated infection in a dog in the Czech Republic. The microscopic and histological results were supported by a complex genotyping approach. Using high-throughput sequencing of the hypervariable region (HVR-IV) of 18S rDNA and Sanger sequencing of the partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1), the potentially zoonotic haplotype/lineage A of S. stercoralis was confirmed, while the solely canine haplotype/lineage B was not found. The development of the disease is mainly associated with immunodeficiency, and in this case, it was triggered by inappropriate treatment, in particular the use of corticosteroids.
Foreign language learning boredom: Refining its measurement and determining its role in language learning
Authors: Li Chengchen , Feng Enhao , Zhao Xian , Dewaele Jean-Marc
Published: May 2024

This cross-sectional and longitudinal study sought to refine the measurement of foreign language learning boredom (FLLB) and examine its links with overall/skill-specific second and foreign language (L2) achievement (curriculum-based course exam scores) and proficiency (Cambridge English test scores). In Substudy 1, we developed and validated an 11-itemForeign Language Learning Boredom Scale–Short Formamong secondary and tertiary English as a foreign language (EFL) learners in China (n1= 2,223,n2= 504,n3= 934,n4= 1,109). The scale showed sound psychometric properties (i.e., construct/criterion/convergent/discriminant/predictive validity, reliability, and measurement invariance across time and groups). In Substudy 2, structural equation modeling results show that FLLB had a consistent modest negative effect on overall and skill-specific (vocabulary and grammar, listening, reading, and writing) L2 achievement and proficiency (n4= 1,109). Substudy 3 was a 12-month three-semester longitudinal investigation (n4= 1,109). Cross-lagged panel modeling results show that L2 achievement predicted subsequent FLLB negatively, while FLLB did not predict subsequent L2 achievement.