bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strukturparameter des Rettungswesens in Deutschland – Ergebnisse einer bundesweiten Abfrage und politische Einordnung
Authors: Wolff Justus , Breuer Florian , Pommerenke Christopher , Dahmen Janosch
Published: November 2024

Vor dem Hintergrund einer immer stärker wachsenden Inanspruchnahme der Notfallversorgung respektive des Rettungsdiensts ist der Ruf aus dem Gesundheitswesen und der Wissenschaft nach einer umfassenden Notfallreform in Deutschland immer lauter geworden. Die vorliegende Publikation analysiert erstmals für über 50 der bevölkerungsreichsten Gebietskörperschaften, zusammengesetzt aus Großstädten und Landkreisen in Deutschland, deren Strukturparameter des Rettungswesens. Dies soll als ein Grundstein für eine sachliche Diskussion über die Zukunft und Ausgestaltung einer Reform des deutschen Rettungsdiensts dienen. Im Mittelpunkt stehen die Auswertungen von Inanspruchnahme, Leistungs- und Strukturparametern, basierend auf einer Umfrage unter den Ärztlichen Leitungen Rettungsdienst (ÄLRD) aus 50 unterschiedlichen Gebietskörperschaften. Die Ergebnisse lassen schlussfolgern, dass die Art der Notrufabfrage Einfluss auf den Umfang der Einsatzmittelvorhaltung hat. Weiterhin zeigt die Analyse der zum Thema publizierten Literatur und inzwischen vorliegenden wissenschaftlichen Stellungnahmen beziehungsweise Gutachten, dass eine bundeseinheitliche, koordinierte und umfassende Reform der Notfallversorgung einschließlich der Teilbereiche Leitstelle, Rettungsdienst und integrierte Notfallzentren dringend erforderlich ist. Mithilfe der in dieser Arbeit vorgestellten Umfrageergebnisse werden Bausteine für eine evidenzbasierte Grundlage der Diskussion um den Rettungsdienst in Deutschland gelegt und wichtige Einblicke für zukünftige Entscheidungen auf allen exekutiven und legislativen Ebenen gegeben.
EchiNam: multicenter retrospective study on the experience, challenges, and pitfalls in the diagnosis and treatment of alveolar echinococcosis in Belgium
Authors: Plum Pierre-Emmanuel , Ausselet Nathalie , Kidd François , Noirhomme Séverine , Garrino Maria-Grazia , Dili Alexandra , Hayette Marie-Pierre , Detry Olivier , Leonard Philippe , Motet Christian , Hites Maya , Bourgeois Marc , Montesinos Isabel , Delaere Bénédicte
Published: November 2024

Objectives

The aim of this retrospective study was to collect epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, imaging, management, and follow-up data on cases of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) diagnosed and/or followed up within the Namur Hospital Network (NHN) in order to gather information on the challenges, pitfalls, and overall experience in the diagnosis and treatment of AE.

Methods

EchiNam was a multicenter retrospective study. Patients diagnosed and/or treated for probable or confirmed AE in the NHN between 2002 and 2023 were included in the study. Patient selection was based on diagnosis codes, laboratory results, and albendazole (ABZ) dispensing.

Results

A total of 22 AE cases were retrieved, of which four were classified as probable and 18 as confirmed cases. Nine patients were either asymptomatic or had symptoms attributed to another disease. Clinical examination yielded pathologic findings in 10 patients. The median duration from the first AE-suggestive laboratory abnormalities to diagnosis was 176 days, and the median duration from the first AE-related imaging abnormalities to diagnosis was 133 days. Overall, 12 patients underwent surgical resection, with only four achieving complete lesion resection. Nine patients experienced ABZ-related adverse effects, with temporary ABZ discontinuation in five.

Conclusion

Due to various factors such as a long incubation period and a lack of awareness among Belgian physicians, AE is often diagnosed at advanced disease stages. Treatment then becomes more complex or even suboptimal, resulting in prolonged therapy, higher risk of adverse effects, significantly impaired quality of life, poor prognosis, and higher mortality rates. Measures should be taken to achieve early diagnosis in endemic areas.
Ionospheric tomography for SWARM satellite orbit determination using single-frequency GNSS data
Authors: Prol Fabricio S. , Pignalberi Alessio , Smirnov Artem , Pezzopane Michael , Christovam Ana L. , Selvan Kannan , Hoque Mainul , Kaasalainen Sanna
Published: November 2024

Ionospheric tomography offers three-dimensional (3D) description of the electron density distribution, enabling the direct incorporation of electron density data into the slant total electron content (STEC) computation. As a result, STEC derived from tomography helps mitigate the ionospheric delay experienced in the line of sight between global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and satellites positioned in low Earth orbits (LEO). Tomography can therefore be effectively employed to correct single-frequency GNSS observations and allow enhanced positioning of spaceborne platforms. We demonstrate the accuracy and performance of a global-scale ionospheric tomography method for determining satellite orbits, utilizing single-frequency GNSS measurements combined with a precise point positioning (PPP) algorithm. We compare the tomographic outcomes against orbit determination derived from the GRoup and PHase ionospheric correction (GRAPHIC) observable and based on an ionospheric climatological model. Near the peak of solar cycle 24, the overall accuracy achieved with tomography was around 3.8 m. notably, compared to the background climatological model, tomography demonstrated improvements ranging from 15 to 20%. The GRAPHIC method outperformed tomography, achieving an accuracy of 0.7 m, whereas we obtained around 7 m accuracy when no ionospheric model is employed. Although the developed ionospheric tomography has yet to match the precision of GRAPHIC, our results bring us relatively closer to this objective.
Characteristics of patients hospitalized for falls: electronic health records analysis
Authors: Schuster Anna Kathrin , Kesselmeier Miriam , Weisbach Laura , Stumme Christoph , Behringer Wilhelm , Hartmann Michael , Farker Katrin
Published: November 2024

Aim

Falls are common adverse events, often leading to hospitalization with adverse effects on the physiological and psychological health of patients. Although risk factors for falls are well examined, it is difficult to identify fallers through their electronical health records (EHR). This study investigates whether EHR contain characteristics that indicate a fall before hospitalization.

Subject and methods

We evaluated 500 EHR of patients hospitalized through the Department of Emergency Medicine of Jena University Hospital. We considered electronically available characteristics including free texts and ICD-10-GM codes. Inpatients with and without a fall event previous to their hospitalization were compared for significant differences in EHR characteristics. Therefore, we applied the Mann–Whitney U test and the exact Fisher test, respectively, with a two-sided significance level of 0.05 and without correction for multiple testing.

Results

It was possible to identify significant differences between fallers and non-fallers by gender (66.3% women), age (median: 84 years), living situation prior to hospital admission (20.5% from nursing home, 41.1% living alone) and type of discharge. Besides other risk factors, ICD-10-GM codes included injuries, especially fractures and superficial injuries, but also cognitive deficits, incontinence, and physical limitations were more prevalent with fallers than non-fallers.

Conclusion

This study identified characteristics that can support identification of fall patients through EHR. Such information should be tested in other hospitals and is expected to enhance patient safety and utilization of healthcare resources.
Applications, technologies, and evaluation methods in smart aquaponics: a systematic literature review
Authors: Anila Mundackal , Daramola Olawande
Published: November 2024

Smart aquaponics systems are gaining popularity as they contribute immensely to sustainable food production. These systems enhance traditional farming with advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), solar energy, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for increased proficiency and productivity. However, assessing the performance and effectiveness of these systems is challenging. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to examine the applications, technologies, and evaluation methods used in smart aquaponics. The study sourced peer-reviewed publications from IEEE Xplore, Scopus, SpringerLink and Science Direct. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 105 primary studies were selected for the SLR. The findings show that aquaponics predictions (27%) have been under-explored compared to applications that involved monitoring or monitoring and controlling aquaponics (73%). IoT technologies have been used to create prototype aquaponic systems and collect data, while machine learning/deep learning (predictive analytics) are used for prediction, abnormality detection, and intelligent decision-making. So far, predictive analytics solutions for aquaponics yield prediction, return-on-investment (ROI) estimates, resource optimisation, product marketing, security of aquaponics systems, and sustainability assessment have received very little attention. Also, few studies (37.7%) incorporated any form of evaluation of the proposed solutions, while expert feedback and usability evaluation, which involved stakeholders and end-users of aquaponics solutions, have been rarely used for their assessment. In addition, existing smart aquaponics studies have limitations in terms of their short-term focus (monitoring and controlling of aquaponics not undertaken over a long time to assess performance and sustainability), being conducted mostly in controlled settings (which limits applicability to diverse conditions), and being focused on specific geographical contexts(which limits their generalizability). These limitations provide opportunities for future research. Generally, this study provides new insights and expands discussion on the topic of smart aquaponics.
Unlocking the potential of nanocellulose from textile waste: a pathway to nanocomposite applications
Authors: Teixeira Marta A. , Barreiros Mariana P. , Felgueiras Helena P. , Fangueiro Raul , Ferreira Diana P.
Published: November 2024

Global textile consumption has increased significantly in the last decades and, consequently, millions of tons of textile waste have been discarded every year. Landfills and incinerators are their main fates, causing several and significant environmental problems. Cotton, second to polyester, is the most widely used fibre in the textile industry. Therefore, the recovery of this fibre from wastes is an imperative waste management strategy to mitigate the environmental impacts related with their disposable as well as its farming. Various approaches have been employed to reuse these waste cotton textiles. The extraction of cellulose nanomaterials, such as cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from these solid wastes has shown to be a promising methodology. Owing to its outstanding and natural properties, nanocellulose applications have gained high attraction in different areas. In this review, the potential of using waste cotton textiles to extract nanocellulose instead of other cellulosic resources is highlighted and discussed. The concept of nanocellulose and the differences between types is well clarified. A background on the typically applied extraction methods is presented, giving special relevance to those already employed to extract nanocellulose from textile wastes, in particular those containing cotton. In addition, limitations to these methodologies are also examined, as well as possible applications of the extracted nanocellulose on high value-added products.
Implementing Quality Improvement Initiatives Within Community Psychiatry: Challenges and Strategies
Authors: Ogbu-Nwobodo Lucy , Fang Anya , Gill Harminder , Saenz Sam Ricardo , Wallace Paul , Mangurian Christina , Folk Johanna B.
Published: November 2024

Implementation of quality improvement (QI) initiatives within community mental health settings is crucial to addressing equity-related issues affecting mental health services delivery, including for co-occurring substance use disorders. Given the growing recognition of QI interventions as an effective framework to facilitate structural change within systems of care, it is important to equip mental health providers with the knowledge and ability to execute QI initiatives that are feasible, sustainable, and integrate a health equity lens. To demystify the QI process, we describe the design and methodologies of four fellows’ capstone projects conducted during the 2022–2023 academic year at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Public Psychiatry Fellowship at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFG). By highlighting fellows’ experiences with leading QI initiatives within community mental health settings, we discuss strategies for overcoming implementation barriers including stakeholder engagement and transparency factors, resource and time constraints, unexpected changes in direction, and lack of infrastructure for QI. Lastly, we reflect on best practices and sustainability considerations for leading QI initiatives in partnership with academic centers, departments of public health, and community mental health clinics.
Land Markets Anticipate Future Regulatory Boundary Changes
Authors: Bošković Branko , Nøstbakken Linda
Published: November 2024

Environmental policies vary across space, and a growing body of empirical research compares land prices across administrative boundaries to estimate the causal effects of local policies. However, this approach can be confounded if the market anticipates the boundaries may change and land prices respond accordingly. We propose a way to separately identify the effect of local policy and the market’s beliefs that boundaries may change, and we apply this approach to Canadian land prices and wildlife protection zones in Alberta. We find that anticipation matters: market expectations that land will become protected reduces land prices by nearly one-quarter, and empirical analysis that omits anticipation underestimates the cost of regulation by one-third.
Promoter recognition specificity of Corynebacterium glutamicum stress response sigma factors σD and σH deciphered using computer modeling and point mutagenesis
Authors: Blumenstein J. , Dostálová H. , Rucká L. , Štěpánek V. , Busche T. , Kalinowski J. , Pátek M. , Barvík I.
Published: November 2024

This study aimed to reveal interactions of the stress response sigma subunits (factors) σD and σH of RNA polymerase and promoters in Gram-positive bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum by combining wet-lab obtained data and in silico modeling. Computer modeling-guided point mutagenesis of C. glutamicum σH subunit led to the creation of a panel of σH variants. Their ability to initiate transcription from naturally occurring hybrid σD/σH-dependent promoter Pcg0441 and two control canonical promoters (σD-dependent PrsdA and σH-dependent PuvrD3) was measured and interpreted using molecular dynamics simulations of homology models of all complexes. The results led us to design the artificial hybrid promoter PD35H10 combining the −10 element of the PuvrD3 promoter and the −35 element of the PrsdA promoter. This artificial hybrid promoter PD35-rsdAH10-uvrD3 showed almost optimal properties needed for the bio-orthogonal transcription (not interfering with the native biological processes).
How to assess the impact of fellowships on academic careers? Latent transition analyses for funding programmes of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Authors: Mutz Rüdiger , Daniel Hans-Dieter
Published: November 2024

Although fellowship programmes continue to be seen as an effective means of advancing young researchers' academic careers, the impact of fellowship programmes on fellows' career development is still unclear. The central question of this article concerns the evaluation of fellowship programmes: What methodological challenges does the evaluation of fellowship programmes pose with regard to career development, and how these can be addressed in the context of evaluations? Specifically, there are three key methodological challenges facing research evaluation in the context of career development, which can be described by the terms 'impact', 'validity and fairness', and 'tailored programmes'. A career is understood as a transition between positions over time; career stages can be understood as latent categorical variables, i.e. types of career stages (temporary, full-time). Transition is modelled statistically using latent transition analyses within a person-centred approach. Covariates, such as funding programmes, can impact both the initial configurations (i.e. the frequency of fellows in different career stages) and the transition itself. A funding programme is fair if all fellows, regardless of their characteristics (gender, career stage, cohort), have the same chances of success. Different types of fellows with different career trajectories indicate heterogeneous subpopulations that require tailoring of funding programmes. The approach is illustrated with data on the career development of 1418 fellows from three Alexander von Humboldt Foundation programmes. The majority of fellows benefit in their academic careers from the funding, but the null hypothesis of no specific effects (e.g. programmes, age, gender) could not be rejected (endogenous and homogeneous trajectories).
Distinct resource utilization by introduced man-made grouper hybrid: an overlooked anthropogenic impact from a longstanding religious practice
Authors: Chung Arthur , Schunter Celia
Published: November 2024

Anthropogenic activities, such as the introduction of non-native aquaculture species, have significantly altered trophic interactions in marine ecosystems. The hybrid grouper (TGGG), an aquaculture product originating from an artificial F1 crossbreed between Epinephelus fuscoguttatus and E. lanceolatus, has been released into the wild through religious activities, raising concerns about the ecological implications of this man-made species. With its carnivorous diet and large body size inherited from the parental species, TGGG could pose significant impacts to the marine ecosystem. Yet, little is known about the diet composition of TGGG upon release into the natural environment as well as its dietary overlap or partitioning with closely related species. Here, we deployed gut content DNA metabarcoding to determine the prey richness and dietary niche of wild-caught TGGG and compared it to four native grouper species (Epinephelus awoara, E. bleekeri, E. coioides and E. quoyanus). Our results indicate that the TGGG exhibited five unique prey taxa, with teleosts being the predominant prey, followed by crustaceans and cephalopods. Notably, the TGGG displayed a significantly lower mean number of prey taxa compared to the other groupers, suggesting a distinct diet composition that may reflect a transition in feeding behaviour. This study provides a comprehensive analysis with high taxonomic resolution on the diet of artificial hybrids in the wild, indicating the potential for successful establishment if release events persist. Finally, these findings provide new insights into how local trophic dynamics are impacted by the under-investigated release of animals through religious practices.
Class-based differences in moral judgment: A bayesian approach
Authors: Tutić Andreas
Published: November 2024

This study employs Bayesian inference to explore class-based differences in moral judgment. Based on the dual-process perspective in interdisciplinary action theory, we estimate in a first step a process model which differentiates parametrically between emotionally driven deontological, deliberatively driven utilitarian, and residual judgmental inclinations. In a second step, our estimates of these parameters are correlated via beta regressions with indicators of social class and thinking dispositions. We find a considerable association between social class, specifically income, and deontological inclinations, whereas consequentialist inclinations correlate with thinking dispositions but not with social class. This research underscores the utility of Bayesian estimation in closing the gap between theoretical and statistical modelling. Employing this approach enhances our understanding of the nuanced interplay between intuitive and deliberative processes in moral judgment and, more generally, offers a promising direction for advancing sociological action theory.
Reactivity and potential mobility of metals in human-impacted harbor sediments (Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands)
Authors: Wu Guangnan , Reichart Gert-Jan , Kraal Peter
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Vast amounts of harbor sediments are being dredged every year globally. These sediments are often enriched in potentially toxic elements (PTEs), the abundance and potential mobility of which are important for sustainable harbor management practices. In this study, we investigate metal (especially PTE) distribution, abundance, and reactivity in sediments along a salinity gradient in the waterways of Europe’s largest harbor, the Port of Rotterdam.

Materials and methods

Bulk surface sediments were analyzed for general physicochemical properties (e.g. grain size, total metal concentration). From selected locations covering the local salinity gradient, sediments were subjected to three independent chemical extractions to determine chemically reactive metal pools. Additionally, metal retention in two contrasting sediments (high versus low salinity) was further explored using pH-dependent leaching experiments in combination with a geochemical model.

Results and discussion

The majority of the investigated sediments consisted predominantly of silt and were rich in organic matter. Concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu decreased with increasing salinity. Concentrations of Al, Fe, V correlated negatively with grain size, because these geogenic metals are enriched in fine-grained silicates. Results from the chemical metal extractions showed clear differences in the reactivity and mobility potential of metals, that could be grouped into four clusters. The combined chemical and modeling results indicate that sorption onto metal (oxyhydr)oxides and organic matter as well as precipitation of metal sulfides and carbonates control metal retention. High reactivity and mobility potential were observed for Pb, Cd, Zn, particularly at low pH. Limited spatial variability in metal chemistry along the salinity gradient indicates that the highly variable depositional conditions have little impact on metal behaviors.

Conclusions

Chemical extractions and pH-dependent leaching experiments revealed distinguishing metal reactivities from four clusters. Our results provide insight into metal distribution in the dynamic estuarine environment of the Port of Rotterdam and highlight the importance of understanding chemical speciation in addition to abundance for harbor sediment management.
Political uncertainty and sovereign bond markets
Authors: Handler Lukas , Jankowitsch Rainer
Published: November 2024

We analyze the effects of political uncertainty on prices and liquidity of sovereign bonds. Specifically, we investigate Italian government bonds during the European sovereign debt crisis and focus on political summits and elections. We find a significant drop in prices in combination with high illiquidity and sell-side pressure before the events. The event returns are significantly positive and followed by a positive price trend. The effects are stronger when uncertainty, as measured by the EPU index, is high and economic conditions are weak. In addition, political uncertainty also affects the primary market and we find significant costs associated with issuing sovereign bonds in highly uncertain times.
Exploring instructional designers' utilization and perspectives on generative AI tools: A mixed methods study
Authors: Luo Tian , Muljana Pauline S. , Ren Xinyue , Young Dara
Published: November 2024

The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has caused significant disruptions on a global scale in various workplace settings, including the field of instructional design (ID). Given the paucity of research investigating the impact of GenAI on ID work, we conducted a mixed methods study to understand instructional designers (IDs)’ perceptions and experiences of utilizing GenAI across a spectrum of ID tasks. A total of 70 IDs completed an online survey, and 13 of them participated in the semi-structured interviews. The survey results indicated IDs’ familiarity with and perceived usability of GenAI tools in performing various ID responsibilities in their specific contexts. Qualitative findings further explained that IDs often utilized GenAI tools in (1) brainstorming ideas, (2) handling low-stake tasks, (3) streamlining design process, and (4) enhancing collaborations. Participants also expressed their concerns and challenges while using GenAI in ID, including (1) quality concerns, (2) data security and privacy concerns, (3) concerns over authorship, ownership and plagiarism, amongst others. Implications and recommendations are also discussed to inform future ID practices and research.
Herkunft, Schulform, Wunschberuf – Wie sich berufliche Aspirationen in Abhängigkeit von Sozialstatus und Schulkontext entwickeln
Authors: Zeddies Victoria , Daniel Annabell , Kühne Stefan , Maaz Kai
Published: November 2024

Entwicklungstheoretische Ansätze postulieren Veränderungen von beruflichen Aspirationen im Jugendalter und adressieren dabei individuelle Unterschiede in der Entwicklung. Inwieweit sich herkunftsspezifische Entwicklungsverläufe zeigen und welche Rolle dabei das sozial segregierte Sekundarschulsystem in Deutschland spielt, ist bislang weitgehend unklar. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht daher Unterschiede in der Entwicklung von Berufsaspirationen in Abhängigkeit der sozialen Herkunft sowie der besuchten Schulform von Schüler:innen in der Sekundarstufe I. Dafür werden die Daten der NEPS Startkohorte 3 (N = 3692) verwendet. Die Ergebnisse latenter Mehrgruppen-Wachstumskurvenmodelle zeigen soziale Disparitäten im Ausgangsniveau und in der Entwicklung der beruflichen Aspirationen, welche mit der Schulformzugehörigkeit assoziiert sind: Während die Berufsaspirationen von Schüler:innen weniger privilegierter Herkunft am Gymnasium über die Zeit sinken, zeigt sich ein positiver Entwicklungsverlauf an Schulen mit mehreren Bildungsgängen. Die Aspirationen von Schüler:innen privilegierter Herkunft erweisen sich hingegen, unabhängig der Schulform, als weitgehend stabil.
Empathy’s Role in Engineering Ethics: Empathizing with One’s Self to Others Across the Globe
Authors: Hess Justin L
Published: November 2024

Engineers make decisions with global impacts and empathy can motivate ethical reasoning and behavior that is sensitive to the needs and perspectives of stakeholders across the globe. Microethics and macroethics offer two frames of reference for engineering ethics education, but different dimensions of empathy play distinct roles in micro- and macroethics. Microethics emphasizes individual responsibility and interpersonal relationships whereas macroethics emphasizes societal obligations and impacts. While empathy can support ethical reasoning and behavior for each, in this paper I argue that affective empathy plays a primary (but not exclusive) role in microethics whereas cognitive empathy plays a primary role in macroethics. Gilligan’s and Kohlberg’s theories of moral development are used to further depict how affective empathy aligns with care (depicted as an interpersonal phenomenon) and how cognitive empathy aligns with justice (depicted as a systems-focused phenomenon), thus positioning these ethical principles as playing primary (but again, not exclusive) roles in micro- and macro-ethics, respectively. Building on these ideas, this study generates a framework that describes and visualizes how empathy manifests across six frames of reference, each of which are increasingly macro-ethical in nature: self, team, operators, participants, bystanders, and future generations. The paper describes how proxy stakeholders can be identified, developed, and leveraged to empathize with stakeholder groups. Taken together, the manuscript seeks to clarify the role of empathy in engineering ethics and can enable engineering students to better empathize with the range of stakeholders impacted by engineering decisions, ranging from one’s self to stakeholders across the globe. The intrapersonal understandings and motivations that students generate by empathizing across six frames of reference can facilitate ethical reasoning processes and behaviors that are more inclusive and comprehensive.
Comparative Secretory Efficiency of Two Chitosanase Signal Peptides from Bacillus subtilis in Escherichia coli
Authors: Eom Tae-Yang , Gang Yehui , Lee Youngdeuk , Kang Yoon-Hyeok , Jo Eunyoung , Marasinghe Svini Dileepa , Park Heung Sik , Park Gun-Hoo , Oh Chulhong
Published: November 2024

The production of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli is often challenged by cytoplasmic expression due to proteolytic degradation and inclusion body formation. Extracellular expression can overcome these problems by simplifying downstream processing and improving protein yields. This study aims to compare the efficiency of two Bacillus subtilis chitosanase signal peptides in mediating extracellular secretion in E. coli. We identified a naturally occurring mutant signal peptide (mCsn2-SP) from B. subtilis CH2 chitosanase (CH2CSN), which is characterized by a deletion of six amino acids in the N-region relative to the signal peptide (Csn1-SP) from B. subtilis CH1 chitosanase (CH1CSN). The CH1CSN and CH2CSN genes were cloned into the pET-11a vector and protein secretion was evaluated in E. coli BL21(DE3) host cells. Expression was induced with 0.1 mM and 1 mM isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) at 30 °C for one and three days. CH2CSN showed higher secretion levels compared to CH1CSN under all experimental conditions, especially with 0.1 mM IPTG induction for 3 days, which resulted in a 2.37-fold increase in secretion. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that mCsn2-SP is capable of secreting human Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (hSOD) in E. coli BL21(DE3) and successfully translocating it to the periplasmic region. This study represents the inaugural investigation into the utilisation of a naturally modified signal peptide, thereby corroborating the assertion that signal peptide deletion variants can influence protein secretion efficiency. Furthermore, the findings substantiate the proposition that such variants can serve as a viable alternative for the secretion of heterologous proteins in E. coli.
Identifying homogeneous hydrological zones for flood prediction using multivariable statistical methods and machine learning
Authors: Safari Sahar , Sadeghian Mohammad Sadegh , Hajikandi Hooman , Mehdizadeh S. Sajad
Published: November 2024

One method for estimating floods in areas lacking statistical data is the use of regional frequency analysis based on machine learning. In this study, statistical and clustering-based approaches were evaluated for flood estimation in the Karkheh watershed. The hydrological homogeneity of the obtained zones was then assessed using linear moments and heterogeneity adjustment methods proposed by Hosking and Wallis. Then, the ZDIST statistic was used to calculate the three-parameter distributions for stations within each hydrologically homogeneous cluster. These parameters were computed using linear moments, and floods with different return periods at each station were estimated using regional relationships. The results indicated the creation of two clusters in this area, with five stations in cluster one and 11 stations in cluster two. The statistical homogeneity values for clusters one and two were calculated as 0.33 and 0.17, respectively, indicating the homogeneity of each region. Generalized Pearson type III and generalized extreme value distributions were selected as the best regional distributions for clusters 1 and 2, respectively. The results also showed that floods could be estimated for return periods of 2, 5, 25 years, and more. The highest estimated flood is predicted at the Jelugir-e Majin station, where the flood with a 2-year return period reaches 1034 m3 s−1. This increases to 5360 m3 s−1 for a 100-year return period. The approach presented in this study is recommended for similar regions lacking complete information.
Importance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a marker for microbiological specimens in critically ill patients after liver or lung transplantation
Authors: Wiegand Steffen B. , Paal Michael , Jung Jette , Guba Markus , Lange Christian M. , Schneider Christian , Kneidinger Nikolaus , Michel Sebastian , Irlbeck Michael , Zoller Michael
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The correct and early diagnosis of an infection is pivotal for patients, especially if the patients are immunocompromised. Various infection markers are used in clinics with different advantages and disadvantages. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a cost effective parameter easily obtained without further investments. The aim of this study is to elucidate the value of the NLR in comparison to other established inflammation markers in patients in the intensive care unit who underwent liver or lung transplantation for the detection of bacterial and fungal specimens.

Methods

In this retrospective single centre study infection marker and microbiology data of 543 intensive care cases of liver or lung transplanted patients in the intensive care unit after transplantation were analysed.

Results

In total 5,072 lab work results and 1,104 positive microbiology results were analysed. Results of an area under curve analysis were better for the NLR (0.631; p < 0.001) than for CRP (0.522; p = 0.152) or IL-6 (0.579; p < 0.001). The NLR was independent of type of organ which was transplanted and gender of patients, whereas IL-6 values differed significantly between liver and lung transplanted patients and between male and female.

Conclusion

All analysed inflammation markers are far from being perfect. The NLR is a sensitive marker with reasonable threshold for the detection of microbiological specimens independent of gender or type of organ transplanted. The use allows a more differentiated approach to face the challenge of bacteria and fungus in patients who underwent liver or lung transplantation.

Graphical Abstract
Impact of dietary counselling on allergic reactions in children with food allergy
Authors: Eisenblaetter Julia , Stephens-Metcalfe Nia , Meichtry Andre , van der Horst Klazine , Roduit Caroline , Koehli Alice , Bellutti Enders Felicitas , Skypala Isabel , Hickson Mary
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Dietary counselling in the field of food allergy aims primarily to empower individuals to prevent allergic reactions, but its impact on allergic reactions remains unclear. This study examined the impact of dietary counselling and other factors on allergic reactions in children with food allergies.

Methods

In a multicentre study, parents of children (0–10 years) recently diagnosed with food allergies completed online questionnaires collecting data on subsequent allergic reactions. Data were collected at baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months postdiagnosis. We fitted a negative binominal model to the data in order to quantify effects of counselling, time period and multiple food allergies on food allergy reaction rates.

Results

Among the 48 enrolled children, 31 encountered a total of 85 food allergic reactions. The monthly reaction rate decreased from 0.28 in the first 3 months to 0.07 between 6 and 12 months. Children receiving counselling from a dietitian demonstrated a lower ratio (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.37, confidence interval [CI] 0.19–0.72, p = 0.004). Those with more than three food allergies have an increased ratio compared to those with one to two food allergies (IRR = 6.18, CI 2.75–3.89, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Individual dietary counselling has the potential to prevent subsequent allergic reactions after diagnosis as it reduced the risk of allergic reactions by 63%. This impact might be most pronounced in the early months following diagnosis. Children with multiple food allergies are at a higher risk of allergic reactions and should, therefore, be prioritized to receive dietary counselling.
Groundwater potential assessment in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, using analytical hierarchical process (AHP) technique
Authors: Zenande Nonkula , Adesola Gbenga Olamide , Madi Kakaba , Gwavava Oswald
Published: November 2024

Groundwater is crucial for the growth of any country. It is a vital resource for drinking water, agriculture, industry, and economic development. However, delineating the groundwater potential zones requires a systematic approach. This study assessed the groundwater potential zones (GWPZ) in the Ntabankulu municipality using remote sensing, geographic information systems, and analytical hierarchical process (AHP) techniques. Six groundwater controlling parameters were integrated to assess groundwater potential zones, including lithology, slope, lineaments density, land use/land cover, drainage density, and rainfall. The AHP pairwise comparison matrix was utilized to determine the normalized weight of the parameters. The parameters and their classes were assigned ranks, taking into account their influence on groundwater accumulation. The resultant GWPZ map was generated by integrating the parameters and their assigned weights in ArcGIS 10.8 software. The final map from the AHP technique showed five GWPZ, including very poor (13.06%), poor (25.36%), moderate (26.93%), good (22.72%), and very good (11.93%). Validation was done by using the existing 242 boreholes in the study area. Furthermore, the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was plotted, and the area under the curve (AUC) analysis indicated a satisfactory accuracy prediction (AUC = 61%). The results of this study will assist in developing a proper plan for sustainable utilization of groundwater resources within the Ntabankulu municipality.
Properties of the QCD matter: review of selected results from the relativistic heavy ion collider beam energy scan (RHIC BES) program
Authors: Chen Jin-Hui , Dong Xin , He Xiong-Hong , Huang Huan-Zhong , Liu Feng , Luo Xiao-Feng , Ma Yu-Gang , Ruan Li-Juan , Shao Ming , Shi Shu-Su , Sun Xu , Tang Ai-Hong , Tang Ze-Bo , Wang Fu-Qiang , Wang Hai , Wang Yi , Xiao Zhi-Gang , Xie Guan-Nan , Xu Nu , Xu Qing-Hua , Xu Zhang-Bu , Yang Chi , Yang Shuai , Zha Wang-Mei , Zhang Ya-Peng , Zhang Yi-Fei , Zhao Jie , Zhu Xiang-Lei
Published: November 2024

In the paper, we discuss the development of the multigap resistive plate chamber time-of-flight (TOF) technology and the production of the solenoidal tracker at RHIC (STAR) TOF detector in China at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Subsequently, recent experimental results from the first beam energy scan program (BES-I) at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) pertaining to measurements of collectivity, chirality, criticality, global polarization, strangeness, heavy flavor, dilepton and light nuclei productions are reviewed.
The imperative for sensing innovations toward lab on cell in battery technology: a holistic survey of the emerging trend of embedding sensor technologies in electrochemical cells
Authors: Thenaisie Guillaume , Couto Luis D.
Published: November 2024

The rapid evolution of battery technology has sparked an urgent need for advanced monitoring and diagnostic capabilities. This comprehensive review explores the emerging concept of Lab-on-Cell (LoC), a paradigm shift in battery management that integrates sophisticated sensing technologies directly into electrochemical cells. Through meticulous analysis, the study examines cutting-edge sensor technologies, including resistive and thermoelectric sensors, piezoelectric devices, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and optical fiber sensors. It delves into their principles, applications, and limitations within the context of battery diagnostics. Uniquely, this review intertwines technological assessment with geopolitical and economic context, charting the evolution of LoC technologies against a backdrop of global events and policy shifts. It sheds light on the complex drivers of innovation in this field, drawing connections between research trends, industrial needs, and regulatory changes. The study introduces a novel dual-reference system, separating general and LoC-specific sources to cater to a diverse readership. The review culminates in a forward-looking analysis of LoC technologies’ potential impact on battery management systems, cell design, and manufacturing processes. By weaving together technological advancements, market forces, and future projections, this in-depth examination provides a holistic view of the LoC landscape. It stands as a vital resource for researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers navigating the intricate future of energy storage technologies.
African Studies Keyword: Science
Authors: Droney Damien
Published: November 2024

Vernacular discourse about science reveals theorizations of it as a power-laden, morally charged experimentation with the world guided by (often implicit) ethical orientations. Applying these vernacular theorizations to interpret professional class science on the continent, the author argues that this science has been shaped most profoundly by the politics of independence. While indigenous projects, European imperialism, and neoliberalism shape scientific institutions, African independence continues to inform the moral and political ends toward which science is thought to work. Understanding the alignment of professional class science with nation-building can help guide the recalibration of science toward the goal of substantive independence.
Identifying stakeholder motivations in normative AI governance: a systematic literature review for research guidance
Authors: Heymans Frederic , Heyman Rob
Published: November 2024

Ethical guidelines and policy documents destined to guide AI innovations have been heralded as the solution to guard us against harmful effects or to increase public value. However, these guidelines and policy documents face persistent challenges. While these documents are often criticized for their abstraction and disconnection from real-world contexts, it also occurs that stakeholders may influence them for political or strategic reasons. While this last issue is frequently acknowledged, there is seldom a means or a method provided to explore it. To address this gap, the paper employs a combination of social constructivism and science & technology studies perspectives, along with desk research, to investigate whether prior research has examined the influence of stakeholder interests, strategies, or agendas on guidelines and policy documents. The study contributes to the discourse on AI governance by proposing a theoretical framework and methodologies to better analyze this underexplored area, aiming to enhance comprehension of the policymaking process within the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The findings underscore the need for a critical evaluation of the methodologies found and a further exploration of their utility. In addition, the results aim to stimulate ongoing critical debates on this subject.
Navigating Diphtheria Resurgence in Pakistan’s Conflict-Ridden and Disaster-Prone Area
Authors: Ahmad Junaid , Shah Muhammad Yasar , Latif Abdul , Sulaiman Muhammad , Khan Kamran
Published: November 2024

Objectives

Diphtheria, a highly contagious disease that can be prevented through vaccination, is emerging in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, an area known for its instability, which presents a severe risk of becoming an epidemic. This is particularly concerning, as the Government of Pakistan intends to send (push back, actually) Afghan refugees back to Afghanistan. This research aims to study the outbreak from an epidemiological perspective and suggest ways to manage it.

Methods

The study uses data from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Department of Health Information System, which systematically collects data throughout the province.

Results

Data from the provincial District Health Information System showed 291 confirmed cases of diphtheria across 28 districts, highlighting the considerable public health challenge posed by the disease’s capacity to spread widely. Among these, 16 cases were confirmed through laboratory tests, emphasizing the urgent need for better diagnostic services to identify diphtheria quickly and accurately. The research points out 4 specific outbreaks confirmed in laboratories in Batagram, Charsadda, Khyber, and Kohat, showcasing the broad geographic reach of the disease and the necessity for targeted public health initiatives in these areas.

Conclusions

By adopting a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach, there is a significant opportunity to reduce and ultimately eliminate the risk of diphtheria becoming an uncontrolled epidemic in the region.
Going beyond the wordlessness of EU law
Authors: Mair Sabine
Published: November 2024

This essay explores what can be learned from understanding EU law as a language in the literary sense of being a set of resources for manifold ethical and political expression and social action. As a contribution to new methodological approaches to studying EU law, it will propose a method highlighting how EU law can be studied in such a way by paying attention to the various linguistic and structural features of a legal text while, at the same time, diversifying the rationales through which we understand and make sense of such textual features. The Sayn–Wittgenstein decision will serve as point of reference in order to illustrate the value-added of this new theoretical and methodological insight to understanding EU law. This essay will conclude that it is not only worth taking the language of EU law seriously because it allows us to ’see’ more in the law, but also because it enables us to elevate the deeper ideas about Europe to the surface of the language we use when writing and speaking about EU law and to thereby contribute to a more productive dialogue about the foundations and future of the EU polity.
Exogenous Shocks and Cluster Change in the Howrah Foundries: Dynamics of Conflict and Fragmentation
Authors: Shekhar Sudhanshu , Jha Vidyanand
Published: November 2024

Exogenous shocks play a crucial role in cluster evolution and change. Yet the mechanisms and processes driving these changes have been relatively underexplored. Furthermore, cluster change studies have focused more on cooperative dynamics. The conflict dynamics in a cluster have received somewhat less attention. Therefore, the present study examines the impact of the exogenous shock on conflicts in a cluster. The Howrah foundry cluster in India constitutes the empirical context of this study. Our findings point to group-level conflict and fragmentation as crucial mechanisms of cluster change. The study further explores the role of rival associations in cluster governance. It shows that rival associations can lead to equitable distribution of opportunities in the cluster. The study also contributes to Indian business history literature. It sheds light on the growth dynamics of small-scale industries and indigenous entrepreneurship in the Howrah district of India. It further brings attention to relatively underexplored data sources in Indian business history.