bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Languages of Valuation
Authors: Zografos Christos
Published: March 2023

In this essay-style chapter, I focus on the analytical concept of languages of valuation and look at the work of the Barcelona School of Social Environmental Science in using it to study environmental conflicts and other issues related to environmental governance. The genealogy of the concept goes back to the claim advanced by Joan Martínez-Alier that many environmental conflicts are conflicts over different languages used to place a value on the environment, which are regularly expressed in the context of unequal distributions of costs and benefits from environmental transformation. I follow the concept as it passes through the Barcelona School in the roughly 30-year period to 2020. I trace this trajectory in the published work of researchers connected with the School and their collaborations with scholars outside it. The starting point of that work is the ecological economics criticism of monetary valuation of the environment for its reductionism and exclusion of certain sets of environmental values, and its espousal of value diversity, incommensurability and plurality in environmental decision-making. I look at how Barcelona School contributions have advanced understanding of environmental conflicts, justice and movements, as well as environmental policy and politics, and deliberative decision-making. I conclude by taking stock of that literature’s contributions and present my reflections concerning promising research avenues. I suggest that future research should expand links between languages of valuation and the pluriverse project in an effort to both advance knowledge about decoloniality and contribute to much-needed radical socio-ecological transformations in the face of the climate crisis.
Post-development: From the Critique of Development to a Pluriverse of Alternatives
Authors: Demaria Federico , Kothari Ashish , Salleh Ariel , Escobar Arturo , Acosta Alberto
Published: March 2023

This chapter lays out both the critique of the oxymoron sustainable development as well as the potential and nuances of a post-development agenda. Post-development is generally meant as an era or approach in which development would no longer be the central organizing principle of social life.

We highlight the contribution by Joan Martinez Alier with an ecological critique to development and his work on the global movement for environmental justice to show that activists should be considered as theory and knowledge producers in their own right. We then propose to deepen and widen a research, dialogue and action agenda for activists, policy makers and scholars on a variety of worldviews and practices relating to our collective search for an ecologically wise and socially just world. This could be one base in the search for alternatives to United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in an attempt to truly ‘transforming the world’. In fact, it is an agenda towards the pluriverse: ‘a world where many worlds fit’, as the Zapatista say.
Indigenous and Local Knowledge Contributions to Social-Ecological Systems’ Management
Authors: Reyes-García Victoria
Published: March 2023

Social-ecological systems are complex and adaptive, for which their governance requires holistic understanding of the different components of the system and their relations, capacity to respond to change and uncertainty, and well-functioning institutional frameworks. Probably because Indigenous and local knowledge systems often entail these characteristics, lands and waters managed by Indigenous peoples and local communities experience a less rapid decline of biodiversity and continue to maintain their functions than other land and seascapes. In this chapter, I draw on published research to summarize how Indigenous and local knowledge systems (1) draw on conceptualizations of nature that contribute to the long-term maintenance of functioning social-ecological systems, (2) enhance our understanding of complex social-ecological systems, and (3) articulate resistance to social-ecological systems degradation. The chapter discusses why, although Indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ contributions to complex social-ecological system management are growingly recognized, such contributions will not be fully realized unless Indigenous peoples and local communities are fully acknowledged as equal partners at different levels of environmental governance. The chapter concludes by suggesting that the post-normal science approach proposed by the Barcelona School offers principles to do so.
Degrowth and the Barcelona School
Authors: Kallis Giorgos
Published: March 2023

This chapter explains how the work of Joan Martinez-Alier and the Barcelona School of Ecological Economics and Political ecology (thereinafter the Barcelona school) shaped contemporary debates around ‘degrowth’ and changed along the way ecological economics. I share a personal recollection of how the Barcelona school kick-started the development of an international, English-speaking research and activist community on degrowth; how core concepts from the work of Joan Martinez-Alier have been central to the case for degrowth; and how our work in Barcelona on degrowth pushes ecological economics to a direction distinct from that of older limits to growth debates.
Agrarian Metabolism and Socio-ecological Transitions to Agroecology Landscapes
Authors: Tello Enric , González de Molina Manuel
Published: March 2023

Joan Martínez Alier has made relevant contributions to the agrarian question by treating the southwestern Spanish latifundio and Latin American hacienda systems as capitalist ways of exploiting land and labour, not as backward feudal remnants. He has also invoked the resistance of Latin American tenant-labourers and other smallholder peasants as an explanation for the limited extent of wage labour. To that end, he helped rescue Alexander Chayanov and the former Narodnik movement from oblivion. With José Manuel Naredo, he paid tribute to Sergei Podolinsky, another member of this peasant neo-populist current, for pioneering the first calculation of energy balances and returns from agricultural systems. As agricultural and environmental historians, we have followed both paths to develop new proposals for a form of agrarian metabolism that, while contributing to ecological economics, is also aligned with agroecology. We summarize our contributions to these topics, developed together with Eduardo Sevilla Guzmán, Victor Toledo and Gloria Guzmán, as well as some of the researchers at the Institute of Social Ecology in Vienna and many other participants in the international project on Sustainable Farm Systems (SFS). Our teams have also started using these socio-metabolic accounts to take up the agrarian question of labour and gender exploitation through the unequal appropriation of natural resources from a historical point of view, as well as contribute to the next agroecology transition to a fairer food regime within planetary boundaries.
Holography in $$ \hat{\textrm{CGHS}} $$ supergravity
Authors: Aghamir Narges , Afshar Hamid
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We study holographic aspects of 2D dilaton-supergravity in flat space-time using gauge theoretic BF formulation. The asymptotic symmetries in Bondi gauge and at finite temperature span a supersymmetric extension of the warped Virasoro algebra at level zero. The boundary action is determined such that the bulk variational principle is ensured and turns out to be a super-warped Schwarzian theory at the vanishing level. We also study the thermodynamics of the black hole saddle in this model.
Recent updates on thienopyrimidine derivatives as anticancer agents
Authors: Sayed Menna Tallah M. , Hassan Rasha A. , Halim Peter A. , El-Ansary Afaf K.
Published: March 2023

Thienopyrimidine derivatives hold a unique place between fused pyrimidine compounds. They are important and widely represented in medicinal chemistry as they are structural analogs of purines. Thienopyrimidine derivatives have various biological activities. The current review discusses different synthetic methods for the preparation of heterocyclic thienopyrimidine derivatives. It also highlights the most recent research on the anticancer effects of thienopyrimidines through the inhibition of various enzymes and pathways, which was published within the last 9 years.

Graphical Abstract
PM-MVS: PatchMatch multi-view stereo
Authors: Ito Koichi , Ito Takafumi , Aoki Takafumi
Published: March 2023

PatchMatch Stereo is a method for generating a depth map from stereo images by repeating spatial propagation and view propagation. The concept of PatchMatch Stereo can be easily extended to Multi-View Stereo (MVS). In this paper, we present PatchMatch Multi-View Stereo (PM-MVS), which is a highly accurate 3D reconstruction method that can be used in various environments. Three techniques are introduced to PM-MVS: (i) matching score evaluation, (ii) viewpoint selection, and (iii) outlier filtering. The combination of normalized cross-correlation with bilateral weights and geometric consistency between viewpoints is used to improve the estimation accuracy of depth and normal maps at object boundaries and poor-texture regions. For each pixel, viewpoints used for stereo matching are carefully selected in order to improve robustness against disturbances such as occlusion, noise, blur, and distortion. Outliers are removed from reconstructed 3D point clouds by a weighted median filter and consistency-based filters assuming multi-view geometry. Through a set of experiments using public multi-view image datasets, we demonstrate that the proposed method exhibits efficient performance compared with conventional methods.
Human-Informed Topology Optimization: interactive application of feature size controls
Authors: Ha Dat Quoc , Carstensen Josephine V.
Published: March 2023

This paper presents a new topology optimization framework in which the design decisions are made by humans and machines in collaboration. The new Human-Informed Topology Optimization approach eases the accessibility of topology optimization tools and enables improved design identification for the so-called ‘everyday’ and ‘in-the-field’ design situations. The new framework is based on standard density-based compliance minimization. However, the design engineer is enabled to actively use their experience and expertise to locally alter the minimum feature size requirements. This is done by conducting a short initial solution and prompting the design engineer to evaluate the quality. The user can identify potential areas of concern based on the initial material distribution. In these areas, the minimum feature size requirement can be altered as deemed necessary by the user. The algorithm rigorously resolves the compliance problem using the updated filtering map, resulting in solutions that eliminate, merge, or thicken topological members of concern. The new framework is demonstrated on 2D benchmark examples and the extension to 3D is shown. Its ability to achieve performance improvement with few computational resources are demonstrated on buckling and stress concentration examples.
Exploring the Use of a Fit‐for‐Purpose Surgical Headlight in Sub‐Saharan Africa: Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Hussien Muaad , Capo‐Chichi Nina , Starr Nichole , Johansen Elizabeth , Negash Samuel , Utam Terseer , Negussie Tihitena , Fernandez Katie , Weiser Thomas G.
Published: March 2023

Background

High‐quality surgical lighting is often lacking in low‐resource settings. Commercial surgical headlights are unavailable due to high cost and supply and maintenance challenges. We aimed to understand user needs of a surgical headlight for low‐resource settings by evaluating a preselected robust but relatively inexpensive headlight and lighting conditions.

Methods

We observed headlight use by ten surgeons in Ethiopia and six in Liberia. All surgeons completed surveys about their lighting environment and experience using headlight, and were subsequently interviewed. Twelve surgeons completed logbooks on headlight use. We distributed headlights to 48 additional surgeons, and all surgeons were surveyed for feedback.

Results

In Ethiopia, five surgeons ranked operating room light quality as poor or very poor; seven delayed or cancelled operations within the last year and five described intraoperative complications due to poor lighting. In Liberia, lighting was rated as “good”, however fieldnotes, and interviews noted generator fuel‐rationing, and poor lighting conditions. In both countries, the headlight was considered extremely useful. Surgeons recommended nine improvements, including comfort, durability, affordability and availability of multiple rechargeable batteries. Thematic analysis identified factors influencing headlight use, specifications and feedback, and infrastructure challenges.

Conclusion

Lighting in surveyed operating rooms was poor. Although conditions and need for the headlights differed between Ethiopia and Liberia, headlights were considered highly useful. However, discomfort was a major limiting factor for ongoing use, and the hardest to objectively characterise for specification and engineering purposes. Specific needs for surgical headlights include comfort and durability. Refinement of a fit‐for‐purpose surgical headlight is ongoing.
Probabilistic and Analytical Aspects of the Symmetric and Generalized Kaiser–Bessel Window Function
Authors: Baricz Árpád , Pogány Tibor K.
Published: March 2023

The generalized Kaiser–Bessel window function is defined via the modified Bessel function of the first kind and arises frequently in tomographic image reconstruction. In this paper, we study in details the properties of the Kaiser–Bessel distribution, which we define via the symmetric form of the generalized Kaiser–Bessel window function. The Kaiser–Bessel distribution resembles to the Bessel distribution of McKay of the first type, it is a platykurtic or sub-Gaussian distribution, it is not infinitely divisible in the classical sense and it is an extension of the Wigner’s semicircle, parabolic andn-sphere distributions, as well as of the ultra-spherical (or hyper-spherical) and power semicircle distributions. We deduce the moments and absolute moments of this distribution and we find its characteristic and moment generating function in two different ways. In addition, we find its cumulative distribution function in three different ways and we deduce a recurrence relation for the moments and absolute moments. Moreover, by using a formula of Ismail and May on quotient of modified Bessel functions of the first kind, we deduce a closed-form expression for the differential entropy. We also prove that the Kaiser–Bessel distribution belongs to the family of log-concave and geometrically concave distributions, and we study in details the monotonicity and convexity properties of the probability density function with respect to the argument and each of the parameters. In the study of the monotonicity with respect to one of the parameters we complement a known result of Gronwall concerning the logarithmic derivative of modified Bessel functions of the first kind. Finally, we also present a modified method of moments to estimate the parameters of the Kaiser–Bessel distribution, and by using the classical rejection method we present two algorithms for sampling independent continuous random variables of Kaiser–Bessel distribution. The paper is closed with conclusions and proposals for future works.
Role of root hair elongation in rhizosheath aggregation and in the carbon flow into the soil
Authors: Teixeira Pedro Paulo C. , Trautmann Svenja , Buegger Franz , Felde Vincent J. M. N. L. , Pausch Johanna , Müller Carsten W. , Kögel-Knabner Ingrid
Published: March 2023

One of the most prominent changes in the rhizospheric soil structure is associated with the formation of a strongly bound soil layer in the surroundings of the root, which is named rhizosheath. In this study, we investigated how root hair elongation, a ubiquitous root morphological trait, affect the stability of rhizosheath aggregates. Using 13CO2 pulse labeling, we tracked the fate of root-derived 13C inputted into the rhizosheath of two Zea mays L. genotypes with contrasting root hair elongation: a mutant with root hair defective elongation (rth3) and a corresponding wild type (WT). In addition, we also investigated the differences between two 13CO2 labeling approaches (single vs. multiple pulse labeling) in the distribution of 13C in the rhizosheath aggregates. We were able to demonstrate that the rhizosheath aggregate stability and the resulting aggregate size distribution follows the same mechanisms irrespective of the root hair elongation. This result reinforces the assumption that other soil properties are more decisive for the soil structure formation in the rhizosheath in comparison to root hair elongation. The majority of recently deposited root-derived C (57%) was found in the macroaggregates. Increasing the number of pulses (multiple pulse labeling approach) resulted in a higher 13C enrichment of the rhizosheath aggregates fractions in comparison to the application of a single pulse. While both labeling approaches resulted in a similar distribution of 13C in the rhizosheath aggregates, the higher enrichment given by multiple pulse labeling allowed the separation of significant differences between the genotypes in plant C allocation in the rhizosheath.
Meal-timing patterns and chronic disease prevalence in two representative Austrian studies
Authors: Santonja Isabel , Bogl Leonie H. , Degenfellner Jürgen , Klösch Gerhard , Seidel Stefan , Schernhammer Eva , Papantoniou Kyriaki
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aimed at describing meal-timing patterns using cluster analysis and explore their association with sleep and chronic diseases, before and during COVID-19 mitigation measures in Austria.

Methods

Information was collected in two surveys in 2017 (N = 1004) and 2020 (N = 1010) in representative samples of the Austrian population. Timing of main meals, nighttime fasting interval, last-meal-to-bed time, breakfast skipping and eating midpoint were calculated using self-reported information. Cluster analysis was applied to identify meal-timing clusters. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were used to study the association of meal-timing clusters with prevalence of chronic insomnia, depression, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and self-rated bad health status.

Results

In both surveys, median breakfast, lunch and dinner times on weekdays were 7:30, 12:30 and 18:30. One out of four participants skipped breakfast and the median number of eating occasions was 3 in both samples. We observed correlation between the different meal-timing variables. Cluster analysis resulted in the definition of two clusters in each sample (A17 and B17 in 2017, and A20 and B20 in 2020). Clusters A comprised most respondents, with fasting duration of 12–13 h and median eating midpoint between 13:00 and 13:30. Clusters B comprised participants reporting longer fasting intervals and later mealtimes, and a high proportion of breakfast skippers. Chronic insomnia, depression, obesity and self-rated bad health-status were more prevalent in clusters B.

Conclusions

Austrians reported long fasting intervals and low eating frequency. Meal-timing habits were similar before and during the COVID-19-pandemic. Besides individual characteristics of meal-timing, behavioural patterns need to be evaluated in chrono-nutrition epidemiological studies.
Relation between socioeconomic status and maternal serum lipids to infant lipid concentrations and anthropometry in the first year of life
Authors: Dathan-Stumpf Anne , Vogel Mandy , Grafe Nico , Kiess Wieland , Stepan Holger
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The physical health and development of an individual are influenced by multiple parameters and shaped by internal and external factors during pregnancy. However, it is unclear whether there is an association between maternal lipid concentrations in the third trimester of pregnancy and infant serum lipids as well as anthropometric growth, and whether these factors are influenced by the socioeconomic status (SES) of the mothers.

Methods

Between 2011 and 2021, 982 mother–child pairs were recruited in the LIFE-Child study. To investigate the influence of prenatal factors, pregnant women at the 24th and 36th week of gestation as well as children at the age of 3, 6 and 12 months were examined and serum lipids determined. Socioeconomic status (SES) was assessed using the validated Winkler Index.

Results

A higher maternal BMI was associated with a significantly lower Winkler score and a higher infant weight, height, head circumference and BMI from birth up to the 4th–5th week of life. In addition, the Winkler Index correlates with maternal HDL cholesterol and ApoA1 levels. There was no relation between the delivery mode and the maternal BMI or SES.

For the maternal HDL cholesterol concentration in the third trimester, an inverse relation to children’s height, weight, head circumference and BMI up to the first year of life as well as the chest and abdominal circumference to an age of 3 months was found. Children born to mothers with dyslipidemia in pregnancy tended to have a worse lipid profile than those born to normolipidemic mothers.

Conclusion

Serum lipid concentrations and anthropometric parameters of children in the first year of life are affected by multiple factors like maternal BMI, lipid levels and SES.
Effects of horizontal versus vertical switching of disease-modifying treatment after platform drugs on disease activity in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis in Austria
Authors: Guger Michael , Enzinger Christian , Leutmezer Fritz , Di Pauli Franziska , Kraus Jörg , Kalcher Stefan , Kvas Erich , Berger Thomas ,   the Austrian MS Treatment Registry (AMSTR)
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To compare in a nationwide observational cohort the effectiveness, frequency and reasons for treatment interruption of dimethylfumarate (DMF) and teriflunomide (TERI) (horizontal switchers) versus alemtuzumab (AZM), cladribine (CLAD), fingolimod (FTY), natalizumab (NTZ), ocrelizumab (OCR) and ozanimod (OZA) (vertical switchers) in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (pwRRMS) and prior interferon beta (IFN-beta) or glatiramer-acetate (GLAT) treatment.

Materials and methods

The “horizontal switch cohort” included 669 and the “vertical switch cohort” 800 RRMS patients. We used propensity scores for inverse probability weighting in generalized linear (GLM) and Cox proportional hazards models to correct for bias in this non-randomized registry study.

Results

Estimated mean annualized relapse rates (ARR) were 0.39 for horizontal and 0.17 for vertical switchers. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) in the GLM model showed an increased relapse probability of 86% for horizontal versus vertical switchers (IRR = 1.86; 95% CI 1.38–2.50; p < 0.001). Analyzing the time to the first relapse after treatment switch by Cox regression, a hazard ratio of 1.58 (95% CI 1.24–2.02; p < 0.001) indicated an increased risk of 58% for horizontal switchers. The hazard ratios for treatment interruption comparing horizontal versus vertical switchers were 1.78 (95% CI 1.46–2.18; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Horizontal switching after a platform therapy resulted in a higher relapse and interrupt probability and was associated with a trend towards less EDSS improvement comparing to vertical switching in Austrian RRMS patients.
nanoGold and µGold inhibit autoimmune inflammation: a review
Authors: Danscher Gorm , Rasmussen Sten
Published: March 2023

The newest data on metallic gold have placed the noble metal central in the fight for the safe treatment of autoimmune inflammation. There are two different ways to use gold for the treatment of inflammation: gold microparticles > 20 µm and gold nanoparticles. The injection of gold microparticles (µGold) is a purely local therapy. µGold particles stay put where injected, and gold ions released from them are relatively few and taken up by cells within a sphere of only a few millimeters in diameter from their origin particles. The macrophage-induced release of gold ions may continue for years. Injection of gold nanoparticles (nanoGold), on the other hand, is spread throughout the whole body, and the bio-released gold ions, therefore, affect multitudes of cells all over the body, as when using gold-containing drugs such as Myocrisin. Since macrophages and other phagocytotic cells take up and transport nanoGold and remove it after a short period, repeated treatment is necessary. This review describes the details of the cellular mechanisms that lead to the bio-release of gold ions in µGold and nanoGold.
Total closure for permutation actions of finite nonabelian simple groups
Authors: Freedman Saul D. , Giudici Michael , Praeger Cheryl E.
Published: March 2023

For a positive integer k, a group G is said to be totally k-closed if for each set $$\Omega $$
Ω
upon which G acts faithfully, G is the largest subgroup of $$\textrm{Sym}(\Omega )$$

Sym
(
Ω
)

that leaves invariant each of the G-orbits in the induced action on $$\Omega \times \cdots \times \Omega =\Omega ^k$$

Ω
×
⋯
×
Ω
=

Ω
k

. Each finite group G is totally |G|-closed, and k(G) denotes the least integer k such that G is totally k-closed. We address the question of determining the closure number k(G) for finite simple groups G. Prior to our work it was known that $$k(G)=2$$

k
(
G
)
=
2

for cyclic groups of prime order and for precisely six of the sporadic simple groups, and that $$k(G)\geqslant 3$$

k
(
G
)
⩾
3

for all other finite simple groups. We determine the value for the alternating groups, namely $$k(A_n)=n-1$$

k
(

A
n

)
=
n
-
1

. In addition, for all simple groups G, other than alternating groups and classical groups, we show that $$k(G)\leqslant 7$$

k
(
G
)
⩽
7

. Finally, if G is a finite simple classical group with natural module of dimension n, we show that $$k(G)\leqslant n+2$$

k
(
G
)
⩽
n
+
2

if $$n \geqslant 14$$

n
⩾
14

, and $$k(G) \leqslant \lfloor n/3 + 12 \rfloor $$

k
(
G
)
⩽
⌊
n
/
3
+
12
⌋

otherwise, with smaller bounds achieved by certain families of groups. This is achieved by determining a uniform upper bound (depending on n and the type of G) on the base sizes of the primitive actions of G, based on known bounds for specific actions. We pose several open problems aimed at completing the determination of the closure numbers for finite simple groups.
Shunt dependency in supratentorial intraventricular tumors depends on the extent of tumor resection
Authors: Teske Nico , Chiquillo-Domínguez Mariana , Skrap Benjamin , Harter Patrick N. , Rejeski Kai , Blobner Jens , von Baumgarten Louisa , Tonn Joerg-Christian , Kunz Mathias , Thon Niklas , Karschnia Philipp
Published: March 2023

Background

Supratentorial intraventricular tumors (SIVTs) are rare lesions of various entities characteristically presenting with hydrocephalus and often posing a surgical challenge due to their deep-seated localization. We aimed to elaborate on shunt dependency after tumor resection, clinical characteristics, and perioperative morbidity.

Methods

We retrospectively searched the institutional database for patients with supratentorial intraventricular tumors treated at the Department of Neurosurgery of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, Germany, between 2014 and 2022.

Results

We identified 59 patients with over 20 different SIVT entities, most often subependymoma (8/59 patients, 14%). Mean age at diagnosis was 41 ± 3 years. Hydrocephalus and visual symptoms were observed in 37/59 (63%) and 10/59 (17%) patients, respectively. Microsurgical tumor resection was provided in 46/59 patients (78%) with complete resection in 33/46 patients (72%). Persistent postoperative neurological deficits were encountered in 3/46 patients (7%) and generally mild in nature. Complete tumor resection was associated with less permanent shunting in comparison to incomplete tumor resection, irrespective of tumor histology (6% versus 31%, p = 0.025). Stereotactic biopsy was utilized in 13/59 patients (22%), including 5 patients who received synchronous internal shunt implantation for symptomatic hydrocephalus. Median overall survival was not reached and did not differ between patients with or without open resection.

Conclusions

SIVT patients display a high risk of developing hydrocephalus and visual symptoms. Complete resection of SIVTs can often be achieved, preventing the need for long-term shunting. Stereotactic biopsy along with internal shunting represents an effective approach to establish diagnosis and ameliorate symptoms if resection cannot be safely performed. Due to the rather benign histology, the outcome appears excellent when adjuvant therapy is provided.
Methylphenidate dose–response in children with ADHD: evidence from a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled titration trial
Authors: Vertessen Karen , Luman Marjolein , Swanson James M. , Bottelier Marco , Stoffelsen Reino , Bet Pierre , Wisse Annemiek , Twisk Jos W. R. , Oosterlaan Jaap
Published: March 2023

Methylphenidate (MPH) is highly efficacious in reducing symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Generally increased doses are found to result in better symptom control; however, it remains unclear whether this pattern can be observed at the individual level, given the large heterogeneity in individual dose–response relationships and observed placebo responses. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over trial was used to compare weekly treatment with placebo and 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg of MPH twice daily on parent and teacher ratings of child ADHD symptoms and side effects. Participants were 5–13-year-old children with a DSM-5 diagnosis of ADHD (N = 45). MPH response was assessed at group and individual levels and predictors of individual dose–response curves were examined. Mixed model analysis showed positive linear dose–response curves at group level for parent and teacher rated ADHD symptoms and parent rated side effects, but not for teacher rated side effects. Teachers reported all dosages to improve ADHD symptoms compared to placebo, while parents only reported > 5 mg/dose as effective. At the individual level, most (73–88%) children, but not all, showed positive linear dose–response curves. Higher severity of hyperactive-impulsive symptoms and lower internalizing problems, lower weight, younger age and more positive opinions towards diagnosis and medication partly predicted steeper linear individual dose–response curves. Our study confirms that increased doses of MPH yield greater symptom control at a group level. However, large interindividual variation in the dose–response relationship was found and increased doses did not lead to greater symptom improvement for all children. This trial was registered in the Netherlands trial register (# NL8121).
Reply to comment on “climate sensitivity, agricultural productivity and the social cost of carbon in fund” by Philip Meyer
Authors: Dayaratna Kevin , McKitrick Ross
Published: March 2023

Meyer (Environ Econ Policy Stud, 2022) questions a number of assumptions behind the social cost of carbon (SCC) calculations in Dayaratna et al. (Environ Econ Policy Stud 22:433–448, 2020), especially the CO2fertilization benefit and the climate sensitivity estimate. He recommends against increasing the CO2effect and suggests applying a recent climate sensitivity estimate in Lewis, Clim Dyn (2022), but did not calculate the resulting SCC distribution. Herein we critically assess his recommendations and compute the SCC distribution they imply. It has a median SCC value in 2050 of $3.39 and implies a 33.4 percent probability of the optimal carbon tax being negative. While a bit higher than the results in Dayaratna et al. (Environ Econ Policy Stud 22:433–448, 2020), they are not materially different for the purposes of setting optimal climate policy.
Where do knowledge-intensive firms locate in Germany?—An explanatory framework using exponential random graph modeling
Authors: Heidinger Mathias , Wenner Fabian , Sager Sebastian , Sussmann Paul , Thierstein Alain
Published: March 2023

This paper analyzes how positional and relational data in 186 regions of Germany influence the location choices of knowledge-based firms. Where firms locate depends on specific local and interconnected resources, which are unevenly distributed in space. This paper presents an innovative way to study such firm location decisions through network analysis that relates exponential random graph modeling (ERGM) to the interlocking network model (INM). By combining attribute and relational data into a comprehensive dataset, we capture both the spatial point characteristics and the relationships between locations. Our approach departs from the general description of individual location decisions in cities and puts extensive networks of knowledge-intensive firms at the center of inquiry. This method can therefore be used to investigate the individual importance of accessibility and supra-local connectivity in firm networks. We use attributional data for transport (rail, air), universities, and population, each on a functional regional level; we use relational data for travel time (rail, road, air) and frequency of relations (rail, air) between two regions. The 186 functional regions are assigned to a three-level grade of urbanization, while knowledge-intensive economic activities are grouped into four knowledge bases. This research is vital to understand further the network structure under which firms choose locations. The results indicate that spatial features, such as the population of or universities in a region, seem to be favorable but also reveal distinct differences, i.e., the proximity to transport infrastructure and different valuations for accessibility for each knowledge base.
A mixed reality system combining augmented reality, 3D bio-printed physical environments and inertial measurement unit sensors for task planning
Authors: Kabuye Ernest , LeDuc Philip , Cagan Jonathan
Published: March 2023

Successful surgical operations are characterized by preplanning routines to be executed during actual surgical operations. To achieve this, surgeons rely on the experience acquired from the use of cadavers, enabling technologies like virtual reality (VR) and clinical years of practice. However, cadavers, having no dynamism and realism as they lack blood, can exhibit limited tissue degradation and shrinkage, while current VR systems do not provide amplified haptic feedback. This can impact surgical training increasing the likelihood of medical errors. This work proposes a novel Mixed Reality Combination System (MRCS) that pairs Augmented Reality (AR) technology and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor with 3D printed, collagen-based specimens that can enhance task performance like planning and execution. To achieve this, the MRCS charts out a path prior to a user task execution based on a visual, physical, and dynamic environment on the state of a target object by utilizing surgeon-created virtual imagery that, when projected onto a 3D printed biospecimen as AR, reacts visually to user input on its actual physical state. This allows a real-time user reaction of the MRCS by displaying new multi-sensory virtual states of an object prior to performing on the actual physical state of that same object enabling effective task planning. Tracked user actions using an integrated 9-Degree of Freedom IMU demonstrate task execution This demonstrates that a user, with limited knowledge of specific anatomy, can, under guidance, execute a preplanned task. In addition, to surgical planning, this system can be generally applied in areas such as construction, maintenance, and education.
Hepatitis C Virus prediction based on machine learning framework: a real-world case study in Egypt
Authors: Mamdouh Farghaly Heba , Shams Mahmoud Y. , Abd El-Hafeez Tarek
Published: March 2023

Prediction and classification of diseases are essential in medical science, as it attempts to immune the spread of the disease and discover the infected regions from the early stages. Machine learning (ML) approaches are commonly used for predicting and classifying diseases that are precisely utilized as an efficient tool for doctors and specialists. This paper proposes a prediction framework based on ML approaches to predict Hepatitis C Virus among healthcare workers in Egypt. We utilized real-world data from the National Liver Institute, founded at Menoufiya University (Menoufiya, Egypt). The collected dataset consists of 859 patients with 12 different features. To ensure the robustness and reliability of the proposed framework, we performed two scenarios: the first without feature selection and the second after the features are selected based on sequential forward selection (SFS). Furthermore, the feature subset selected based on the generated features from SFS is evaluated. Naïve Bayes, random forest (RF), K-nearest neighbor, and logistic regression are utilized as induction algorithms and classifiers for model evaluation. Then, the effect of parameter tuning on learning techniques is measured. The experimental results indicated that the proposed framework achieved higher accuracies after SFS selection than without feature selection. Moreover, the RF classifier achieved 94.06% accuracy with a minimum learning elapsed time of 0.54 s. Finally, after adjusting the hyperparameter values of the RF classifier, the classification accuracy is improved to 94.88% using only four features.
Onset and nature of flow-induced vibrations in cerebral aneurysms via fluid–structure interaction simulations
Authors: Bruneau David A. , Valen-Sendstad Kristian , Steinman David A.
Published: March 2023

Clinical, experimental, and recent computational studies have demonstrated the presence of wall vibrations in cerebral aneurysms, thought to be induced by blood flow instability. These vibrations could induce irregular, high-rate deformation of the aneurysm wall, and potentially disrupt regular cell behavior and promote deleterious wall remodeling. In order to elucidate, for the first time, the onset and nature of such flow-induced vibrations, in this study we imposed a linearly increasing flow rate on high-fidelity fluid–structure interaction models of three anatomically realistic aneurysm geometries. Prominent narrow-band vibrations in the range of 100–500 Hz were found in two out of the three aneurysm geometries tested, while the case that did not exhibit flow instability did not vibrate. Aneurysm vibrations consisted mostly of fundamental modes of the entire aneurysm sac, with the vibrations exhibiting more frequency content at higher frequencies than the flow instabilities driving those vibrations. The largest vibrations occurred in the case which exhibited strongly banded fluid frequency content, and the vibration amplitude was highest when the strongest fluid frequency band was an integer multiple of one of the natural frequencies of the aneurysm sac. Lower levels of vibration occurred in the case which exhibited turbulent-like flow with no distinct frequency bands. The current study provides a plausible mechanistic explanation for the high-frequency sounds observed in cerebral aneurysms, and suggests that narrow-band (vortex-shedding type) flow might stimulate the wall more, or at least at lower flow rates, than broad-band, turbulent-like flow.
Vertical ridge augmentation of atrophic posterior mandible with corticocancellous onlay symphysis graft versus sandwich technique: clinical and radiographic analysis
Authors: Fekry Yasser El-Sayed , Mahmoud Nermine Ramadan
Published: March 2023

Alveolar ridge augmentation of atrophic posterior mandibular ridge represents a challenge in oral and maxillofacial surgery to restore aesthetic and function. The aim of the study was to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of bone formation in atrophic posterior mandibles augmented using onlay symphysis cortico-cancellous bone block with that augmented using sandwich bone augmentation technique (Inlay). Twelve patients were selected with missing mandibular posterior teeth. CBCT were done for all patients preoperatively to assess the residual bone height, ranged between 5 and 7 mm from the inferior alveolar nerve with adequate sufficient alveolar ridge width more than 4 mm. Patients required bone augmentation procedure with autologous onlay chin graft (group I) versus those used as inlay sandwich technique (group II). Clinical and radiographic analysis were done to analyses the newly formed bone and bone height. Percent of change in bone height was also calculated and revealed that group I was higher than group II, however, statistically insignificant differences between the two groups were found regarding the percentage of newly formed bone. Vertical ridge augmentation procedures using onlay chin graft took lesser time than the interpositional grafting with fixation technique, however, both techniques are promising for vertical ridge augmentation.
Aromatase inhibition plus/minus Src inhibitor saracatinib (AZD0530) in advanced breast cancer therapy (ARISTACAT): a randomised phase II study
Authors: Oswald Ailsa J. , Symeonides Stefan N. , Wheatley Duncan , Chan Stephen , Brunt Adrian Murray , McAdam Karen , Schmid Peter , Waters Simon , Poole Christopher , Twelves Chris , Perren Timothy , Bartlett John , Piper Tammy , Chisholm Eve Macdonald , Welsh Michelle , Hill Robert , Hopcroft Lisa E. M. , Barrett-Lee Peter , Cameron David A.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The development of oestrogen resistance is a major challenge in managing hormone-sensitive metastatic breast cancer. Saracatinib (AZD0530), an oral Src kinase inhibitor, prevents oestrogen resistance in animal models and reduces osteoclast activity. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of saracatinib addition to aromatase inhibitors (AI) in patients with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer.

Methods

This phase II multicentre double-blinded randomised trial allocated post-menopausal women to AI with either saracatinib or placebo (1:1 ratio). Patients were stratified into an “AI-sensitive/naïve” group who received anastrozole and “prior-AI” group who received exemestane. Primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR) and toxicity.

Results

140 patients were randomised from 20 UK centres to saracatinib/AI (n = 69) or placebo/AI (n = 71). Saracatinib was not associated with an improved PFS (3.7 months v. 5.6 months placebo/AI) and did not reduce likelihood of bony progression. There was no benefit in OS or ORR. Effects were consistent in “AI-sensitive/naive” and “prior-AI” sub-groups. Saracatinib was well tolerated with dose reductions in 16% and the main side effects were gastrointestinal, hypophosphatemia and rash.

Conclusion

Saracatinib did not improve outcomes in post-menopausal women with metastatic breast cancer. There was no observed beneficial effect on bone metastases.

CRUKE/11/023, ISRCTN23804370.
Symptoms of Selective Mutism in Middle Childhood: Psychopathological and Temperament Correlates in Non-clinical and Clinically Referred 6- to 12-year-old Children
Authors: Muris Peter , Büttgens Leonie , Koolen Manouk , Manniën Cynthia , Scholtes Noëlle , van Dooren-Theunissen Wilma
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study was to study psychopathological and temperamental correlates of selective mutism (SM) (symptoms) in a mixed sample of non-clinical (n = 127) and clinically referred (n = 42, of whom 25 displayed the selective non-speaking behavior that is prototypical for SM) 6- to 12-year-old children. Parents completed questionnaires to measure their child’s symptom levels of selective mutism, social anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, and the temperament trait of behavioral inhibition. The results first and foremost showed that SM symptoms were clearly linked to social anxiety and an anxiety-prone temperament (behavioral inhibition), but findings also suggested that autism spectrum problems are involved in the selective non-speaking behavior of children. While the latter result should be interpreted with caution given the methodological shortcomings of this study, findings align well with the notion that SM is a heterogeneous psychiatric condition and that clinical assessment and treatment need to take this diversity into account.
Is nobody interested in the future of banks? a scoping literature review on the state of the debate
Authors: Hübenbecker Ulf
Published: March 2023

Narratives are playing an increasingly important role in economics since their performative character has been realised. Banks are not unaffected by this, as they face many future challenges and are thus directly affected by narratives. For this reason, this article aims to reveal the future prospects within the academic landscape on the basis of a scoping literature review to create transparency about where the narratives come from. So, it is not the intention to make another prediction about the future of the banks. The paper presents contributions that make explicit statements about the future of banks, either a description of the future or an assessment of the future prospects of banks. Two databases were searched in this context, IDEAS/RePEc and Scopus, for the period from 2001 to 2021. A total of 99 relevant contributions were identified and finally used to answer three questions: (1) What challenges are seen for banks in the future? (2) What kind of future is depicted? (3) How are the future prospects derived? It turns out that challenges are seen in profitability, regulation, technology, and customer behaviour. The future prospects vary considerably, which puts the focus on the last question. Among other things, an overemphasis on intermediation theory tends to generate negative future prospects. It can be seen that the importance of the assumptions for the derivation of future prospects has not yet been recognised and further research is necessary to get a more complete picture of the future of banks.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: International trade and environmental pollution in sub-Saharan Africa: do exports and imports matter?
Authors: Duodu Emmanuel , Mpuure Desmond Mbe-Nyire
Published: March 2023

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Africa in general are known as the lowest emitters of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. However, CO2 emissions in SSA are increasing, making it a problem of concern and calls for attention given its adverse consequences on human health and climate change. International trade is argued to have a vital role in global and SSA emissions in diverse ways, leading to doubts of whether trade is good or bad to the environment. As a result, we explore the environmental effect of international trade in 33 SSA countries from 1990 to 2020. The study further evaluates the differential effect of exports and imports on environmental pollution. The generalized method of moment estimator and Dumitrescu and Hurlin (D-H) causality test were utilized. The results revealed that the overall effect of trade reduces environmental pollution by about 0.10% and 0.79% in both the short and long run, respectively. Again, we observe that exports and imports minimize environmental pollution of about 0.07% and 0.45% (0.08% and 0.58%) in the short run (long run), respectively. Regarding D-H results, we noticed the existence of bidirectional causality between total trade and environmental pollution, whereas exports and imports have a unidirectional causality from CO2 emissions to exports and imports. We conclude based on the findings that international trade causes pollution reduction in SSA. Furthermore, we establish that exports and imports have a homogeneous impact on environmental pollution in SSA. Given the results, we call for trade initiatives that ensure improvement in environmental and energy efficiency technologies related to production and transportation of exported and imported goods and services.