bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of tonsillectomy combined with steroid pulse therapy upon IgA nephropathy depending on proteinuria status at diagnosis: a nationwide multicenter cohort study in Japan
Authors: Komatsu Hiroyuki , Fujimoto Shouichi , Sato Yuji , Yasuda Takashi , Yasuda Yoshinari , Matsuzaki Keiichi , Hirano Keita , Kawamura Tetsuya , Yokoo Takashi , Suzuki Yusuke , Maruyama Shoichi
Published: July 2024

Background

The effects of tonsillectomy combined with steroid pulse (TSP) therapy for IgA nephropathy (IgAN) are little known. Therefore, we examined the effects of TSP therapy on the kidney outcomes of IgAN in a large, nationwide cohort study in Japan.

Methods

Between 2002 and 2004, 632 IgAN patients with ≥ 0.5 g/day proteinuria at diagnosis were divided into three groups with mild (0.50–0.99 g/day; n = 264), moderate (1.00–1.99 g/day, n = 216), or severe (≥ 2.00 g/day; n = 153). Decline in kidney function and urinary remission were compared among the three groups after TSP therapy, corticosteroid (ST) therapy, or conservative therapy during a mean follow-up of 6.2 ± 3.3 years. 10.6% and 5.9% of patients in the ST and conservative therapy group underwent tonsillectomy.

Results

The rate of urinary remission at the final observation was significantly higher in the TSP therapy group than in the ST or conservative therapy groups (mild proteinuria: 64%, 43%, and 41%; moderate proteinuria: 51%, 45%, and 28%; severe proteinuria: 48%, 30%, and 22%, respectively). In contrast, the rate of a 50% increase in serum creatinine was lower in groups TSP therapy, than ST or conservative therapy (mild proteinuria: 2.1%, 10.1% and 16.7%; moderate proteinuria: 4.8%, 8.8% and 27.7%; severe proteinuria: 12.0%, 28.9% and 43.1%, respectively). In multivariate analysis, TSP therapy significantly prevented a 50% increase in serum creatinine levels compared with conservative therapy in groups with moderate and severe proteinuria (hazard ratio, 0.12 and 0.22, respectively).

Conclusion

TSP significantly increased the rate of proteinuria disappearance and urinary remission in IgAN patients with mild-to-moderate urinary protein levels. It may also reduce the decline in kidney function in patients with moderate-to-severe urinary protein levels.
Day-after impact of simulated rival encounter in the common cuckoo
Authors: Winiarska Dominika , Jankowiak Łukasz , Tryjanowski Piotr , Osiejuk Tomasz S.
Published: July 2024

Studies show that the common cuckoo exhibits a strong vocal response to rival playback. In this study, we aimed to assess if males would more eagerly vocally defend their home ranges a day after a simulated rival encounter. At 48 sites in Poland, we conducted a playback experiment where we played 20 calls repeated 5 times with a 5-min break between each series. Using the automatic analysis software Kaleidoscope Pro, we detected cuckoo calls in two datasets, directly after the experiment and the day after. Our results show that even though cuckoos respond to rival calls, this response is short-lived.
ISG15 promotes tumor progression via IL6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in ccRCC
Authors: Xie Wei , Zhang Yuanfeng , Zhang Zhechuan , Li Qinke , Tao Lesha , Zhang Ronggui
Published: July 2024

Although renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a prevalent type of cancer, the most common pathological subtype, clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), still has poorly understood molecular mechanisms of progression. Moreover, interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) is associated with various types of cancer; however, its biological role in ccRCC remains unclear.This study aimed to explore the role of ISG15 in ccRCC progression.ISG15 expression was upregulated in ccRCC and associated with poor prognosis. RNA sequence analysis and subsequent experiments indicated that ISG15 modulated IL6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling to promote ccRCC proliferation, migration, and invasion. Additionally, our animal experiments confirmed that sustained ISG15 knockdown reduced tumor growth rate in nude mice and promoted cell apoptosis. ISG15 modulates the IL6/JAK2/STAT3 pathway, making it a potential therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker for ccRCC.
Impact of common shade tree species on microclimate and cocoa growth in agroforestry systems in Ghana
Authors: Kohl Theresa , Niether Wiebke , Abdulai Issaka
Published: July 2024

Climate change is a growing threat to agriculture globally, with most substantial impacts expected in tropical smallholder systems such as cocoa farms in West Africa. Cocoa agroforestry is widely believed to enhance resilience to climatic extremes due to protection and a favourable microclimate under the shade trees. Morphological traits of many locally used shade tree species and their specific contribution to microclimate for climate-resilient cocoa production remain unclear. Therefore, aboveground morphology and sub canopy microclimate of eight common shade tree species were investigated in cocoa agroforestry systems in the Ahafo region, Ghana. Additionally, the growth of cocoa trees in three different distance zones to the shade tree stem was measured. The eight different shade tree species exhibited considerable variation in their impact on microclimate and cocoa growth. M. indica and M. excelsa allowed lowest light transmission, with the highest microclimatic buffering effect, i.e., reducing vapour pressure deficit and daily fluctuations of temperature and relative humidity. Cocoa trees around M. lucida and F. capensis were the highest in growth, characterized by height and stem diameter. However, a universally superior shade tree species could not be identified implying the need for shade tree diversity allowing various microclimatic conditions within an agroforestry system to spread risk of climate extremes. Cocoa tree growth was more affected by distance to the shade tree than by shade tree species, resulting in enhanced growth with distance to the stem. These findings provide a better understanding of species-related differences on cocoa growing conditions and climate change adaptation strategies.
A large-scale dataset for korean document-level relation extraction from encyclopedia texts
Authors: Son Suhyune , Lim Jungwoo , Koo Seonmin , Kim Jinsung , Kim Younghoon , Lim Youngsik , Hyun Dongseok , Lim Heuiseok
Published: July 2024

Document-level relation extraction (RE) aims to predict the relational facts between two given entities from a document. Unlike widespread research on document-level RE in English, Korean document-level RE research is still at the very beginning due to the absence of a dataset. To accelerate the studies, we present (Toward Document-Level Relation Extraction in Korean) dataset constructed from Korean encyclopedia documents written by the domain experts. We provide detailed statistical analyses for our large-scale dataset and human evaluation results suggest the assured quality of . Also, we introduce the document-level RE model that considers the named entity-type while considering the Korean language’s properties. In the experiments, we demonstrate that our proposed model outperforms the baselines and conduct qualitative analysis.
Alternative green application areas for olive pomace catalytic pyrolysis biochar obtained via marble sludge catalyst
Authors: Goktepeli Gamze , Ozgan Afra , Onen Vildan , Ahmetli Gulnare , Kalem Merve , Yel Esra
Published: July 2024

Evaluating industrial wastes in the system with minimum preprocessing and generation economically valuable products from them have critical importance. In this regard, especially cheap, wieldy, and readily available catalysts have been researched to increase variety of useful products in pyrolysis systems, to reduce process time, and to increase quality and diversity of products. Therefore, in this study, marble sludge (named K1) was evaluated as catalyst at different dosages (10%, 20%, 30%, 50%) and pyrolysis temperatures (300, 500, 700 °C) in olive pomace (OP) pyrolysis and; the potential green applications of produced new biochars at new usage areas with different purposes based on characteristics were investigated. ANOVA test results showed that temperature and catalysts ratio had significant effect on pyrolysis product yields since significance value for K1 and temperature was lower than 0.05 for pyrolysis products. OP-K1 biochars had alkaline properties and high earth metal quantities. Moreover, increment in K1 ratio and temperature resulted in decrement of the biochar surface acidity. Therefore, it can be indicated that these biochars can have a potential usage for anaerobic digestion processes, lithium-ion batteries, and direct carbon solid oxide fuel cell (DC-SOFC) but further electrochemical property test should be performed. Moreover, produced biochars can be alternative fuels in some processes instead of coal since they have low S content and high heat values. Consequently, it is foreseen that produced biochars will have an important place in the development of potential usage areas with a new and environmentally friendly approach in different areas apart from the conventional uses of catalytic pyrolysis chars.

Graphical abstract
Solvent-assisted salt-free reactive dyeing of cotton fabric
Authors: Periyasamy Aravin Prince , Dutta Shubhajit , Tehrani-Bagha Ali R.
Published: July 2024

The objective of this study was to establish a solvent-assisted salt-free dyeing method for cotton fabric utilizing commercially available reactive dyes. In this study, the feasibility of substituting water as the dyeing medium with environmentally friendly solvents, specifically ethanol (EtOH), isopropyl alcohol (IPA), and propanol (PrOH), was investigated. Eight commercial reactive dyes, each possessing distinct chemical structures, were examined with various dyeing characteristics including exhaustion, fixation, and fastness properties, in the presence of various alcohols. However, solvent-assisted dyeing exhibited comparable or enhanced color strength (K/S) values, exhaustion, and fixation rates compared to conventional aqueous dyeing. For instance, the RR35 dye demonstrated a substantial increase in K/S values with PrOH, EtOH, and IPA, ranging from 115 to 369% improvement. The substitution of alcohol for water did not affect the wash, rub, and light-color fastness properties, as these properties remained consistently excellent. Solvent-assisted salt-free dyeing of cotton fabrics offers a promising solution to address the environmental impacts of traditional water-based dyeing methods by eliminating the requirement for water and salt. Overall, this study presents a solvent-assisted salt-free dyeing technique and contributes to the field by offering detailed insights into its mechanisms and performance. Our research has the potential to reduce water consumption, eliminate salt usage, and mitigate environmental pollution.
Certified Peer Support in the Field of Homelessness: Stories Behind the Work
Authors: de Zeeuw Wright Margriet , Morgan Candice
Published: July 2024

Certified peer support specialists (CPSS) are used as a paraprofessional workforce to engage hard-to-reach populations, including people experiencing homelessness. Thematic analysis was used to explore with CPSS (N = 7) what contributed to their effectiveness when working with this population. Participants were recruited at a HUD lead organization in the southeastern United States. Open-ended semi-structured questions were used in online, synchronous interviews. Themes related to three areas, experience, competence, and the organization, contributed to participants being effective. Specifically, interviewees observed that their lived experiences and abilities to speak a common language with clients contributed to their effectiveness. They identified how personal qualities and unique skillsets suited them for the work. Participants also valued the training they received; certification helped them to develop competencies and to balance vulnerability, empathy, and connection. Finally, participants attributed their effectiveness to clarity about their roles within the organization, supervision, attention to self-care, and co-worker support. Findings from this study may have implications for the value of lived and learned knowledge coexisting in organizations serving those who experience homelessness.
Mesorhizobia strain and chickpea variety drive phenotypic plasticity of plant growth and nodulation
Authors: Iqbal Nasir , Zhou Yi , Denton Matthew D. , Sadras Victor O.
Published: July 2024

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) establishes symbiotic relationships with several Mesorhizobium species and the three-way interaction between chickpea variety, Mesorhizobium strain, and environment, drives plant growth and nitrogen fixation. Here we quantified the phenotypic plasticity for shoot dry weight, nodule dry weight, nodules per plant, nodule colour, symbiotic effectiveness, and nitrogen cost in a factorial experiment combining five chickpea varieties, seven Mesorhizobium strains and three photothermal regimes. Plant growth and nitrogen fixation traits varied with variety, Mesorhizobium strain, photothermal environment and their interaction. Phenotypic plasticity was larger for nodules per plant (7.3-fold) than for shoot dry weight (2.7-fold), verifying a hierarchy of plasticities between these traits. Strain-driven plasticity of plant growth and nitrogen fixation traits was larger than variety-driven plasticity for our combination of varieties, strains, and photothermal environments, with strain-driven phenotypic plasticity being 2.7-fold vs 1.4-fold for shoot dry matter, 2.5-fold vs 1.7-fold for nodule dry weight, 7.3-fold vs 2.1-fold for nodules per plant, 3.7-fold vs 1.7-fold for nodule color, 2.9-fold vs 1.6-fold for symbiotic effectiveness, and 2.3-fold vs 1.6-fold for nitrogen cost. Our study provides insights on the phenotypic plasticity of the legume-rhizobia interaction by considering the plants as part of the rhizobia environment and vice-versa.
Validation of the Scientific Reasoning Competencies Instrument: Relationships with Epistemological Beliefs and Analytical Thinking
Authors: Küçükaydın Menşure Alkış , Ayaz Elçin
Published: July 2024

Scientific reasoning competencies (SRC) are an area of competence emphasized in science education and are considered essential in the world of 21st Century skills. Developing these competencies is important for all levels of education, from primary school to university. However, to accurately measure them, measurement tools with validity and reliable evidence are needed. The current study was conducted with two different sample groups. In Study-1 (n = 155), the SRC test consisting of 21 items was adapted into Turkish, and evidence of its validity and reliability was presented. To this end, the Turkish adaptation of the SRC test, which was previously developed and tested for validity in different languages, was conducted in a sample of primary school teacher candidates. In Study-2 (n = 483), the relationship between SRC and epistemological beliefs and analytic thinking skills was examined. Regression analysis showed that epistemological beliefs and analytic thinking were significant predictors of SRC. The study and discussion offer implications for future research on the relationship between SRC and other thinking skills not examined in this research.
Learning from Bitter Memories: Frequency and Resolution of Interparental Financial Conflicts, Financial Beliefs and Behaviors, and Well-Being among Hong Kong Young Adults
Authors: Li Xiaomin , Khan Muhammad Aamir , LeBaron-Black Ashley B. , Curran Melissa A.
Published: July 2024

Drawing from family systems theory and family financial socialization theory, we examined associations among interparental financial conflicts (IPFC), financial beliefs and behaviors, and well-being for 312 Hong Kong young adults (aged 18–30 years old). The sample was relatively diverse in age, income level, and education level; the data were collected in March and April of 2022. IPFC consisted of frequency and three types of resolution strategies: negotiation, hostility, and triangulation. Financial beliefs and behaviors consisted of money vigilance and healthy money management. Well-being consisted of financial well-being and life satisfaction. Conducting structural equation modeling and calculating indirect effects, we identified two key findings. First, IPFC strategies (but not IPFC frequency) spill over into offspring’s financial beliefs and well-being. Second, young adults’ financial beliefs mediated associations between IPFC strategies and young adults’ well-being. Collectively, our study extended family systems theory and family financial socialization theory in demonstrating that (a) family interactions and relationships—including IPFC— are a vital component of the financial socialization process, and (b) these processes are associated with young adults’ financial beliefs, and in turn, well-being.
Evaluating Artificial Intelligence on the Efficacy of Preference Assessments for Preservice Speech-Language Pathologists
Authors: Griffen Brenna , Lorah Elizabeth R. , Holyfield Christine , Caldwell Nicolette , Nosek John
Published: July 2024

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face many barriers to meaningful inclusion, including limited language and communication skills. Professionals, such as speech-language pathologists (SLPs), can provide personalized instruction to promote skill development and inclusion. Providing opportunities for individuals to express preferences and choice, such as the multiple stimulus without replacement preference assessment (MSWO; DeLeon & Iwata 1996), within these programs, further increases skill acquisition and social interaction. However, limitations in professionals’ knowledge and skills in performing assessments can be another barrier to meaningful inclusion for individuals with IDD and traditional training methods can be challenging and time consuming. The purpose of the current study was to compare the use of artificial intelligence with traditional pen and paper self-instructional MSWO training methods for five preservice SLPs. Fidelity of implementation and duration of assessment were measured. Results demonstrated a large increase in implementation fidelity for two participants, a moderate increase for two participants and a slight increase for the remaining participant while using artificial intelligence. All participants demonstrated a decrease in scoring errors using artificial intelligence. Regarding duration of implementation, artificial intelligence resulted in a significant reduction for four participants and a moderate reduction for the remaining participant. Results of the follow-up survey suggest that all adult participants and both child participants found that artificial intelligence had a higher treatment acceptability and was more effective at producing socially significant outcomes than traditional methods. Recommendations for clinicians and future research are discussed.
The shape of the wealth distribution and differences in wealth inequality across Euro area countries
Authors: Biewen Martin , Glaisner Stefan , Kleimann Rolf
Published: July 2024

Based on data from the Eurosystem Household Finance and Consumption Survey (HFCS), we revisit the question of how differences in household characteristics can account for cross-country differences in wealth inequality. We first show that commonly used RIF-decompositions are typically tested positive for specification error due to the large differences in household characteristics between countries. We then present an alternative analysis for which we introduce a convenient graphical representation of the wealth distribution. Our results show that not only differences in wealth inequality but also differences in distributional shape can be largely accounted for by differences in homeownership across countries, but that, for some country comparisons, differences in household incomes also matter.
Sequent Calculi for First-order $$\textrm{ST}$$
Authors: Paoli Francesco , Přenosil Adam
Published: July 2024

Strict-Tolerant Logic ($$\textrm{ST}$$
ST
) underpins naïve theories of truth and vagueness (respectively including a fully disquotational truth predicate and an unrestricted tolerance principle) without jettisoning any classically valid laws. The classical sequent calculus without Cut is sometimes advocated as an appropriate proof-theoretic presentation of $$\textrm{ST}$$
ST
. Unfortunately, there is only a partial correspondence between its derivability relation and the relation of local metainferential $$\textrm{ST}$$
ST
-validity – these relations coincide only upon the addition of elimination rules and only within the propositional fragment of the calculus, due to the non-invertibility of the quantifier rules. In this paper, we present two calculi for first-order $$\textrm{ST}$$
ST
with an eye to recapturing this correspondence in full. The first calculus is close in spirit to the Epsilon calculus. The other calculus includes rules for the discharge of sequent-assumptions; moreover, it is normalisable and admits interpolation.
Explicit constructions of Diophantine tuples over finite fields
Authors: Kim Seoyoung , Yip Chi Hoi , Yoo Semin
Published: July 2024

A Diophantine m-tuple over a finite field $${\mathbb F}_q$$

F
q

is a set $$\{a_1,\ldots , a_m\}$$

{

a
1

,
…
,

a
m

}

of m distinct elements in $$\mathbb {F}_{q}^{*}$$

F

q

∗

such that $$a_{i}a_{j}+1$$

a
i

a
j

+
1

is a square in $${\mathbb F}_q$$

F
q

whenever $$i\ne j$$

i
≠
j

. In this paper, we study M(q), the maximum size of a Diophantine tuple over $${\mathbb F}_q$$

F
q

, assuming the characteristic of $${\mathbb F}_q$$

F
q

is fixed and $$q \rightarrow \infty $$

q
→
∞

. By explicit constructions, we improve the lower bound on M(q). In particular, this improves a recent result of Dujella and Kazalicki by a multiplicative factor.
How do underwriting and investment activities affect P&C insurers’ capital adjustments? Evidence from Canada
Authors: Guidara Alaa , Lai Van Son , Yu Min-Teh , Zhao Yang
Published: July 2024

Using a sample of 83 Canadian property-casualty insurance companies from 1996 to 2010, we examine the impact of underwriting and investment choices on the insurers’ capital level and adjustment speed. An aggressive investment policy (risky equity investments) and a heavy reliance on reinsurance underwriting activities have the opposite effect on insurers’ capital level, though both lead to a slower capital adjustment speed. Meanwhile, insurers reshuffling their underwriting and investments significantly change their capital. With an integrated framework that considers underwriting cycles and regulatory pressure, insurers are slower in their capital adjustments in hard markets of the underwriting cycle, and higher regulatory pressure for an insurer moderates the positive relationship between capital level and adjustment speed.
Hybrid Beamforming for mm-Wave Massive MIMO Systems with Partially Connected RF Architecture
Authors: Majidzadeh Mohammad , Kaleva Jarkko , Tervo Nuutti , Pennanen Harri , Tölli Antti , Latva-aho Matti
Published: July 2024

To satisfy the capacity requirements of future mobile systems, under-utilized millimeter wave frequencies can be efficiently exploited by employing massive multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) technology with highly directive beamforming. Hybrid analog-digital beamforming has been recognised as a promising approach for large-scale MIMO implementations with a reduced number of costly and power-hungry radio frequency (RF) chains. In comparison to fully connected architecture, hybrid beamforming (HBF) with partially connected RF architecture is particularly appealing for the practical implementation due to less complex RF power division and combining networks. In this paper, we first formulate single- and multi-user rate maximization problems as weighted minimum mean square error (WMMSE) and derive solutions for hybrid beamformers using alternating optimization. The algorithms are designed for the full-array- and sub-array-based processing strategies of partially connected HBF architecture. In addition, we propose lower complexity sub-array-based zero-forcing algorithms. The performance of the proposed algorithms is evaluated in two different channel models, a simple geometric model and a realistic statistical model. The performance results of the WMMSE HBF algorithms are meant to reveal the potential of partially connected HBF and serve as upper bounds for lower complexity methods. Numerical results imply that properly designed partially connected HBF has the potential to provide an good compromise between hardware complexity and system performance in comparison to fully digital beamforming.
Communities of practice and the elevation of urban elementary teacher discourse about critical pedagogy of place
Authors: Richmond Gail , Hunter Roberta , Tal Tali , Tukurah Grace
Published: July 2024

Children who live in under-resourced communities and attend under-resourced schools deserve access to high-quality teachers and educational opportunities to support their success and well-being. This study emerged from a professional development (PD) for urban teachers working in such schools, to expand educational opportunities for elementary students through outdoor science teaching. Engaging frameworks of communities of practice (CoP) and critical pedagogy of place (CPP), this critical ethnographic study investigates how urban elementary teachers engage in discourse about critical issues of place. Additionally, the investigation seeks to understand how a CoP supports such discourse. The primary data for this study were multiple sets of researcher field notes collected from participant teachers during virtual spring and in-person summer PD. Over the course of the PD, participants shifted from viewing their outdoor teaching spaces with a deficit perspective to an asset-focused one. As they visited one another’s teaching sites, the CoP the teachers were a part of created opportunity for discourse about social justice linked to issues of place within their particular school neighborhoods. The ability of urban elementary teachers to connect social justice to issues of place and to the teaching of science has implications for countering the injustice that characterizes many urban communities in the USA and elsewhere.
Diagnostic performances of GPT-4o, Claude 3 Opus, and Gemini 1.5 Pro in “Diagnosis Please” cases
Authors: Sonoda Yuki , Kurokawa Ryo , Nakamura Yuta , Kanzawa Jun , Kurokawa Mariko , Ohizumi Yuji , Gonoi Wataru , Abe Osamu
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Large language models (LLMs) are rapidly advancing and demonstrating high performance in understanding textual information, suggesting potential applications in interpreting patient histories and documented imaging findings. As LLMs continue to improve, their diagnostic abilities are expected to be enhanced further. However, there is a lack of comprehensive comparisons between LLMs from different manufacturers. In this study, we aimed to test the diagnostic performance of the three latest major LLMs (GPT-4o, Claude 3 Opus, and Gemini 1.5 Pro) using Radiology Diagnosis Please Cases, a monthly diagnostic quiz series for radiology experts.

Materials and methods

Clinical history and imaging findings, provided textually by the case submitters, were extracted from 324 quiz questions originating from Radiology Diagnosis Please cases published between 1998 and 2023. The top three differential diagnoses were generated by GPT-4o, Claude 3 Opus, and Gemini 1.5 Pro, using their respective application programming interfaces. A comparative analysis of diagnostic performance among these three LLMs was conducted using Cochrane’s Q and post hoc McNemar’s tests.

Results

The respective diagnostic accuracies of GPT-4o, Claude 3 Opus, and Gemini 1.5 Pro for primary diagnosis were 41.0%, 54.0%, and 33.9%, which further improved to 49.4%, 62.0%, and 41.0%, when considering the accuracy of any of the top three differential diagnoses. Significant differences in the diagnostic performance were observed among all pairs of models.

Conclusion

Claude 3 Opus outperformed GPT-4o and Gemini 1.5 Pro in solving radiology quiz cases. These models appear capable of assisting radiologists when supplied with accurate evaluations and worded descriptions of imaging findings.
Führungskräfte-Coaching im Rahmen digitaler Transformationsprozesse
Authors: Lauer Thomas
Published: July 2024

Digitalisierung ist ein Megatrend, dessen Geschwindigkeit – auch von Unternehmen – oft unterschätzt wird. In vielen Fällen kommen Unternehmen aber nicht um die Adoption digitaler Technologien herum, wollen sie am Markt erfolgreich bestehen. Die Einführung von digitalen Technologien stößt dabei intern aber nicht selten auf Widerstände seitens der Mitarbeitenden, bisweilen auch des mittleren Managements. Der Artikel arbeitet heraus, worin diese Widerstände begründet sind und wie personenzentriertes Coaching Führungskräfte dabei unterstützen kann, sich besser auf Digitalisierung einzustellen und die Widerstände bei der eigenen Belegschaft konstruktiv zu überwinden.
A Review of the Hydrodynamic Damping Characteristics of Blade-like Structures: Focus on the Quantitative Identification Methods and Key Influencing Parameters
Authors: Zeng Yongshun , Qian Zhaohui , Zhang Jiayun , Yao Zhifeng
Published: July 2024

Ocean energy has progressively gained considerable interest due to its sufficient potential to meet the world’s energy demand, and the blade is the core component in electricity generation from the ocean current. However, the widened hydraulic excitation frequency may satisfy the blade resonance due to the time variation in the velocity and angle of attack of the ocean current, even resulting in blade fatigue and destructively interfering with grid stability. A key parameter that determines the resonance amplitude of the blade is the hydrodynamic damping ratio (HDR). However, HDR is difficult to obtain due to the complex fluid–structure interaction (FSI). Therefore, a literature review was conducted on the hydrodynamic damping characteristics of blade-like structures. The experimental and simulation methods used to identify and obtain the HDR quantitatively were described, placing emphasis on the experimental processes and simulation setups. Moreover, the accuracy and efficiency of different simulation methods were compared, and the modal work approach was recommended. The effects of key typical parameters, including flow velocity, angle of attack, gap, rotational speed, and cavitation, on the HDR were then summarized, and the suggestions on operating conditions were presented from the perspective of increasing the HDR. Subsequently, considering multiple flow parameters, several theoretical derivations and semi-empirical prediction formulas for HDR were introduced, and the accuracy and application were discussed. Based on the shortcomings of the existing research, the direction of future research was finally determined. The current work offers a clear understanding of the HDR of blade-like structures, which could improve the evaluation accuracy of flow-induced vibration in the design stage.
Focal Therapy in Grade Group 3 Prostate Cancer
Authors: Pressler Lee , Pressler Mariel
Published: July 2024

Purpose of this Review

Treatment of intermediate risk prostate cancer remains controversial. Clearly some patients with low volume favorable intermediate risk can be followed with active surveillance. Those with high volume bilateral disease need more radical whole gland therapy. The question remains on how to best treat low volume localized unfavorable intermediate risk prostate cancer (GG3) while maintaining quality of life. Focal therapy has been becoming a popular option for many patients with localized prostate cancer. Most studies looking at focal therapy for prostate cancer have been limited to GG1 and GG2, many of whom may not need treatment. We set out to review the literature evaluating the safety and efficacy of focal therapy for GG3 prostate cancer.

Recent Findings

We reviewed multiple peer review articles obtained from a PubMed search. While in field biopsy recurrence rates approach 20%, failure free survival and overall survival exceeds 90%.

While focal therapy for unfavorable GG3 intermediate risk prostate cancer may have higher rates of local recurrence with appropriate post procedure follow up, patients who need salvage therapy are easily identified and survival rates are very high. Focal therapy is a good option for patients with localized low volume GG3 prostate cancer without compromising cancer survival and preserving quality of life.
The Orchestration of Sociology in a New Key: Consonances and Dissonances
Authors: Staubmann Helmut
Published: July 2024

Nine distinguished scholars contributed to the review symposium on Sociology in a New Key, offering critiques, approval, and suggestions for further refinements: James J. Chriss, Alberto Luis Cordeiro de Farias, Jayme Gomes, Victor Lidz, Isaac Arial Reed, Jeremy Tanner, Frédéric Vandenberghe, Raf Vanderstraeten, and Daniel Wehinger. My rejoinder focuses on five issues: (1) Aesthetic experiences and metaphors for sociology; (2) Meaning, the senses, and the body; (3) The aesthetic and culture-theoretical common denominator of Adorno, Parsons, and Simmel; (4) Aesthetics and individuality; and (5) Comparisons and prospects for a sociology in a new key.
Firm-Centered Approaches to Overcoming Semi-Peripheral Constraints
Authors: Avlijaš Sonja , Gartzou-Katsouyanni Kira
Published: July 2024

Scholars of economic development in the Global South and of industrial policy in the Global North are increasingly advocating top-down policies by a strong, activist state to promote growth and innovation. Instead, we argue there is much to learn from firm-centered approaches about how the main economic decision-makers, namely, firms, engage with the constraints and opportunities that they face. This is particularly important in the semi-periphery, where public authorities do not always have the capacity, resources, and political support required to play the activist developmental role suggested in the literature. This introduction to the special issue develops the concept of the semi-periphery, showing that it can foster knowledge exchange across the North–South divide and promote innovation in analyses of the dynamics of economic development. It also presents the multilevel perspective through which the special issue accounts for cases where firms were able to overcome semi-peripheral constraints. We argue that carving out economic opportunities in the semi-periphery often requires the activation of the initiative of local firms, which form alliances with other actors from the private, public, and non-profit sectors. Rather than producing economic innovation directly, macro-institutions facilitate those efforts by providing a governance architecture that makes it easier for firms to form alliances and innovate.
Effectiveness of behavior change in rehabilitation interventions to improve functional recovery after lower limb fracture: a systematic review
Authors: Bretherton Christopher , Al-Saadawi Ahmed , Thomson Fraser , Sandhu Harbinder , Baird Janis , Griffin Xavier
Published: July 2024

Ankle fractures are common injuries that can significantly impact mobility and quality of life. Rehabilitation following ankle fracture treatment is crucial for recovery, yet adherence to regimens remains a challenge. Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) have been suggested to improve adherence, but their effectiveness in ankle fracture rehabilitation is not well established. This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of BCTs in the rehabilitation of ankle fracture patients. We conducted a comprehensive search across multiple databases, including MEDLINE and EMBASE, focusing on Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) that incorporated BCTs into rehabilitation interventions. The effectiveness of BCTs on patient-reported outcomes (PROMs), quality of life, and adverse events was analysed. Nine RCTs met the inclusion criteria, encompassing a range of interventions that employed BCTs, most commonly including goal setting and instruction on how to perform behaviours, specifically physiotherapy exercises. The review found limited evidence supporting their effectiveness in improving PROMs. Only one study showed a significant positive effect, but it was deemed at high risk of bias. The lack of integration of behavioural theory in the design of rehabilitation interventions and the varied nature of the BCTs employed across studies may contribute to these findings. The use of BCTs in ankle fracture rehabilitation is prevalent, but this review highlights a significant gap their role of enhancing patient outcomes. Future research should incorporate a theory-based approach to intervention design, utilising a broader range of BCTs, to fully evaluate their potential in improving rehabilitation adherence and outcomes following ankle fracture .
Evaluation of an Automated Ultrafiltration System for Concentrating a Range of Viruses from Saline Waters
Authors: Singh Simran , Aw Tiong Gim , Rose Joan B.
Published: July 2024

Pathogenic viruses in environmental water are usually present in levels too low for direct detection and thus, a concentration step is often required to increase the analytical sensitivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate an automated filtration device, the Innovaprep Concentrating Pipette Select (CP Select) for the rapid concentration of viruses in saline water samples, while considering duration of process and ease of use. Four bacteriophages (MS2, P22, Phi6, and PhiX174) and three animal viruses (adenovirus, coronavirus OC43, and canine distemper virus) were seeded in artificial seawater, aquarium water, and bay water samples, and processed using the CP Select. The recovery efficiencies of viruses were determined either using a plaque assay or droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Using plaque assays, the average recovery efficiencies for bacteriophages ranged from 4.84 ± 3.8% to 82.73 ± 27.3%, with highest recovery for P22 phage. The average recovery efficiencies for the CP Select were 39.31 ± 26.6% for adenovirus, 19.04 ± 11.6% for coronavirus OC43, and 19.84 ± 13.6% for canine distemper virus, as determined by ddPCR. Overall, viral genome composition, not the size of the virus, affected the recovery efficiencies for the CP Select. The small sample volume size used for the ultrafilter pipette of the system hinders the use of this method as a primary concentration step for viruses in marine waters. However, the ease of use and rapid processing time of the CP Select are especially beneficial when rapid detection of viruses in highly contaminated water, such as wastewater or sewage-polluted surface water, is needed.

Graphical abstract
The Correlation Between Mindfulness, Decentering, and Psychological Problems: A Structural Equation Modeling Meta-Analysis
Authors: Guo Lin
Published: July 2024

Objectives

It has been assumed that decentering is one mechanism underlying the health-promoting benefits of mindfulness. This study aimed to investigate the potential mediating role of decentering in the relationship of mindfulness with psychological problems. Moreover, this study examined whether age and clinical status moderated this relationship.

Method

This study systematically reviewed prior studies published until May 2023. Data were extracted from survey results in observational studies and from baseline scores in intervention studies. The technique of meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) was applied to analyze the aggregated data. Moderator analyses examined the role of individual characteristics in the relations between (1) mindfulness and decentering, (2) decentering and psychological problems, and (3) mindfulness and psychological problems.

Results

The final meta-analysis included 110 effect sizes extracted from 57 studies, with a total number of 18,515 participants. Overall, the MASEM results showed that mindfulness had a positive, large direct effect on decentering (β = 0.42, 95% CI[0.38, 0.47]), and a negative, small-to-medium direct effect on psychological problems (β =  − 0.25, 95% CI[− 0.31, − 0.20]). Decentering also had a negative, modest direct effect on psychological problems (β =  − 0.24, 95% CI[− 0.29, − 0.19]). Regarding the indirect effect, decentering had a significant, small effect in the association between mindfulness and psychological problems (β =  − 0.10, 95% CI[− 0.13, − 0.08]). Moderator analyses suggested that these effects were consistent across age and clinical status.

Conclusions

The current results provide preliminary evidence that the correlation between mindfulness and decentering carries over to psychological problems. Understanding this correlation is an essential step towards mapping out the underlying psychological processes moving from mindfulness to psychological outcomes. The cultivation of decentering skills should be embedded in mindfulness-based training to confer benefits on psychological problems. Moreover, secular programs that do not include cultural or spiritual aspects of mindfulness need to expand their current knowledge of what decentering involves and what impedes effective decentering.

Preregistration

This study is not preregistered.
Project Report: Requirements for a Social Robot as an Information Provider in the Public Sector
Authors: Sievers Thomas , Russwinkel Nele
Published: July 2024

Is it possible to integrate a humanoid social robot into the work processes or customer care in an official environment, e.g. in municipal offices? If so, what could such an application scenario look like and what skills would the robot need to have when interacting with human customers? What are requirements for this kind of interactions? We have devised an application scenario for such a case, determined the necessary or desirable capabilities of the robot, developed a corresponding robot application and carried out initial tests and evaluations in a project together with the Kiel City Council. One of the most important insights gained in the project was that a humanoid robot with natural language processing capabilities based on large language models as well as human-like gestures and posture changes (animations) proved to be much more preferred by users compared to standard browser-based solutions on tablets for an information system in the City Council. Furthermore, we propose a connection of the ACT-R cognitive architecture with the robot, where an ACT-R model is used in interaction with the robot application to cognitively process and enhance a dialogue between human and robot.
Evaluating collective action theory-based model to simulate mobs
Authors: Al-khateeb Samer , Burright Jack , Agarwal Nitin
Published: July 2024

A mob is an event that is organized via social media, email, SMS, or other forms of digital communication technologies in which a group of people (who might have an agenda) get together online or offline to collectively conduct an act and then disperse (quickly or over a long period). In recent years, these events are increasingly happening worldwide due to the anonymity of the internet, affordability of social media, boredom, etc. Studying such a phenomenon is difficult due to a lack of data, theoretical underpinning, and resources. In this research, we use the Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) technique to model the mobbers and the Monte Carlo method to assign random values to the factors extracted from the theory of Collective Action and conduct many simulations. We also leverage our previous research on Deviant Cyber Flash Mobs to implement various scenarios the mobber could face when they decide to act in a mob or not. This resulted in a model that can simulate mobs, estimate the mob success rate, and the needed powerful actors (e.g., mob organizers) for a mob to succeed. We finally evaluate our model using real-world mob data collected from the Meetup social media platform. This research is one step toward fully understanding mob formation and the motivations of its participants and organizers.
Seismic response and ambient vibrations of a Mediaeval Tower in the Mugello area (Italy)
Authors: Azzara R. M. , Cardinali V. , Girardi M. , Padovani C. , Pellegrini D. , Tanganelli M.
Published: July 2024

This paper describes the experimental campaigns on the Tower of the Palazzo dei Vicari in Scarperia, a village in the Mugello area (Tuscany) exposed to high seismic hazards. The first campaign was carried out from December 2019 to January 2020, and the Tower underwent the so-called Mugello seismic sequence, which featured an M 4.5 earthquake. Other ambient vibration tests were repeated in June 2021 and September 2023 when another seismic sequence struck the area near Scarperia. These tests aimed to characterise the Tower’s dynamic behaviour under ambient and seismic excitations and check the response of the Tower over time. The experimental results were then used to calibrate a finite-element model of the Tower and estimate its seismic vulnerability. Several numerical simulations were conducted on the calibrated model using the NOSA-ITACA code for nonlinear structural analysis of masonry buildings. The dynamic behaviour of the Tower subjected to a seismic sequence recorded in 2023 by a seismic station at the base was investigated by comparing the velocities recorded along the Tower’s height with their numerical counterparts. Furthermore, several pushover analyses were conducted to investigate the collapse of the Tower as the load’s distribution and direction varied.
Identification of Bacteria Producing Red Pigments and Their Application in the Textile Industry
Authors: Simsek Geyik Merve , Efe Derya , Gormez Arzu
Published: July 2024

In this study, bacterial strains previously isolated and maintained in a culture collection were evaluated for their pigment production capabilities. The pigments produced by the bacteria were using the methanol extraction method and characterized by thin-layer chromatography, UV–Vis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In addition, the potential use of these pigments as textile dyes in silk fabrics was investigated. Four of the 270 isolates screened (AS-54, AS-55, AS-67, and AS-75) showed superior pigment production. These isolates were further identified using both classical and molecular methods. Based on the analysis of the 16S rRNA gene region, AS-54, AS-55, and AS-67 were identified asSerratia plymuthicaand, AS-75 asSerratia marcescens. Characterization results showed that the pigments exhibited a red coloration, indicating prodigiosin. The dyeing of silk fabrics with these pigments resulted in various shades of pink, highlighting their potential as textile dyes. These results suggest that pigments derived from these bacterial isolates hold great promise for applications in the textile industry.
Impact of surface roughness on the coefficient of friction of polymer-on-polymer contacts for deflection pulley-rope systems in the lift industry
Authors: Guinea Ainhoa , Aginagalde Andrea , Tato Wilson , Llavori Iñigo , Garcia Pablo , Arraiago Leire , Zabala Alaitz
Published: July 2024

The coefficient of friction (CoF) between the deflection pulley and rope in a lift strongly affects the life span of the rope. Although surface roughness is a key factor affecting the metallic pulley–rope CoF, its effect on polymeric pulleys is unknown. The present study analyses the effect of roughness and working conditions on cast polyamide 6 (PA6G) deflection pulley–thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-coated rope contacts. The statistical analysis revealed that the effect of surface roughness on the CoF for low-load tests was significant. The present study contributes significantly to parameter selection in deflection pulley machining to minimise friction between the pulley and rope.