bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chest radiograph classification and severity of suspected COVID-19 by different radiologist groups and attending clinicians: multi-reader, multi-case study
Authors: Nair Arjun , Procter Alexander , Halligan Steve , Parry Thomas , Ahmed Asia , Duncan Mark , Taylor Magali , Chouhan Manil , Gaunt Trevor , Roberts James , van Vucht Niels , Campbell Alan , Davis Laura May , Jacob Joseph , Hubbard Rachel , Kumar Shankar , Said Ammaarah , Chan Xinhui , Cutfield Tim , Luintel Akish , Marks Michael , Stone Neil , Mallet Sue
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To quantify reader agreement for the British Society of Thoracic Imaging (BSTI) diagnostic and severity classification for COVID-19 on chest radiographs (CXR), in particular agreement for an indeterminate CXR that could instigate CT imaging, from single and paired images.

Methods

Twenty readers (four groups of five individuals)—consultant chest (CCR), general consultant (GCR), and specialist registrar (RSR) radiologists, and infectious diseases clinicians (IDR)—assigned BSTI categories and severity in addition to modified Covid-Radiographic Assessment of Lung Edema Score (Covid-RALES), to 305 CXRs (129 paired; 2 time points) from 176 guideline-defined COVID-19 patients. Percentage agreement with a consensus of two chest radiologists was calculated for (1) categorisation to those needing CT (indeterminate) versus those that did not (classic/probable, non-COVID-19); (2) severity; and (3) severity change on paired CXRs using the two scoring systems.

Results

Agreement with consensus for the indeterminate category was low across all groups (28–37%). Agreement for other BSTI categories was highest for classic/probable for the other three reader groups (66–76%) compared to GCR (49%). Agreement for normal was similar across all radiologists (54–61%) but lower for IDR (31%). Agreement for a severe CXR was lower for GCR (65%), compared to the other three reader groups (84–95%). For all groups, agreement for changes across paired CXRs was modest.

Conclusion

Agreement for the indeterminate BSTI COVID-19 CXR category is low, and generally moderate for the other BSTI categories and for severity change, suggesting that the test, rather than readers, is limited in utility for both deciding disposition and serial monitoring.

Key Points

• Across different reader groups, agreement for COVID-19 diagnostic categorisation on CXR varies widely.

• Agreement varies to a degree that may render CXR alone ineffective for triage, especially for indeterminate cases.

• Agreement for serial CXR change is moderate, limiting utility in guiding management.
Influence of kinematic alignment on femorotibial kinematics in medial stabilized TKA design compared to mechanical alignment
Authors: Bauer L. , Woiczinski M. , Thorwächter C. , Müller P. E. , Holzapfel B. M. , Niethammer T. R. , Simon J.-M.
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Worldwide more and more primary knee replacements are being performed. Kinematic alignment (KA) as one of many methods of surgical alignment has been shown to have a significant impact on kinematics and function. The aim of the present study was to compare KA and mechanical alignment (MA) with regard to femorotibial kinematics.

Materials and methods

Eight fresh frozen human specimens were tested on a knee rig during active knee flexion from 30 to 130°. Within the same specimen a medial stabilized (MS) implant design was used first with KA and then with MA.

Results

The femorotibial kinematics showed more internal rotation of the tibia in KA compared to MA. At the same time, there was a larger medial rotation point in KA. Both alignment methods showed femoral rollback over the knee bend.

Conclusion

Relating to an increased internal rotation and a more precise medial pivot point, it can be concluded that KA combined with a MS implant design may partially support the reproduction of physiological knee joint mechanics.
Basal cell carcinomas in organ transplant recipients versus the general population: clinicopathologic study
Authors: Pandeya Nirmala , Huang Nancy , Jiyad Zainab , Plasmeijer Elsemieke I. , Way Mandy , Isbel Nicole , Campbell Scott , Chambers Daniel C. , Hopkins Peter , Soyer H. Peter , Whiteman David C. , Olsen Catherine M. , Green Adele C.
Published: October 2022

Organ transplant recipients (OTRs) are at greater risk of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) than non-OTRs, but histopathologic differences between BCCs in OTRs and the general population are largely unknown. We compared clinicopathologic features of BCCs in OTRs vs the general population in Queensland, Australia. Details of BCC tumors (site, size, level of invasion, subtype, biopsy procedure) were collected from histopathology reports in two prospective skin cancer studies, one in OTRs and one general-population-based. We used log-binomial regression models to estimate age- and sex-adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for BCC features. Overall, there were 702 BCCs in 200 OTRs and 1725 BCCs in 804 population cases. Of these, 327 tumors in 128 OTRs were higher risk BCCs (any head and neck BCC; ≥ 2 cm on trunk/extremities), more per person than 703 higher risk BCCs in 457 cases in the general population (chi-square p = 0.008). Among head/neck BCCs, OTRs were more likely than general population cases to have BCCs on scalp/ear than on face/lip/neck (PR = 1.5, 95%CI 1.2–1.8). Although aggressive subtypes were less common among higher risk BCCs in OTRs, BCCs invading beyond the dermis were almost twice as prevalent in OTRs (PR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.3–2.6) than the general population.
A refashioned foley catheter: novel cost-effective available stent in pediatric laryngotracheal reconstruction
Authors: El-Sobki Ahmed , Elkahwagi Mohamed , El-Deeb Mohamed E. , Habaza Fedaey R. , Salem Mohammed Abdelbadie , Hemdan Ahmed , El-Kholy Noha Ahmed , Alsobky Mahmoud Elsaid Ibrahim
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Pediatric laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) for laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) mandates stenting in certain situations. This study presents a novel commercially available and cost-effective stent, a refashioned foley catheter.

Methods

This prospective clinical study was performed on pediatric cases with LTS up to 8 years. The study was performed in a tertiary referral center. The selection of the proper foley catheter size for age was explained. The atraumatic insertion maneuver of the stent was also shown in detail in different situations of LTS. The endoscopic removal of the stent was also described. The mean follow-up was 6.45 ± 1.3 months.

Results

The study included 31 cases using the refashioned foley catheter stents. The study included 17 males and 14 females with a mean age of 3.45 ± 1.09. Subglottic stenosis was the most common cause of LTR in the study (74.2%) cases. The mean duration of stenting was 40.5 ± 3.7 days. Decannulation was achieved in 96.8% of cases. No stent complications were encountered like stent migration, excess granulation tissue, intractable aspiration, or pressure necrosis.

Conclusion

The refashioned foley catheter is a novel, available, and inexpensive stent that can be utilized for LTR cases for pediatric LTS. The newly described stent is soft, pliable with atraumatic insertion and easy endoscopic removal with minimal complications.
The 2020 MELODI workshop on the effects of spatial and temporal variation in dose delivery
Authors: Madas Balázs G. , Wojcik Andrzej
Published: October 2022

A key activity of MELODI is to organise annual European meetings where scientific results and future directions and strategies of relevant research are discussed. The annual meetings, previously organised solely under the auspices of MELODI are, since 2016, jointly organised by the European platforms and referred to as European Radiation Protection Weeks (ERPW). In addition to ERPW meetings, MELODI organises and finances annual workshops dedicated to specific topics. Outputs and recommendations from the meetings are published as review articles. The 2020 workshop focussed on one of the cross cutting topics: the effects of spatial and temporal variation in dose delivery on disease risk. The current issue of REBS includes five review articles from the workshop on the effects of spatial and temporal variation in dose delivery and this editorial is a short summary of their content.
Risk factors for chronic postsurgical pain in visceral surgery: a matched case–control analysis
Authors: Perrodin Stéphanie F. , Trinh Win-Hua , Streitberger Konrad , Di Pietro Martinelli Claudine , Harnik Michael Alexander , Holzgang Melanie , Candinas Daniel , Beldi Guido
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) after abdominal visceral surgery is an underestimated long-term complication with relevant impact on health-related quality of life and socioeconomic costs. Early identification of affected patients is important. We aim to identify the incidence and risk factors for CPSP in this patient population.

Methods

Retrospective case–control matched analysis including all patients diagnosed with CPSP after visceral surgery in our institution between 2016 and 2019. One-to-two case–control matching was based on operation category (HPB, upper-GI, colorectal, transplantation, bariatric, hernia and others) and date of surgery. Potential risk factors for CPSP were identified using conditional multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Among a cohort of 3730 patients, 176 (4.7%) were diagnosed with CPSP during the study period and matched to a sample of 352 control patients. Independent risk factors for CPSP were age under 55 years (OR 2.64, CI 1.51–4.61), preexisting chronic pain of any origin (OR 3.42, CI 1.75–6.67), previous abdominal surgery (OR 1.99, CI 1.11–3.57), acute postoperative pain (OR 1.29, CI 1.16–1.44), postoperative use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (OR 3.73, OR 1.61–8.65), opioid use on discharge (OR 3.78, CI 2.10–6.80) and length of stay over 3 days (OR 2.60, CI 1.22–5.53). Preoperative Pregabalin intake was protective (OR 0.02, CI 0.002–0.21).

Conclusion

The incidence of CPSP is high and associated with specific risk factors, some of them modifiable. Special attention should be given to sufficient treatment of preexisting chronic pain and acute postoperative pain.
Enhancement of recombinant human IL-24 (rhIL-24) protein production from site-specific integrated engineered CHO cells by sodium butyrate treatment
Authors: Hua Jilei , Xu Hanli , Zhang Yao , Ge Jianlin , Liu Mengzhe , Wang Yuqi , Wei Yuexian , Shi Yinan , Hou LingLing , Jiang Hong
Published: October 2022

Interleukin-24 (IL-24) has specific inhibitory effects on the proliferation of various tumor cells with almost no toxicity to normal cells. The antitumor activity of recombinant human IL-24 protein produced in mammalian cells is much higher than that of bacteria, but its expression level is extremely low. Sodium butyrate (NaBu) was utilized as a media additive to increase protein expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The site-specific integrated engineered cells FCHO/IL-24 were treated with NaBu under different culture conditions (10% and 0.5% serum adherent culture, 0.5% serum suspension culture). First, 3 days of 1 mmol/L NaBu treatment significantly increased rhIL-24 expression level in FCHO/IL-24 cells by 119.94 ± 1.5% (**p < 0.01), 57.49 ± 2.4% (**p < 0.01), and 20.17 ± 3.03% (*p < 0.05) under the above culture conditions. Second, NaBu has a time- and dose-dependent inhibitory effect on FCHO/IL-24 proliferation and induces G0/G1 phase arrest. Under 10% and 0.5% serum adherent culture, G0/G1 phase cells were increased by 11.3 ± 0.5% (**p < 0.01) and 15.0 ± 2.6% (**p < 0.01), respectively. No induction of apoptosis was observed under a high dosage of NaBu treatment. These results suggest that NaBu increases rhIL-24 secretion via inhibiting cell cycle progression, thereby trapping cells in the highly productive G0/G1 phase. Finally, with increasing NaBu dose, glucose concentration increased (**p < 0.01) while lactic acid and ammonia concentrations reduced significantly (**p < 0.01) in 10% and 0.5% serum adherent culture supernatant. RNA-seq showed that NaBu treatment affected multiple tumor and immune-related pathways. In conclusion, NaBu treatment dramatically promoted rhIL-24 production in engineered FCHO/IL-24 cells by altering downstream pathways and inducing G0/G1 cell arrest with little effect on apoptosis.
Regulatory dynamics of gene expression in the developing male gametophyte of Arabidopsis
Authors: Klodová Božena , Potěšil David , Steinbachová Lenka , Michailidis Christos , Lindner Ann-Cathrin , Hackenberg Dieter , Becker Jörg D. , Zdráhal Zbyněk , Twell David , Honys David
Published: October 2022

Sexual reproduction in angiosperms requires the production and delivery of two male gametes by a three-celled haploid male gametophyte. This demands synchronized gene expression in a short developmental window to ensure double fertilization and seed set. While transcriptomic changes in developing pollen are known for Arabidopsis, no studies have integrated RNA and proteomic data in this model. Further, the role of alternative splicing has not been fully addressed, yet post-transcriptional and post-translational regulation may have a key role in gene expression dynamics during microgametogenesis. We have refined and substantially updated global transcriptomic and proteomic changes in developing pollen for two Arabidopsis accessions. Despite the superiority of RNA-seq over microarray-based platforms, we demonstrate high reproducibility and comparability. We identify thousands of long non-coding RNAs as potential regulators of pollen development, hundreds of changes in alternative splicing and provide insight into mRNA translation rate and storage in developing pollen. Our analysis delivers an integrated perspective of gene expression dynamics in developing Arabidopsis pollen and a foundation for studying the role of alternative splicing in this model.
A stochastic approach to dynamic participation in energy communities
Authors: Perger Theresia , Zwickl-Bernhard Sebastian , Golab Antonia , Auer Hans
Published: October 2022

With energy communities and local electricity markets on the rise, the possibilities for prosumers to be actively involved in the energy system increase, creating more complex settings for energy communities. This paper addresses the following research question: Does having knowledge about the future development in energy communities help make better decisions selecting new participants than without consideration of any future developments? Each year, the community is faced with the exit of existing members and a portfolio of possible new entrants with different characteristics. For this purpose, a bi-level optimization model for dynamic participation in local energy communities with peer-to-peer electricity trading, which is able to select the most suitable new entrants based on the preferences of the members of the original community, is extended to a stochastic dynamic program. The community wants to plan a few years ahead, which includes the following uncertainties: (i) which members leave after each period, and (ii) which are the potential new members willing to join the community. This paper’s contribution is a stochastic optimization approach to evaluate possible future developments and scenarios. The focus lies on the contractual design between the energy community and new entrants; the model calculates the duration of contracts endogenously. The results show a sample energy community’s decision-making process over a horizon of several years, comparing the stochastic approach with a simple deterministic alternative solution.
Abdominal wall hernia and mental health: patients lived experiences and implications for patient care
Authors: Smith O. A. M. , Mierzwinski M. , McVey J. , Chitsabesan P. , Chintapatla S.
Published: October 2022

Background

Abdominal wall hernia (AWH) affects mental health and mental health questions are frequently included within Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMS) for this patient population. However, these questions have not been informed by the subjective lived experiences of mental health in AWH patients. This study is the first to qualitatively examine how AWH affects patients’ mental health.

Methods

Fifteen patients were interviewed from a purposive sample of AWH patients until no new themes emerged. Interviews explored patient thoughts and experiences of AWH and mental health. Data were examined using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).

Results

Three key themes pertaining to mental health were identified: “psychological and emotional distress”, “identity disruption” and “coping mechanisms and support systems”.

Conclusion

Our findings illustrate that AWH is a pathology that can have a significant detrimental impact on people’s mental health. This impact has implications for patient care and can be treated and managed through better psychological support. This support may positively affect AWH patient’s experience and outcomes in terms of quality of life. This paper provides recommendations for improved AWH patient care in regard to mental health.
Effect of balloon pre-dilation on performance of self-expandable nitinol stent in femoropopliteal artery
Authors: He Ran , Zhao Liguo , Silberschmidt Vadim V.
Published: October 2022

Balloon pre-dilation is usually performed before implantation of a nitinol stent in a femoropopliteal artery in a case of severe blockage or calcified plaque. However, its effect on performance of the nitinol stent in a diseased femoropopliteal artery has not been studied yet. This study compares the outcomes of stenting with pre-dilation and without it by modelling the entire processes of stent deployment. Fatigue deformation of the implanted stent is also modelled under diastolic–systolic blood pressure, repetitive bending, torsion, axial compression and their combination. Reduced level of stress in the stent occurs after stenting with pre-dilation, but causing the increased damage in the media layer, i.e. the middle layer of the arterial wall. Generally, pre-dilation increases the risk of nitinol stent’s fatigue failure. Additionally, the development of in-stent restenosis is predicted based on the stenting-induced tissue damage in the media layer, and no severe mechanical irritation is induced to the media layer by pre-dilation, stent deployment or fatigue loading.
CalcGraph: taming the high costs of deep learning using models
Authors: Lorentz Joe , Hartmann Thomas , Moawad Assaad , Fouquet Francois , Aouada Djamila , Le Traon Yves
Published: October 2022

Models based on differential programming, like deep neural networks, are well established in research and able to outperform manually coded counterparts in many applications. Today, there is a rising interest to introduce this flexible modeling to solve real-world problems. A major challenge when moving from research to application is the strict constraints on computational resources(memory and time). It is difficult to determine and contain the resource requirements of differential models, especially during the early training and hyperparameter exploration stages. In this article, we address this challenge by introducingCalcGraph, a model abstraction of differentiable programming layers.CalcGraph allows to model the computational resources that should be used and thenCalcGraph’s model interpreter can automatically schedule the execution respecting the specifications made. We propose a novel way to efficiently switch models from storage to preallocated memory zones and vice versa to maximize the number of model executions given the available resources. We demonstrate the efficiency of our approach by showing that it consumes less resources than state-of-the-art frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch for single-model and multi-model execution.
Neonatal seizures—diagnostic options and treatment recommendations
Authors: Ramantani Georgia , Pisani Francesco
Published: October 2022

Seizures in neonates should prompt rapid evaluation to verify the diagnosis, determine etiology, and initiate appropriate treatment. Neonatal seizure diagnosis requires EEG confirmation and clinical observation alone is insufficient. Although most neonatal seizures are related to acute brain injury, some neonates present early-onset structural or metabolic/genetic epilepsy. Video-EEG monitoring, the gold standard for neonatal seizure detection and quantification, is resource-intensive and often unavailable, with amplitude-integrated EEG offering a reasonable alternative in guiding treatment. Whereas new-generation antiseizure medication (ASM), such as levetiracetam, appear promising, particularly in terms of tolerability, older-generation ASM, such as phenobarbital and phenytoin, are yet to be replaced. Acute treatment should aim at stopping both electroclinical and electrographic-only seizures. In neonates with acute provoked seizures, ASM should be discontinued without tapering after 72 h of seizure freedom and before hospital discharge.
With great power comes great responsibility: why ‘safe enough’ is not good enough in debates on new gene technologies
Authors: Kjeldaas Sigfrid , Dassler Tim , Antonsen Trine , Wikmark Odd-Gunnar , Myhr Anne I.
Published: October 2022

New genomic techniques (NGTs) are powerful technologies with the potential to change how we relate to our food, food producers, and natural environment. Their use may affect the practices and values our societies are built on. Like many countries, the EU is currently revisiting its GMO legislation to accommodate the emergence of NGTs. We argue that assessing such technologies according to whether they are ‘safe enough’ will not create the public trust necessary for societal acceptance. To avoid past mistakes of under- or miscommunication about possible impacts, we need open, transparent, and inclusive societal debate on the nature of the science of gene (editing) technologies, on how to use them, and whether they contribute to sustainable solutions to societal and environmental challenges. To be trustworthy, GMO regulation must demonstrate the authorities’ ability to manage the scientific, socio-economic, environmental, and ethical complexities and uncertainties associated with NGTs. Regulators and authorities should give equal attention to the reflexive and the emotional aspects of trust and make room for honest public and stakeholder inclusion processes. The European Group of Ethics in Science and Technology’s recent report on the Ethics of Genome Editing (2021) is important in calling attention to a series of fundamental issues that ought to be included in debates on the regulation and use of NGTs to ensure public trust in these technologies and in regulating authorities. With the great power of NGTs comes great responsibility, and the way forward must be grounded in responsible research, innovation, and regulation.
Avoidance of ant chemical traces by spider mites and its interpretation
Authors: Yano Shuichi , Konishi Mayu , Akino Toshiharu
Published: October 2022

Spider mites become easy prey for ants when they leave their protective webs; therefore, the ability to avoid traces of ongoing ant activity should confer a selective advantage to mites. We examined avoidance of ant traces by the spider mites Tetranychus kanzawai and Tetranychus urticae. Both mite species avoided host plant leaves with active traces of Pristomyrmex punctatus or Formica japonica ants. Pristomyrmex punctatus trace avoidance by T. kanzawai lasted for more than 1 h, but not more than 3 h. Tetranychus kanzawai also avoided P. punctatus traces on plant stems, along which the mites access leaves. Moreover, T. kanzawai avoided hexane extracts of P. punctatus or F. japonica applied to a filter paper pathway. This study represents the first demonstration of a repellent effect of ant chemical traces on spider mites. Considering the substantial abundance and global distribution of ants in nature, such repellent effects may help to answer the long-standing question of why only a small fraction of available plant resources is used by herbivores. Although spider mites have developed resistance against many synthetic pesticides, natural compounds that simulate ant chemical traces may repel spider mites from agricultural crops.
LACTB induces cancer cell death through the activation of the intrinsic caspase-independent pathway in breast cancer
Authors: Gonzalez-Morena Juan M. , Escudeiro-Lopes Sara , Ferreira-Mendes Jessica Mariane , Jakoube Pavel , Cutano Valentina , Vinaixa-Forner Judith , Kralova Viziova Petra , Hartmanova Andrea , Sedlacek Radislav , Machado Susana , Malcekova Beata , Keckesova Zuzana
Published: October 2022

Background

LACTB was recently identified as a mitochondrial tumour suppressor that negatively affects cancer cell proliferation by inducing cell death and/or differentiation, depending on the cell type and tissue. However, the detailed mechanism underlying the LACTB-induced cancer cell death is largely unknown.

Methods

We used cell-based, either in 2D or 3D conditions, and in vivo experiments to understand the LACTB mechanisms. In this regard, protein array followed by an enrichment analysis, cell proliferation assays using different compounds, western blot analysis, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were performed. Differences between quantitative variables following normal distribution were valuated using Student t test for paired or no-paired samples according to the experiment. For in vivo experiments differences in tumour growth were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA.

Results

We show, that LACTB expression leads to cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and increase of DNA oxidation that leads to activation of intrinsic caspase-independent cell death pathway. This is achieved by an increase of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species since early time points of LACTB induction.

Conclusion

Our work provides a deeper mechanistic insight into LACTB-mediated cancer-cell death and shows the dynamics of the cellular responses a particular tumor suppressive stimulus might evoke under different genetic landscapes.
Variations in uniform hazard spectra and disaggregated scenarios during earthquake sequences
Authors: Azarbakht Alireza , Douglas John
Published: October 2022

Seismic hazard varies greatly during an earthquake sequence. Understanding this variation can be useful to end-users, such as emergency managers, as it would enable them to make more informed decisions about potential risk reduction measures. This article presents examples of how two commonly-used products of probabilistic seismic hazard assessments: uniform hazard spectra and disaggregated earthquake scenarios, vary during two severe seismic sequences in western Greece. These calculations are made using a recent time-dependent seismic hazard model based on a Bayesian ETAS approach. The examples show that time-dependent uniform hazard spectra for short return periods (1 and 10 years) are significantly higher than standard time-independent spectra but that uniform hazard spectra for the commonly-used return periods of 475 and 2475 years are similar to those from time-independent assessments. The time-dependent spectra generally converge within a couple of days to the time-independent spectra. The examples also show that the dominant earthquake scenarios evidenced by the disaggregation for the time-dependent assessment can show significant differences from the time-independent scenarios. This is particularly true when the earthquake sequence is distant from the location of interest as the aftershocks contribute greatly to the overall hazard. To show these changes more clearly this article introduces a new graphical representation of the disaggregated results: contour maps showing the magnitude or distance of the dominant earthquake scenario with axes of the structural period and response spectral acceleration.
Does the Ethos of Law Erode? Lawyers’ Professional Practices, Self-Understanding and Ethics at Work
Authors: Loacker Bernadette
Published: October 2022

Furthering an integrative ethics-as-practice framework, this paper explores the professional practices, self-understanding and ethics of lawyers working in the Germanic legal context. Existing studies of the legal profession often argue that changing conditions in law have led to a ‘constrained morality’ and an ‘erosion of ethos’ among lawyers. While the current study acknowledges shifts in lawyers’ ethos, it challenges the claim of an erosion or ‘lack’ of morality. The narratives of the interviewed practitioners rather suggest that socio-discursively constituted professional practices, identity and ethics are complex and contingent. Focusing on the ‘moral rules in use’ and how lawyers negotiate ethical matters ‘from within’ evokes ongoing ambiguities and struggles inscribed in ethical (self-)positions, pointing, as such, to the limits of assessing lawyers’ conduct as ‘ethical’or‘unethical’. The study thereby extends both normative and practice-based business and professional ethics studies.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Comparative study of the antioxidant, toxicity, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activities of both Digenea simplex polysaccharides and their corresponding (ZnO–Au) bimetallic nanoparticles
Authors: Abd El-Aziz Salim Mohamed , Sleem Amany A. , Abdel Maksoud M. I. A.
Published: October 2022

The development of green nanoparticle synthesis has multiple benefits over conventional physico-chemical techniques and provides a wide range of medical and biological applications. This study aims to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and bimetallic nanoparticles (BMNPs) from red algae Digenea simplex (D. simplex) polysaccharides and evaluate their antioxidant, toxicity, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was used to analyze D. simplex polysaccharides (PS). The NPs were characterized by using UV–visible (UV–vis), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). ZnONPs showed rods and hexagonal shapes with particle sizes of 5–40 nm, AuNPs showed a spherical shape with particle sizes of 10–15 nm, and Zn-AuNPs showed a spherical shape with particle sizes of 10–40 nm. The scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of NPs on the cotton fabric surface in both washed and unwashed samples. The PS, ZnONPs, AuNPs and BMNPs had a good percentage of ABTS (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, with inhibition values for ABTS of 157.1, 72.78, 78.46, and 62.81 µg/ml, and for DPPH of 364.1, 105.0, 129.9, 76.07 µg/ml respectively. The anti-inflammatory properties of BMNPs of 85.44% and ZnONPs reached 76.58% were greater than those of AuNPs of 71.51% and PS 68.98%. Furthermore, the wound healing study revealed that BMNPs have the maximum percentage reduction of 81.87%, followed by its 10 washes of 76.78%, and reached of 71.60%, 56.36%, and 51.50% for ZnONPs, AuNPs, and PS, respectively.
Asymptotic Behavior of Constrained Local Minimizers in Finite Elasticity
Authors: Mainini Edoardo , Ognibene Roberto , Percivale Danilo
Published: October 2022

We provide an approximation result for the pure traction problem of linearized elasticity in terms of local minimizers of finite elasticity, under the constraint of vanishing average curl for admissible deformation maps. When suitable rotations are included in the constraint, the limit is shown to be the linear elastic equilibrium associated to rotated loads.
Proton irradiation of SiPM arrays for POLAR-2
Authors: Mianowski Slawomir , De Angelis Nicolas , Hulsman Johannes , Kole Merlin , Kowalski Tomasz , Kusyk Sebastian , Li Hancheng , Mianowska Zuzanna , Mietelski Jerzy , Pollo Agnieszka , Rybka Dominik , Sun Jianchao , Swakon Jan , Wrobel Damian , Wu Xin
Published: October 2022

POLAR-2 is a space-borne polarimeter, built to investigate the polarization of Gamma-Ray Bursts and help elucidate their mechanisms. The instrument is targeted for launch in 2024 or 2025 aboard the China Space Station and is being developed by a collaboration between institutes from Switzerland, Germany, Poland and China. The instrument will orbit at altitudes between 340km and 450km with an inclination of $${42}{^{\circ }}$$

42

∘

and will be subjected to background radiation from cosmic rays and solar events. It is therefore pertinent to better understand the performance of sensitive devices under space-like conditions. In this paper we focus on the radiation damage of the silicon photomultiplier arrays S13361-6075NE-04 and S14161-6050HS-04 from Hamamatsu. The S13361 are irradiated with 58MeV protons at several doses up to 4.96Gy, whereas the newer series S14161 are irradiated at doses of 0.254Gy and 2.31Gy. Their respective performance degradation due to radiation damage are discussed. The equivalent exposure time in space for silicon photomultipliers inside POLAR-2 with a dose of 4.96Gy is 62.9years (or 1.78years when disregarding the shielding from the instrument). Primary characteristics of the I-V curves are an increase in the dark current and dark counts, mostly through cross-talk events. Annealing processes at $${25}{^{\circ }C}$$

25

∘

C

were observed but not studied in further detail. Biasing channels while being irradiated have not resulted in any significant impact. Activation analyses showed a dominant contribution of $$\beta ^{+}$$

β
+

particles around 511 keV. These resulted primarily from copper and carbon, mostly with decay times shorter than the orbital period.
A review of water electrolysis–based systems for hydrogen production using hybrid/solar/wind energy systems
Authors: Nasser Mohamed , Megahed Tamer F. , Ookawara Shinichi , Hassan Hamdy
Published: October 2022

Hydrogen energy, as clean and efficient energy, is considered significant support for the construction of a sustainable society in the face of global climate change and the looming energy revolution. Hydrogen is one of the most important chemical substances on earth and can be obtained through various techniques using renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. However, the necessity for a gradual transition to renewable energy sources significantly hampers efforts to identify and implement green hydrogen production paths. Therefore, this paper’s objective is to provide a technological review of the systems of hydrogen production from solar and wind energy utilizing several types of water electrolyzers. The current paper starts with a short brief about the different production techniques. A detailed comparison between water electrolyzer types and a complete illustration of hydrogen production techniques using solar and wind are presented with examples, after which an economic assessment of green hydrogen production by comparing the costs of the discussed renewable sources with other production methods. Finally, the challenges that face the mentioned production methods are illuminated in the current review.
Mitigating effect of L-carnitine against atrazine-induced hepatotoxicity: histopathological and biochemical analyses in albino rats
Authors: Rashad Walaa A. , Saadawy Sara F. , Refaay Nehal E.
Published: October 2022

Atrazine (ATR) is an extensively used herbicide that is often found in drinking water and waterways. After metabolization and excretion in the liver, ATR residues or its metabolites were found in tissues causing harmful effects mainly to the endocrine system and liver. This study aimed to elucidate the toxic impact of ATR on the liver and possible ameliorative effects of L-carnitine (LC). It utilized 30 adult male albino rats divided into three equal groups; the control group received 0.5 cc distilled water orally for 14 days, an ATR-treated group received ATR in a dose of 400 mg/kg BW dissolved in distilled water by oral gavage daily for 14 days, and a protected group (ATR + LC) received 400 mg/kg BW of ATR dissolved in distilled water, plus 100 mg/kg LC dissolved in distilled water by oral gavage daily for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, the liver tissue was prepared for histological and biochemical analyses and showed significant elevation of liver enzymes and oxidative parameters, altered expression of apoptotic and antiapoptotic genes, and hepatic degenerative changes in the ATR-treated group. In conclusion, atrazine induces oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the liver of rats, and these toxic effects can be alleviated by L-carnitine.
Potential of Salvinia biloba Raddi for removing atrazine and carbendazim from aquatic environments
Authors: Loureiro Dana B. , Lario Luciana D. , Herrero María S. , Salvatierra Lucas M. , Novo Luís A. B. , Pérez Leonardo M.
Published: October 2022

In this exploratory study, naturally occurring Salvinia biloba Raddi specimens were assessed for atrazine and carbendazim polluted water remediation. Experiments were carried out over 21 days in glass vessels containing deionized water artificially contaminated with 0, 5, 10, and 20 mg L−1 of atrazine or carbendazim. Atrazine had a pronounced detrimental impact on S. biloba, as no biomass development was observed in all macrophytes exposed to this herbicide in the entire concentration range. However, carbendazim-treated plants were able to grow and survive in the polluted medium even when subjected to the highest concentration of this fungicide (i.e., 20 mg L−1). In addition, increased chlorosis and necrosis were also detected in plants subjected to carbendazim as a result of the high phytotoxicity caused by atrazine. A maximal removal efficiency of ~ 30% was observed for both pesticides at 5 mg L−1 and decreased with increasing concentrations of the pollutants. The spectrum of the FTIR-ATR analysis revealed the existence of various functional groups (e.g., amide, carboxyl, hydroxyl, phosphate, sulfate) on the plants, which could be related to pesticide biosorption. In addition, at the end of the 21-day assay, seven carbendazim-resistant bacteria could be isolated from the roots of fungicide-treated plants. Therefore, the use of autochthonous free-floating S. biloba macrophytes for phytoremediation of aquatic environments contaminated with carbendazim shows great promise. Still, additional research is required to further elucidate the plant-mediated carbendazim elimination process and the role of the herbicide-resistant bacteria, and seek alternative species capable of mitigating atrazine contamination.
Digitale Gesundheitsanwendungen (DiGA) in der Primärversorgung – Erfahrungen und Beobachtungen von Hausärzt*innen hinsichtlich der Anwendung von DiGA
Authors: Wangler Julian , Jansky Michael
Published: October 2022

Hintergrund

Seit 2 Jahren besteht für Ärzt*innen die Möglichkeit, Patient*innen digitale Gesundheitsanwendungen (DiGA) auf Rezept zu verordnen. Bislang fehlen Untersuchungen, die für den hausärztlichen Bereich Erfahrungswerte in der Anwendung von DiGA beleuchten und eine erste Bilanz zum Nutzen ziehen.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die Studie konzentriert sich auf Hausärzt*innen, die DiGA verschrieben und im Versorgungsgeschehen eingesetzt haben. Im Zentrum steht die Frage, wie sich Erfahrungen und Beobachtungen im Hinblick auf die Integration von DiGA in die Patient*innenversorgung darstellen. Auch soll beleuchtet werden, unter welchen Voraussetzungen eine breite Etablierung von DiGA in der Primärversorgung gelingen kann.

Material und Methoden

Zwischen März und Juni 2022 wurden 38 halbstandardisierte Einzelinterviews mit Hausärzt*innen mit DiGA-Erfahrung in Rheinland-Pfalz, Hessen und Nordrhein-Westfalen geführt, die in digitalisierungsorientierten Ärzt*innennetzwerken organisiert sind.

Ergebnisse

Die Interviewten stehen DiGA in großer Mehrheit positiv gegenüber und erachten diese als zuverlässige Anwendungen, die Effizienzvorteile für die Arzt-Patient-Beziehung generieren können. Die Interviewten bewerten die verordneten Anwendungen als nützlich und berichten entsprechend von positiven Versorgungseffekten, die beobachtet wurden. Letztere betreffen v. a. die Verbesserung von Compliance, Mobilität und Aufklärung sowie Gewichtsreduktion. Angeregt wird u. a. eine weitere Optimierung der Usability, der systematischen Weiterbildung von Ärzt*innen zu DiGA und der Ausbau von Gamification-Elementen. Hausärzt*innen mangelt es bislang an fundierten Informationsmöglichkeiten über DiGA.

Schlussfolgerung

Damit DiGA effektiv in der Primärversorgung implementiert werden können, kommt es darauf an, Hausärzt*innen besser über die Grundlagen des DVG zu informieren und Bedenken gezielt zu adressieren. Zentral erscheinen flächendeckende Schulungen, die über Rahmenbedingungen, Strategien und Vorteile des DiGA-Einsatzes aufklären. Auch besteht Bedarf nach fundierteren Informations- und Recherchequellen für Ärzt*innen, um geeignete Anwendungen auszuwählen. Ärzt*innennetzwerke können eine wichtige Rolle für Information und Austausch zu mHealth-Themen spielen.
Supervision von Psychotherapeut*innen in Ausbildung – Welchen Mehrwert bringen psychodramatische und soziometrische Verfahren?
Authors: Krall Hannes
Published: October 2022

In diesem Beitrag in der Zeitschrift für Psychodrama und Soziometrie (ZPS) wird die Rolle der Supervision in der Ausbildung zum*zur Psychotherapeut*in untersucht. Anhand einer systematischen Analyse von Rückmeldungen der Studierenden eines Ausbildungslehrganges wird der Frage nachgegangen, in welchem Ausmaß die Ziele in der Supervision erreicht werden und welche Arbeitsformen sich als hilfreich bzw. hinderlich für die eigenen Lernprozesse erweisen. Ein besonderes Augenmerk wird dabei auf die Frage gelegt, welchen Mehrwert handlungsorientierte Arbeitsformen in die Supervision einbringen. Es wird gezeigt, dass psychodramatische und soziometrische Verfahren als Ergänzung zu ausschließlich verbalen Arbeitsformen in der Supervision die Lernergebnisse und den Transfer in die psychotherapeutische Praxis verbessern. Kein Unterschied zeigt sich hinsichtlich der Reduktion der Arbeitsbelastung von Studierenden. Verbale und handlungsorientierte Arbeitsformen tragen gleichermaßen zur Entlastung bei.

Insgesamt lässt sich jedoch zeigen, dass psychodramatische und soziometrische Interventionen zu einer vertieften Arbeitsbeziehung in der Supervision führen und damit auch die verbalen Rückmeldungen von Seiten des/der Supervisor*in als hilfreicher eingeschätzt werden.
May a witness challenge the conviction? (Some) Confirmation bias in legal experts
Authors: Oeberst Aileen , Goeckenjan Ingke
Published: October 2022

Criminal investigations and trials are always guided by assumptions such that a suspect or defendant has committed a certain crime. Research on confirmation bias suggests that such prior assumptions bias subsequent information processing, fostering a confirmation of those assumptions. Biased information processing, in turn, would pose a severe threat to legal decision-making. Since previous evidence regarding professional decision makers is sparse and inconsistent, the present paper investigated whether legal experts showed evidence of confirmation bias. Specifically, we provided case materials pointing to a certain suspect and investigated evaluations of subsequent eyewitness evidence as a function of whether it was consistent or inconsistent with the initial suspicion. Although identical, witnessing conditions were rated as significantly poorer for inconsistent (vs. consistent) statements, thus, indicating confirmation bias. The effects were rather small, but this finding did not hinge on professional training, as another study with (law) students suggested. We argue that even small effects may threaten fair judgments and that our findings likely underestimate real-world effects.
Effects of sleep self-monitoring via app on subjective sleep markers in student athletes
Authors: Jakowski Sarah , Stork Moritz
Published: October 2022

As sleep problems are highly prevalent among university students and competitive athletes, and the application of commercial sleep technologies may be either useful or harmful, this study investigated the effects of a 2-week sleep self-monitoring on the sleep of physically active university students (n = 98, 21 ± 1.7 years). Two intervention groups used a free sleep app (Sleep Score; SleepScore Labs™, Carlsbad, CA, USA: n = 20 or Sleep Cycle; Sleep Cycle AB, Gothenburg, Sweden: n = 24) while answering online sleep diaries. They used the app analysis function in week 1 and the ‘smart alarm’ additionally in week 2. As controls, one group answered the online sleep diary without intervention (n = 21) and another the pre–post questionnaires only (n = 33). Facets of subjective sleep behaviour and the role of bedtime procrastination were analysed. Multilevel models did not show significant interactions, indicating intervention effects equal for both app groups. Sleep Cycle users showed trends toward negative changes in sleep behaviour, while the online sleep diary group showed more, tendentially positive, developments. Bedtime procrastination was a significant predictor of several variables of sleep behaviour and quality. The results indicate neither benefits nor negative effects of app-based sleep self-tracking. Thus, student athletes do not seem to be as susceptible to non-validated sleep technologies as expected. However, bedtime procrastination was correlated with poor sleep quality and should be addressed in sleep intervention programmes.
Parental Mental Illness, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Parenting Behavior: The Moderating Role of Social Support
Authors: Seeger Fabian R. , Neukel Corinne , Williams Katharina , Wenigmann Marc , Fleck Leonie , Georg Anna K. , Bermpohl Felix , Taubner Svenja , Kaess Michael , Herpertz Sabine C.
Published: October 2022

Purpose of Review

Parental mental disorders, particularly borderline personality disorder (BPD), impair parenting behavior. Consequently, the children exhibit an elevated risk for psychopathology across their lifespan. Social support for parents is thought to moderate the relationship between parental mental illness and parenting behavior. It may dampen negative effects and serve as starting point for preventive interventions. This paper provides a literature overview regarding the impact of social support on the sequelae of parental mental illness and BPD for parenting behavior.

Recent Findings

Current literature highlights the increased burden of families with a mentally ill parent and associated changes in parenting behavior like increased hostility and affective dysregulation, especially in the context of parental BPD. Literature further demonstrates the powerful impact of social support in buffering such negative outcomes. The effect of social support seems to be moderated itself by further factors like socioeconomic status, gender, or characteristics of the social network.

Social support facilitates positive parenting in mentally ill parents and may be particularly important in parents with BPD. However, social support is embedded within a framework of influencing factors, which need consideration when interpreting scientific results.