bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sense of coherence and its context with demographics, psychological aspects, lifestyle, complementary and alternative medicine and lay aetiology
Authors: Bargehr B. , Fischer von Weikersthal L. , Junghans C. , Zomorodbakhsch B. , Stoll C. , Prott F.-J. , Fuxius S. , Micke O. , Hübner J. , Büntzel J. , Hoppe C.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

For patients with a cancer diagnosis, coping abilities are of high importance. Cancer patients with a high sense of coherence may cope better. The purpose of this study is to learn more about the correlation of sense of coherence and different aspects, such as demographics, psychological factors, lifestyle, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and lay aetiology.

Methods

A prospective cross-sectional study was performed in ten cancer centres in Germany. The questionnaire consisted of ten sub-items, collecting information about sense of coherence, demographics, general life satisfaction, resilience, spirituality, self-efficacy, physical activity and sports, nutrition, CAM methods and cancer causes.

Results

As many as 349 participants were evaluable. The mean sense of coherence score was M = 47.30. Significant associations were shown for sense of coherence and financial situation (r = 0.230, p < 0.001), level of education (r = 0.187, p < 0.001), marital status (η = 0.177, p = 0.026) and time interval since diagnosis (r = − 0.109, p = 0.045). Sense of coherence and resilience correlated on a high level, as well as spirituality, self-efficacy and general life satisfaction (r = 0.563, r = 0.432, r = 0.461, r = 0.306, p’s < 0.001).

Conclusion

Several aspects, such as demographics and psychological factors, have a great influence on the sense of coherence. To help patients to cope better, physicians should try to strengthen sense of coherence, resilience and self-efficacy and, at the same time, consider patients’ individual background such as level of education, financial capacity and emotional support by family members.
Sequential repeated tibial tubercle osteotomy in a two-stage exchange strategy: a superior approach to treating a chronically infected knee arthroplasty?
Authors: Corona Pablo S. , Pérez Marta , Vicente Matías , Pujol Oriol , Amat Carles , Carrera Lluís
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Surgical approach can impact the reliability of the debridement after a chronic total knee periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), a factor of utmost importance to eradicate the infection. The most adequate knee surgical approach in cases of PJI is a matter of debate. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of performing a tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) in a two-stage exchange protocol for knee PJI treatment.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study examining patients managed with two-stage arthroplasty due to chronic knee PJI (2010–2019). Performance and timing of the TTO were collected. Primary end-point was infection control with a minimum FU of 12 months and according to internationally accepted criteria. Correlation between TTO timing and reinfection rate was reviewed.

Results

Fifty-two cases were finally included. Overall success (average follow-up: 46.2 months) was 90.4%. Treatment success was significantly higher among cases addressed using TTO during the second stage (97.1% vs. 76.5%, pvalue 0.03). Only 4.8% of the patients relapsed after performing a sequential repeated TTO, that is, during both first and second stages, compared to 23.1% cases in which TTO was not done (p value 0.28). No complications were observed among patients in the TTO group with a significant decrease in soft tissue necrosis (p: 0.052).

Conclusion

Sequential repeated tibial tubercle osteotomy during a two-stage strategy is a reasonable option and offers high rates of infection control in complex cases of knee PJI with a low rate of complications.
Subcortical language localization using sign language and awake craniotomy for dominant posterior temporal glioma resection in a hearing-impaired patient
Authors: Lau Ruth , Malhotra Armaan K , McAndrews Mary Pat , Kongkham Paul
Published: April 2023

Intraoperative direct cortical stimulation (DCS) is the gold standard technique to maximize the extent of resection of tumors located in eloquent areas. To date, there are three cases reported of awake mapping for language centers in deaf patients who could communicate only with sign language. We present the case of DCS in a deaf patient who could communicate vocally, native to American Sign Language and English, that underwent intraoperative awake mapping. DCS showed similar disruption of expressive phonology to both pictorial and gestural stimuli, confirming that sign language follows the same pattern as oral language.
Robust state and protection-level estimation within tightly coupled GNSS/INS navigation system
Authors: Liu Shuchen , Wang Kaizheng , Abel Dirk
Published: April 2023

In autonomous applications for mobility and transport, a high-rate and highly accurate vehicle-state estimation is achieved by fusing measurements of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and inertial sensors. The state estimation and its protection-level generation often suffer from satellite-signal disturbances in urban environments and subsequent poor parametrization of the satellite observables. Thus, we propose an innovative scheme involving an extended H∞ filter (EHF) for robust state estimation and zonotope for the protection-level generation. This scheme is shown as part of a tightly coupled navigation system based on an inertial navigation system and aided by the GPS/Galileo dual-constellation satellite navigation system. Specifically, GNSS pseudorange and deltarange observables are utilized. The experimental results of post-processing a real-world dataset show significant advantages of EHF against a conventional extended Kalman filter regarding the navigation accuracy and robustness under various GNSS measurement parametrizations and environmental circumstances. The zonotope-based protection-level calculation is proven valid, computationally affordable, and feasible for real-time implementations.
Genetische Diagnostik der Epilepsien: Empfehlung der Kommission Epilepsie und Genetik der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Epileptologie (DGfE)
Authors: Boßelmann Christian , Borggräfe Ingo , Fazeli Walid , Klein Karl-Martin , Kluger Gerhard J. , Müller-Schlüter Karen , Neubauer Bernd A. , von Spiczak Sarah , Steinbeis von Stülpnagel Celina , Weber Yvonne , Lemke Johannes R. , Wolking Stefan , Krey Ilona
Published: April 2023

Die genetische Diagnostik bei an Epilepsie erkrankten Personen ist inzwischen weit verbreitet und unstrittig sinnhaft geworden. Die Kenntnis einer genetischen Ätiologie kann die Identifikation der Diagnose, genetische Beratung, Therapie und Prognoseeinschätzung der Grunderkrankung maßgeblich unterstützen. Methoden der Hochdurchsatz-Sequenzierung erlauben inzwischen eine rasche, umfassende und kosteneffektive Diagnostik. Diese aktuellen Empfehlungen der Kommission „Epilepsie und Genetik“ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Epileptologie (DGfE) bauen auf den Empfehlungen der International League Against Epilepsie (ILAE) Commission on Genetics auf. Wir bieten einen praxisnahen Überblick über die Indikationsstellung, praktische Umsetzung, Befundbewertung, und Möglichkeiten der Präzisionsmedizin.
Nutrient fluxes via litterfall in silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) stands growing on post-arable soils
Authors: Jonczak Jerzy , Oktaba Lidia , Chojnacka Aleksandra , Pawłowicz Edyta , Kruczkowska Bogusława , Oktaba Jarosław , Słowińska Sandra
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the importance of litterfall as a link in biogeochemical cycling of certain elements (C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn) in silver birch stands growing on post-arable soils under temperate climatic conditions (Poland). The study covered three stands on sandy soils (21, 29, and 40 years old) and three on loamy soils (15, 33, and 41 years old). Litterfall was collected during 2020–2021 and analysed using standard procedures. Elemental contents were determined also in green leaves collected from the tree crowns in early summer to determine intensity of retranslocation. The total litterfall production varied from 2576 to 5293 kg ha−1, depending on the stand and year. These values are typical of temperate forests. Litterfall production was positively correlated with stand age. Leaves made up the major fraction, followed by twigs. Silver birch litterfall was generally rich in nutrients compared to many other tree species typical for temperate climatic zone. Nutrient fluxes to the soil were in the upper limits reported in the literature. It may partially be an effect of the post-arable history of these stands. Large fluxes of nutrients to the soil via litterfall are important in the context of the high nutritional demands of the studied tree species. This study also showed that silver birch strongly retranslocates N, P, and K from senescing leaves, whereas Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn are accumulated in these organs.
Using Observed and Modelled Heat Fluxes for Improved Extrapolation of Wind Distributions
Authors: Floors Rogier , Troen Ib , Peña Alfredo
Published: April 2023

Modelling the horizontal and vertical variation of wind speed is crucial for wind energy applications. A model frequently used for this purpose is part of the Wind Atlas Analysis and Application program (WAsP). Here, we modify the model in WAsP to account for local atmospheric stability parameters. Atmospheric stability effects are treated by using the impact of a temperature scale on the geostrophic drag law and the diabatic logarithmic wind profile. Using this approach, wind-direction dependent mean and standard deviation of a surface-layer temperature scale and a mean boundary-layer height scale can be obtained from either numerical weather prediction model output or observations to improve vertical extrapolations of Weibull wind speed distribution parameters. The modified atmospheric stability model is validated at six flat sites in northwestern Europe. The surface-layer temperature scale is available from sonic anemometer measurements at three of the sites. At all sites the temperature scale is also estimated from reanalysis data and from mesoscale model output. The modified model improves the aggregated estimations of power density distributions when extrapolating to nearby locations from 5.2 to 3%, when using the temperature scale derived from either observations or mesoscale/reanalysis output compared to the current model.
Landscape genomics reveals signals of climate adaptation and a cryptic lineage in Arthropodium fimbriatum
Authors: Jordan Rebecca , Price Meridy , Harrison Peter A. , Prober Suzanne M. , Vaillancourt René E. , Steane Dorothy
Published: April 2023

Habitat loss and fragmentation are critical threats to biodiversity. Consequent decreases in population size and connectivity can impact genetic diversity and, thus, future adaptability and resilience to environmental change. Understanding landscape patterns of genetic diversity, including patterns of adaptive variation, can assist in developing conservation strategies that maximise population persistence and adaptability in the face of environmental change. Using a reduced-representation genomic approach, we investigated genetic diversity, structure, and adaptive variation across an aridity gradient in the woodland forb Arthropodium fimbriatum. Moderate levels of genetic diversity (HS = 0.14–0.23) were found in all 13 sampled provenances. Inbreeding varied among provenances (FIS = 0.08–0.42) but was not associated with estimated population size. Four genetic clusters were identified, including one highly differentiated cluster. Higher pairwise FST (0.23–0.42) between the three provenances of this cluster and the remaining 10 provenances (pairwise FST between 10 provenances 0.02–0.32) suggested two highly divergent lineages or potentially a cryptic species. After excluding the three highly differentiated populations, outlier and genotype-environment association analysis identified 275 putatively adaptive loci suggesting genomic signatures of climate adaptation in A. fimbriatum is primarily associated with changes in aridity. Combined, these results suggest that all provenances have conservation value, contributing to the maintenance of genetic diversity and adaptive variation in this species. The uncovering of a potential cryptic taxon highlights the power of genomics approaches in conservation genetics and the importance of understanding the role of landscape variation shaping genetic variation to effectively define conservation management units in an era of rapid biodiversity decline.
What is the role of puberty in the development of islet autoimmunity and progression to type 1 diabetes?
Authors: Peltonen Essi J. , Veijola Riitta , Ilonen Jorma , Knip Mikael , Niinikoski Harri , Toppari Jorma , Virtanen Helena E. , Virtanen Suvi M. , Peltonen Jaakko , Nevalainen Jaakko
Published: April 2023

In many populations, the peak period of incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) has been observed to be around 10–14 years of age, coinciding with puberty, but direct evidence of the role of puberty in the development of T1D is limited. We therefore aimed to investigate whether puberty and the timing of its onset are associated with the development of islet autoimmunity (IA) and subsequent progression to T1D. A Finnish population-based cohort of children withHLA-DQB1-conferred susceptibility to T1D was followed from 7 years of age until 15 years of age or until a diagnosis of T1D (n = 6920). T1D-associated autoantibodies and growth were measured at 3- to 12-month intervals, and pubertal onset timing was assessed based on growth. The analyses used a three-state survival model. IA was defined as being either positive for islet cell antibodies plus at least one biochemical autoantibody (ICA + 1) or as being repeatedly positive for at least one biochemical autoantibody (BC1). Depending on the IA definition, either 303 (4.4%, ICA + 1) or 435 (6.3%, BC1) children tested positive for IA by the age of 7 years, and 211 (3.2%, ICA + 1)) or 198 (5.3%, BC1) developed IA during follow-up. A total of 172 (2.5%) individuals developed T1D during follow-up, of whom 169 were positive for IA prior to the clinical diagnosis. Puberty was associated with an increase in the risk of progression to T1D, but only from ICA + 1-defined IA (hazard ratio 1.57; 95% confidence interval 1.14, 2.16), and the timing of pubertal onset did not affect the association. No association between puberty and the risk of IA was detected. In conclusion, puberty may affect the risk of progression but is not a risk factor for IA.
Satellite-based estimates of groundwater storage depletion over Egypt
Authors: Shalby Ahmed , Emara Sobhy R. , Metwally Mohammed I. , Armanuos Asaad M. , El-Agha Doaa E. , Negm Abdelazim M. , Gado Tamer A.
Published: April 2023

An arid climate accompanied by a freshwater shortage plagued Egypt. It has resorted to groundwater reserves to meet the increasing water demands. Fossil aquifers were lately adopted as the sole water source to provide the irrigation water requirements of the ongoing reclamation activities in barren areas. Yet, the scarcity of measurements regarding the changes in the aquifers’ storage poses a great challenge to such sustainable resource management. In this context, the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission enables a novel consistent approach to deriving aquifers’ storage changes. In this study, the GRACE monthly solutions during the period 2003–2021 were utilized to estimate alterations in terrestrial water storage (TWS) throughout Egypt. Changes in groundwater storage (GWS) were inferred by subtracting soil water content, derived from the GLDAS-NOAH hydrological model, from the retrieved TWS. The secular trends in TWS and GWS were obtained using the linear least square method, while the non-parametric technique (Mann–Kendall’s tau) was applied to check the trend significance. The derived changes in GWS showed that all aquifers are undergoing a significant loss rate in their storage. The average depletion rate over the Sinai Peninsula was estimated at 0.64 ± 0.03 cm/year, while the depletion rate over the Nile delta aquifer was 0.32 ± 0.03 cm/year. During the investigated period (2003–2021), the extracted groundwater quantity from the Nubian aquifer in the Western Desert is estimated at nearly 7.25 km3. The storage loss from the Moghra aquifer has significantly increased from 32 Mm3/year (2003–2009) to 262 Mm3/year (2015–2021). This reflects the aquifer exposure for extensive water pumping to irrigate newly cultivated lands. The derived findings on the aquifers’ storage losses provide a vital source of information for the decision-makers to be employed for short- and long-term groundwater management.
The Rise of Vancouver and the Collapse of Forage Fish: A Story of Urbanization and the Destruction of an Aquatic Ecosystem on the Salish Sea (1885–1920 CE)
Authors: Morin Jesse , Evans Aaron Blake , Efford Meaghan
Published: April 2023

Since its establishment as a Euro-Canadian settlement in the mid-nineteenth century, the marine ecology surrounding Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, has been negatively impacted by urban development, habitat destruction, poor fisheries practices, and pollution. Focussing on forage fish – herring, smelt, and eulachon – we present the results of an extensive meta-analysis including an archaeological, ethnohistoric, and scientific/regulatory literature review of Indigenous and commercial fisheries’ harvesting records to track the early historic collapse of these fisheries from about 1885–1920 CE. We identify significant reductions in the major forage fish fisheries around Vancouver within decades of the initial Euro-Canadian settlement. These severe negative effects occurred long before scientific description of local ecosystems had begun, and the magnitude of these effects went generally unrecognized and/or are poorly understood. We argue that this is a case of the shifting baseline syndrome (SBS): each generation of researchers mistakenly assumes that modern ecological conditions they encounter approximate their natural pre-contact state.
Cueing in Theatre: Timing and Temporal Variance in Rehearsals of Scene Transitions
Authors: Norrthon Stefan
Published: April 2023

This video-ethnographic study explores how professional actors and a director at the end of a theatrical rehearsal process coordinate transitions between rehearsed scenes. This is done through the development and use ofcues, that is, ‘signals for action’. The aim is to understand how cues are developed and how timing in transitions is achieved by using the designed cues. Work on three different scene transitions is analysed using multimodal Conversation Analysis. The results show that cueing is a central tool for developing well-timed transitions, and how cues serve different purposes in the developing performance. There is no prior plan for how to achieve timely transitions. In all the analysed examples, it is an actor who must produce or act on the given cue who insists on its precise definition, followed by a negotiation on candidate cues, confirmation and specifying the cue. It is also actors who are primarily responsible for the timing of transitions, and the timing is solved through an interplay of clear-cut and embodied actions that allow for temporal variance. Cues are reflexively linked to actors’ observation and interpretation of other actors’ actions, which prevents a mechanical determination of timing in scene transition.
Visual Attention to Dynamic Emotional Faces in Adults on the Autism Spectrum
Authors: Macinska Sylwia , Lindsay Shane , Jellema Tjeerd
Published: April 2023

Using eye-tracking, we studied allocation of attention to faces where the emotional expression and eye-gaze dynamically changed in an ecologically-valid manner. We tested typically-developed (TD) adults low or high in autistic-like traits (Experiment 1), and adults with high-functioning autism (HFA; Experiment 2). All groups fixated more on the eyes than on any of the other facial area, regardless of emotion and gaze direction, though the HFA group fixated less on the eyes and more on the nose than TD controls. The sequence of dynamic facial changes affected the groups similarly, with reduced attention to the eyes and increased attention to the mouth. The results suggest that dynamic emotional face scanning patterns are stereotypical and differ only modestly between TD and HFA adults.
Measuring policy coherence on global access to clean energy between European countries
Authors: Coscieme Luca , Ochieng Caroline A. , Spillane Charles , Donohue Ian
Published: April 2023

Amongst the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring energy access in developing countries while reducing global emissions of greenhouse gases is critical. To achieve such goals, international cooperation combined with investments in research, technology, infrastructures and capacity building are paramount. The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 on access to affordable and clean energy, includes both targets at the domestic and international stages of energy policy. However, trade-offs are emerging in the monitoring phase of SDG7 and its targets, signalling the need for stronger coherence at all stages. Here, we assess to what extent policy coherence exists, and is or is not maintained, considering internal and external energy policy in Europe. We find that a higher level of coherence exists in internal than external energy policy. This result questions the overall positive contribution and commitment of European countries when it comes to facilitating energy access in developing countries. The results also highlight the positive effect of common policy frameworks and the need to rely more extensively on new means for governing and improving international policy coherence. We identify key trade-offs and co-benefits to be addressed for achieving improved policy coherence and call for a common framework that unifies internal and external energy policy in Europe for accelerating progress towards global access to clean energy.
Transferable IncX3 plasmid harboring blaNDM-1, bleMBL, and aph(3’)-VI genes from Klebsiella pneumoniae conferring phenotypic carbapenem resistance in E. coli
Authors: Elshamy Ann A. , Saleh Sarra E. , Aboshanab Khaled M. , Aboulwafa Mohammad M. , Hassouna Nadia A.
Published: April 2023

Background

The dissemination of carbapenem resistance via carbapenemases, such as the metallo-β-lactamase NDM, among Enterobacterales poses a public health threat. The aim of this study was to characterize a plasmid carrying the blaNDM-1 gene, which was extracted from a clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae uropathogen from an Egyptian patient suffering from a urinary tract infection.

Methods and results

The recovered plasmid was transformed into competent E. coli DH5α which acquired phenotypic resistance to cefoxitin, ceftazidime, and ampicillin/sulbactam, and intermediate sensitivity to ceftriaxone and imipenem (a carbapenem). Whole plasmid sequencing was performed on the extracted plasmid using the DNBSEQ™ platform. The obtained forward and reverse reads were assembled into contigs using the PRINSEQ and PLACNETw web tools. The obtained contigs were uploaded to PlasmidFinder and ResFinder for in silico plasmid typing and detection of antimicrobial resistance genes, respectively. The final consensus sequence was obtained using the Staden Package software. The plasmid (pNDMKP37, NCBI accession OK623716.1) was typed as an IncX3 plasmid with a size of 46,160 bp and harbored the antibiotic resistance genes blaNDM-1, bleMBL, and aph(3’)-VI. The plasmid also carried mobile genetic elements involved in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance including insertion sequences IS30, IS630, and IS26.

Conclusions

This is Egypt’s first report of a transmissible plasmid co-harboring blaNDM-1 and aph(3’)-VI genes. Moreover, the respective plasmid is of great medical concern as it has caused the horizontal transmission of multidrug-resistant phenotypes to the transformant. Therefore, new guidelines should be implemented for the rational use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, particularly carbapenems.
Assessment of Escherichia coli-derived Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenic Protein-2 on Fertilization and Early Embryonic Development in Rats
Authors: Kim Nam Hyun , Min Seul Ki , Lee Myeong Wook , Kang Seung-Hoon
Published: April 2023

Objective

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) impacts fertility in women by affecting the menstrual cycle and embryonic development. We aimed to determine the reproductive toxicity of Escherichia coli (E. coli)-derived recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) by measuring changes in the reproductive performance and organs in rhBMP-2-treated rats.

Methods

Overall, 88 male and female rats each were categorized into one control and three experimental groups. rhBMP-2 was intravenously administered to the experimental groups at 0.05, 0.15, and 0.50 mg/kg/day, respectively. The male rats were administered rhBMP-2 daily, starting from 28 days before mating until the day of necropsy (48 days), after which they were euthanized and necropsied. The female rats were administered rhBMP-2 daily, starting from 14 days before mating until 7 days after fertilization (22–36 days), after which they were necropsied 13 days after fertilization.

Results

No rhBMP-2-related death occurred throughout the study period. All rhBMP-2-treated groups showed swelling in the tail at the site of rhBMP-2 administration. In the high-dose rhBMP-2 group, the male rats showed a slight reduction in body weight and food consumption, whereas the female rats showed a reduction in the weights of the ovary and oviduct. Examining the fertilization status and necropsy showed no effect of rhBMP-2 on fertility and early embryonic development. The no-observed-adverse-effect level of rhBMP-2 was 0.50 mg/kg/day in all rats.

Conclusion

rhBMP-2 had no reproductive toxicity on the reproductive performance and organs in female and male rats. Therefore, these results provide new toxicology information on E. coli-derived rhBMP-2 as a therapeutic protein.
Community pharmacists’ acceptability of pharmacist-delivered depression screening for older adults: a qualitative study
Authors: Gide Duha N. , El-Den Sarira , Lee Yee Lam Elim , Gisev Natasa , Ou Kevin , O’Reilly Claire L.
Published: April 2023

Background

Late-life depression often goes underdiagnosed and undertreated, affecting the quality of life of older adults. Pharmacists are well-placed to identify older adults who may be at risk of depression by using appropriate screening tools.

Aim

To explore community pharmacists’ acceptability of performing late-life depression screening in Australian community pharmacies.

Method

Semi-structured interviews with community pharmacists were conducted to gauge their perceptions regarding delivering depression screening services for older adults. Data analysis was conducted using an iterative, inductive approach. Key themes were identified, which were further explored and divided into subthemes. Subthemes were categorised as either barriers or facilitators. Each subtheme was mapped to the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour model by classifying whether they impacted pharmacists’ capability, opportunity, or motivation regarding depression screening.

Results

Fifteen pharmacists were interviewed, 12 of whom were female and 11 of whom practised in a metropolitan area. Four key themes were identified including: training needs, environmental factors, pharmacists’ roles, and organisational support, which were further divided into 13 subthemes. Three subthemes were mapped to Capability, seven to Opportunity and three to Motivation. Barriers included lack of resources and lack of remuneration, while facilitators included training, pharmacists’ accessibility, and rapport with consumers.

Conclusion

The findings of this study demonstrate that while community pharmacists found depression screening for older adults in community pharmacies to be an acceptable service, there remains a need for the development of funding schemes and standardised guidelines for pharmacist-delivered depression screening for older adults.
Predicting site-specific economic optimal nitrogen rate using machine learning methods and on-farm precision experimentation
Authors: de Lara Alfonso , Mieno Taro , Luck Joe D. , Puntel Laila A.
Published: April 2023

Applying at the economic optimal nitrogen rate (EONR) has the potential to increase nitrogen (N) fertilization efficiency and profits while reducing negative environmental impacts. On-farm precision experimentation (OFPE) provides the opportunity to collect large amounts of data to estimate the EONR. Machine learning (ML) methods such as generalized additive models (GAM) and random forest (RF) are promising methods for estimating yields and EONR. Twenty OFPE N trials in wheat and barley were conducted and analyzed with soil, terrain and remote-sensed variables to address the following objectives: (1) to quantify the spatial variability of winter crops yield and the yield response to N using OFPE, (2) to evaluate and compare the performance of GAM and RF models to predict yield and yield response to N and, (3) to quantify the impact of soil, crop and field characteristics on the EONR estimation. Machine learning techniques were able to model wheat and barley yield with an average error of 13.7% (624 kg ha−1). However, similar yield prediction accuracy from RF and GAM resulted in widely different economic optimal nitrogen rates. Across sites, soil available phosphorus and soil organic matter were the most influential variables; however, the magnitude and direction of the effect varied between fields. These indicate that training a model using data coming from different fields may lead to unreliable site-specific EONR when it is applied to another field. Further evaluation of ML methods is needed to ensure a robust automation of N recommendation while producers transition into the digital ag era.
Digitisation and Sharing of Collections: Museum Practices and Copyright During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Klinowski Mateusz , Szafarowicz Karolina
Published: April 2023

This article concerns the conflict between copyright and museums’ digitisation and online sharing of collections. This issue has recently become particularly important in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors outline the concept of a virtual museum and present the most important copyright provisions in EU law that may create obstacles for cultural institutions in realising virtual counterparts. To perceive copyright as the main obstacle in the process of digitisation and online sharing of collections is not unusual. Hence, the article briefly presents legal framework of the European copyright applicable to such situations. The authors argue that although copyright offers a range of possibilities for museums interested in digitising their collections, at the same time it is responsible for a chilling effect, resulting in fear of potential infringement and liability. The authors conclude that the EU’s development of new legislation, coinciding with the need for digitisation and online sharing of cultural heritage caused by the pandemic, has favoured public interest at the expense of creators’ rights, but still lacks satisfactory legal tools for effectively allowing cultural institutions to digitise and share their collections.
Microstructural and Mechanical Characterization of Interfacial Phenomena Occurring in Brazing Ti-6AL-4V Alloy Using TiZrCuPd Amorphous Ribbons
Authors: Sypien Anna
Published: April 2023

The brazing technology with the proper choose of the filler metals should provide a solution for the major disadvantage of titanium alloys related to the problems of joining. This work concerns brazing of the Ti-6Al-4 V substrates with the originally amorphous TiCuZrPd ribbon. The TiCuZrPd filler enables proceeding of the brazing process below the melting temperature of the alloy, at about 880 °C. As the high quality of the filler/substrate interconnection remains substantial for the industrial application, the evolution of the mechanical and structural properties was studied while the induction and resistance heating were used to obtain Ti/Ti joints. The microstructure studies showed that at the interfaces obtained by both methods, the brazed zone was characterized by the uniform microstructure without defects such as separation of intermetallic phases or Kirkendall voids. In both cases, the interface consisted of three zones: upper diffusion zone, filler material zone and lower diffusion zone. It was also observed that regardless of the heating method used, the width of the reaction zone of the joints was similar, about 47 µm. On the other hand the ratio of the widths of the different zones was altered in dependence on the heating method used. The results showed that the brazing by induction heating increased the shear strength of the tested joints by two to three times, depending on the content of palladium in the filler metal. The highest value of shear resistance of approx. 650 MPa was noted for the joints obtained by induction heating at 850 °C.
Ein Überblick über ausgewählte standardisierte Instrumente zur Erfassung des Risikos von Entweichungen im Kontext von Lockerungsprognosen in forensisch-psychiatrischen Einrichtungen
Authors: Neumann Merten , Wittland Isabel , Schmitz Sophia Laura
Published: April 2023

Vollzugslockerungen stellen im Rahmen der forensisch-psychiatrischen Behandlung ein wichtiges Resozialisierungswerkzeug dar. Bei Entweichungen während Lockerungen handelt es sich angesichts der Anzahl der gewährten Lockerungsmaßnahmen um seltene Ereignisse. Trotz dessen gilt es, vor jeder Lockerungsgewährung das Risiko von Entweichungen einzuschätzen. Im Vergleich zur Bestimmung der allgemeinen Rückfälligkeit ist das Vorgehen bei der Lockerungsprognose bisher wenig erforscht und standardisiert. Auch wenn Instrumente zur Vorhersage erneuter Straftaten zur Lockerungsprognose eingesetzt werden können, stellt dies aufgrund der spezifischen Anforderungen an die Lockerungsprognose nur eine Übergangslösung dar. Die Etablierung eines lockerungsspezifischen Vorgehens ist wünschenswert. Im Rahmen des Artikels wird ein Überblick über 4 Instrumente zur Anwendung im Lockerungskontext gegeben, und bisherige Studienergebnisse zu diesen werden zusammengefasst: das Leave/Absconding Risk Assessment, das Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability, das Booth Evaluation of Absconding Tool und die Waypoint Elopement Risk Scales. Erste Befunde zu den Risikoinstrumenten weisen weiteren Forschungsbedarf, insbesondere bei der Validierung außerhalb der Entwicklungsstichprobe und den Folgen der Anwendung, aus. Verbesserungen in der Risikoprogose können dabei zu einer weiteren Reduzierung der Entweichungsraten beitragen.
Developing a measurement scale of corporate socially responsible entrepreneurship in sustainable management
Authors: Gallardo-Vázquez Dolores , Herrador-Alcaide Teresa C. , de la Cruz Sánchez-Domínguez Juan
Published: April 2023

Two important lines of research come together in this paper: entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Both stand out for their ability to contribute to sustainable development and generate competitive and social advantages. This study combined both approaches under the concept of CSR entrepreneurship (CSRE). A scale was developed to assess corporate socially responsible entrepreneurs’ traits in corporate contexts (i.e., CSRE-s). This quantitative measurement instrument was initially composed of 84 items, which were subjected to various validity and reliability tests. Exploratory factor and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to identify the most significant determinant variables of individuals engaging in CSRE. The validated CSRE-s indicates that the corporate socially responsible entrepreneurship construct involves 6 entrepreneurship factors and 3 CSR dimensions—environmental, social, and economic—with 2 factors each (i.e., 6 factors), assessed by a total of 76 items. This research’s main contribution is the identification of CSRE features in entrepreneurs that together constitute an original, unique, and innovative framework for a sustainable development approach to entrepreneurship. The proposed conceptual model can be used to ensure the CSR values validated for the CSRE-s are incorporated into entrepreneurial training programs (i.e., universities), the public sector’s policies promoting entrepreneurship, and strategic business plans for expansion via entrepreneurship. The CSRE-s can be used to strengthen these three areas simultaneously, which should provide social advantages to all stakeholders via the sustainable management of entrepreneurial projects.
Risk Factors for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor–Mediated Cardiovascular Toxicities
Authors: Yousif Laura I. , Screever Elles M. , Versluis Daniëlle , Aboumsallem Joseph Pierre , Nierkens Stefan , Manintveld Olivier C. , de Boer Rudolf A. , Meijers Wouter C.
Published: April 2023

Purpose of Review

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved the field of cancer, especially in patients with advanced malignancies. Nevertheless, cardiovascular immune-related adverse events (irAEs) with high mortality and morbidity have been observed, including myocarditis, pericarditis, and vasculitis. To date, only a few clinical risk factors have been described and are currently being investigated.

Recent Findings

In this review, we address the four most prevailing risk factors for cardiovascular irAEs. ICI combination therapy is a predominant risk factor for developing ICI-mediated myocarditis. Additionally, ICI combined with other anti-cancer treatments (e.g., tyrosine kinase inhibitors, radiation, chemotherapy) seems to increase the risk of developing cardiovascular irAEs. Other risk factors include female sex, pre-existing cardiovascular disease, and specific tumors, on which we will further elaborate in this review.

An a priori risk strategy to determine who is at risk to develop these cardiovascular irAEs is needed. Insights into the impact of risk factors are therefore warranted to help clinicians improve care and disease management in these patients.
Attorney-client privilege in Polish law and legal practice – on legal gaps and some controversial matters
Authors: Hryniewicz-Lach Elżbieta
Published: April 2023

This article presents the legal framework of attorney-client privilege in Poland, indicating situations when an attorney is entitled or obliged to reveal information covered, in principle, by professional secrecy, as well as the consequences of an attorney’s erroneous evaluation in this regard. The author refers to provisions which require legal amendment or functional interpretation in order to guarantee respect for attorney-client privilege in legal proceedings, pointing out also controversial interpretations in court practice of what, in principle, are clear legal provisions relating to attorney duties. Finally, the poor perspective for changes in relevant field and the reasons for this are explained.
Oncogenic roles of GPR176 in breast cancer: a potential marker of aggressiveness and a potential target of gene therapy
Authors: Yun Wen-jing , Xue Hang , Yang Ning , Xiao Li-jun , Sun Hong-zhi , Zheng Hua-chuan
Published: April 2023

Background

Belonging to the G-protein coupled receptor 1 family, G protein-coupled receptor 176 (GPR176) is associated with the Gz/Gx G-protein subclass and is capable of decreasing cAMP production.

Methods

GPR176 expression was detected by qRT-PCR, bioinformatics analysis, Western blot and immunohistochemistry, and compared with clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer. GPR176-related genes and pathways were subjected to bioinformatic analysis. We also explored the effects of GPR176 on the phenotypes of breast cancer cells.

Results

Lower expression of GPR176 mRNA was seen in breast cancer than in normal tissues, but the opposite pattern was found for its protein (p < 0.05). GPR176 mRNA was associated with female sex, low T staging, non-Her-2+ subtypes, non-mutant p53 status in breast cancer (p < 0.05). GPR176 methylation was negatively correlated with its mRNA level and T staging in breast cancer, and was higher in breast cancer than normal tissues (p < 0.05). GPR176 protein expression was positively correlated with older age, small tumor size, and non-luminal-B subtype of breast cancers (p < 0.05). The differential genes of GPR176 were involved in receptor-ligand interaction, RNA maturation, and so forth (p < 0.05). GPR176-related genes were categorized into cell mobility, membrane structure, and so on (p < 0.05). GPR176 knockdown weakened the proliferation, glucose catabolism, anti-apoptosis, anti-pyroptosis, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of breast cancer cells.

Conclusion

These results indicate that GPR176 might be involved in the tumorigenesis and subsequent progression of breast cancer by deteriorating aggressive phenotypes. It might be utilized as a potential biomarker to indicate the aggressive behaviors and poor prognosis of breast cancer and a potential target of genetic therapy.
Psychological inflexibility explains social anxiety over time: a mediation analyses with a clinical adolescent sample
Authors: Figueiredo Diana Vieira , Alves Francisca , Vagos Paula
Published: April 2023

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) has its usual onset during adolescence when it is a highly prevalent and debilitating condition. Evidence regarding the processes that underline social anxiety and SAD is not compelling, especially in adolescents. Within an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) framework, the causal role of ACT processes on adolescents’ social anxiety and how these processes contribute to sustain social anxiety over time is still unknown. Hence, this study explored the role of psychological inflexibility (PI) and acceptance and committed action (as psychological flexibility processes) on social anxiety over time, in a clinical sample of adolescents. Twenty-one adolescents (Mage = 16.19, SD = 0.750) with a primary diagnosis of SAD completed a set of self-report measures assessing PI, acceptance (i.e., willingness to experience social anxiety symptoms), action (i.e., moving towards valued life directions despite social anxiety symptoms) and social anxiety. Path analysis was used to investigate a mediation model linking acceptance, committed action, and PI to social anxiety, directly and indirectly. Findings revealed that acceptance and action were negatively and directly associated with PI after 10-weeks. In turn, PI yielded a positive and direct effect on social anxiety after another 12-weeks. PI totally mediated the relation between acceptance and action and social anxiety, with significant indirect effects. Overall, findings offer evidence for the applicability of the ACT model to adolescent SAD and support the use of clinical interventions targeting PI to understand and alleviate adolescents’ social anxiety.
B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 gene rearrangements shows evidence for clonal evolution and mitotic recombination
Authors: Schichman Steven A. , Penton Andrea L. , Ghanta Sai Nikhila , Konda Manojna , Papenhausen Peter R.
Published: April 2023

Background

B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphomas (B-ALL/LBL) are uncommon neoplasms that may be associated with a variety of cytogenetic and molecular changes. The mechanisms by which these changes arise have not been fully described.

Aims/Purpose

This report describes an unusual case of B-ALL/LBL with complex clonal evolution that includes BCL2 and MYC gene rearrangements.

Methods

Immunophenotyping was performed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Traditional G-band karyotyping was accompanied by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) using break-apart and dual fusion probes. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were assessed using a high-density DNA microarray.

Results

The karyotype of the blasts showed reciprocal translocation of chromosomes 4 and 18, reciprocal translocation of chromosomes 8 and 14 with two copies of the oncogenic translocation derivative(14)t(8;14), and no normal chromosome 14. FISH studies showed complex IGH-BCL2 and IGH-MYC fusion signals.

Conclusions

A clonal evolution model involving multiple chromosomal translocations and mitotic recombination is postulated to account for the karyotype, FISH, and microarray results but leaves unresolved the exact order of the evolutionary changes.
Lead-Glazed Ceramic Fragments: Intentional Glazing or Metallurgical Accident?
Authors: Klein S. , Fischer-Lechner S. , Berthold C. , Sessing J. , Kirnbauer T. , Zeiler M. , Essling-Wintzer W.
Published: April 2023

Ceramic fragments from an excavation by Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe in 2014 around the deserted early medieval site of Brilon-Alme were subjected to archaeometric analysis. Except for one miniature object, they are coarse-grained tempered, and many of them are coated with a green-brownish glaze. The question arose whether archaeometric investigation could help identify the material, the production technique, and the nature of the glaze. Furthermore, it was of interest whether the fragments were connected to metallurgical activity in the region. Thin sections of the fragments with adhering glaze were investigated by polarized light microscopy and energy-dispersive scanning electron microscopy, both for elemental information; powder and x-ray microdiffraction for phase analysis and multi-collector inductively coupled mass spectrometry for lead isotope analysis were applied. The results from elemental, phase, and texture analysis of the glazes finally provided evidence that they are closely related to metallurgical processes of early medieval activities around Brilon.
Second-line tests in the differential diagnosis of neoplastic and non-neoplastic hypercortisolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mondin A. , Barbot M. , Voltan G. , Tizianel I. , Vedolin C. K. , Mazzeo P. , Lazzara M. , Boscaro M. , Scaroni C. , Ceccato F.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The clinical and hormonal overlap between neoplastic (CS) and non-neoplastic (NNH/pCS) hypercortisolism is a challenge. Various dynamic tests have been proposed to allow an early discrimination between these conditions, but to date there is no agreement on which of them should be used.

Aim

To provide an overview of the available tests and to obtain a quantitative synthesis of their diagnostic performance in discriminating NNH/pCS from CS.

Methods

The included articles, published between 1990 and 2022, applied one or more second line tests to differentiate NNH/pCS from CS patients. For the NNH/pCS group, we admitted the inclusion of patients presenting clinical features and/or biochemical findings suggestive of hypercortisolism despite apparent lack of a pCS-related condition.

Results

The electronic search identified 339 articles. After references analysis and study selection, we identified 9 studies on combined dexamethasone-corticotropin releasing hormone (Dex-CRH) test, 4 on Desmopressin test and 3 on CRH test; no study on Dex-Desmopressin met the inclusion criteria. Dex-CRH test provided the highest sensitivity (97%, 95 CI% [88%; 99%]). CRH tests showed excellent specificity (99%, 95% CI [0%; 100%]), with low sensitivity. Although metaregression analysis based on diagnostic odds ratio failed to provide a gold standard, CRH test (64.77, 95% CI [0.15; 27,174.73]) seemed to lack in performance compared to the others (Dex-CRH 138.83, 95% CI [49.38; 390.32] and Desmopressin 110.44, 95% CI [32.13; 379.63]).

Discussion

Both Dex-CRH and Desmopressin tests can be valid tools in helping discrimination between NNH/pCS and CS. Further studies are needed on this topic, possibly focusing on mild Cushing’s Disease and well-characterized NNH/pCS patients.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022359774, identifier CRD42022359774.