bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Length of hospital stay in involuntary admissions in Greece: a 10-year retrospective observational study
Authors: Bakola Maria , Peritogiannis Vaios , Kitsou Konstantina Soultana , Gourzis Philippos , Hyphantis Thomas , Jelastopulu Eleni
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The treatment of mental disorders has shifted from inpatient wards to community-based settings in recent years, but some patients may still have to be admitted to inpatient wards, sometimes involuntarily. It is important to maintain the length of hospital stay (LoS) as short as possible while still providing adequate care. The present study aimed to explore the factors associated with the LoS in involuntarily admitted psychiatric patients.

Methods

A ten-year retrospective chart review of 332 patients admitted involuntarily to the inpatient psychiatric ward of the General University Hospital of Ioannina, Northwestern Greece, between 2008 and 2017 was conducted.

Results

The mean LoS was 23.8 (SD = 33.7) days and was relatively stable over the years. Longer-stay hospitalization was associated with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder diagnosis, previous hospitalizations and the use of mechanical restraint, whereas patients in residential care experienced significantly longer LoS (52.6 days) than those living with a caregiver (23.5 days) or alone (19.4 days). Older age at disease onset was associated with shorter LoS, whereas no statistically significant differences were observed with regard to gender.

Conclusion

While some of our findings were in line with recent findings from other countries, others could not be replicated. It seems that multiple factors influence LoS and the identification of these factors could help clinicians and policy makers to design more targeted and cost-effective interventions. The optimization of LoS in involuntary admissions could improve patients’ outcomes and lead to more efficient use of resources.
Analysis of the scientific knowledge structure on automation in the wine industry: a bibliometric and systematic review
Authors: Martínez-Falcó Javier , Sánchez-García Eduardo , Marco-Lajara Bartolome , Millán-Tudela Luis A.
Published: April 2024

The objective of this research is to analyze the knowledge structure of the academic literature indexed in the Core Collection of the Web of Science on automation in the wine industry, from the first registered article in 1996 to 2022, in order to identify the latest trends in the study of this subject. A bibliometric and systematic analysis of the literature was carried out. First, for the quantitative analysis of the scientific production, the bibliometric study was conducted, using the WoS database for data collection and the VosViewer and Bibliometrix applications to create the network maps. Second, once the literature had been examined quantitatively, content analysis was undertaken using the PRISMA methodology. The results show, among other aspects, the uneven distribution of the examined scientific production from 1996 to 2022, that computer vision, data aggregation, life cycle assessment, precision viticulture, extreme learning machine and collaborative platforms are the major current keywords and the predominance of Spain and Italy in terms of scientific production in the field. There are various justifications which support the originality of this study. First, it contributes to the understanding of academic literature and the identification of the most recent trends in the study of automation in the wine industry. Second, to the best of our knowledge, no prior bibliometric studies have considered this topic. Third, this research evaluates the literature from the first record to the year 2022, thereby providing a comprehensive analysis of the scientific production.
In vitro and in vivo fermentation models to study the function of dietary fiber in pig nutrition
Authors: Huangfu Weikang , Cao Shixi , Li Shouren , Zhang Shuhang , Liu Mengqi , Liu Boshuai , Zhu Xiaoyan , Cui Yalei , Wang Zhichang , Zhao Jiangchao , Shi Yinghua
Published: April 2024

The importance of dietary fiber (DF) in animal diets is increasing with the advancement of nutritional research. DF is fermented by gut microbiota to produce metabolites, which are important in improving intestinal health. This review is a systematic review of DF in pig nutrition using in vitro and in vivo models. The fermentation characteristics of DF and the metabolic mechanisms of its metabolites were summarized in an in vitro model, and it was pointed out that SCFAs and gases are the important metabolites connecting DF, gut microbiota, and intestinal health, and they play a key role in intestinal health. At the same time, some information about host-microbe interactions could have been improved through traditional animal in vivo models, and the most direct feedback on nutrients was generated, confirming the beneficial effects of DF on sow reproductive performance, piglet intestinal health, and growing pork quality. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of different fermentation models were compared. In future studies, it is necessary to flexibly combine in vivo and in vitro fermentation models to profoundly investigate the mechanism of DF on the organism in order to promote the development of precision nutrition tools and to provide a scientific basis for the in-depth and rational utilization of DF in animal husbandry.

Key points

• The fermentation characteristics of dietary fiber in vitro models were reviewed.

• Metabolic pathways of metabolites and their roles in the intestine were reviewed.

• The role of dietary fiber in pigs at different stages was reviewed.

Graphical Abstract
How useful are indirect radiographic measurements of hip instability in borderline hip dysplasia? An MRI-based comparison to a healthy cohort
Authors: Andronic Octavian , Germann Christoph , Jud Lukas , Imhoff Florian B. , Fröhlich Stefan , Scherr Johannes , Spörri Jörg , Zingg Patrick O.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Symptomatic hips with borderline hip dysplasia (BHD) morphology pose a challenge in differentiating stable from unstable hips. The current study aims to compare indirect radiographic signs of instability in a symptomatic BHD population to those in a healthy cohort.

Methods

The study group consisted of patients with a lateral centre–edge angle (LCEA) with values 18° ≤ LCEA < 25° who underwent corrective periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) and reported an improvement in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). The comparison group consisted of a healthy cohort of athletes who did not complain of any hip-related symptoms and who had normal values of their hip morphological parameters (LCEA, acetabular index (AI°), alpha angle (α°), femoral version, acetabular version). Indirect signs of instability consisting of the femoro-epiphyseal acetabular roof index (FEAR), iliocapsularis-to-rectus-femoris (IC/RF) ratio and labral dimensions (height-to-length ratio) were assessed in both groups. Partial Pearson correlation, logistic multiple regression analysis and Receiver-Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed to determine correlations, as well as the sensitivity and specificity of these signs to differentiate between healthy hips and BHD.

Results

On binary logistic multiple regression analysis, the FEAR Index was the only independent predictor to differentiate between BHD and healthy hips (p < 0.001). The IC/RF ratio did not achieve significance. The calculated area under the curve (AUC) was 0.93 (0.87 – 0.99, CI 95%, p < 0.001) for the FEAR Index and 0.81 (0.70 – 0.92, CI 95%, p < 0.001) for the height-length ratio. Using the predefined cut-off values (dysplastic—FEAR Index ≥ 5° or labral height-to-length ratio ≤ 0.5), 27% sensitivity/100% specificity and 20% sensitivity/ 100% specificity, were achieved. ROC analysis provided the following new thresholds: FEAR Index ≥ -5° (73% sensitivity/97% specificity); labral height-to-length ratio ≤ 0.8 (70% sensitivity, 79% specificity).

Conclusion

In our cohort, the FEAR index was an independent parameter that could differentiate between borderline dysplastic and asymptomatic hips. The previously published values for both the FEAR index and labral hypertrophy ratio had a poor sensitivity in differentiating symptomatic unstable BHD from healthy hips. The cut-off values of ≥ -5° (FEAR index) and ≤ 0.8 (labral height-to-length ratio) provided acceptable sensitivity and specificity when comparing to morphological healthy hips.
The exercise-app Axia for axial spondyloarthritis enhances the home-based exercise frequency in axial spondyloarthritis patients – A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Strunz Patrick-Pascal , Le Maire Maxime , Heusinger Tobias , Klein Juliana , Labinsky Hannah , Fleischer Anna , Luetkens Karsten Sebastian , Possler Patricia , Gernert Michael , Leppich Robert , Schmieder Astrid , Hammel Ludwig , Schulz Evelin , Sperlich Billy , Froehlich Matthias , Schmalzing Marc
Published: April 2024

Background: Patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) benefit from regular home-based exercise (HbE). In spite of recommendations, a relevant proportion of German axSpA patients does not adhere to recommended HbE practices. To enhance HbE care, we developed the novel digital therapeutic (DTx) “Axia” compliant with the European medical device regulation (MDR). Axia offers a modern app-based HbE solution with patient educative content and further integrated features. Objective: We aimed to assess Axia’s efficacy, attractiveness, and functionality through a survey among axSpA-patients involved in the first user tests. Methods: A mixed-method online questionnaire with 38 items was administered to 37 axSpA volunteers after using Axia. Numeric rating scales (NRS) and likelihood scales were primarily used. Results: HbE frequency significantly increased from a median of 1 day/week to 6 days/week (p < 0.001) by using Axia. Existing HbE practitioners also increased their frequency (median of 4 days/week before, 6 days/week with Axia, p < 0.05). Axia received a median rating of 5 out of 5 stars. On NRS scales, Axia scored a median of 9 for intuitiveness and design, and a median of 8 for entertainment. 64.9% reported improved range of motion, 43.2% reported reduced pain, and 93.6% enhanced disease-specific knowledge. All users recommended Axia to other patients. Conclusion: Axia increases axSpA patients HbE frequency, possibly due to its good intuitiveness and design, leading to reduction in pain and subjective improvement of range of motion. This warrants further investigation in large randomized controlled interventional trials to establish its efficacy conclusively and patients adherence to HbE.
Multi-year mesozooplankton flux trends in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard
Authors: D’Angelo Alessandra , Mayers Kyle , Renz Jasmin , Conese Ilaria , Miserocchi Stefano , Giglio Federico , Giordano Patrizia , Langone Leonardo
Published: April 2024

We conducted this study to investigate the relationship between environmental stressors and mesozooplankton fluxes in inner Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. The ongoing Arctic amplification, characterized by phenomena such as increased temperatures, glacial and watershed runoff, and diminishing ice cover, poses significant challenges to marine ecosystems. Our multi-year time-series analysis (2010–2018) of mesozooplankton, collected from a moored automatic sediment trap at approximately 87 m depth, aims to elucidate seasonal and interannual variations in fluxes within this Arctic fjord. We integrate meteorological, hydrological, and chemical datasets to assess their influence on zooplankton populations. Principal component analysis reveals the impact of seawater characteristics on mesozooplankton fluxes and composition, while two-way ANOVA highlights the role of seasonality in driving variations in our dataset. We observe a decrease in swimmer fluxes following the maxima mass flux event (from 2013 onwards), coupled with an increase in community diversity, possibly attributed to copepod decline and functional diversity. Notably, sub-Arctic boreal species such as Limacina retroversa have been detected in the sediment trap since 2016. Our continuous multi-year dataset captures the physical, chemical, and biological dynamics in this extreme environment. With Arctic amplification in Kongsfjorden and increasing submarine and watershed runoff, we anticipate significant shifts in mesozooplankton communities in the medium to long-term. This underscores the urgency for further research on their adaptation to changing environmental conditions and the potential introduction of alien species.
Prenatal diagnosis of meningomyelocele resolves as a mature cystic teratoma in the thoracolumbar region
Authors: Chen-Carrington Annie , Leonard Dean , Goodreau Adam , Rhodes Jennifer , Tye Gary W.
Published: April 2024

A mature cystic teratoma is a mass with heterogeneous appearance, consisting of adult tissue with two or three layers: endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm. It is a rare, benign transformation of somatic tissue most commonly found in the sacrococcygeal region and may resemble an uncomplicated spina bifida on prenatal ultrasonography. In this case report, we describe a female newborn with an extremely rare mature cystic teratoma in the thoracolumbar region. She presented prenatally with a preliminary diagnosis of meningomyelocele, diastematomyelia, and Chiari II malformation and a possible teratoma. However, a mass containing solid glandular tissues and bony calcifications approximately 3 × 4 cm in size was observed in the thoracolumbar region upon birth. During surgical resection, no nerve roots were found in the associated meningocele. The patient retained full lower body function postoperatively following surgical excision of the thecal sac and teratoma.
Regional scaling of sea surface temperature with global warming levels in the CMIP6 ensemble
Authors: Milovac Josipa , Iturbide Maialen , Fernández Jesús , Gutiérrez José Manuel , Diez-Sierra Javier , Jones Richard G.
Published: April 2024

Sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface air temperature (SSAT) are commonly used as proxies for investigating the impact of climate change on oceans. These variables have been warming since pre-industrial times and are expected to continue to warm in the future under all Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). However, they are warming in a spatially heterogeneous way, even with some cooling spots. In this work, we provide a general overview on the regional scaling of SST and SSAT with global warming, based on a 26-member CMIP6 ensemble. We utilize the global warming level (GWL) as a climate change dimension to analyze scaling patterns between sea temperature anomalies and the corresponding GWLs during the 21st century. This analysis is conducted globally, regionally, and on grid-point basis. The results show that SST and SSAT scale linearly with GWL at global scale, with scaling factors $$\beta $$
β
= 0.71 ± 0.001 K/K and $$\beta $$
β
= 0.86 ± 0.001 K/K, respectively. These results are robust, showing only minor differences between seasons, SSPs, and horizontal model resolutions. However, large differences emerge at regional scale, and the scaling of the two temperatures are strongly influenced by sea-ice. The lowest values are obtained for the Southern Ocean region, $$\beta $$
β
= 0.54 ± 0.005 K/K, projecting that the mean SST will increase only half as fast as the global mean temperature. These results provide valuable insight for refining the ocean IPCC reference regions, considering spatial homogeneity in terms of the regional response to global warming. A refinement of six ocean reference regions has been proposed.
Single-incision plus one-port laparoscopy surgery versus conventional multi-port laparoscopy surgery for colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kong Jian , Wu Meng-qi , Yan Shuai , Zhao Zheng-fei , Yao Hui
Published: April 2024

Objective

The efficacy of single-incision plus one-port laparoscopic surgery (SILS + 1) versus conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS) for colorectal cancer treatment remains unclear. This study compares the short-term and long-term outcomes of SILS + 1 and CLS using a high-quality systematic review and meta-analysis.

Method

Literature search followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, drawing from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library until December 10, 2023. Statistical analysis was conducted using RevMan and Stata.

Result

The review and meta-analysis included seven studies with 1740 colorectal cancer patients. Compared to CLS, SILS + 1 showed significant improvements in operation time (WMD =  − 18.33, P < 0.00001), blood loss (WMD =  − 21.31, P < 0.00001), incision length (WMD =  − 2.07, P < 0.00001), time to first defecation (WMD =  − 14.91, P = 0.009), time to oral intake (WMD =  − 11.46, P = 0.04), and time to ambulation (WMD =  − 11.52, P = 0.01). There were no significant differences in lymph node harvest, resection margins, complications, anastomotic leakage, hospital stay, disease-free survival, overall survival, and postoperative recurrence.

Conclusions

Compared to CLS, SILS + 1 demonstrates superiority in shortening the surgical incision and promoting postoperative recovery. SILS + 1 can provide a safe and feasible alternative to CLS.
The Synthetic Surfactant CHF5633 Restores Lung Function and Lung Architecture in Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Adult Rabbits
Authors: Mikolka Pavol , Kosutova Petra , Kolomaznik Maros , Nemcova Nikolett , Hanusrichterova Juliana , Curstedt Tore , Johansson Jan , Calkovska Andrea
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a major cause of hypoxemic respiratory failure in adults. In ARDS extensive inflammation and leakage of fluid into the alveoli lead to dysregulation of pulmonary surfactant metabolism and function. Altered surfactant synthesis, secretion, and breakdown contribute to the clinical features of decreased lung compliance and alveolar collapse. Lung function in ARDS could potentially be restored with surfactant replacement therapy, and synthetic surfactants with modified peptide analogues may better withstand inactivation in ARDS alveoli than natural surfactants.

Methods

This study aimed to investigate the activity in vitro and the bolus effect (200 mg phospholipids/kg) of synthetic surfactant CHF5633 with analogues of SP‐B and SP‐C, or natural surfactant Poractant alfa (Curosurf®, both preparations Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A.) in a severe ARDS model (the ratio of partial pressure arterial oxygen and fraction of inspired oxygen, P/F ratio ≤ 13.3 kPa) induced by hydrochloric acid instillation followed by injurious ventilation in adult New Zealand rabbits. The animals were ventilated for 4 h after surfactant treatment and the respiratory parameters, histological appearance of lung parenchyma and levels of inflammation, oxidative stress, surfactant dysfunction, and endothelial damage were evaluated.

Results

Both surfactant preparations yielded comparable improvements in lung function parameters, reductions in lung injury score, pro-inflammatory cytokines levels, and lung edema formation compared to untreated controls.

Conclusions

This study indicates that surfactant replacement therapy with CHF5633 improves lung function and lung architecture, and attenuates inflammation in severe ARDS in adult rabbits similarly to Poractant alfa. Clinical trials have so far not yielded conclusive results, but exogenous surfactant may be a valid supportive treatment for patients with ARDS given its anti-inflammatory and lung-protective effects.
Diagnostic value of neurofilaments in differentiating motor neuron disease from multifocal motor neuropathy
Authors: Wohnrade Camilla , Seeliger Tabea , Gingele Stefan , Bjelica Bogdan , Skripuletz Thomas , Petri Susanne
Published: April 2024

Objective

To evaluate the performance of serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNfH) as diagnostic biomarkers for the differentiation between motor neuron disease (MND) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN).

Methods

This retrospective, monocentric study included 16 patients with MMN and 34 incident patients with MND. A subgroup of lower motor neuron (MN) dominant MND patients (n = 24) was analyzed separately. Serum NfL was measured using Ella automated immunoassay, and CSF pNfH was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Area under the curve (AUC), optimal cutoff values (Youden’s index), and correlations with demographic characteristics were calculated.

Results

Neurofilament concentrations were significantly higher in MND compared to MMN (p < 0.001), and serum NfL and CSF pNfH correlated strongly with each other (Spearman’s rho 0.68, p < 0.001). Serum NfL (AUC 0.946, sensitivity and specificity 94%) and CSF pNfH (AUC 0.937, sensitivity 90.0%, specificity 100%) performed excellent in differentiating MND from MMN. Optimal cutoff values were ≥ 44.15 pg/mL (serum NfL) and ≥ 715.5 pg/mL (CSF pNfH), respectively. Similar results were found when restricting the MND cohort to lower MN dominant patients. Only one MMN patient had serum NfL above the cutoff. Two MND patients presented with neurofilament concentrations below the cutoffs, both featuring a slowly progressive disease.

Conclusion

Neurofilaments are valuable supportive biomarkers for the differentiation between MND and MMN. Serum NfL and CSF pNfH perform similarly well and elevated neurofilaments in case of diagnostic uncertainty underpin MND diagnosis.
Neuroanatomical correlates of peripersonal space: bridging the gap between perception, action, emotion and social cognition
Authors: Basile Gianpaolo Antonio , Tatti Elisa , Bertino Salvatore , Milardi Demetrio , Genovese Giovanni , Bruno Antonio , Muscatello Maria Rosaria Anna , Ciurleo Rosella , Cerasa Antonio , Quartarone Angelo , Cacciola Alberto
Published: April 2024

Peripersonal space (PPS) is a construct referring to the portion of space immediately surrounding our bodies, where most of the interactions between the subject and the environment, including other individuals, take place. Decades of animal and human neuroscience research have revealed that the brain holds a separate representation of this region of space: this distinct spatial representation has evolved to ensure proper relevance to stimuli that are close to the body and prompt an appropriate behavioral response. The neural underpinnings of such construct have been thoroughly investigated by different generations of studies involving anatomical and electrophysiological investigations in animal models, and, recently, neuroimaging experiments in human subjects. Here, we provide a comprehensive anatomical overview of the anatomical circuitry underlying PPS representation in the human brain. Gathering evidence from multiple areas of research, we identified cortical and subcortical regions that are involved in specific aspects of PPS encoding.

We show how these regions are part of segregated, yet integrated functional networks within the brain, which are in turn involved in higher-order integration of information. This wide-scale circuitry accounts for the relevance of PPS encoding in multiple brain functions, including not only motor planning and visuospatial attention but also emotional and social cognitive aspects. A complete characterization of these circuits may clarify the derangements of PPS representation observed in different neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases.
Changes in periodontal parameters of splinted versus non-splinted posterior teeth during ten years of supportive periodontal therapy – A retrospective evaluation
Authors: Sonnenschein Sarah K. , Kilian Samuel , Ruetters Maurice , Ciardo Antonio , Kim Ti-Sun
Published: April 2024

Objectives

To compare periodontal parameters of splinted posterior teeth versus control teeth over ten years of supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) and to assess the survival rate of splints.

Material and methods

Retrospective data of 372 SPT-patients was screened for splints (composite/fiberglass-reinforced composite) in the posterior (molars/premolars) which were inserted at least ten years before due to increased tooth mobility. For each splinted tooth (test), a corresponding control tooth had to be present at the first SPT-session after splint insertion (T1). Data was assessed at T1 and ten years later (T2). Possible influencing covariates for splint survival (mobility degree/Eichner class) were tested by Cox regression. The change in clinical attachment level (ΔCAL), probing pocket depth (ΔPPD) and the testing of possible influencing covariates was analyzed by using mixed linear regression.

Results

Twenty-four patients (32 splints, 58 splinted teeth) were included. Ten test and two control teeth were lost. No differences were observed between ΔCAL and ΔPPD of test teeth compared to control teeth (ΔCAL -0.38 ± 1.90 vs. 0.20 ± 1.27 mm; ΔPPD -0.17 ± 1.18 vs. 0.10 ± 1.05 mm). Twenty-two splints fractured during the observation period (survival-rate: 31%). Mobility degree and Eichner class did not influence time until fracture.

Conclusions

Splinting of periodontally compromised and mobile posterior teeth does not have any disadvantage regarding the clinical periodontal situation when regular SPT is applied. However, splint fractures occur very often.

Clinical relevance

Splinting of posterior teeth is a treatment option in addition to active periodontal therapy when patients are disturbed by tooth mobility but splints have a high susceptibility to fracture.
Clinical Longevity of Obturators in Patients with Jaw Defects: a Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zierden Karina , Koch Carolin Julia , Wöstmann Bernd , Rehmann Peter
Published: April 2024

Objectives

The primary objective of the present retrospective clinical study was to determine the survival time of obturators while analyzing possible influencing factors.

Materials and methods

This retrospective clinical cohort study analyzed the influence of various clinical factors on the survival probability of obturators and their follow-up outcomes using Kaplan‒Meier analysis.

Results

A total of 76 patients with 115 obturators were included in the study (47 men and 29 women, mean age 58.1 ± 18.1 years). The mean observation time was 3.0 ± 4.5 years (maximum 26.3 years). A total of 40.9% (47) of all obturators observed had to be replaced. The survival rate after 5 years was 79.5% for telescopic-crown-retained tooth-supported obturators, 86.9% for telescopic-crown-retained implant-supported obturators, 58.8% for removable full denture obturators, 22.1% for clasp-retained obturators and 0.0% for splints. The type of attachment, attendance at a regular follow-up and defect cause significantly influenced the survival of the obturators (p < .05).

Conclusions

The findings obtained in this study support the recommendation of using implant-supported obturators. Telescopic-crown attachments, either tooth- or implant-supported, seem to be favorable in terms of survival time. Attendance at a strict follow-up program seems to have a major influence on the longevity of the obturators.

Clinical relevance

The use of implant-supported obturators to cover permanent oral and maxillofacial defects is highly recommended. Additionally, the use of telescopic-crown attachments seems to be favorable in terms of survival time. Clasp-retained obturators and surgical splints should be used primarily for temporary restorations due to their shorter survival times.
Treatment patterns of antidepressants in children and adolescents in Scandinavia
Authors: Rasmussen Lotte , Jensen Peter Bjødstrup , Reutfors Johan , Furu Kari , Skurtveit Svetlana , Selmer Randi , Damkier Per , Bliddal Mette , Wesselhoeft Rikke
Published: April 2024

The aim of this study was to examine variations in use of antidepressants among children and adolescents in the three Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Norway, and Denmark). We identified new users of antidepressants (5–17 years) during 2007–2018 and described the annual incidence rate, treatment duration, concomitant psychotropic drug use, and the clinical setting of the prescribing physician (in Sweden and Denmark). Incident use of antidepressants increased by a factor 1.9 in Sweden, 1.3 in Norway and decreased by a factor 0.6 in Denmark during the study period. In Sweden, 58% of antidepressant users were covered by a prescription 12 months after initiation compared to 40% in Norway and 49% in Denmark. Also, 34% of Swedish antidepressant users were in continuous treatment after 12 months compared to 26% in Norway and 31% in Denmark. Concomitant use of other psychotropics was more common in Sweden (57%) than in Norway (37%) and Denmark (27%). During 2007–2018, clinicians from psychiatry settings initiated 75% of antidepressant treatments in Sweden, while this was the case for 50% of prescriptions in Denmark, although the proportion increased over time. The number of new antidepressant users is high and still rising in Sweden compared to Norway and Denmark. Swedish antidepressant users are more likely to use other psychotropics and to be covered by an antidepressant prescription after one year. Most antidepressants in Sweden are prescribed by physicians within psychiatric settings suggesting that they are based on specialized psychiatric evaluation.
Hooded crows (Corvus cornix) manufacture objects relative to a mental template
Authors: Smirnova Anna A. , Bulgakova Leia R. , Cheplakova Maria A. , Jelbert Sarah A.
Published: April 2024

It was recently found that not only tool-specialized New Caledonian crows, but also Goffin cockatoos can manufacture physical objects in accordance with a mental template. That is, they can emulate features of existing objects when they manufacture new items. Both species spontaneously ripped pieces of card into large strips if they had previously learned that a large template was rewarded, and small strips when they previously learned that a small template was rewarded. Among New Caledonian crows, this cognitive ability was suggested as a potential mechanism underlying the transmission of natural tool designs. Here, we tested for the same ability in another non-specialised tool user–Hooded crows (Corvus cornix). Crows were exposed to pre-made template objects, varying first in colour and then in size, and were rewarded only if they chose pre-made objects that matched the template. In subsequent tests, birds were given the opportunity to manufacture versions of these objects. All three crows ripped paper pieces from the same colour material as the rewarded template, and, crucially, also manufactured objects that were more similar in size to previously rewarded, than unrewarded, templates, despite the birds being rewarded at random in both tests. Therefore, we found the ability to manufacture physical objects relative to a mental template in yet another bird species not specialized in using or making foraging tools in the wild, but with a high level of brain and cognitive development.
High PPP4C expression predicts poor prognosis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Hui Xue , Li Liru , Xiong Wenjing , Liu Yue , Li Hongbin , Zhang Han , Zhao Shu , Zhang Yue
Published: April 2024

The significance of Protein phosphatase 4 catalytic subunit (PPP4C) in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) prognosis is not well understood. This work aimed to investigate the expression of PPP4C in DLBCL, investigate the correlation between PPP4C expression and clinicopathological parameters, and assess the prognostic significance of PPP4C. The mRNA expression of PPP4C was investigated using data from TCGA and GEO. To further analyze PPP4C expression, immunohistochemistry was performed on tissue microarray samples. Correlation analysis between clinicopathological parameters and PPP4C expression was conducted using Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Univariate and multivariate Cox hazard models were utilized to determine the prognostic significance of clinicopathological features and PPP4C expression. Additionally, survival analysis was performed using Kaplan–Meier survival curves. In both TCGA and GEO datasets, we identified higher mRNA levels of PPP4C in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues. Upon analysis of various clinicopathological features of DLBCL, we observed a correlation between high PPP4C expression and ECOG score (P = 0.003). Furthermore, according to a Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, patients with DLBCL who exhibit high levels of PPP4C had worse overall survival (P = 0.001) and progression-free survival (P = 0.002). PPP4C was shown to be an independent predictive factor for OS and PFS in DLBCL by univariate and multivariate analysis (P = 0.011 and P = 0.040). This study's findings indicate that high expression of PPP4C is linked to a poor prognosis for DLBCL and may function as an independent prognostic factors.
“Teaching capital”– a sociological analysis of medical educator portfolios for promotion
Authors: Christensen Mette Krogh , Pedersen I. M. , Wichmann-Hansen G.
Published: April 2024

Medical educator portfolios (MEP) are increasingly recognized as a tool for developing and documenting teaching performance in Health Professions Education. However, there is a need to better understand the complex interplay between institutional guidelines and how teachers decode those guidelines and assign value to teaching merits. To gain a deeper understanding of this dynamic, this study employed a sociological analysis to understand how medical educators aspiring to professorships use MEPs to display their teaching merits and how cultural capital is reflected in these artefacts. We collected 36 medical educator portfolios for promotion from a large research-intensive university and conducted a deductive content analysis using institutional guidelines that distinguished between mandatory (accounting for the total body of teaching conducted) and optional content (arguing for pedagogical choices and evidencing the quality, respectively). Our analysis showed that the portfolios primarily included quantifiable data about teaching activities, e.g., numbers of students, topics and classes taught. Notably, they often lacked evidence of quality and scholarship of teaching. Looking at these findings through a Bourdieusian lens revealed that teachers in this social field exchange objectified evidence of hours spent on teaching into teaching capital recognized by their institution. Our findings highlight how institutional guidelines for MEPs construct a pedagogical battlefield, where educators try to decode and exchange the “right” and recognized teaching capital. This indicates that MEPs reflect the norms and practices of the academic field more than individual teaching quality.
Identification and Validation of Basement Membrane Related LncRNA Signatures as a Novel Prognostic Model for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Xuyang , Lv Chao , Zheng Jian , Xiao Jingjing , He Nan , Du Jun , Yang Xianwu , Gu Huajian
Published: April 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant cancer with limited treatments and a poor prognosis, with the basement membrane (BM) playing a crucial role in its initiation and growth. This study utilized data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases to identify basement membrane-related genes differentially expressed in HCC. Through gene co-expression analysis, BM-associated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were discovered. LncRNAs related to HCC survival were selected via univariate analysis, and a prognostic model was constructed using LASSO regression and multivariate analysis. This model effectively classified HCC patients into high and low-risk groups, uncovering significant differences in prognosis, immune response, mutation, and drug sensitivity. Six BM-related lncRNAs (GSEC, MIR4435-2HG, AC092614.1, AC127521.1, LINC02580, and AC008050.1) were validated in normal and HCC cell lines, and the key role of AC092614.1 in regulating proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells in vitro was explored. This research emphasizes the prognostic and therapeutic relevance of BM-related lncRNAs in HCC, highlighting AC092614.1’s role in disease progression and as a potential target for targeted therapy.
Ethical Consumerism in Emerging Markets: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Kutaula Smirti , Gillani Alvina , Gregory-Smith Diana , Bartikowski Boris
Published: April 2024

Despite the economic, social, and environmental importance of emerging countries, most existing research into ethical consumerism has focused on developed market contexts. We introduce this Special Issue (SI) and provide a comprehensive thematic literature review considering three broad categories or aspects of ethical consumerism research, (1) contexts of ethical consumption, (2) forms of ethical consumerism, and (3) approaches to explaining ethical consumer behavior. We summarize the articles of this SI as part of the thematic literature review to provide an understanding of how these articles and this SI’s overall contribute to ethical consumerism research. Each article in this SI offers new insights into a specific field of ethical consumerism while focusing on emerging market contexts. Overall, this SI expands knowledge related to the dynamics and challenges of ethical consumerism and offers future research directions in this area.
Policy advice and best practices on bias and fairness in AI
Authors: Alvarez Jose M. , Colmenarejo Alejandra Bringas , Elobaid Alaa , Fabbrizzi Simone , Fahimi Miriam , Ferrara Antonio , Ghodsi Siamak , Mougan Carlos , Papageorgiou Ioanna , Reyero Paula , Russo Mayra , Scott Kristen M. , State Laura , Zhao Xuan , Ruggieri Salvatore
Published: April 2024

The literature addressing bias and fairness in AI models (fair-AI) is growing at a fast pace, making it difficult for novel researchers and practitioners to have a bird’s-eye view picture of the field. In particular, many policy initiatives, standards, and best practices in fair-AI have been proposed for setting principles, procedures, and knowledge bases to guide and operationalize the management of bias and fairness. The first objective of this paper is to concisely survey the state-of-the-art of fair-AI methods and resources, and the main policies on bias in AI, with the aim of providing such a bird’s-eye guidance for both researchers and practitioners. The second objective of the paper is to contribute to the policy advice and best practices state-of-the-art by leveraging from the results of the NoBIAS research project. We present and discuss a few relevant topics organized around the NoBIAS architecture, which is made up of a Legal Layer, focusing on the European Union context, and a Bias Management Layer, focusing on understanding, mitigating, and accounting for bias.
GIS-based relationship between pathway names and landscape. A multilingual case study: Euskadi, Spain
Authors: Mitxelena-Hoyos Oihana , Amaro-Mellado José-Lázaro
Published: April 2024

Place names determine geographic units in space, encapsulate the description of places where inhabitants conduct their activities, and preserve the perception of the territory in past times. The very definition of landscape impacts two interrelated concepts: human action and perception. On another note, traditional pathways are structuring elements of the landscape, bearing witness to the dynamic relationship between the territory and its inhabitants by connecting residences and workplaces. This work aims to assess the relationship between the landscape mosaic and the toponyms of pathways and roads gathered in the current cartography of Euskadi (Spain), a territory influenced by the existence of two official languages. Given the spatial component of the data, this analysis is conducted through geographic information systems. Firstly, a corpus of 3072 pathway names selected from current official toponymic databases is compiled, as well as the content of the first edition of the National Topographic Map. Subsequently, the semantic content of the corpus elements is examined, as well as the nature of their referential content concerning the landscape units obtained from the Atlas of Spanish Landscapes. The results show common factors in characterizing landscapes and the etymology of names. Thus, it is noted that traditional agricultural, forestry, livestock, and traditional industry activities shape the toponymy in the most populated landscape units. Meanwhile, references to the orography typify the more mountainous landscapes. Therefore, the geographical study demonstrates the existence of common factors that link landscape and toponymy, validating one as a study source for the other.
Distribution of periodic orbits in the homology group of a knot complement
Authors: Coles Solly , Sharp Richard
Published: April 2024

Consider a transitive Anosov flow on a closed 3-manifold. After removing a finite set of null-homologous periodic orbits, we study the distribution of the remaining periodic orbits in the homology of the knot complement.
Class-Balanced Regularization for Long-Tailed Recognition
Authors: Xu Yuge , Lyu Chuanlong
Published: April 2024

Long-tailed recognition performs poorly on minority classes. The extremely imbalanced distribution of classifier weight norms leads to a decision boundary biased toward majority classes. To address this issue, we propose Class-Balanced Regularization to balance the distribution of classifier weight norms so that the model can make more balanced and reasonable classification decisions. In detail, CBR separately adjusts the regularization factors based on L2 regularization to be correlated with the class sample frequency positively, rather than using a fixed regularization factor. CBR trains balanced classifiers by increasing the L2 norm penalty for majority classes and reducing the penalty for minority classes. Since CBR is mainly used for classification adjustment instead of feature extraction, we adopt a two-stage training algorithm. In the first stage, the network with the traditional empirical risk minimization is trained, and in the second stage, CBR for classifier adjustment is applied. To validate the effectiveness of CBR, we perform extensive experiments on CIFAR10-LT, CIFAR100-LT, and ImageNet-LT datasets. The results demonstrate that CBR significantly improves performance by effectively balancing the distribution of classifier weight norms.
Period-doubling cascade route to chaos in an initially curved microbeam resonator exposed to fringing-field electrostatic actuation
Authors: Rashidi Zahra , Azizi Saber , Rahmani Omid
Published: April 2024

This paper explores the chaotic dynamics of a piezoelectrically laminated initially curved microbeam resonator subjected to fringing-field electrostatic actuation, for the first time. The resonator is fully clamped at both ends and is coated with two piezoelectric layers, encompassing both the top and bottom surfaces. The nonlinear motion equation which is obtained by considering the nonlinear fringing-field electrostatic force, includes geometric nonlinearities due to the mid-plane stretching and initial curvature. The motion equation is discretized using Galerkin method and the reduced order system is numerically integrated over the time for the time response. The variation of the first three natural frequencies with respect to the applied electrostatic voltage is determined and the frequency response curve is obtained using the combination of shooting and continuation methods. The bifurcation points have been examined and their types have been clarified based on the loci of the Floquet exponents on the complex plane. The period-doubled branches of the frequency response curves originating from the period doubling (PD) bifurcation points are stablished. It's demonstrated that the succession PD cascades leads to chaotic behavior. The chaotic behavior is identified qualitatively by constructing the corresponding Poincaré section and analyzing the response's associated frequency components. The bifurcation diagram is obtained for a wide range of excitation frequency and thus the exact range in which chaotic behavior occurs for the system is determined. The chaotic response of the system is regularized and controlled by applying an appropriate piezoelectric voltage which shifts the frequency response curve along the frequency axis.
Quantifying state transfer strength on graphs with involution
Authors: Lippner Gabor , Shi Yujia
Published: April 2024

This paper discusses continuous-time quantum walks and asymptotic state transfer in graphs with an involution. By providing quantitative bounds on the components of the eigenvectors of the Hamiltonian, it provides an approach to achieving high-fidelity state transfer by strategically selecting energy potentials based on the maximum degrees of the graphs. The study also involves an analysis of the time necessary for quantum transfer to occur.
The steady effect of knowledge co-creation with universities on business scientific impact throughout the economic cycle
Authors: Gómez-Aguayo Ana María , Azagra-Caro Joaquín M. , Benito-Amat Carlos
Published: April 2024

Economic ups and downs condition science and innovation. The research strength of business firms and their cooperation with universities are important functions of science systems. The aim of this research is to analyse some of the links between business scientific output co-creation and impact throughout the economic cycle. Economic growth increases the probability of firms fostering both their scientific knowledge co-creation output and their scientific impact, until reaching an inflection point, after which those relationships become negative. Co-creation with universities intensifies the scientific impact of firms’ output; however, although in theory this effect should vary according to the economic phase, the evidence shows that it remains steady. In this mixed-method study, the theory is grounded through interviews with key university and firm co-authors, and an empirical test is conducted on publications from 15,000 Spanish firms between 2000 and 2016 and their citations—a period which includes the Spanish Great Recession (2008–2014). The analysis suggests that policies to promote business co-creation output with universities should be more stable throughout the economic cycle: with high growth, governments should maintain the support for co-creation that is typical with low growth; with low growth, governments should not expect co-creation with universities to have an even greater positive effect on firms’ scientific quality than it already has with high growth.
The Role of Online Comedy Skits in the Sexual Objectification of Women in Nigeria
Authors: Akalonu Chinwendu Praise , Ha Louisa
Published: April 2024

Recently, online comedy skit creators have become celebrities and influencers in Nigeria, amassing millions of followers on various social media platforms. The influence of these influencers on their followers and society can be harmful when negative messages like sexual objectification of women are propagated. Using a mixed methods approach, this study examines the role that comedy skits play in the promotion of female sexual objectification in Nigeria. The study examines YouTube video content from six (6) major comedy skits makers. The results indicate that all six (6) of the major online skit comedy makers analysed in the study use various elements of sexual objectification such as sexual language, sex appeal, male gaze, and sexualization in their YouTube videos. This finding has implications for women and girls in Nigeria as well as the world since media’s portrayal of women as sexual objects have been linked to global violence against women and girls.