bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of nurses in the management of atopic dermatitis: Results of an international survey
Authors: Aubert Hélène , Thormann Kathrin , Barbarot Sebastien , Chernyshov Pavel , Deleuran Meete , El‐Hachem Maya , de Groot Jette , Marcoux Danielle , Simon Dagmar , Raymakers Florine , Stalder Jean‐François
Published: May 2022

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that has a major impact on the quality of life of patients and their families. Therapeutic patient education (TPE) is recommended for all patients with this condition to improve disease management, adherence to therapy, and quality of life. Nurse‐led consultation, when performed by expert nurses, can be as effective as consultation by dermatologists in this field.

Objective

This study aimed to examine the role of nurses in the management of patients with atopic dermatitis.

Methods

A global survey was carried out to determine the current role of nurses in TPE for patients with AD. A 24‐item online questionnaire was sent to all members of the ISAD‐OPENED network.

Results

In total, 85 health care professionals from 20 countries answered the questionnaire. About 75% of the responding physicians and nurses reported effective interprofessional collaboration. The collaboration between nurse and physician was deemed to be excellent by 51% of the respondents. According to caregivers, a trained nurse could be helpful in many other fields, such as nurse consultations, patient care demonstrations, telephone follow‐ups between consultations, and patient workshops. The main obstacles preventing nurse involvement in TPE are insufficient training of nurses, lack of recognition, and lack of specific funding.

Conclusion

This study emphasises the potential of the help provided by trained nurses throughout the TPE process. Doctor/nurse teams are very promising for TPE in the field of AD because of their potential to improve patient care.
A patient‐friendly 16‐channel transmit/64‐channel receive coil array for combined head–neck MRI at 7 Tesla
Authors: May Markus W. , Hansen Sam‐Luca J. D. , Mahmutovic Mirsad , Scholz Alina , Kutscha Nicolas , Guerin Bastien , Stockmann Jason P. , Barry Robert L. , Kazemivalipour Ehsan , Gumbrecht Rene , Kimmlingen Ralph , Adriany Markus , Chang Yulin , Triantafyllou Christina , Knake Susanne , Wald Lawrence L. , Keil Boris
Published: May 2022

Purpose

To extend the coverage of brain coil arrays to the neck and cervical–spine region to enable combined head and neck imaging at 7 Tesla (T) ultra‐high field MRI.

Methods

The coil array structures of a 64‐channel receive coil and a 16‐channel transmit coil were merged into one anatomically shaped close‐fitting housing. Transmit characteristics were evaluated in a B1+‐field mapping study and an electromagnetic model. Receive SNR and the encoding capability for accelerated imaging were evaluated and compared with a commercially available 7 T brain array coil. The performance of the head–neck array coil was demonstrated in human volunteers using high‐resolution accelerated imaging.

Results

In the brain, the SNR matches the commercially available 32‐channel brain array and showed improvements in accelerated imaging capabilities. More importantly, the constructed coil array improved the SNR in the face area, neck area, and cervical spine by a factor of 1.5, 3.4, and 5.2, respectively, in regions not covered by 32‐channel brain arrays at 7 T. The interelement coupling of the 16‐channel transmit coil ranged from −14 to −44 dB (mean = −19 dB, adjacent elements <−18 dB). The parallel 16‐channel transmit coil greatly facilitates B1+ field shaping required for large FOV neuroimaging at 7 T.

Conclusion

This new head–neck array coil is the first demonstration of a device of this nature used for combined full‐brain, head–neck, and cervical‐spine imaging at 7 T. The array coil is well suited to provide large FOV images, which potentially improves ultrahigh field neuroimaging applications for clinical settings.
Decreasing integration within face network and segregation beyond the face network in the aging brain
Authors: Qing Tianying , Chen Jing , Xue Licheng , Tan Yufei , Huang Zehao , Yang Shimeng , Chen Yuqiu , Wang Jinhui , Zou Qihong , Lv Yating , Zhao Jing
Published: May 2022

Face processing is known to decline in older adults; however, a clear understanding of the brain networks behind this cognitive decline is still lacking. In this study, we investigated the neural correlates of the declined face processing with aging from a resting‐state brain network perspective. Nineteen healthy old adults and 22 young adults were recruited and underwent two functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning sessions (i.e., resting‐state and localizer task) and two behavioral tests (face matching and symbol‐form matching). We examined age‐related alterations in resting‐state functional connectivity (FC) within face network as well as between face network and other networks, and tested their associations with behavioral performance of face and symbol‐form processing. We found that (a) compared with young adults, old adults exhibited decreased FC between face‐selective regions (fusiform face area and occipital face area), but increased FC between face‐selective regions and non‐face‐selective regions; (b) these age‐related FC alterations were correlated with individuals’ behavioral performance of face and symbol‐form processing. Collectively, these findings suggest the declines of face processing are associated with a mixture of decreased integration within the face network and segregation beyond the face network in the aging brain, and provide evidence for a neural basis of cognitive aging in face processing from an intrinsic brain network perspective.
In vitro evaluation of fenfluramine and norfenfluramine as victims of drug interactions
Authors: Martin Parthena , Czerwiński Maciej , Limaye Pallavi B. , Muranjan Seema , Ogilvie Brian W. , Smith Steven , Boyd Brooks
Published: May 2022

Fenfluramine (FFA) has potent antiseizure activity in severe, pharmacoresistant childhood‐onset developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (e.g., Dravet syndrome). To assess risk of drug interaction affecting pharmacokinetics of FFA and its major metabolite, norfenfluramine (nFFA), we conducted in vitro metabolite characterization, reaction phenotyping, and drug transporter−mediated cellular uptake studies. FFA showed low in vitro clearance in human liver S9 fractions and in intestinal S9 fractions in all three species tested (t1/2 > 120 min). Two metabolites (nFFA and an N‐oxide or a hydroxylamine) were detected in human liver microsomes versus six in dog and seven in rat liver microsomes; no metabolite was unique to humans. Selective CYP inhibitor studies showed FFA metabolism partially inhibited by quinidine (CYP2D6, 48%), phencyclidine (CYP2B6, 42%), and furafylline (CYP1A2, 32%) and, to a lesser extent (<15%), by tienilic acid (CYP2C9), esomeprazole (CYP2C19), and troleandomycin (CYP3A4/5). Incubation of nFFA with rCYP1A2, rCYP2B6, rCYP2C19, and rCYP2D6 resulted in 10%−20% metabolism and no clear inhibition of nFFA metabolism by any CYP‐selective inhibitor. Reaction phenotyping showed metabolism of FFA by recombinant human cytochrome P450 (rCYP) enzymes rCYP2B6 (10%–21% disappearance for 1 and 10 µM FFA, respectively), rCYP1A2 (22%−23%), rCYP2C19 (49%−50%), and rCYP2D6 (59%−97%). Neither FFA nor nFFA was a drug transporter substrate. Results show FFA metabolism to nFFA occurs through multiple pathways of elimination. FFA dose adjustments may be needed when administered with strong inhibitors or inducers of multiple enzymes involved in FFA metabolism (e.g., stiripentol).
Association of income and educational levels with adherence to direct oral anticoagulant therapy in patients with incident atrial fibrillation: A Finnish nationwide cohort study
Authors: Teppo Konsta , Jaakkola Jussi , Biancari Fausto , Halminen Olli , Linna Miika , Haukka Jari , Putaala Jukka , Tiili Paula , Lehtonen Ossi , Niemi Mikko , Mustonen Pirjo , Kinnunen Janne , Hartikainen Juha , Airaksinen K. E. Juhani , Lehto Mika
Published: May 2022

Low socioeconomic status has been associated with poor outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, little is known about socioeconomic disparities in adherence to stroke prevention with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). We assessed the hypothesis that AF patients with higher income or educational levels have better adherence to DOACs in terms of treatment implementation and persistence. The used nationwide registry‐based FinACAF cohort covers all patients with incident AF starting DOACs in Finland during 2011–2018. The implementation analyses included 74 222 (mean age 72.7 ± 10.5 years, 50.8% female) patients, and persistence analyses included 67 503 (mean age 75.3 ± 8.9 years, 53.6% female) patients with indication for permanent anticoagulation (CHA2DS2‐VASc score >1 in men and >2 in women). Patients were divided into income quartiles and into three categories based on their educational attainment. Therapy implementation was measured using the medication possession ratio (MPR), and patients with MPR ≥0.90 were defined adherent. Persistence was measured as the incidence of therapy discontinuation, defined as the first 135‐day period without DOAC purchases after drug initiation. Patients with higher income or education were consistently more likely adherent to DOACs in the implementation phase (comparing the highest income or educational category to the lowest: adjusted odds ratios 1.18 (1.12–1.25) and 1.21 (1.15–1.27), respectively). No association with income or educational levels was observed on the incidence of therapy discontinuation. In conclusion, we observed that income and educational levels both have independent positive association on the implementation of DOAC therapy but no association on therapy persistence in patients with AF.
Hearing loss: The final frontier of pharmacology
Authors: Foster Alan C. , Jacques Bonnie E. , Piu Fabrice
Published: May 2022

Despite a prevalence greater than cancer or diabetes, there are no currently approved drugs for the treatment of hearing loss. Research over the past two decades has led to a vastly improved understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms in the cochlea that lead to hearing deficits and the advent of novel strategies to combat them. Combined with innovative methods that enable local drug delivery to the inner ear, these insights have paved the way for promising therapies that are now under clinical investigation. In this review, we will outline this renaissance of cochlear biology and drug development, focusing on noise, age‐related, and chemotherapy‐induced hearing dysfunction.
The impact of hybrid oceanic data assimilation in a coupled model: A case study of a tropical cyclone
Authors: Leung Tsz Yan , Lawless Amos S. , Nichols Nancy K. , Lea Daniel J. , Martin Matthew J.
Published: May 2022

Tropical cyclones tend to result in distinctive spatial and temporal characteristics in the upper ocean, which suggests that traditional, parametrisation‐based background‐error covariances in oceanic data assimilation (DA) may not be suitable. Using the case study of Cyclone Titli, which affected the Bay of Bengal in October 2018, we explore hybrid methods that combine the traditional covariance modelling strategy used in variational methods with flow‐dependent estimates of the ocean's error covariance structures based on a short‐range ensemble forecast. This hybrid approach is investigated in the UK Met Office's state‐of‐the‐art system. Single‐observation experiments in the ocean reveal that the hybrid approach is capable of producing analysis increments that are time‐varying, more anisotropic and vertically less uniform. When the hybrid oceanic covariances are incorporated into a weakly coupled DA system, the sea‐surface temperature (SST) in the path of the cyclone is changed, not only through the different specifications of background‐error covariances used in the SST assimilation, but also through the propagation of subsurface temperature differences to the surface as a result of vertical mixing associated with the cyclone's strong winds. The coupling with the atmosphere then leads to a discrepancy in the cyclone's central pressure, which brings forth further SST differences due to the different representations of the cyclone's emerging cold wake.
Coupled support tensor machine classification for multimodal neuroimaging data
Authors: Li Peide , Sofuoglu Seyyid Emre , Aviyente Selin , Maiti Tapabrata
Published: May 2022

Multimodal data arise in various applications where information about the same phenomenon is acquired from multiple sensors and across different imaging modalities. Learning from multimodal data is of great interest in machine learning and statistics research as this offers the possibility of capturing complementary information among modalities. Multimodal modeling helps to explain the interdependence between heterogeneous data sources, discovers new insights that may not be available from a single modality, and improves decision‐making. Recently, coupled matrix–tensor factorization has been introduced for multimodal data fusion to jointly estimate latent factors and identify complex interdependence among the latent factors. However, most of the prior work on coupled matrix–tensor factors focuses on unsupervised learning and there is little work on supervised learning using the jointly estimated latent factors. This paper considers the multimodal tensor data classification problem. A coupled support tensor machine (C‐STM) built upon the latent factors jointly estimated from the advanced coupled matrix–tensor factorization is proposed. C‐STM combines individual and shared latent factors with multiple kernels and estimates a maximal‐margin classifier for coupled matrix–tensor data. The classification risk of C‐STM is shown to converge to the optimal Bayes risk, making it a statistically consistent rule. C‐STM is validated through simulation studies as well as a simultaneous analysis on electroencephalography with functional magnetic resonance imaging data. The empirical evidence shows that C‐STM can utilize information from multiple sources and provide a better classification performance than traditional single‐mode classifiers.
NLOphoric Azo Dyes Studied Using Z‐Scan
Authors: Ramugade Supriya H. , Ghanavatkar Chaitannya W. , Mathew Elizabeth , Aswathy P. , Joe Isaac H. , Sekar Nagaiyan
Published: May 2022

Disperse Red 343((E)‐N‐(2‐((2,6‐dicyano‐4‐methylphenyl) diazenyl) ‐ 5 ‐ (diethylamino) phenyl)methanesulfonamide,1 a), Disperse Red177((E) ‐ methyl3‐((2‐cyanoethyl)(4‐((6‐nitrobenzo [d]thiazol‐2‐yl)diazenyl) phenyl) amino) propanoate,1 b), Disperse Blue 165((E) ‐ N ‐ (2 ‐ ((2,6 ‐ dicyano ‐ 4 ‐nitrophenyl)diazenyl)‐5‐ (diethylamino) phenyl) acetamide, 1 c), Disperse Blue 165.1((E) ‐ N ‐ (5 ‐ (benzyl (ethyl) amino) ‐ 2 ‐ ((2‐cyano ‐ 4,6‐dinitrophenyl) diazenyl) phenyl) acetamide, 1 d), Disperse Blue 366 ((E) ‐ 2 ‐ ((4‐ (diethylamino) ‐ 2 ‐ methylphenyl) diazenyl) ‐ 5 nitroisophthalonitrile, 1 e), and Disperse Blue 148((E) ‐ methyl 3‐(ethyl (4 ‐ ((5 ‐ nitrobenzo [c]I sothiazol‐3‐yl) diazenyl) phenyl) amino) propanoate, 1 f) were examined in solvents for their non‐linear optical properties using Z‐scan technique. Because of their CT characteristics, they have shown positive solvatochromism. As observed in nonpolar solvents, the ground states are more stable than their excited states. Changes in solvating the low‐lying ground state and the state above generate the bathochromic shift in vertical excitation. The dye 1 b produces the maximum
due to strong NO2 donor‐ п‐ acceptors systems in DMSO. We found a positive nonlinear refractive index (η2) in both series using the closed aperture (valley‐peak) compared to the other five disperse dyes. Dye 1 c (with two cyano groups) has a ′larger nonlinear susceptibility (χ3)′ in DMSO than in the other two solvents (acetone, ethanol). Dye 1 a–1 f showed LDT (9.109, 6.553,4.641,6.44) W/m2 respectively. The “nonlinear absorptive coefficient (β), nonlinear refractive index (η2), third‐order nonlinear optical susceptibility χ(3) and optical limiting (OL)” of acetone, ethanol, and DMSO are determined using the Z‐scan technique, and the results are significantly better than earlier known dyes.
Triphenylamine Derived Radical Cations for Colorimetric Cu2+ Sensors and as an Antibacterial Agent
Authors: He Luqi , Tan Jiao , Liu Chun , Wu Shouting , Zhang Qi‐Long , Redshaw Carl , Ni Xin‐Long
Published: May 2022

Herein, a series of triphenylamine derivatives (TPAs), which are comprised of electron donor and acceptor moieties, have been exploited as sensitive colorimetric sensors for Cu2+, operating via the formation of the corresponding organic radicals through a redox reaction in a mixed solvent system (acetonitrile/water). Further studies indicated that the Cu2+ recognition triggered organic radical cations were stable in aqueous solution, and can be used as an antibacterial agent for both Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) at very low concentrations (10−7 M). On comparison with light irradiated photodynamic therapy triggered radicals, the present work reveals that the direct use of radical cations of TPAs is more convenient for practical applications in killing bacteria. This work thus provides new insight into the design of sensitive colorimetric sensors and antibacterial agents.
Comparative study of probabilistic modeling approaches for chloride ingress in concrete structures with macro‐cracks
Authors: Schultheiß Annika Lidwina , Patel Ravi A. , Vogel Michael , Dehn Frank
Published: May 2022

Probabilistic service life analyses for assessing the risk of chloride‐induced corrosion in uncracked concrete are often realized using the well‐known chloride ingress model of the fib Model Code for Service Life Design. In practice, however, concrete includes cracks, which alter the resistance of the concrete against the chloride ingress. In the past, different approaches to account for preexisting cracks, were developed. In this study, these modeling approaches are summarized and compared in context of the probabilistic service life prognosis. Furthermore, a new approach to account for cracks by theoretically adapting the convection zone is presented. This study demonstrates that the choice of model extension to account for cracks vastly influences the prediction results and shows the limits of application of the current extensions.
A multi‐dimensional analysis of the subjective well‐being of self‐initiated expatriates: The case of Nigerian expatriates in Germany
Authors: Merchant Hemant , Rao‐Nicholson Rekha , Iheikhena Eromosele Golden
Published: May 2022

This paper examines the role of four types of influences on the Subjective Well‐Being of Nigerian self‐initiated expatriates in Germany: (1) Individual, (2) Group, (3) Social, and (4) Organizational. Based on survey data from 377 respondents, we find that variables in all four categories influence subjective well‐being. Our findings generally agree with the results predicted by the theory, albeit a few counter‐intuitive findings. Above all, our results indicate the potency of social‐ and group‐level influences. The individual‐ and organizational‐level influences, too, are significant, although to a slightly lesser extent. Overall, our results suggest that “soft” factors play an important role in augmenting perceptions about one's own well‐being in the context of international assignments.
A Comparative Discourse Analysis of African Newspaper Reports on Global Epidemics: A Case Study of Ebola and Coronavirus
Authors: Nkoala Sisanda
Published: May 2022

This qualitative multi-case study analyses how two African newspapers engaged in self-presentation of African countries and other-presentation of Western countries when reporting on the outbreak of diseases. Using van Dijk’s ideological square as a framework, the study undertakes a discourse analysis of news reports on the 2014 Ebola outbreak and the 2020 Coronavirus outbreak reported by the South African daily broadsheet, theSowetan, and the Nigerian daily broadsheet, theDaily Trust. The analysis shows that in their reports on European countries and the United States of America, the discourse’s macro- and microstructures emphasised the positive features of Western nations and de-emphasised the negative ones. Conversely, concerning African countries, there was a tendency to de-emphasise the positive while emphasising the negative ones. As a result, the newspaper reports were found to engage in negative self-presentation of African countries and positive other-presentation of Western countries, perpetuating the “us vs them” ideology that newspapers from Europe and America employ when reporting on the outbreak of diseases in Africa.
State Actor Policy and Regulation Across the Platform-SVOD Divide
Authors: Cunningham Stuart , Eklund Oliver
Published: May 2022

There are rapidly growing concerns worldwide about the impact of content aggregation and distribution through digital platforms on traditional media industries and society in general. These have given rise to policy and regulation across the social pillar, including issues of privacy, moderation, and cyberbullying; the public interest/infosphere pillar, with issues such as fake news, the democratic deficit, and the crisis in journalism; and the competition pillar, involving issues based on platform dominance in advertising markets. The cultural pillar, involving the impact of SVODs on the ability of content regulation to support local production capacity, is often bracketed out of these debates. We argue this divide is increasingly untenable due to the convergent complexities of contemporary media and communications policy and regulation. We pursue this argument by offering three issues that bring policy and regulation together across the platform-SVOD divide: digital and global players have been beyond the reach of established broadcasting regulation; the nature of the Silicon Valley playbook for disrupting media markets; and platforms and SVODs now need not only to be aggregators but also contributors to local cultures. We draw on three examples: the European Union, Canada and Australia.
Platforms and the Press: Regulatory Interventions to Address an Imbalance of Power
Authors: Royal Asa , Napoli Philip M.
Published: May 2022

The relatively short relationship between digital platforms and the news media has been characterized by constant evolution and conflict. As the economics of journalism have faltered and digital platforms have risen to become prominent gateways to the news, that relationship has increasingly caught the attention of policymakers. This chapter focuses on recent developments in three countries (Germany, France, and Australia) that have been particularly active in intervening in the relationship between digital platforms and the press. It highlights national government efforts to require platforms such as Google and Facebook to compensate news organizations for distributing their content. This chapter provides an overview of these efforts and their underlying political dynamics. It concludes with an assessment of the broader implications of the actions that these countries have taken and a consideration of future and alternative policy options.
Design of Educational Scenarios with BigFoot Walking Robot: A Cyber-physical System Perspective to Pedagogical Rehabilitation
Authors: Nikolov Valentin , Dimitrova Maya , Chavdarov Ivan , Krastev Aleksandar , Wagatsuma Hiroaki
Published: May 2022

The currently designed novel educational scenarios with the walking robot BigFoot from a cyberphysical system perspective to pedagogical rehabilitation is described in the paper. The sensor system of the robot is presented, which is being developed further in order to adequately apply it to two newly formulated educational scenarios. The results of a pilot study are discussed.
Die Tagung Wohnen und Gesundheit im Alter
Authors: Kibele Eva , Teti Andrea
Published: May 2022

Allein durch die demografische Alterung betreffen gesundheitliche Einschränkungen und Pflegebedürftigkeit im Alter immer mehr Menschen. Dies hat Auswirkungen auf die Wohnmöglichkeiten, ebenso kann die Wohnsituation die Gesundheit beeinflussen. Die Texte in diesem Band zeigen ein vielfältiges Bild der Chancen und Herausforderungen von Wohnen und Gesundheit im Alter. Multidisziplinäre Herangehensweisen zeichnen die Beiträge aus, die zumeist aus wissenschaftlicher Sicht und teils mit direktem Praxisbezug entstanden sind. Aus vielen Darstellungen können konkrete Handlungsempfehlungen für das Wohnen im Alter abgeleitet werden.
Gemeinwesenbasierte Gesundheitsförderung mit älteren Menschen im ländlichen Raum – Ein Beitrag der partizipativen Sozial- und Gesundheitsforschung
Authors: Mairhofer Sigrid
Published: May 2022

Das hier vorgestellte partizipative Forschungsprojekt untersucht die Chancen und Herausforderungen eines gesunden Alterns im ländlichen Raum. Der Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf einer kritischen Auseinandersetzung des Grades der Teilhabemöglichkeiten aller Stakeholder im Forschungsprozess und bietet damit eine Diskussionsgrundlage, wie partizipative Forschung mit älteren Menschen im ländlichen Raum umgesetzt werden kann.
Vernetzte Versorgung und Teilhabe im Alter – Beschleunigung durch die Corona-Krise?
Authors: Heinze Rolf G.
Published: May 2022

Bis zum Ausbruch der globalen Corona-Pandemie wurde als zentrale Herausforderung, neben der Digitalisierung und dem Klimawandel, auf den demografischen Wandel verwiesen. Diese Fokussierung ergab sich daraus, dass im nächsten Jahrzehnt allein in Deutschland die Zahl der Rentner und Pensionäre gegenüber heute um mehr als drei Millionen ansteigen wird, während die erwerbsfähige Bevölkerung schrumpft. Inzwischen hat sich die Situation verändert: Ein Virus hat uns unvorbereitet getroffen und die gesellschaftlichen Auswirkungen sind elementar. Dennoch geht die Alterung der Gesellschaft weiter und bei der Bewältigung dieser Aufgaben können die in der Corona-Krise erworbenen Erfahrungen (etwa mit der Digitalisierung) weiterhelfen.
Wohnen und Gesundheit im Alter aus epidemiologischer Sicht
Authors: Fuchs Judith , Nowossadeck Sonja , Nowossadeck Enno
Published: May 2022

Fragen von Wohnen und Gesundheit im Alter haben in den letzten Jahren an Bedeutung gewonnen. Ursache hierfür ist die demografische Alterung, einer der wichtigsten demografischen Trends. Demografische Alterung bezeichnet die Verschiebung der Altersstruktur einer Bevölkerung zugunsten älterer und zuungunsten jüngerer Bevölkerungsgruppen.
Governance der EU-Datenschutzpolitik
Authors: Karaboga Murat , Martin Nicholas , Friedewald Michael
Published: May 2022

Trotz einiger Kritikpunkte stellt die EU-Datenschutz-Grundverordnung (DSGVO) das weltweit ambitionierteste Gesetz zum Schutz personenbezogener Daten dar. Die DSGVO führte mehrere Innovationen in das Datenschutzrecht ein. Dazu zählen beispielsweise das Marktortprinzip, das Recht auf Datenübertragbarkeit, die Anforderungen an den Datenschutz durch Systemgestaltung und durch Voreinstellungen sowie die Datenschutz-Folgenabschätzung. Auf der Ebene der Governance-Strukturen fand das Prinzip der sog. Rechenschaftspflicht Eingang in das EU-Datenschutzrecht. An die Seite gestärkter Betroffenenrechte und gestärkter Aufsichtsbehörden trat die Pflicht der Datenverarbeiter, selbständig und – in Abhängigkeit vom Risiko der jeweiligen Verarbeitung – unter geringerem organisatorischen Aufwand für die Einhaltung der Datenschutzregeln zu sorgen. Als Element dieser Rechenschaftspflicht wurde das mögliche Sanktionsmaß auf eine Bußgeldhöhe von 20 Mio. EUR oder im Falle eines Unternehmens auf bis zu 4 Die DSGVO war aber auch Kritik ausgesetzt. Aus bürgerrechtlicher Seite stechen die unzureichende Harmonisierung und die falsch verstandene Technikneutralität der DSGVO hervor. So beinhaltet die DSGVO trotz der anfänglichen Intention der EU-Kommission, das EU-Datenschutzrecht zu vereinheitlichen, 70 Öffnungsklauseln. Diese ermöglichen es den Mitgliedstaaten von den Vorgaben der Verordnung abzuweichen oder diese zu konkretisieren. Zudem wird die DSGVO dahingehend kritisiert, dass die Datenschutz-Risiken moderner Technologien unberücksichtigt blieben. Aus der Perspektive der datenverarbeitenden Wirtschaft wird die DSGVO dagegen im Hinblick auf die mit der neuen Regelung verbundene administrative Mehrbelastung kritisiert. Dieser Beitrag widmet sich der Auseinandersetzung mit beiden Strängen der Kritik und beantwortet zwei Fragen: Zum einen interessiert uns, weshalb die Einführung datenschutzrechtlicher Innovationen durch eine unzureichende Harmonisierung und eine falsch verstandene Technikneutralität begleitet wurden. Zum anderen widmen wir uns der Frage zu, wie die Innovationen der DSGVO, insbesondere das Sanktionsregime, wirken und welche Effekte die DSGVO auf die Innovationsfähigkeit von Unternehmen hat – wirkt sie eher innovationsfördernd oder innovationshemmend?
Privatheit, Ethik und demokratische Selbstregulierung in einer digitalen Gesellschaft
Authors: Heesen Jessica , Ammicht Quinn Regina , Baur Andreas , Hagendorff Thilo , Stapf Ingrid
Published: May 2022

Der Beitrag diskutiert aus ethisch-philosophischer Perspektive die Bedeutung des Konzepts Privatheit für individuelle Freiheit, Selbstverwirklichung und demokratische Teilhabe. Es wird dargestellt, dass in einer datafizierten Gesellschaft das private, individuelle Handeln durch umfassende Datenerhebungen abgebildet und für das politische Handeln fruchtbar gemacht werden kann. Auf diesem Wege können individuelle und private Handlungen durch ihre technische Verdichtung und Auswertung zu überindividuellen und öffentlichen Strukturbedingungen werden. Der Beitrag verdeutlicht, dass – trotz der Schutzwürdigkeit einer privaten Sphäre – private, individuelle Handlungen nicht zum bestimmenden Maßstab politischen Handelns werden dürfen. Dabei werden Argumente aus Demokratietheorie, Technokratiedebatte sowie Probleme der Widersprüche von Wertüberzeugungen und individueller Handlungspraxis (value-action gap) diskutiert. Vor diesem Hintergrund wird der Forschungsstand moderner Privatheitstheorien anhand einer Unterscheidung zwischen ihren individuellen und überindividuellen Dimensionen systematisiert. Die Beispiele Clouddienste und Medienmündigkeit vertiefen und veranschaulichen die Bedeutung von Privatheit und informationeller Selbstbestimmung für den Schutz der Demokratie.
Datenschutz und Privatheitsschutz durch Gestaltung der Systeme
Authors: Hansen Marit , Bieker Felix , Bremert Benjamin
Published: May 2022

Der Beitrag erläutert die Aspekte des Daten- und Privatheitsschutzes durch Systemgestaltung. Auf eine einleitende Erläuterung der Systemgestaltung folgt eine Darstellung des Risikobegriffs der DSGVO. Der Risikobegriff als zentraler Bestandteil und wesentliche Neuerung im harmonisierten Datenschutzrecht stellt zugleich den Maßstab für die Anforderungen an die Systemgestaltung dar. Der sog. risikobasierte Ansatz ist dabei nicht nur für eine Betrachtung der Datenschutzrisiken der betroffenen Personen maßgeblich, sondern erfordert eine umfassende Berücksichtigung sämtlicher aus Datenverarbeitungsvorgängen resultierenden Risiken für die Rechte und Freiheiten natürlicher Personen. Eine solche Beurteilung setzt voraus, dass die Verantwortlichen die spezifischen Grundrechtsrisiken ihrer Datenverarbeitungsvorgänge identifizieren können. Daher stellt der Beitrag einen Ansatz der Risikoerkennung vor, der auf einer systematischen Darstellung der jeweiligen Datenverarbeitung aufbaut und diese mit einer zeitlichen Systematisierung möglicher Grundrechtsausübung verknüpft, die eine solche Risikoerkennung für die Verantwortlichen erleichtern kann. Sodann werden die maßgeblichen Kriterien für die Bewertung der Risiken vorgestellt. Hierbei kommt es auf die Art, den Umfang, die Umstände und die Zwecke der jeweiligen Verarbeitung personenbezogener Daten an. Auf der Grundlage der so erkannten und bewerteten Risiken können Verantwortliche im Vorfeld einer Datenverarbeitung eine datenschutzkonforme Systemgestaltung sicherstellen. Dies umfasst sowohl die Umsetzung der Anforderungen an Datenschutz durch Technikgestaltung, d. h. die Implementierung technischer und organisatorischer Maßnahmen auf Grundlage der erkannten Risiken und Datenschutzgrundsätze, als auch die Berücksichtigung datenschutzfreundlicher Voreinstellungen. Zuletzt werden Spannungsfelder datenschutzrechtlicher Sachverhalte angesprochen. Die Querverbindungen und Auswirkungen datenschutzfreundlicher Verarbeitungsverfahren auf etwa Aspekte der Informationsfreiheit (im Kontext öffentlicher Stellen), des Umweltschutzes, des Datenzugangs und des Kartellrechts werden beleuchtet. Mit einer Folgenabschätzung sowie einer frühzeitigen und systematischen datenschutzfreundlichen Systemgestaltung lassen sich in der Regel Lösungen finden, die sämtliche Anforderungen in ausreichendem Maße berücksichtigen.
Simplifying Karnaugh Maps by Making Groups of Non-power-of-two Elements
Authors: Garrido Mario
Published: May 2022

When we study the Karnaugh map in the switching theory course, we learn that the ones in the map are combined in rectangles whose length and width must be a power of two. The result is the logic function described as a sum of products. This paper shows that we can also make groups where the length and width of the rectangles are equal to three. This results in a logic function that is simpler than the sum of products in terms of logic gates, leading to more hardware-efficient circuits. This idea is extended later in the paper to other groups of elements. Finally, a new perspective on the Karnaugh map that integrates the proposed approach with the conventional one is provided. This can be used in switching theory courses to improve the explanation of the Karnaugh map.
Birthweight, BMI in adulthood and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults: a Mendelian randomisation study
Authors: Wei Yuxia , Zhan Yiqiang , Löfvenborg Josefin E. , Tuomi Tiinamaija , Carlsson Sofia
Published: May 2022

Aims/hypothesis

Observational studies have found an increased risk of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) associated with low birthweight and adult overweight/obese status. We aimed to investigate whether these associations are causal, using a two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) design. In addition, we compared results for LADA and type 2 diabetes.

Methods

We identified 43 SNPs acting through the fetal genome as instrumental variables (IVs) for own birthweight from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of the Early Growth Genetics Consortium (EGG) and the UK Biobank. We identified 820 SNPs as IVs for adult BMI from a GWAS of the UK Biobank and the Genetic Investigation of ANthropometric Traits consortium (GIANT). Summary statistics for the associations between IVs and LADA were extracted from the only GWAS involving 2634 cases and 5947 population controls. We used the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) estimator as our primary analysis, supplemented by a series of sensitivity analyses.

Results

Genetically determined own birthweight was inversely associated with LADA (OR per SD [~500 g] decrease in birthweight 1.68 [95% CI 1.01, 2.82]). In contrast, genetically predicted BMI in adulthood was positively associated with LADA (OR per SD [~4.8 kg/m2] increase in BMI 1.40 [95% CI 1.14, 1.71]). Robust results were obtained in a range of sensitivity analyses using other MR estimators or excluding some IVs. With respect to type 2 diabetes, the association with birthweight was not stronger than in LADA while the association with adult BMI was stronger than in LADA.

Conclusions/ interpretation

This study provides genetic support for a causal link between low birthweight, adult overweight/obese status and LADA.

Graphical abstract
Using AI and ML to optimize information discovery in under-utilized, Holocaust-related records
Authors: Carter Kirsten Strigel , Gondek Abby , Underwood William , Randby Teddy , Marciano Richard
Published: May 2022

Digital cultural assets are often thought to exist in separate spheres based on their two principal points of origin: digitized and born digital. Increasingly, advances in digital curation are blurring this dichotomy, by introducing so-called “collections as data,” which regardless of their origination make cultural assets more amenable to the application of new computational tools and methodologies. This paper brings together archivists, scholars, and technologists to demonstrate computational treatments of digital cultural assets using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques that can help unlock hard-to-reach archival content. It describes an extended, iterative study applied to digitized and datafied WWII-era records housed at the FDR Presidential Library, rich content that is regrettably under-utilized by scholars examining American responses to the Holocaust. Authors detail the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration for evaluating user needs, identifying and applying tools and methodologies (including ML through object detection and AI through Named Entity Recognition or NER), and reaching the real-world outcome of public access to augmented data. They also discuss issues of digital representation, relational context, and interface design to enable new modes of public and scholarly access. While based on a case study, we believe that this work is a substantial contribution to revealing the strengths and weaknesses of using AI/ML systems in cultural organizations. We give particular care to lessons learned, and generalize the approach taken across broad classes of collections with a focus on responsive iterations, reproducibility, and the relevance of data and its structures to users.
Fine mapping and candidate gene analysis of a dravet syndrome modifier locus on mouse chromosome 11
Authors: Kearney Jennifer A. , Copeland-Hardin Letonia D. , Duarte Samantha , Zachwieja Nicole A. , Eckart-Frank Isaiah K. , Hawkins Nicole A.
Published: May 2022

Pathogenic variants in SCN1A result in a spectrum of phenotypes ranging from mild febrile seizures to Dravet syndrome, a severe infant-onset epileptic encephalopathy. Individuals with Dravet syndrome have developmental delays, elevated risk for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), and have multiple seizure types that are often refractory to treatment. Although most Dravet syndrome variants arise de novo, there are cases where an SCN1A variant was inherited from mildly affected parents, as well as some individuals with de novo loss-of-function or truncation mutations that presented with milder phenotypes. This suggests that disease severity is influenced by other factors that modify expressivity of the primary mutation, which likely includes genetic modifiers. Consistent with this, the Scn1a+/− mouse model of Dravet syndrome exhibits strain-dependent variable phenotype severity. Scn1a+/− mice on the 129S6/SvEvTac (129) strain have no overt phenotype and a normal lifespan, while [C57BL/6Jx129]F1.Scn1a+/− mice have severe epilepsy with high rates of premature death. Low resolution genetic mapping identified several Dravet syndrome modifier (Dsm) loci responsible for the strain-dependent difference in survival of Scn1a+/− mice. To confirm the Dsm5 locus and refine its position, we generated interval-specific congenic strains carrying 129-derived chromosome 11 alleles on the C57BL/6J strain and localized Dsm5 to a 5.9 Mb minimal region. We then performed candidate gene analysis in the modifier region. Consideration of brain-expressed genes with expression or coding sequence differences between strains along with gene function suggested numerous strong candidates, including several protein coding genes and two miRNAs that may regulate Scn1a transcript.
Super Graphs on Groups, I
Authors: Arunkumar G. , Cameron Peter J. , Nath Rajat Kanti , Selvaganesh Lavanya
Published: May 2022

Let G be a finite group. A number of graphs with the vertex set G have been studied, including the power graph, enhanced power graph, and commuting graph. These graphs form a hierarchy under the inclusion of edge sets, and it is useful to study them together. In addition, several authors have considered modifying the definition of these graphs by choosing a natural equivalence relation on the group such as equality, conjugacy, or equal orders, and joining two elements if there are elements in their equivalence class that are adjacent in the original graph. In this way, we enlarge the hierarchy into a second dimension. Using the three graph types and three equivalence relations mentioned gives nine graphs, of which in general only two coincide; we find conditions on the group for some other pairs to be equal. These often define interesting classes of groups, such as EPPO groups, 2-Engel groups, and Dedekind groups. We study some properties of graphs in this new hierarchy. In particular, we characterize the groups for which the graphs are complete, and in most cases, we characterize the dominant vertices (those joined to all others). Also, we give some results about universality, perfectness, and clique number.
Deferral of non-emergency cardiac procedures is associated with increased early emergency cardiovascular hospitalizations
Authors: Andreß Stefanie , Stephan Tilman , Felbel Dominik , Mack Alex , Baumhardt Michael , Kersten Johannes , Buckert Dominik , Pott Alexander , Dahme Tillman , Rottbauer Wolfgang , Imhof Armin , Rattka Manuel
Published: May 2022

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, in anticipation of a demand surge for high-care hospital beds, many hospitals postponed non-emergency interventions of cardiac patients.

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of cardiac patients whose non-emergency interventions had been deferred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Patients whose non-emergency cardiac intervention had been cancelled between March 19th and April 30th, 2020 were included (study group). All patients were considered as deferrable according to current recommendations. Patients’ outcomes after 12 months were compared to a seasonal control group who underwent non-emergency interventions in 2019 as scheduled. The primary endpoint was a composite of emergency cardiovascular hospitalization and death. Secondary endpoints were levels of symptoms and cardiac biomarkers.

Results

Outcomes of 193 consecutive patients in the study group were assessed and compared to 216 controls. The primary endpoint occurred significantly more often in the study group (HR 2.42, 95%CI 1.63–3.61, p < 0.001). This was driven by an increase in hospitalizations. Subgroup analyses showed that especially patients with a deferred transcatheter heart valve intervention experienced early emergency hospitalization (HR 9.55, 95%CI 3.70–24.62, p < 0.001). These findings were accompanied by more pronounced symptoms and higher biomarker levels.

Conclusions

Deferral of non-emergency cardiac interventions to meet the higher demand for hospital beds during the COVID-19 crisis is associated with early emergency cardiovascular hospitalizations. Patients suffering from valvular heart disease especially constitute a vulnerable group. Consequently, our results suggest that current recommendations on the management of cardiovascular disease during the COVID-19 pandemic need revision.

Graphical abstract
Systematic literature review of the epidemiology of glyphosate and neurological outcomes
Authors: Chang Ellen T. , Odo Nnaemeka U. , Acquavella John F.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Human health risk assessments of glyphosate have focused on animal toxicology data for determining neurotoxic potential. Human epidemiological studies have not yet been systematically reviewed for glyphosate neurotoxicity hazard identification. The objective of this systematic literature review was to summarize the available epidemiology of glyphosate exposure and neurological outcomes in humans.

Methods

As of December 2021, 25 eligible epidemiological studies of glyphosate exposure and neurological endpoints were identified and assessed for five quality dimensions using guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Studies that assessed personal use of glyphosate were prioritized, whereas those assessing indirect exposure (other than personal use) were rated as low quality, since biomonitoring data indicate that indirect metrics of glyphosate exposure almost always equate to non-detectable glyphosate doses.

Results

Overall, the scientific evidence on glyphosate and neurotoxicity in humans is sparse and methodologically limited, based on nine included epidemiological studies of neurodegenerative outcomes (two high quality), five studies of neurobehavioral outcomes (two high quality), six studies of neurodevelopmental outcomes (none high quality), and five studies of other and mixed neurological outcomes (one high quality). The five high-quality studies showed no association between glyphosate use and risk of depression, Parkinson disease, or peripheral nerve conduction velocity. Results were mixed among the eight moderate-quality studies, which did not demonstrate consistent associations with any neurological endpoints or categories. Low-quality studies were considered uninformative about possible neurotoxic effects due primarily to questionable assessments of indirect exposure.

Conclusions

No association has been demonstrated between glyphosate and any neurological outcomes in humans. To move the state of science forward, epidemiological studies should focus on scenarios involving direct and frequent use of glyphosate while collecting information on validated health outcomes, concomitant agricultural exposures, and relevant personal characteristics.
Feasibility, efficacy, and cautionary note of endoscopic resection for gastric tube cancer after esophagectomy
Authors: Inokuchi Yasuhiro , Watanabe Mamoru , Hayashi Kei , Kaneta Yoshihiro , Furuta Mitsuhiro , Machida Nozomu , Maeda Shin
Published: May 2022

Background

Gastric tube cancer (GTC), whose usual histology is adenocarcinoma, occurs frequently as a result of improved survival after esophagectomy. Whether endoscopic resection (ER) for GTC is safe and suitable and guidelines for treatment and follow-up remains unclear.

Methods

Patients with GTC who underwent ER at Kanagawa Cancer Center Hospital between 1997 and 2020 were studied retrospectively to evaluate clinical characteristics and short- and long-term outcomes.

Results

Twenty-two consecutive patients with 43 lesions were treated in 42 sessions of ER. Lesions were discovered at a median of 9.0 (0–21.8) years after esophageal surgery. Nine (40.9%) patients had multiple lesions at the time of the initial ER session. However, six (54.5%) of the 11 co-existing lesions were overlooked. The location of the middle third was an estimated risk factor for overlooking (p = 0.028). In endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) cases, the en bloc dissection rate was as high as 97.1%, and the rates of bleeding, perforation, and aspiration pneumonitis were 17.6%, 0%, and 2.9%, respectively. The bleeding rate was relatively higher than that in usual gastric ESD. Twelve patients (54.5%) experienced synchronous and/or metachronous multiple GTCs during their life span. Thirteen (61.9%) patients died during the median follow-up period of 5.9 (0.7–15.5) years. One patient (7.7%) died of GTC recurrence, 15.4 years after the initial non-curative ER date; 3 (23.1%) patients died of esophageal cancer recurrence, and 3 (23.1%) died of other organ malignancies. The 5-year overall survival rate was 85.0%, and the 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 100%.

Conclusions

ER is feasible for GTCs. However, the rate of bleeding was high in ESD cases. Life-long endoscopic screening of metachronous lesions is desirable. Care should be taken not to overlook lesions in the middle third of the gastric tube. Early detection of esophageal cancer recurrence and other organ malignancies may improve prognosis.