bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prioritising deteriorating patients using time-to-event analysis: prediction model development and internal–external validation
Authors: Blythe Robin , Parsons Rex , Barnett Adrian G. , Cook David , McPhail Steven M. , White Nicole M.
Published: July 2024

Background

Binary classification models are frequently used to predict clinical deterioration, however they ignore information on the timing of events. An alternative is to apply time-to-event models, augmenting clinical workflows by ranking patients by predicted risks. This study examines how and why time-to-event modelling of vital signs data can help prioritise deterioration assessments using lift curves, and develops a prediction model to stratify acute care inpatients by risk of clinical deterioration.

Methods

We developed and validated a Cox regression for time to in-hospital mortality. The model used time-varying covariates to estimate the risk of clinical deterioration. Adult inpatient medical records from 5 Australian hospitals between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2020 were used for model development and validation. Model discrimination and calibration were assessed using internal–external cross validation. A discrete-time logistic regression model predicting death within 24 h with the same covariates was used as a comparator to the Cox regression model to estimate differences in predictive performance between the binary and time-to-event outcome modelling approaches.

Results

Our data contained 150,342 admissions and 1016 deaths. Model discrimination was higher for Cox regression than for discrete-time logistic regression, with cross-validated AUCs of 0.96 and 0.93, respectively, for mortality predictions within 24 h, declining to 0.93 and 0.88, respectively, for mortality predictions within 1 week. Calibration plots showed that calibration varied by hospital, but this can be mitigated by ranking patients by predicted risks.

Conclusion

Time-varying covariate Cox models can be powerful tools for triaging patients, which may lead to more efficient and effective care in time-poor environments when the times between observations are highly variable.
Biomarkers in pulmonary infections: a clinical approach
Authors: Póvoa Pedro , Coelho Luís , Cidade José Pedro , Ceccato Adrian , Morris Andrew Conway , Salluh Jorge , Nobre Vandack , Nseir Saad , Martin-Loeches Ignacio , Lisboa Thiago , Ramirez Paula , Rouzé Anahita , Sweeney Daniel A. , Kalil Andre C.
Published: July 2024

Severe acute respiratory infections, such as community-acquired pneumonia, hospital-acquired pneumonia, and ventilator-associated pneumonia, constitute frequent and lethal pulmonary infections in the intensive care unit (ICU). Despite optimal management with early appropriate empiric antimicrobial therapy and adequate supportive care, mortality remains high, in part attributable to the aging, growing number of comorbidities, and rising rates of multidrug resistance pathogens. Biomarkers have the potential to offer additional information that may further improve the management and outcome of pulmonary infections. Available pathogen-specific biomarkers, for example, Streptococcus pneumoniae urinary antigen test and galactomannan, can be helpful in the microbiologic diagnosis of pulmonary infection in ICU patients, improving the timing and appropriateness of empiric antimicrobial therapy since these tests have a short turnaround time in comparison to classic microbiology. On the other hand, host-response biomarkers, for example, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin, used in conjunction with the clinical data, may be useful in the diagnosis and prediction of pulmonary infections, monitoring the response to treatment, and guiding duration of antimicrobial therapy. The assessment of serial measurements overtime, kinetics of biomarkers, is more informative than a single value. The appropriate utilization of accurate pathogen-specific and host-response biomarkers may benefit clinical decision-making at the bedside and optimize antimicrobial stewardship.
Expression, characterization, and application of human-like recombinant gelatin
Authors: Song Xiaoping , Chu Tao , Shi Wanru , He Jingyan
Published: July 2024

Gelatin is a product obtained through partial hydrolysis and thermal denaturation of collagen, belonging to natural biopeptides. With irreplaceable biological functions in the field of biomedical science and tissue engineering, it has been widely applied. The amino acid sequence of recombinant human-like gelatin was constructed through a newly designed hexamer composed of six protein monomer sequences in series, with the minimum repeating unit being the characteristic Gly-X-Y sequence found in type III human collagen α1 chain. The nucleotide sequence was subsequently inserted into the genome of Pichia pastoris to enable soluble secretion expression of recombinant gelatin. At the shake flask fermentation level, the yield of recombinant gelatin is up to 0.057 g/L, and its purity can rise up to 95% through affinity purification. It was confirmed in the molecular weight determination and amino acid analysis that the amino acid composition of the obtained recombinant gelatin is identical to that of the theoretically designed. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy revealed that the freeze-dried recombinant gelatin hydrogel exhibited a porous structure. After culturing cells continuously within these gelatin microspheres for two days followed by fluorescence staining and observation through confocal laser scanning microscopy, it was observed that cells clustered together within the gelatin matrix, exhibiting three-dimensional growth characteristics while maintaining good viability. This research presents promising prospects for developing recombinant gelatin as a biomedical material.
Health Problems of Professional Ballet Dancers: an Analysis of 1627 Weekly Self-Reports on Injuries, Illnesses and Mental Health Problems During One Season
Authors: Junge Astrid , Hauschild Anja , Stubbe Janine H. , van Rijn Rogier M.
Published: July 2024

Background

Several studies have investigated injuries of (pre-)professional ballet dancers, however most used a medical-attention and/or time-loss definition and did not analyse the prevalence of all health problems. The aim was to analyse the frequency and characteristics of all self-reported physical and mental health complaints (i.e. injuries, illnesses and mental health problems) of professional ballet dancers during one season.

Methods

Three professional ballet companies were prospectively monitored weekly during one season with the Performing artist and Athlete Health Monitor (PAHM). Numerical rating scales (ranging 0–10) were used for severity of musculoskeletal pain, all health problems and impairment of the ability to dance at full potential in the previous seven days. If dancers rated the severity of their health problems or their impairment greater than 0, they were asked to answer specific questions on the characteristics of each health problem.

Results

Over a period of 44 weeks, 57 dancers (57.9% female) filled in 1627 weekly reports (response rate of 64.9%), in which 1020 (62.7%) health problem were registered. The dancers reported musculoskeletal pain in 82.2% of the weeks. They felt that their ability to dance at their full potential was affected due to a health problem in about every second week (52.6%) or on at least 29.1% of the days documented in the weekly reports. Almost all dancers (96.5%) reported at least one injury, almost two thirds (64.9%) an illness and more than a quarter (28.1%) a mental health problem. On average, every dancer reported 5.6 health problems during the season. Most of the 320 health problems were injuries (73.1%), 16.9% illnesses and 10.0% mental health problems. Injuries affected mainly ankle, thigh, foot, and lower back and were mostly incurred during rehearsal (41.6%) or training (26.1%). The most frequent subjective reasons of injury were “too much workload” (35.3%), “tiredness/exhaustion” (n = 22.4%) and “stress/overload/insufficient regeneration” (n = 21.6%).

Conclusion

Preventive interventions are urgently required to reduce the prevalence of health problems and especially injuries of professional dancers. Injury prevention measures should regard the balance of the load capacity of professional dancers and the workload in training, rehearsals and performances.
Systematics and phylogeny of the entomopathogenic nematobacterial complexes Steinernema–Xenorhabdus and Heterorhabditis–Photorhabdus
Authors: Půža Vladimír , Machado Ricardo A. R.
Published: July 2024

Entomopathogenic nematodes of the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis, along with their bacterial symbionts from the genera Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus, respectively, are important biological control agents against agricultural pests. Rapid progress in the development of genomic tools has catalyzed a transformation of the systematics of these organisms, reshaping our understanding of their phylogenetic and cophlylogenetic relationships. In this review, we discuss the major historical events in the taxonomy and systematics of this group of organisms, highlighting the latest advancements in these fields. Additionally, we synthesize information on nematode–bacteria associations and assess the existing evidence regarding their cophylogenetic relationships.
From allegory to conceptualization, hypothesis and finally evidences: Alzheimer’s dementia, Parkinson's disease "gut–brain axis" and their preclinical phenotype
Authors: Dubey Souvik , Ghosh Ritwik , Dubey Mahua Jana , Sengupta Samya , Das Shambaditya
Published: July 2024

Researchers are constantly trying to develop therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's dementia and Parkinson's disease. Despite enormous endeavors, there are several unmet needs. Several contradictory pathophysiological basis of neurodegenerative disorders are considered to be one of the most important cause underpinning. "Gut–brain dysbiosis" has been considered as one of the most crucial link to explore. Contemporary researches have suggested similar pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning Alzheimer's dementia and Parkinson's disease. "Gut–brain dysbiosis" may be the missing thread connecting Alzheimer's dementia and Parkinson's disease prior to the expression of their overt clinical phenotype. Recognition of preclinical phenotype of Alzheimer's dementia and Parkinson's disease have much broader perspective as it will help in building robust therapeutics at the earliest. Authors herein critically analyze the pathophysiological basis of Alzheimer's dementia and Parkinson's disease in relationship with "Gut–brain dysbiosis" and also try to search the preclinical phenotype/s of Alzheimer's dementia and Parkinson's disease pivoting around the Freudian hypothesis.
A three-years survey of microbial contaminants in industrial hemp inflorescences from two Italian cultivation sites
Authors: Spampinato Gloria , Candeliere Francesco , Amaretti Alberto , Paris Roberta , Montanari Massimo , Virzì Nino , Strani Lorenzo , Citti Cinzia , Cannazza Giuseppe , Rossi Maddalena , Raimondi Stefano
Published: July 2024

Background

The use of industrial Cannabis sativa L. for recreational, cosmeceutical, nutraceutical, and medicinal purposes has gained momentum due to its rich content of valuable phytochemicals, such as cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG). However, there are concerns regarding the risk of microbial contamination in plants grown outside controlled environments. Microbes associated with hemp can be either epiphytes or endophytes and may pose a risk of infectious illness for humans.

Methods

Seven Italian hemp genotypes, including Bernabeo, Carmagnola, Carmaleonte, Codimono, CS, Eletta Campana, and Fibranova, were cultivated in two distinct geographic locations, Catania and Rovigo, for three consecutive years from 2019 to 2021. Total aerobic microbes (TAMC), total combined yeasts/moulds (TYMC), the presence of bile-tolerant Gram-negative bacteria, and the absence of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. were evaluated and compared. The main phytocannabinoid content was measured and correlated with microbial contamination.

Results

Most samples analyzed in this study did not meet the European Pharmacopoeia microbiological limits. The detection of potential pathogens, such as E. coli and Salmonella spp., in the samples indicates that the use of inflorescences may represent a possible source of infection. Microbial contamination varied among harvesting seasons and production sites, with agroclimatic conditions influencing microbial load and composition. The presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria was less associated with seasonal climate variability and more likely affected by sporadic contamination from external sources. CBD concentration exhibited a negative correlation with bile-tolerant Gram-negative bacteria and total yeasts/moulds levels. Samples with lower CBD content were more contaminated than those with higher CBD levels, suggesting a potential protective effect of this phytochemical on the plant.

Conclusions

The threshing residues (inflorescences, floral bracts, and leaves) of industrial hemp varieties represent a valuable product and a source of beneficial phytochemicals that warrants further exploration. While post-harvest sterilization methods may reduce microbiological risks, they may also degrade heat- and light-sensitive bioactive phytochemicals. The most promising strategy involves implementing best agronomic practices to maintain healthy and uncontaminated cultures. Rigorous monitoring and quality certification protocols are essential to mitigate the microbiological risk associated with the consumption of hemp-derived products.
Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide–Based Graft-Versus-Host Disease Prophylaxis Attenuates Disparity in Outcomes Between Use of Matched or Mismatched Unrelated Donors
Authors: Shaffer Brian C. , Gooptu Mahasweta , DeFor Todd E. , Maiers Martin , Bolaños-Meade Javier , Abboud Ramzi , Briggs Adrienne D. , Khimani Farhad , Modi Dipenkumar , Newcomb Richard , Shpall Elizabeth J. , Bupp Caitrin , Spellman Stephen R. , Stefanski Heather E. , Shaw Bronwen E. , Auletta Jeffery J. , Devine Steven M. , Jimenez Jimenez Antonio M. , Al Malki Monzr M.
Published: July 2024

PURPOSE

Access to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) remains limited among persons of non-European ancestry if human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching is required. We evaluated whether post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy)–based graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis improved HCT outcomes with HLA-matched unrelated donor (MUD) and mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD) HCT when compared with calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)–based prophylaxis.

METHODS

Three-year overall survival (OS) and GVHD-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS) were compared between adult recipients undergoing initial MUD or single HLA locus MMUD HCT with either PTCy- or CNI-based prophylaxis who were reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research between 2017 and 2021.

RESULTS

Included were 10,025 HCT recipients (7,272 recipients of MUD with CNI, 1,681 MUD with PTCy, 613 MMUD with CNI, and 459 MMUD with PTCy) who underwent HCT for acute leukemia (70.9%) or myelodysplastic syndromes (29.2%). Median patient age was 60.7 years (range, 18.0-82.7) and median follow-up was 36.6 (range, 3.0-77.8) months. When compared with MUD HCT with PTCy, MMUD HCT with PTCy had similar OS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.96 [95% CI, 0.823 to 1.11];
P
= .60) and GRFS (HR, 0.90 [0.79 to 1.02];
P
= .1). When compared with MUD HCT with CNI, OS was improved after MUD HCT with PTCy (HR, 0.88 [0.80 to 0.96];
P
= .004) and GRFS was improved with PTCy after either MUD (HR, 0.61 [0.57 to 0.66];
P
< .0001) or MMUD (HR, 0.68 [0.60 to 0.76];
P
< .0001) HCT. Benefit from PTCy was independent of patient ancestry. Global registry level analysis demonstrated that inclusion of MMUD increased donor availability regardless of recipient ancestry.

CONCLUSION

Use of PTCy results in comparable OS and GRFS using either MUD or MMUD HCT, expanding access to HCT for patients from all racial and ethnic ancestry groups.
Chemical genetic screens reveal defective lysosomal trafficking as synthetic lethal with NF1 loss
Authors: Bouley Stephanie J. , Grassetti Andrew V. , Allaway Robert J. , Wood Matthew D. , Hou Helen W. , Burdon Dasbach India R. , Seibel William , Wu Jimmy , Gerber Scott A. , Dragnev Konstantin H. , Walker James A. , Sanchez Yolanda
Published: July 2024

Neurofibromatosis type 1, a genetic disorder caused by pathogenic germline variations in NF1, predisposes individuals to the development of tumors, including cutaneous and plexiform neurofibromas (CNs and PNs), optic gliomas, astrocytomas, juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, high-grade gliomas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs), which are chemotherapy- and radiation-resistant sarcomas with poor survival. Loss of NF1 also occurs in sporadic tumors, such as glioblastoma (GBM), melanoma, breast, ovarian and lung cancers. We performed a high-throughput screen for compounds that were synthetic lethal with NF1 loss, which identified several leads, including the small molecule Y102. Treatment of cells with Y102 perturbed autophagy, mitophagy and lysosome positioning in NF1-deficient cells. A dual proteomics approach identified BLOC-one-related complex (BORC), which is required for lysosome positioning and trafficking, as a potential target of Y102. Knockdown of a BORC subunit using siRNA recapitulated the phenotypes observed with Y102 treatment. Our findings demonstrate that BORC might be a promising therapeutic target for NF1-deficient tumors.
Η χρήση και αποτελεσματικότητα του video modeling στην εκπαίδευση δραστηριοτήτων καθημερινής ζωής σε παιδιά με Διαταραχή Αυτιστικού Φάσματος ηλικίας 4-7 ετών
Authors: Βούλγαρης Ηλίας , Σοφός Αλιβίζος (Λοΐζος)
Published: July 2024

Η παρούσα πειραματική ερευνητική εργασία διερεύνησε τη χρήση και την αποτελεσματικότητα της μοντελοποίησης βίντεο (video modeling) ως θεραπευτική και εκπαιδευτική παρέμβαση για τη βελτίωση 2 δραστηριοτήτων καθημερινής ζωής (ΔΚΖ) (βούρτσισμα δονιτών και τοποθέτησης κάλτσας/παπουτσιού) παιδιών που έχουν διαγνωστεί με διαταραχή αυτιστικού φάσματος (ΔΑΦ). Σκοπός της μελέτης ήταν να διερευνήσει την επίδραση της παρέμβασης μοντελοποίησης βίντεο στην απόκτηση και διατήρηση των δεξιοτήτων ΔΚΖ σε αυτόν τον πληθυσμό.
Ο σχεδιασμός της μελέτης περιελάμβανε μια τυχαιοποιημένη ελεγχόμενη δοκιμή (Randomized Controlled Trial-RCT) που περιλαμβάνει προ-δοκιμή, μετα-δοκιμή και αξιολόγηση της φάσης μεταφοράς και γενίκευσης για την αποτελεσματικότητα της μοντελοποίησης βίντεο σε σύγκριση με τις παραδοσιακές μεθόδους διδασκαλίας. Συλλέχθηκε ένα δείγμα (10) παιδιών (4 έως 7 ετών) με διάγνωση ΔΑΦ και κατανεμήθηκαν τυχαία σε μια πειραματική ομάδα και μια ομάδα ελέγχου, αφού πρώτα διενεργήθηκαν οι απαραίτητοι έλεγχοι τόσο για το επίπεδο των συμμετεχόντων με την χρήση σταθμισμένων κλιμάκων και εργαλείων αξιολόγησης, όσο και για να εξασφαλισθεί η ισοδυναμία των ομάδων.
Ποσοτικά δεδομένα συλλέχθηκαν με τη χρήση τυποποιημένων εργαλείων αξιολόγησης πριν από την παρέμβαση, μετά την παρέμβαση και κατά τη διάρκεια των συνεδριών για τη μέτρηση της απόκτησης, της γενίκευσης και της διατήρησης των δεξιοτήτων. Συλλέχθηκαν επίσης και ποιοτικά δεδομένα σχετικά με τη χρησιμότητα και την αποτελεσματικότητα της βιντεομοντελοποίησης.
Τα αποτελέσματα κατέδειξαν την υπεροχή της παρέμβασης μοντελοποίησης με βίντεο και στις 2 δραστηριότητες που μελετήθηκαν, καθώς και στην αποτελεσματικότερη μεταφορά και  γενίκευση αυτών των δραστηριοτήτων σε διαφορετικά περιβάλλοντα.
Η πρόσβαση στο "δίκτυο" των φαρμάκων
Authors: Λεμπέση Δήμητρα
Published: July 2024

Η παρούσα διατριβή έχει ως θέμα την «πρόσβαση στο δίκτυο των φαρμάκων» και φιλοδοξεί να παρουσιάσει την έρευνα της γράφουσας αναφορικά με το βασικό ερώτημα: εντάσσεται η κυκλοφορία των φαρμάκων στα κοινωφελή δίκτυα; Και σε καταφατική περίπτωση, ποια η δομή και η λειτουργία του «δικτύου» αυτού; Ποιες οι ατέλειες του; και εν τέλει, πώς τα άτομα, παραγωγοί, χονδρέμποροι, ιατροί, φαρμακοποιοί και καταναλωτές συναλλάσσονται ως ιδιώτες εντός του δικτύου και αλληλεπιδρούν μεταξύ τους, προκειμένου να έχουν πρόσβαση στην «χαρακτηριστική παροχή», δηλαδή στο «φάρμακο». Η διατριβή ακολουθεί «κυκλική» μεθοδολογία, αρχίζοντας από την περιγραφή της έννοιας του «φαρμάκου» και όλες τις νομικές του βάσεις, συνεχίζοντας με την δημιουργία της «χαρακτηριστικής» παροχής, έπειτα με την άλυσο των διαδοχικών μεταβιβάσεων και τελειώνοντας με την καθαυτό περιγραφή του δικτύου, την αυτοτέλεια του, όπως αντανακλάται μέσα από το αδειοδοτικό σύστημα, αλλά και τις ατέλειες του σε εθνικό και κοινοτικό επίπεδο, εντάσσοντας το τελικά στο δόγμα του αστικού δικαίου και κυρίως του ενοχικού δικαίου, γενικού και ειδικού. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, εκκινώντας από αναγκαίες και ενδιαφέρουσες ιστορικές αναφορές, που προσδίδουν στην σφαιρική θεώρηση του θέματος, έπεται η περιγραφή της χαρακτηριστικής παροχής. Ακολουθεί η ανάλυση του πρόδρομου σταδίου δημιουργίας της χαρακτηριστικής παροχής, με σκοπό να γίνει κατανοητή η συνθετότητα της, ο παράγων της ευρεσιτεχνίας που είναι εγγενής στην φύση των φαρμάκων, οι πρόδρομες συμβάσεις (π.χ. κλινικών μελετών και έρευνας) και η μετέπειτα διαδικασία αδειοδότησης κυκλοφορίας και μεταβιβάσεων. Έπειτα, η έρευνα επικεντρώνεται γύρω από την πώληση με αφετηρία την «τυπική» σύμβαση πώλησης, διεπόμενη από τις διατάξεις του ΑΚ (513επ.ΑΚ), ωστόσο διαπιστώνει ότι, ειδικά για την παροχή αυτή, καταστρώνεται και εκτός ΑΚ και αναφέρεται στο κεντρικό ρυθμιστικό νομοθέτημα ΝΔ96/73 ως «ειδική» πώληση. Ακολουθεί ως εναλλακτική πρόσβαση, η μίσθωση, νοούμενη ως παραχώρηση χρήσης και εμπορικής εκμετάλλευσης του «φακέλου» του φαρμάκου (άδεια συμβατικής εκμετάλλευσης) και κλείνει με την κοινή καταναλωτική πώληση, την συνταγογράφηση ως έκταξη και την επιρροή του τρίτου (ιατρού) στην επιλογή της παροχής, τον ρόλο του φαρμακοποιού και εν τέλει το τίμημα και τον τρόπο διαμόρφωσης του. Επιστρατεύει δε σε όλα τα κεφάλαια, αναφορές συγκριτικού δικαίου προβαίνοντας στους ελάχιστους απαραίτητους παραλληλισμούς, ενώ για θέματα σύγχρονα, αρρύθμιστα ακόμα από ειδικούς νόμους, ακολουθείται και πάλι συμπληρωματική ανάλογη εφαρμογή των διατάξεων του ΑΚ.
The genome sequence of the Sandhill Rustic moth Luperina nickerlii (Freyer, 1845) subspecies leechi Goater, 1976
Authors: Spalding Adrian , Traut Walther , ffrench-Constant Richard H. ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: July 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Luperina nickerlii (the Sandhill Rustic; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Noctuidae). The genome sequence is 662.0 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The specimen was confirmed to be a ZO female. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.47 kilobases in length.
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in post-COVID-19 patients
Authors: Nugent Kenneth
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Patients with prior COVID-19 infection can have residual symptoms and significant disability.  In particular, some patients have abnormal lung function with reduced volumes and diffusion capacities.  However, some patients have relatively normal lung function and chest x-rays but have significant dyspnea.  These patients have been evaluated using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) to determine their peak O2 consumption and their cardiac and respiratory responses during standardized testing.  In general, these studies demonstrate that the level of impairment correlates with the severity of the initial infection.  In addition, some patients have little or no improvement in their VO2 over time.  This test can provide some insight as to exact system limitations resulting in impairment. Six-minute walk tests provide alternative approaches for evaluating patients when CPET testing is not available.  Most patients who have had prior COVID infection improve with standard pulmonary rehabilitation.
Keywords: COVID-19 infection, dyspnea, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, rehabilitation
Spiski etnoperformans (cz. 1)
Authors: Barański Janusz
Published: July 2024

Przedmiotem artykułu są dwie imprezy regionalne, konkurs i przegląd spiskiego folkloru: Spiskie Zwyki i Spiska Warta, organizowane każdego roku - odpowiednio - zimą i latem na Zamku Dunajec w Niedzicy iw Gminnym Ośrodku Kultury w Łapszach Niższych z siedzibą w Niedzicy. Dyskutowany region jest niewielkim fragmentem krainy historycznej, której główna część znajduje się na terytorium Słowacji. Stanowił on przez setki lat część Królestwa Węgier, stąd jego imprezy należą do praktyk typu etnoperformansu, który łączy aspekt artystyczny ze społecznym. Pierwszyjest wyrazem regionalej estetyki i artyzmu (folklor słowno-muzyczny, taniec, strój regionalny), drugi - rytualnego charakteru imprez służących procesom tożsamościowym.W świetle poczynionych ustalenń dyskutowane przypadki etnoperformansu reprezentują spuściznę kulturową w trybie dziedzictwa. W tym rozumieniu są formą odmienną od dawniejszej tradycji i można je uznać za rodzaj metakulturowej praktyki i metakulturowego komentarza wobec kultury regionalnej.
Discovering Causal Models with Optimization: Confounders, Cycles, and Instrument Validity
Authors: Eberhardt Frederick , Kaynar Nur , Siddiq Auyon
Published: July 2024

We propose a new optimization-based method for learning causal structures from observational data, a process known as causal discovery. Our method takes as input observational data over a set of variables and returns a graph in which causal relations are specified by directed edges. We consider a highly general search space that accommodates latent confounders and feedback cycles, which few extant methods do. We formulate the discovery problem as an integer program, and propose a solution technique that exploits the conditional independence structure in the data to identify promising edges for inclusion in the output graph. In the large-sample limit, our method recovers a graph that is (Markov) equivalent to the true data-generating graph. Computationally, our method is competitive with the state-of-the-art, and can solve in minutes instances that are intractable for alternative causal discovery methods. We leverage our method to develop a procedure for investigating the validity of an instrumental variable and demonstrate it on the influential quarter-of-birth and proximity-to-college instruments for estimating the returns to education. In particular, our procedure complements existing instrument tests by revealing the precise causal pathways that undermine instrument validity, highlighting the unique merits of the graphical perspective on causality.

This paper was accepted by J. George Shanthikumar, data science.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.02066 .
Managing Concurrent Interactions in Online Time Slot Booking Systems for Attended Home Delivery
Authors: Visser Thomas R. , Agatz Niels , Spliet Remy
Published: July 2024

Many goods and services require the customer to be at home to receive the delivery. In the context of attended home delivery, customers can typically choose from a menu of delivery time slots. We consider the problem of dynamically managing the offered time slots and delivery bookings given the available fleet capacity. When multiple customers interact with the online booking system at the same time, this can lead to conflicts. Although managing such concurrent interactions is an important challenge in attended home delivery systems, it has not yet been addressed in the literature. We present a concurrency control strategy and several fast route planning approaches to manage time slots in real time. To combine fast response times with high quality slotting decisions, we introduce background procedures that use the time between successive order placements to improve the performance of the time slot offer and validation procedures. Our detailed computational experiments based on realistic instances provide insights into the effectiveness of our background procedures and the complex trade-offs between waiting times, valid orders, and invalid orders. We also discuss several relevant new areas of research in concurrency control for time slot management.

Funding: This work was supported by the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek [Grant 438-213-204]. It is co-funded by ORTEC B.V. and AH.nl.
Incidência de obstrução em cateteres periféricos intravenosos em adultos e fatores relacionados
Authors: Bezerra Myrna Mayra , Assis Luan Ribeiro dos Santos , Filgueira Viviane da Silva Alves , Ferreira Taciana Fernandes Araújo , Reis Renata Karina , Santos Marina Alvina dos , Contim Divanice , Toffano Silmara Elaine Malaguti
Published: July 2024

Objetivo: analisar a incidência e os fatores relacionados à obstrução de cateter intravenoso periférico em adultos hospitalizados. Método: uma coorte prospectiva, realizada a partir da observação de 203 cateteres, entre fevereiro de 2019 e maio de 2020, em hospital público e de ensino brasileiro. Foram consideradas variáveis clínicas e do cateter. Os dados foram analisados descritivamente e por estatística inferencial. Resultados: o tempo de permanência variou entre um a 15 dias e a obstrução ocorreu em 7,5% das observações. Houve aumento do risco de obstrução em relação ao sexo (RR=0,49 / p=0,186), à idade (RR=1,20/ p=0,732), aos cateteres de maior calibre (RR=0,53/ p=0,250), à inserção no dorso da mão até antebraço (RR=2,33/ p=0,114) e ao tempo do cateter in situ (RR=033/ p=0,433). Conclusão: O cuidado diário e observação do cateter intravenoso periférico são importantes para minimizar o surgimento de complicações locais e sistêmicas e manter a patência do dispositivo.
A Study on the discussions about the Two Hindrances of the Fǎxiaàng Yogācāra Buddhism: Focusing on the contents of Chéng wéishì lùn and Dasheng fayuan yilin zhang
Authors: Park Jaeyong
Published: July 2024

The purpose of this paper is to examine the discussion of the Two Hindrances in the Fǎxiàng Yogācāra Buddhist treatise Chéng wéishì lùn(成唯識論) and Kyu-ji's Dasheng fayuan yilin zhang(大乘法苑義林章). It is through Abhidharma Buddhism and then the Yogācāra Buddhism that the concept of the relationship between affliction and awakening was formulated as the Two Hindrances. The discussion of the Two Hindrances in the Yogācārabhūmi is organized in its final form through the Fódìjīng lùn(佛地經論) and the Chéng wéishì lùn. As a result, the Two Hindrances of the Chéng wéishì lùn are associated with two kinds of attachment, two kinds of emptiness, and two kinds of achievement, and play a central role in the Affliction theory and the Practice theory of Yogācāra Buddhism. This study focuses on the discussion of the Two Hindrances interspersed within the Chéng wéishì lùn, reorienting the development of the Chéng wéishì lùn around the Two Hindrances. This reveals that the Two Hindrances play a central role not only in Yogācāra Buddhism's Affliction theory, but also in its Practice theory and Becoming Buddha. In fact, the Five stage division of the Yogâcâra path of practice also centers on when and how to eliminate and end the afflictive hindrances and obstacles to understanding rather than on specific practices. Finally, Wonhyo gave a very original interpretation in reconciling Yogācāra sūtras and śāstras with the discussion of the Two Hindrances in the Doctrine of the Two Hindrances(Ijang ui, 二障義) and the Awakening of Mahāyāna Faith(大乘起信論). But in Dasheng fayuan yilin zhang, Kyu-ji considered that the interpretation of the Two Hindrances discussed in Chéng wéishì lùn was no more than an interpretation of the Two Hindrances. Unlike Wonhyo, Kyu-ji's discussion of the Two Hindrances merely summarizes Yogācāra Buddhism's discussion of the Two Hindrances and adopts Chéng wéishì lùn's discussion as it stands, and Kyu-ji's position is confirmed by Dasheng fayuan yilin zhang's discussion of the Two Hindrances.
Relationship between aging anxiety and psychological well-being in middle-aged and older women: Focusing on the moderating effect of self-compassion
Authors: Lee Joonyoung
Published: July 2024

The purpose of this study is to examine the moderating effect of self-compassion in the relationship between aging anxiety and psychological well-being in middle-aged and older women. For this purpose, a survey was conducted with 359 women in their 40s or older, focusing on aging anxiety, self-compassion, and psychological well-being. The collected data were subjected to reliability analysis, frequency analysis, descriptive statistics analysis, correlation analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis. The results of this study are as follows. First, as a result of examining the correlation between the main variables of this study, aging anxiety was found to have a significant negative correlation with self-compassion and psychological well-being, and self-compassion was found to have a significant positive correlation with psychological well-being. Second, self-compassion was found to moderate the relationship between aging anxiety and psychological well-being in middle-aged and older women. Based on the above research results, the significance of this study is that it suggests implications from a Buddhist counseling perspective on promoting self-compassion among middle-aged and older women.
Validating LORCAT, the Log Recovery Analysis Tool
Authors: Thomas R. Edward , Buehlmann Urs , Bennett Neal
Published: July 2024

The Log Recovery Analysis Tool (LORCAT) is a simulation tool that allows users to examine the impact of changes in the hardwood log-sawing process on sawn volume, grade recovery, and profit. LORCAT was designed to be simple to use and requires a minimum of user data entry. While the results of LORCAT have been informally compared to sawmill results by users, no formal validation of results has yet been performed. This study compared LORCAT’s simulated recovery results to that of an actual sawmill. For the 42 hardwood log samples we examined, we found no significant statistical difference in the total sawn volume produced. However, significant differences were found with the number of boards produced, which resulted from differences in the accuracy of targeting the opening-face board size.
Flora da Bahia - Maprounea (Euphorbiaceae)
Authors: Silva Marilane da Luz , Moreira Ariane dos Santos , Silva Otávio Luis Marques da , Carneiro-Torres Daniela Santos
Published: July 2024

Apresentamos aqui o tratamento taxonômico de Maprounea (Euphorbiaceae) na Bahia, como contribuição ao conhecimento da flora do estado. O gênero inclui cinco espécies, sendo três americanas e duas africanas. No Brasil, são encontradas as três espécies, duas reconhecidas na Bahia: M. brasiliensis e M. guianensis. São apresentadas descrições, ilustrações, chave de identificação para as espécies, comentários sobre os táxons e um mapa de distribuição das espécies no estado.
Wave equation on general noncompact symmetric spaces
Authors: Anker Jean-Philippe , Zhang Hong-Wei
Published: July 2024

abstract: We establish sharp pointwise kernel estimates and dispersive properties for the wave equation on noncompact symmetric spaces of general rank. This is achieved by combining the stationary phase method and the Hadamard parametrix, and in particular, by introducing a subtle spectral decomposition, which allows us to overcome a well-known difficulty in higher rank analysis, namely the fact that the Plancherel density is not a differential symbol in general. Consequently, we deduce the Strichartz inequality for a large family of admissible pairs and prove global well-posedness results for the corresponding semi-linear equation with low regularity data as on hyperbolic spaces.
“Every Cord that Binds together the People to the Government”: Local Magistracy and the Making of an Adjudicatory State in Early New York
Authors: Kim Sung Yup
Published: July 2024

Abstract: Focusing on early New York, this essay suggests that local magistracy was a contentious but foundational site of state formation in early America. Throughout an extended period of legal reform and partisan state-building spanning the mid-eighteenth to early-nineteenth centuries, state authorities struggled to grapple with the autonomy of on-the-ground local governance centered on justices of the peace. By the early nineteenth century, however, it became increasingly clear that controlling the appointment of justices and directly disciplining them were ineffectual and politically unfeasible means of curbing local autonomy. Ultimately it was the state supreme court that provided the cornerstone for central authority’s influence on local governance, by gradually shaping a stable jurisprudence of local governance through careful and selective exercise of its appellate power. The resulting formulation was what may be described as an adjudicatory state, in which state power expressed itself less through direct coercion than by inducing officials and inhabitants to conduct matters of local governance within the bounds of a statewide judicial framework.
Modeling the Doppler spectrum of waves backscattered from an expanding cloud for anisotropic phase functions
Authors: Kondratev Arsenii N. , Andriyash Alexander V. , Kuratov Sergei E. , Rogozkin Dmitrii B.
Published: July 2024

We study the Doppler spectrum of a collimated beam of light backscattered from a cloud of moving particles. The problem we address is attracting attention in the context of the application of photonic Doppler velocimetry (PDV) to probe ejecta from shock-loaded metal samples. The Doppler spectrum is calculated on the basis of numerically solving the transport equation for the field correlation function. We transform the original transport equation into a system of Milne-like equations, which are then integrated with the discrete-ordinate code. The calculations are carried out for a plane cloud of relatively large metal particles (comparable to or larger than the wavelength) moving away from the free surface bounding the cloud. The effect of anisotropic single scattering on the Doppler spectrum is analyzed depending on the cloud's optical thickness and albedo under conditions characteristic of the experiment (finite field of view of the PDV probe, wave reflection from the cloud-bounding surface). A sharp asymmetric peak in the spectrum at the Doppler shift corresponding to the free-surface velocity is shown to be caused by the snake waves and should be observed up to the ejecta cloud thickness of the order of a few transport mean free paths. We demonstrate that the difference in amplitude between the Doppler spectrum calculated with the exact phase function and that obtained in the transport approximation proves to be fairly small for most realistic values of the ejecta cloud parameters. A comparison with available Monte Carlo simulation data is also presented.
Multi-objective scintillator shape optimization for increased photodetector light collection
Authors: Reales G. , van Keulen F. , Aragón A. M. , Goosen J. F. L. , Bornheim A.
Published: July 2024

Inorganic scintillators often use exotic, expensive materials to
increase their light yield. Although material chemistry is a valid way
to increase the light collection, these methods are expensive and
limited to the material properties. As such, alternative methods such
as the use of specific reflective coatings and crystal optical shapes
are critical for the scintillator crystal design procedure. In this
paper, we explore the modeling of a scintillator and
silicon-photomultiplier (SiPM) assembly detector using GEANT4. GEANT4,
an open-source software for particle–matter interaction based on
ray-tracing, allows the modeling of a scintillator-based detector
while offering methods to simplify and study the computational
requirements for a precise calculation of the light collection. These
studies incorporate two different geometries compatible with the
barrel timing layer (BTL) particle detector that is being built for
the compact muon solenoid (CME) experiment at CERN. Furthermore, the
geometry of our model is parameterized using splines for smoother
results and meshed using GMSH to perform genetic numerical
optimization of the crystal shape through genetic algorithms, in
particular non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NGSAII). Using
NSGA-II, we provide a series of optimized scintillator geometries and
study the trade-offs of multiple possible objective functions
including the light output, light collection, light collection per
energy deposited, and track path length. The converged Pareto results
according to the hypervolume indicator are compared to the original
simplified design, and a recommendation towards the use of the light
collection per energy deposition and track path length is given based
on the results. The results provide increases in this objective of up
to 18% for a constant volume for a geometry compatible with the
current design of the BTL detector.
Direct-modulation optoelectronic oscillator for optical pulse and frequency comb generation
Authors: Sinquin Brian , Romanelli Marco , Alouini Mehdi , Vallet Marc
Published: July 2024

We report the generation of an optical pulse train with a 10 GHz repetition rate in a dual loop direct-modulation optoelectronic oscillator (OEO). Pulse generation is achieved using nonlinear compression in the OEO 5-km-long optical delay line. 3 ps pulses with a timing jitter of 13 fs are reported, while the OEO maintains a phase noise of −133dBc/Hz at 10 kHz from the carrier. Two architectures are compared experimentally and theoretically. A frequency comb with a 1.2 THz linewidth at −30dB is generated.
Object-plane encoding hyperspectral three-dimensional collaborative imaging method
Authors: Zhao Zhuang , Gong Shuaifeng , Lu Jun , Han Jing , Zhang Yi , Zhang Yan , Ke Xin , Zhang Long
Published: July 2024

Different from traditional image-plane encoding spectral imaging method, this paper proposes an object-plane encoding hyperspectral three-dimensional collaborative imaging method, which is based on the idea of spectral displacement invariance and multiplexing encoding and decoding. The 4D data of the scene is scanned by coded apertures generated by the projector, and then the encoded data of the scene is obtained. During the reconstruction process, there is no need for phase unwrapping operation or data fusion. The reconstruction result shows excellent performance with a spectral resolution of 3 nm, nearly 120 spectral bands, depth accuracy of 0.25 mm. Compared with the image-plane encoding spectral imaging method, the object-plane encoding spectral imaging method exhibits better anti-interference characteristics, and the reconstruction quality of the object-plane encoding spectral imaging method is better than that of the image-plane encoding spectral imaging method in the scattering environments.
Polygenic selection to a changing optimum under self–fertilisation
Authors: Hartfield Matthew , Glémin Sylvain
Published: July 2024

Many traits are polygenic, affected by multiple genetic variants throughout the genome. Selection acting on these traits involves co–ordinated allele–frequency changes at these underlying variants, and this process has been extensively studied in random–mating populations. Yet many species self–fertilise to some degree, which incurs changes to genetic diversity, recombination and genome segregation. These factors cumulatively influence how polygenic selection is realised in nature. Here, we use analytical modelling and stochastic simulations to investigate to what extent self–fertilisation affects polygenic adaptation to a new environment. Our analytical solutions show that while selfing can increase adaptation to an optimum, it incurs linkage disequilibrium that can slow down the initial spread of favoured mutations due to selection interference, and favours the fixation of alleles with opposing trait effects. Simulations show that while selection interference is present, high levels of selfing (at least 90%) aids adaptation to a new optimum, showing a higher long–term fitness. If mutations are pleiotropic then only a few major–effect variants fix along with many neutral hitchhikers, with a transient increase in linkage disequilibrium. These results show potential advantages to self–fertilisation when adapting to a new environment, and how the mating system affects the genetic composition of polygenic selection.
Mixed-methods study of university students’ perceptions of COVID-19 and media consumption from March 2020 –April 2022
Authors: Mant Madeleine , Aslemand Asal , Prine Andrew , Holland Alyson
Published: July 2024

Longitudinal mixed-methods research is necessary to understand the changing dynamics of pandemic perceptions, the adoption of health behaviours, and use of media during a public health emergency. During the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, we used a mixed-methods approach to survey young adults attending a large Canadian public university. Six online convenience survey samples were collected (Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022) (n = 4932) and 110 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Female gender was associated with higher perceptions of severity, susceptibility, and the adoption of new health behaviours. Perceptions of severity and anxiety/fear about contracting COVID-19 after reading/hearing a news report decreased overall over time, while perceptions of susceptibility increased through time overall. Social media was the most used form of media and was the form of media that participants judged to make them feel most anxious/fearful about contracting COVID-19. Those who felt anxious after hearing a COVID-19 news report were 8.43 times more likely to judge COVID-19 as severe and 2.07 times more likely to judge their own susceptibility as high. Interviews revealed perceptions of information overload, passive information intake, and a narrowed geographical focus over time. The decrease in judgements of COVID-19 severity with the accompanying increase in judgements of susceptibility over the first two years of the pandemic demonstrate the dynamics of changing pandemic attitudes. Health communication efforts targeting university students in future major health events need to consider these shifting dynamics and ensure that health information distributed via social media meets the needs of university students.