bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultra‐Thin Hydrogen‐Organic‐Framework (HOF) Nanosheets for Ultra‐Stable Alkali Ions Battery Storage
Authors: Tang Jialong , Yang Ruoxuan , Peng Yuting , Lin Hong , He Xin , Song Yingze , Wu Kaipeng , Kang Youngsoo , Yang Long
Published: November 2023

Organic frameworks‐based batteries with excellent physicochemical stability and long‐term high capacity will definitely reduce the cost, carbon emissions, and metal consumption and contamination. Here, an ultra‐stable and ultra‐thin perylene‐dicyandiamide‐based hydrogen organic framework (HOF) nanosheet (P‐DCD) of ≈3.5 nm in thickness is developed. When applied in the cathode, the P‐DCD exhibits exceptional long‐term capacity retention for alkali‐ion batteries (AIBs). Strikingly, for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), at current of 2 A g−1, the large reversible capacity of 108 mA h g−1 shows no attenuation within 5 000 cycles. For sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), the related capacity retains 91.7% within 10 000 cycles compared to the initial state, significantly much more stable than conventional organic materials reported previously. Mechanism studies through ex situ and in situ experiments and theoretical density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the impressive long‐term performance retention originates from the large electron delocalization, fast ion diffusion, and physicochemical stability within the ultra‐thin 2D P‐DCD, featuring π‐π and hydrogen bonding stacking, nitrogen‐rich units, and low impedance. The advantageous features demonstrate that rationally designed stable and effective organic frameworks pave the way to utilizing complete organic materials for developing next‐generation low‐cost and highly stable energy storage batteries.
Organic Molecular Intercalation Enabled Anionic Redox Chemistry with Fast Kinetics for High Performance Magnesium Storage
Authors: Deng Rongrui , Wang Zhongting , Tan Shuangshuang , Lu Guanjie , Huang Xueting , Qu Baihua , Huang Guangsheng , Xu Chaohe , Zhou Xiaoyuan , Wang Jingfeng , Pan Fusheng
Published: November 2023

Rechargeable magnesium‐ion batteries possess desirable characteristics in large‐scale energy storage applications. However, severe polarization, sluggish kinetics and structural instability caused by high charge density Mg2+ hinder the development of high‐performance cathode materials. Herein, the anionic redox chemistry in VS4 is successfully activated by inducing cations reduction and introducing anionic vacancies via polyacrylonitrile (PAN) intercalation. Increased interlayer spacing and structural vacancies can promote the electrolyte ions migration and accelerate the reaction kinetics. Thanks to this “three birds with one stone” strategy, PAN intercalated VS4 exhibits an outstanding electrochemical performance: high discharge specific capacity of 187.2 mAh g−1 at 200 mA g−1 after stabilization and a long lifespan of 5000 cycles at 2 A g−1 are achieved, outperforming other reported VS4‐based materials to date for magnesium storage under the APC electrolyte. Theoretical calculations confirm that the intercalated PAN can indeed induce cations reduction and generate anionic vacancies by promoting electron transfer, which can accelerate the electrochemical reaction kinetics and activate the anionic redox chemistry, thus improving the magnesium storage performance. This approach of organic molecular intercalation represents a promising guideline for electrode material design on the development of advanced multivalent‐ion batteries.
In‐Plane Palladium and Interplanar Copper Dual Single‐Atom Catalyst in Bulk‐Like Carbon Nitride for Cascade CO2 Photoreduction
Authors: Yue Xiaoyang , Cheng Lei , Guan Chen , Liao Yulong , Xu Zhihua , Ostrikov Kostya Ken , Xiang Quanjun
Published: November 2023

Dual single‐atom catalysts (DSACs) are promising for breaking the scaling relationships and ensuring synergistic effects compared with conventional single‐atom catalysts (SACs). Nevertheless, precise synthesis and optimization of DSACs with specific locations and functions remain challenging. Herein, dual single‐atoms are specifically incorporated into the layer‐stacked bulk‐like carbon nitride, featuring in‐plane three‐coordinated Pd and interplanar four‐coordinated Cu (Pd1‐Cu1/b‐CN) atomic sites, from both experimental results and DFT simulations. Using femtosecond time‐resolved transient absorption (fs‐TA) spectroscopy, it is found that the in‐plane Pd features a charge decay lifetime of 95.6 ps which is much longer than that of the interplanar Cu (3.07 ps). This finding indicates that the in‐plane Pd can provide electrons for the reaction as the catalytically active site in both structurally and dynamically favorable manners. Such a well‐defined bi‐functional cascade system ensures a 3.47‐fold increase in CO yield compared to that of bulk‐like CN (b‐CN), while also exceeding the effects of single Pd1/b‐CN and Cu1/b‐CN sites. Furthermore, DFT calculations reveal that the inherent transformation from s–p coupling to d–p hybridization between the Pd site and CO2 molecule occurs during the initial CO2 adsorption and hydrogenation processes and stimulates the preferred CO2‐to‐CO reaction pathway.
Are menthol smokers different? An economic perspective
Authors: Cheng Yu‐Chun Elisa , Kenkel Don , Mathios Alan , Wang Hua
Published: November 2023

More than 18.5 million current smokers in the United States usually smoke menthol cigarettes. The Food and Drug Administration recently proposed a tobacco product standard to prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes. We explore whether there are internality‐based market failures that provide an applied welfare economics rationale to prohibit menthol. Our empirical approach provides descriptive evidence from the 2018 to 2019 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey on how menthol use is associated with smokers' market demand along multiple intensive and extensive margins. We also use measures of smoking‐related misinformation and internalities, and stated preference data, from a 2021 Cornell Online Survey. We acknowledge that the associations we document in observational data might reflect bias due to self‐selection into menthol use. We leave it to the reader whether there is convincing evidence that differential levels of internality‐based market failures are a sufficient justification for the proposed prohibition of menthol cigarettes.
Solution‐Processed, Highly Crystalline, and Oriented MAPbI3 Thin Films by Engineering Crystal‐Growth Kinetics
Authors: Ahmad Riyas , Buenconsejo Pio John S. , Lim Ming Pin Alan , Harikesh Padinhare Cholakkal , Sugathan Vipinraj , Haselsberger Reinhard , Koh Teck Ming , Leong Wei Lin , Mathews Nripan , Bruno Annalisa , Michel-Beyerle Maria-Elisabeth , Mhaisalkar Subodh G.
Published: November 2023

Growing oriented and monocrystalline layers of lead halide perovskites over device substrates helps to harness their outstanding optoelectronic properties. Epitaxial growth of lead halide perovskites for device fabrication is limited by the lack of lattice‐matched substrates and the requirement of compact pinhole‐free films. Most optoelectronic devices use amorphous substrates, hindering oriented epitaxial growth. Herein, highly crystalline methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) thin films over amorphous substrates are demonstrated by meticulously optimizing the nucleation and growth kinetics in spin‐coating. The “epitaxial‐like” films enable large‐area crystalline layer fabrication, with larger than 100 μm spherulitic grains oriented along [200] and [224] planes. The compact, highly crystalline, and oriented films of MAPbI3 formed over indium tin oxide/SnO2 are used to fabricate perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with an area of 1 cm2. Despite the perovskite films being highly oriented and crystalline, the PSCs’ performances highlight the critical role the interfaces play in photovoltaic cells.
Crossing boundaries between research and practitioner communities: The role of research use and cross‐community journal authorship
Authors: Taylor Joseph A. , Bowen G. Michael , Kubsch Marcus , Summers Ryan , Sezen‐Barrie Asli , Patrick Patricia , Lachapelle Cathy , Warfa AbdiRizak , Guzey S. Selcen
Published: November 2023

This study pursued two major objectives. The first was to use bibliometric techniques to examine bidirectionality in the relationship between teachers and researchers, as indicated by collaborative authorship among these communities. The second was to explore more deeply knowledge mobilization to classrooms by documenting the extent to which research is cited in science education practitioner journals (SEPJ). Specifically, we examined: (a) the frequency of collaboration between researchers and practitioners in the writing of journal articles for both practitioner‐focused and academic journals in science education, and (b) the extent to which authors of articles in practitioner‐focused journals drew on academic research to support their advocacy for and/or description of science education programs, policies, or practices. Findings indicate that writing collaborations among academic researchers and practitioners are relatively infrequent, even on practitioner‐focused articles. Also, articles in SEPJs more often cite books and other resources over academic journals, even those academic journals focused on informing science education teaching and learning. Recommendations include providing open access to published research, development of research summaries for lay audiences, and incentivizing practitioners to engage in research and writing. This study explores only one mechanism by which knowledge can be mobilized to classrooms and only one type of dissemination product (i.e., journal articles) upon which researchers and practitioners can collaborate. Additional limitations are noted including the applicability of the findings only to the specific journals and timeframes analyzed.
Zeolite‐based polymer composite films for vegetables and fruits packaging: A review
Authors: Hosseinnia Mozhan , Alaee Reyhaneh , Tabarzadi Parisa , Masoumi Amirali , Farrokhzad Hasan , Poorkhalil Ali
Published: November 2023

The deterioration of fruits during production, transportation, and storage has become one of the main challenges in supplying fruits based on consumer requirements. Therefore, the application of suitable packaging containing effective additives to improve the properties of the used film, is very important. In this article, the studies were conducted on the use of Zeolite as an effective additive to improve the properties of polymer packaging films owing to its high porosity and low toxicity. The results showed that the presence of zeolite in a packaging film can lead to the improvement of visual observation and firmness, reduction of weight loss and total soluble solids (TSS), and increase in the pH of the packed fruits. The results obtained from reviewing the literature show that the use of zeolite has different effects on the gas permeation or adsorption through the packaging films which can control the degradative parameters of fruits and vegetables. Surface modifiers can increase the efficiency of zeolites in packaging films which are also evaluated in this article.

Highlights

Packaging of fruits with the use of polymer films and zeolite as an additive increases their shelf life.

Ethylene is a flammable gas with the formula C2H4 that accelerates the fruit ripening.

Zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicates of alkali or alkaline earth cations that are crystalline and microporous.

Zeolites are widely used in the packaging of polymeric composites, due to their chemical structure and unique characteristics.

The visual features, firmness, pH, TSS, TA, and weight loss are factors to be investigated for each fruit.
What Is Affirmative Consent?
Authors: Featherstone Lisa , Byrnes Cassandra , Maturi Jenny , Minto Kiara , Mickelburgh Renée , Donaghy Paige
Published: November 2023

Affirmative consent was first articulated on college campuses in the United States in the 1990s. Affirmative consent demanded verbal, positive consent during each sexual encounter, and for each individual part of the sexual activity. Consent had to be meaningful and enthusiastic. While later interpretations would shift and change, and in many instances, non-verbal communication might count as affirmative consent, the model required active and positive participation from everyone during a sexual encounter. An absence of agreement—through silence or passivity—does not meet the standard of affirmative consent.

This chapter outlines what affirmative consent was and is, how and why it developed, and why it has been widely imagined as a useful tool for navigating sexual encounters, and for preventing sexual violence. It charts what was initially a radical, alternative suggestion, to a concept that is now institutionalised in the mainstream. Just as importantly, it investigates the challenges of affirmative consent, in particular noting that power imbalances do not allow all people the freedom and bodily autonomy to assert consent. The chapter examines cases where affirmative consent cannot be freely given or denied, including situations where intimate partner violence occurs, or where other practices of coercion or powerlessness are in place. Finally, the chapter traces some of the recent legislative changes across Western cultures, which have enshrined affirmative consent in the law, despite the challenges of ensuring equal access to autonomy.
Communicating Consent in Schools and Online
Authors: Featherstone Lisa , Byrnes Cassandra , Maturi Jenny , Minto Kiara , Mickelburgh Renée , Donaghy Paige
Published: November 2023

Young women are retelling and reshaping stories of sexual assault and consent through testimonial accounts in the online space. In the wake of the global #metoo movement, women shared their stories both on and offline, as issues of sexual violence and consent education were forced onto national and international agendas. One of these online spaces was the Teach Us Consent website. Drawing on almost 3300 testimonies from the Australian Teach Us Consent website and the close reading of a random sample, this chapter considers the way these testimonies, which focus on breaches of sexual consent amongst high school students, reveal that future consent education programs must focus on the nuance and ambiguity within communication around consent and sexual interaction. Education about consent communication may involve acknowledging that which appears (initially at least) invisible or ambiguous. The Teach Us Consent website reveals discourse around consent does not necessarily support affirmative consent strategies such as the long-held mantras of “yes means yes” and “no means no” (Harris, Journal of Applied Communication Research, 46:158, 2018). Instead, the Teach Us Consent testimonies emphasise the complexities of consent, refusing to situate silence as a signal of acquiescence.
Conclusions About Consent
Authors: Featherstone Lisa , Byrnes Cassandra , Maturi Jenny , Minto Kiara , Mickelburgh Renée , Donaghy Paige
Published: November 2023

This chapter begins with an analysis of one of the most infamous pieces of sex education in recent memory: the Milkshake video, which attempts to explain the concept of consent to teenagers through the analogy of a milkshake. While a particularly awful, clumsy, and even offensive example, this well-funded campaign speaks to the broader problem of explaining consent to young people. It is all too easy to get it wrong. This chapter brings together ideas of consent and affirmative consent that are encapsulated across our work. It highlights the benefits and opportunities of an affirmative consent model and the rich potential for a positive and safe sexual landscape. It also outlines the risks and potential problems, which occur in both theory and practice. This does not, however, lead us to the conclusion that affirmative consent should be abandoned as a framework for thinking about improving issues of sexual violence. Instead, we suggest that we might simply need to think more boldly and more deeply about affirmative consent and the ways that it might be operationalised within our contemporary cultures.
A 4D IIB flux vacuum and supersymmetry breaking. Part II. Bosonic spectrum and stability
Authors: Mourad J. , Sagnotti A.
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We recently constructed type-IIB compactifications to four dimensions depending on a single additional coordinate, where a five-form flux Φ on an internal torus leads to a constant string coupling. Supersymmetry is fully broken when the internal manifold includes a finite interval of length ℓ, which is spanned by a conformal coordinate in a finite range 0 < z < zm. Here we examine the low-lying bosonic spectra and their classical stability, paying special attention to self-adjoint boundary conditions. Special boundary conditions result in the emergence of zero modes, which are determined exactly by first-order equations. The different sectors of the spectrum can be related to Schrödinger operators on a finite interval, characterized by pairs of real constants μ and $$ \overset{\sim }{\mu } $$

μ
~

, with μ equal to 1/3 or 2/3 in all cases and different values of $$ \overset{\sim }{\mu } $$

μ
~

. The potentials behave as $$ \frac{\mu^2-1/4}{z^2} $$

μ
2

−
1
/
4

z
2

and $$ \frac{{\overset{\sim }{\mu}}^2-1/4}{{\left({z}_m-z\right)}^2} $$

μ
~

2

−
1
/
4

z
m

−
z

2

near the ends and can be closely approximated by exactly solvable trigonometric ones. With vanishing internal momenta, one can thus identify a wide range of boundary conditions granting perturbative stability, despite the intricacies that emerge in some sectors. For the Kaluza-Klein excitations of non-singlet vectors and scalars the Schrödinger systems couple pairs of fields, and the stability regions, which depend on the background, widen as the ratio Φ/ℓ4 decreases.
Higher Order Thorin–Bernstein Functions
Authors: Koumandos Stamatis , Pedersen Henrik L.
Published: November 2023

We investigate subclasses of generalized Bernstein functions related to complete Bernstein and Thorin–Bernstein functions. Representations in terms of incomplete beta and gamma as well as hypergeometric functions are presented. Several special cases and examples are discussed.
Increased risk of reoperation and failure to attain clinically relevant improvement following autologous chondrocyte implantation of the knee in female patients and individuals with previous surgeries: a time‐to‐event analysis based on the German cartilage registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU)
Authors: Bumberger Alexander , Rupp Marco Christopher , Lattermann Christian , Kleiner Anne , Niemeyer Philipp
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to analyze the risk of reoperation following autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) of the knee utilizing third‐generation ACI products in a time‐to‐event analysis and report on the associated patient‐reported outcome measures (PROM) in case of reoperation.

Methods

Patients undergoing ACI were included from a longitudinal database. Patient age, sex, body mass index (BMI), number of previous surgeries, lesion localization, lesion size, symptom duration, as well as time and type of reoperation was extracted. A cox proportional‐hazards model was applied to investigate the influence of baseline variables on risk of reoperation. Reoperation was defined as any type of subsequent ipsilateral knee surgery, excluding hardware removal. The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) was utilized to compare PROM between patients with and without reoperation.

Results

A total of 2039 patients were included with 1359 (66.7%) having a minimum follow‐up of 24 months. There were overall 243 reoperations (prevalence 17.9%). Minor arthroscopic procedures (n = 96, 39.5%) and revision cartilage repair procedures (n = 78, 32.1%) were the most common reoperations. Nineteen patients (0.9%) reported conversion arthroplasty at 17.7 (10.4) months after ACI. Female sex (HR 1.5, 95% CI [1.2, 2.0], p = 0.002) and the presence of 1–2 previous surgeries (HR 1.5, 95% CI [1.1, 2.0], p = 0.010), or more than 2 previous surgeries (HR 1.9, 95% CI [1.2, 2.9], p = 0.004) were significantly associated with increased risk of reoperation following ACI. Significantly less patients surpassed the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in the reoperation group at 24 months regarding the KOOS subscores pain (OR 1.6, 95% CI [1.1, 2.2]), quality of life (OR 2.2, 95% CI [1.6, 3.2]), symptoms (OR 2.0 [1.4, 2.9]), and sports (OR 2.0 [1.4, 2.8]).

Conclusion

Female patients and individuals with a history of previous surgeries face an elevated risk of requiring reoperation after undergoing ACI, which is associated with failure to attain clinically relevant improvements. A thorough evaluation of the indications for ACI is paramount, particularly when patients have a history of previous surgeries.

Level of evidence

Level III.
The presence of a latent factor in gasoline and diesel prices co-movements
Authors: Magazzino Cosimo , Mele Marco , Albulescu Claudiu Tiberiu , Apergis Nicholas , Mutascu Mihai Ioan
Published: November 2023

This paper proposes a novel approach to identify the presence of a latent factor in the co-movements of gasoline and diesel prices in the three major European Union economies, (France, Germany, and Italy) using daily data from January 3, 2005, to June 28, 2021. More precisely, we advance an artificial neural networks algorithm estimated through a machine learning experiment through the backpropagation system to show that the neural signal is altered by an element that could coincide with a latent factor in the fuel price co-movements. We consider the role of the fuel tax systems and the connection between gasoline and diesel prices in these countries. The estimations indicate the presence of an unobservable component (the latent factor) in the fuel price co-movements, capable of influencing NN. This result validates the previous findings reported in the literature, indicating an excess co-movement in fuel prices. It also has implications in terms of fuel price forecasts in the short run.
Immunoregulatory role of hesperidin against ovalbumin (OVA)-induced bronchial asthma and depression in rats
Authors: Salama Abeer , Gouida Mona S. O. , Yassen Noha N. , Sedik Ahmed A.
Published: November 2023

Links between bronchial asthma and depression have recently become a great subject of interest. The present study was carried out to assess the protective role of hesperidin against ovalbumin (OVA)-induced bronchial asthma that is associated with depression in rats, for this purpose, four groups. Rats were sensitized with intraperitoneal administration of 200 μg OVA/10 mg aluminum hydroxide (Al (OH) 3 for 3 consecutive days then at day 11 followed by intranasal challenge with OVA (1.5 mg/kg) at days 19, 20, and 21. Rats were pretreated with hesperidin (100 & 200 mg/kg) 1h before OVA challenge. At the end of the study, behavioral tests, biochemical indices, and histopathological architectures of lung and brain tissues were evaluated. Our findings showed that hesperidin significantly ameliorated the reduction in motor activity, motor coordination, forced swimming, CD4, CD25 and foxp3, interleukin-10 (IL-10), dopamine, serotonin, and neurotrophin-3 (NT3) as well as alleviated the elevation in transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), iL-5, and immunoglobulin E (IgE). In addition, hesperidin reduced cellular infiltration, alveolar sacs damage, the bronchioles wall disruption, and nuclei pyknosis in neuron cells. Finally, hesperidin may provide protection against OVA-induced asthma and depression. This impact could be mediated in part by its anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties.

Graphical abstract
How shoulder immobilization after surgery influences daily activity — a prospective pedometer-based study
Authors: Rickert Carolin , Ahlich Stefanie , Gosheger Georg , Kalisch Tobias , Liem Dennis , Schneider Kristian Nikolaus , Klingebiel Sebastian
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Immobilization, especially of the lower extremity, after orthopaedic surgery has been associated with reduced physical activity. Previous interventions from our study group showed even in young, healthy people reduced activity levels after immobilization of the shoulder. Therefore, this study investigates the change in physical activity due to shoulder immobilization after a reconstructive surgery.

Methods

This prospective study includes 40 patients undergoing surgery from May 2019 to December 2020. Daily activity was measured before surgery, after discharge and three weeks postoperatively each time for six days. Activity including step counts and active time were measured by Fitbit™ inspire. Range of motion before and after surgery as well as Pain (VAS) were documented.

Results

Steps became significantly less immediately postoperatively with an immobilized shoulder joint than before surgery (9728.8 vs. 6022.6, p < 0.05). At follow-up, the number of steps increased again, but still showed a significantly lower number of steps (mean 8833.2) compared to preoperative. Patients preoperatively showed mostly an “active” activity pattern, whereas postoperatively a “low active” behaviour predominated. The proportion of sedentary behaviour (“basal activity” and “limited activity”) was almost three times higher postoperatively (12.5% vs. 30%).

Conclusion

General physical activity is restricted during upper limb immobilization in adults. Therefore, activity-enhancing measures should be implemented in the early phase of rehabilitation after upper extremity surgery.
In-depth molecular analysis of lymphomas with lymphoplasmacytic differentiation may provide more precise diagnosis and rational treatment allocation
Authors: Brunner Andrea , Thalhammer-Thurner Gudrun Carolina , Willenbacher Wolfgang , Haun Margot , Zelger Bettina Gudrun , Willenbacher Ella
Published: November 2023

We performed a molecular analysis of formalin-fixed paraffin embedded and decalcified bone marrow trephine biopsies of 41 patients with a B-cell disorder with lymphoplasmacytic differentiation to enable a more precise diagnosis and to describe potentially prognostic and therapeutic relevant mutations. Analysis was performed with a commercially available next-generation sequencing (NGS) lymphoma panel (Lymphoma Solution, SophiaGenetics). Results were correlated with clinical and pathological parameters. Our group covered a spectrum of B-cell disorders with plasmacytic differentiation ranging from Waldenstroem’s macroglobulinemia (WM), to small-B-cell lymphomas with plasmacytic differentiation (SBCL-PC) to IgM myeloma (MM). The most helpful diagnostic criteria included morphology and immuno-phenotype as a prerequisite for the interpretation of molecular analysis. MYD88 mutation was present in nearly all WM, but also in 50% of SBCL-PCs, while MM were consistently negative. Driver mutations, such as TP53, were already detectable early in the course of the respective diseases indicating a higher risk of progression, transformation, and reduced progression-free survival. In addition, we report on a novel BIRC3 frameshift mutation in one case of a progressive WM. Our data indicate that patients with LPL/WM might benefit from thorough pathological work-up and detailed molecular analysis in terms of precise diagnosis and targeted treatment allocation.
Ex uno plures: how to construct high-speed movies of collapsing cavitation bubbles from a single image
Authors: Sieber Armand Baptiste , Preso Davide Bernardo , Farhat Mohamed
Published: November 2023

The time-resolved visualization of the dynamics of a cavitation bubble usually requires the use of expensive high-speed cameras, which often provide a limited spatial resolution. In the present study, we propose an alternative to these high-speed imaging techniques. The method is based on the recently introduced virtual frame technique, which relates the motion of a monotonic propagating front to the resulting image blur captured on a long-exposure shadowgraph. We use a consumer-level camera to photograph the entire collapse phase of cavitation bubbles. We then demonstrate that both the dynamics of a spherically collapsing bubble and those of a bubble collapsing near a rigid boundary can be accurately reconstructed from this single photograph at a virtual frame rate of up to 2 Mfps on a 24.2 Mpx sensor.
Dental age assessment in the living: a comparison of two common stage classifications for assessing radiographic visibility of the root canals in mandibular third molars
Authors: Timme Maximilian , Viktorov Jan , Steffens Laurin , Streeter Adam , Karch André , Schmeling Andreas
Published: November 2023

After dentition is complete, degenerative tooth characteristics can be used for dental age assessment. Radiological assessment of the visibility of the root canals of the mandibular third molars in dental panoramic radiographs (DPRs) is known to be one such suitable feature. Essentially, two different stage classifications are available for evaluating the visibility of the root canals of mandibular third molars in the DPR. The aim of this study was to determine if one method outperforms the other. Therefore, the 2010 method of Olze et al. was directly compared to the 2017 method of Lucas et al. in the 2020 modification of Al Qattan et al. To this end, 233 DPRs from 116 females and 117 males aged 20.0 to 40.9 years were evaluated by three independent experienced examiners. In addition, one examiner ran two independent evaluations. Correlation between age and stage was investigated, and the inter- and intra-rater reliability was estimated for both methods. Correlation between age and stage was higher with the Olze method (Spearman rho 0.388 [95% CI 0.309, 0.462], males and 0.283 [95% CI 0.216, 0.357], females) than the Lucas method (0.212 [95% CI 0.141, 0.284], males and 0.265 [95% CI 0.193, 0.340], females). The intra-rater repeatability of the Olze method (Krippendorff’s α = 0.576 [95% CI 0.508, 0.644], males and α = 0.592 [95% CI 0.523, 0.661], females) was greater than that for the Lucas method (intra-rater α = 0.422 [95% CI 0.382, 0.502], males and α = 0.516 [95% CI 0.523, 0.661], females). Inter-rater reproducibility was also greater for the Olze method (α = 0.542 [95% CI 0.463, 0.620], males and α = 0.533 [95% CI 0.451, 0.615], females) compared to the Lucas method (α = 0.374 [95% CI 0.304, 0.443], males and α = 0.432 [95% CI 0.359, 0.505], females). The method of Olze et al. was found to present marginal advantages to the Lucas et al. method across all examinations and may be a more appropriate method for application in future studies.
Combined versus standalone XEN45 Gel Stent implantation in either phakic or pseudophakic patients: a case-matched study
Authors: Kiessling David , Rennings Corinna , Hild Matthias , Lappas Alexandra , Dietlein Thomas Stefan , Roessler Gernot Franz , Widder Randolf Alexander
Published: November 2023

Purpose

To determine differing outcomes among either phakic or pseudophakic patients who received standalone XEN45 Gel Stent (Allergan, an AbbVie Company, CA, USA) implantation and patients who underwent combined surgery with phacoemulsification.

Methods

This retrospective single-center study involved 180 eyes of 180 participants who underwent XEN45 Gel Stent implantation, of which 60 eyes received combined surgery with phacoemulsification (combined group). Standalone stent implantation was performed on 60 phakic (phakic group) and on 60 pseudophakic eyes (pseudophakic group). The groups were matched in a ratio of 1:1:1 based on multiple criteria. Successful surgery was defined by three scores: IOP at the longest follow-up of < 21 mmHg (Score A) or < 18 mmHg (Score B) and an IOP reduction > 20% or IOP ≤ 15 mmHg and an IOP reduction ≥ 40% (Score C). In all scores, one open conjunctival revision was allowed, and additional repeat surgery was considered a failure.

Results

After an average follow-up time interval of 20.6 ± 12.6 months, there was a mean IOP-reduction by 37% among the entire cohort. Comparative analysis between the three groups did not show significant differences regarding postoperative IOP, postoperative medication score, side effects, revision rate, repeat surgery rate or success rate. A dysfunctional stent was detected in eight eyes (4%) during open conjunctival revision in 76 eyes.

Conclusion

The clinical endpoints investigated did not differ significantly among either phakic or pseudophakic patients who received standalone stent implantation and patients who underwent combined surgery. However mean latency between primary stent implantation and first revision surgery after combined surgery was markedly shorter.
Interrupting sitting acutely attenuates cardiometabolic risk markers in South Asian adults living with overweight and obesity
Authors: Dey Kamalesh Chandra , Zakrzewski-Fruer Julia K. , Smith Lindsey R. , Jones Rebecca L. , Bailey Daniel P.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study examined the acute effects of interrupting sitting with light-intensity walking on postprandial cardiometabolic risk markers in South Asian adults.

Methods

South Asians with overweight/obesity (n = 19; body mass index [BMI] > 23 kg·m−2) and normal-weight (n = 8; BMI 18.0–22.9 kg·m−2) aged 48.8 ± 5.6 years completed two, 5-h conditions: (1) prolonged sitting (SIT), and (2) interrupted sitting with 5-min bouts of light-intensity walking every 30-min (INT-SIT). Blood samples and resting expired air samples were collected throughout each condition. Statistical analyses were completed using linear mixed models.

Results

In participants with overweight/obesity, postprandial glucose, triglycerides (TAG) and metabolic load index (MLI) over time were lower, whereas resting substrate utilisation and resting energy expenditure (REE) were higher, in INT-SIT than SIT (all p ≤ 0.05). Compared with SIT (0.18 [95% CI 0.13, 0.22] kcal.min−1), INT-SIT (0.23 [95% CI 0.18, 0.27] kcal.min−1) increased postprandial REE iAUC in participants with overweight/obesity (p = 0.04, d = 0.51). Postprandial TAG concentrations over time were lower in INT-SIT versus SIT (p = 0.01, d = 30) in normal-weight participants, with no differences in any other outcomes for this sample group.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that interrupting sitting with 5-min bouts of light walking every 30-min acutely attenuates cardiometabolic risk markers among South Asians living with overweight/obesity, whereas limited effects may be seen in individuals with normal-weight.
Barriers to the spiritual care of parents taking care of their child with a life-limiting condition at home
Authors: Brouwer Marije A. , Bas-Douw Barbara C. , Leget Carlo J. W. , Engel Marijanne , Teunissen Saskia C. C. M. , Kars Marijke C.
Published: November 2023

The changes that parents face when caring for a child with a life-limiting condition at home can affect them on a spiritual level. Yet, indications remain that parents do not feel supported when dealing with spiritual issues related to caring for a severely ill child. This paper explores, from the perspectives of bereaved parents, chaplains, grief counselors, and primary health care providers, the barriers to supporting the spiritual needs of parents. We conducted a qualitative focus group study from a constructivist point with chaplains/grief counselors, primary care professionals, and bereaved parents. All groups participated in two consecutive focus group sessions. Data were thematically analyzed. Six chaplains/grief counselors, 6 care professionals, and 5 parents participated. We identified six barriers: (1) There were difficulties in identifying and communicating spiritual care needs. (2) The action-oriented approach to health care hinders the identification of spiritual care needs. (3) There is an existing prejudice that spiritual care needs are by nature confrontational or difficult to address. (4) Spiritual support is not structurally embedded in palliative care. (5) There is a lack of knowledge and misconceptions about existing support. (6) Seeking out spiritual support is seen as too demanding.

Conclusion: Parents of children with life-limiting conditions face existential challenges. However, care needs are often not identified, and existing support is not recognized as such. The main challenge is to provide care professionals and parents with the tools and terminology that suit existing care needs.

What is Known:• Spiritual care needs are an important aspect of pediatric palliative care.• Parents of children with life-limiting conditions feel unsupported when dealing with spiritual questions.

What is New:• Parents and professionals mention barriers that hinder spiritual support for parents.• There is a disconnect between existing support and the care needs that parents have.
The difference between port-Hamiltonian, passive and positive real descriptor systems
Authors: Cherifi Karim , Gernandt Hannes , Hinsen Dorothea
Published: November 2023

The relation between passive and positive real systems has been extensively studied in the literature. In this paper, we study their connection to the more recently used notion of port-Hamiltonian descriptor systems. It is well-known that port-Hamiltonian systems are passive and that passive systems are positive real. Hence it is studied under which assumptions the converse implications hold. Furthermore, the relationship between passivity and KYP inequalities is investigated.
Fluid effects in model granular flows
Authors: Zhao Yuting , Take W. Andy , Kaitna Roland , McArdell Brian W. , McElwaine Jim N. , Bowman Elisabeth T.
Published: November 2023

Pore fluid plays a crucial role in many granular flows, especially those in geophysical settings. However, the transition in behaviour between dry flows and fully saturated flows and the underlying physics that relate to this are poorly understood. In this paper, we report the results of small-scale flume experiments using monodisperse granular particles with varying water content and volume in which the basal pore pressure, total pressure, flow height and velocity profile were measured at a section. We compare the results with theoretical profiles for granular flow and with flow regimes based on dimensional analysis. The runout and the centre of mass were also calculated from the deposit surface profiles. As the initial water content by mass was increased from zero to around 10%, we first observed a drop in mobility by approximately 50%, as surface tension caused cohesive behaviour due to matric suction. As the water content was further increased up to 45%, the mobility also increased dramatically, with increased flow velocity up to 50%, increased runout distance up to 240% and reduced travel angle by up to 10° compared to the dry case. These effects can be directly related to the basal pore pressure, with both negative pressures and positive pore pressures being measured relative to atmospheric during the unsteady flow. We find that the initial flow volume plays a role in the development of relative pore pressure, such that, at a fixed relative water content, larger flows exhibit greater positive pore pressures, greater velocities and greater relative runout distances. This aligns with many other granular experiments and field observations. Our findings suggest that the fundamental role of the pore fluid is to reduce frictional contact forces between grains thus increasing flow velocity and bulk mobility. While this can occur by the development of excess pore pressure, it can also occur where the positive pore pressure is not in excess of hydrostatic, as shown here, since buoyancy and lubrication alone will reduce frictional forces.

Graphical abstract
Broaching Client Identities: Integrating a Critical Consciousness Lens in Counselling Practice
Authors: Barraclough Shanee , Malott Krista , Ahuriri-Driscoll Annabel
Published: November 2023

Cultural competence and, to a lesser extent, cultural safety for developing culturally responsive practice have been the dominant paradigms in the helping professions in Aotearoa New Zealand. This article focuses on a paradigm shift toward critical and structural consciousness in a masters-level counselling curriculum. Authors in this study undertook a qualitative inquiry in exploring counselling students’ experiences of a critically conscious curriculum, culminating in their application of the skill of broaching as a strategy for discussing client intersectional identities and structural and systemic issues. The students described experiences of discomfort, challenge, and transformative learning. Unique and nuanced challenges of learning broaching are delineated by the students. Findings suggest that learners must have complex understandings of critically conscious concepts and local dominant norms to effectively explore intersectional and marginalised identities with clients. Direction for educators and supervisors in ways to anticipate common challenges and to better train and supervise beginning counsellors in broaching are included.
The effects of high uncertainty risk on international stock markets
Authors: Aslanidis Nektarios , Christiansen Charlotte , P. Kouretas George
Published: November 2023

We conduct an international analysis of the cross-sectional risk premiums of uncertainty risk factors in addition to traditional risk factors. We consider international stock markets in five regions separately. We measure uncertainty by the local and US economic policy uncertainty indices. Economic policy uncertainty risk has negative risk premiums. This implies that investors get lower returns for assets with high uncertainty betas. We further analyze a nonlinear relationship between excess returns and uncertainty risk by adding the downside economic policy uncertainty risk factor which captures high levels of uncertainty, similar to downside market risk. The downside uncertainty risk factor has negative risk premiums.
Aortic stenosis and right ventricular dysfunction
Authors: Fulop Pavol , Valocik Gabriel , Barbierik Vachalcova Marianna , Zenuch Pavol , Filipova Lenka
Published: November 2023

At the present time, right ventricular function in patients with aortic stenosis is insufficiently taken into account in the decision-making process of aortic valve replacement. The aim of our study was to evaluate significance of right ventricular dysfunction in patients with severe aortic stenosis by modern 3D echocardiographic methods. This is prospective analysis of 68 patients with severe high and low-gradient aortic stenosis. We evaluated function of left and right ventricle on the basis of 3D reconstruction. Enddiastolic, endsystolic volumes, ejection fraction and stroke volumes of both chambers were assessed. There were more patients with right ventricular dysfunction in low-gradient group (RVEF < 45%) than in the high-gradient group (63.6% vs 39%, p = 0.02). Low-gradient patients had worse right ventricular function than high-gradient patients (RVEF 36% vs 46%, p = 0.02). There wasn’t any significant correlation between the right ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension (r = − 0.25, p = 0.036). There was significant correlation between left and right ejection fraction (r = 0.78, p < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the only predictor of right ventricular function is the left ventricular function. According to our results we can state that right ventricular dysfunction is more common in patients with low-gradient than in high-gradient aortic stenosis and the only predictor of right ventricular dysfunction is left ventricular dysfunction, probably based on ventriculo-ventricular interaction. Pulmonary hypertension in patients with severe AS does not predict right ventricular dysfunction.
MOBI-Qual: a common framework to manage the product-service system quality of shared mobility
Authors: Barravecchia Federico , Mastrogiacomo Luca , Casadesús Fa Martí , Franceschini Fiorenzo
Published: November 2023

Shared mobility is transforming urban transportation. The increasing demand for more efficient and sustainable transportation options has driven the growth of the shared mobility sector, attracting operators ranging from new entrants to traditional manufacturers looking to diversify their markets. Despite its popularity, there is currently a lack of tools to support the design and management of the quality of shared mobility. Seeking to contribute towards bridging this gap, this paper presents a comprehensive quality framework, refereed as MOBI-Qual. MOBI-Qual was developed using a bottom-up approach, wherein quality determinants were defined based on an extensive analysis of digital Voice-of-Customer data, specifically customer review. A topic modelling algorithm was utilized to extract the quality determinants for the most prevalent shared mobility modes. Following this, a common framework was established through a comparison of these quality determinants. The proposed framework comprises eleven quality determinants that comprehensively cover various aspects of shared mobility.
Fairness of Academic Performance Prediction for the Distribution of Support Measures for Students: Differences in Perceived Fairness of Distributive Justice Norms
Authors: Lünich Marco , Keller Birte , Marcinkowski Frank
Published: November 2023

Artificial intelligence in higher education is becoming more prevalent as it promises improvements and acceleration of administrative processes concerning student support, aiming for increasing student success and graduation rates. For instance, Academic Performance Prediction (APP) provides individual feedback and serves as the foundation for distributing student support measures. However, the use of APP with all its challenges (e.g., inherent biases) significantly impacts the future prospects of young adults. Therefore, it is important to weigh the opportunities and risks of such systems carefully and involve affected students in the development phase. This study addresses students’ fairness perceptions of the distribution of support measures based on an APP system. First, we examine how students evaluate three different distributive justice norms, namely, equality, equity, and need. Second, we investigate whether fairness perceptions differ between APP based on human or algorithmic decision-making, and third, we address whether evaluations differ between students studying science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) or social sciences, humanities, and the arts for people and the economy (SHAPE), respectively. To this end, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with a 2 $$\times$$
×
3 factorial design among n = 1378 German students, in which we utilized the distinct distribution norms and decision-making agents as design factors. Our findings suggest that students prefer an equality-based distribution of support measures, and this preference is not influenced by whether APP is based on human or algorithmic decision-making. Moreover, the field of study does not influence the fairness perception, except that students of STEM subjects evaluate a distribution based on the need norm as more fair than students of SHAPE subjects. Based on these findings, higher education institutions should prioritize student-centric decisions when considering APP, weigh the actual need against potential risks, and establish continuous feedback through ongoing consultation with all stakeholders.