bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social support as a predictor of outcomes of cognitive behavioral therapy with a trauma focus delivered face‐to‐face and via guided internet‐based self‐help
Authors: Lewis Catrin , Bailey Leah , Ariti Cono , Kitchiner Neil J. , Roberts Neil P. , Simon Natalie , Bisson Jonathan I.
Published: June 2023

There is mounting evidence that cognitive behavioral therapy with a trauma focus (CBT‐TF) delivered via guided internet‐based self‐help is noninferior to CBT‐TF delivered face‐to‐face for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) of mild‐to‐moderate severity. The availability of multiple evidence‐based treatment options creates a need to determine predictors of outcome to enable clinicians to make informed treatment recommendations. We examined perceived social support as a predictor of treatment adherence and response among 196 adults with PTSD enrolled in a multicenter pragmatic randomized controlled noninferiority trial. Perceived social support was measured using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and PTSD was assessed using the Clinician‐Administered PTSD Scale for DSM‐5. Linear regression was used to explore the associations between different dimensions of perceived social support (i.e., from friends, family, and significant others) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) at baseline. Linear and logistic regression were used to determine whether these dimensions of support predicted treatment adherence or response for either treatment modality. Lower baseline perceived social support from family was associated with higher levels of PTSS, B = −0.24, 95% CI [−0.39, −0.08], p = .003, but the same did not apply to social support from friends or significant others. We did not find evidence that any dimension of social support predicted treatment adherence or response for either treatment. This work does not indicate that social support is a factor that can help predict the suitability of psychological therapy for PTSD delivered via guided internet‐based self‐help versus face‐to‐face.
Creation of Chitosan‐Based Nanocapsule‐in‐Nanofiber Structures for Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic Drug Co‐Delivery and Their Dressing Applications in Diabetic Wounds
Authors: Lin Zheng‐Ian , Tsai Tzu‐Hsien , Yu Kuan‐Chi , Nien Yu‐Hsun , Liu Ru‐Ping , Liu Guan‐Lin , Chi Pei‐Ling , Fang Yi‐Ping , Ko Bao‐Tsan , Law Wing‐Cheung , Zhou Cheng , Yong Ken‐Tye , Cheng Pei‐Wen , Chen Chih‐Kuang
Published: June 2023

Nanofiber meshes (NFMs) loaded with therapeutic agents are very often employed to treat hard‐to‐heal wounds such as diabetic wounds. However, most of the NFMs have limited capability to load multiple or hydrophilicity distinctive‐therapeutic agents. The therapy strategy is therefore significantly hampered. To tackle the innate drawback associated with the drug loading versatility, a chitosan‐based nanocapsule‐in‐nanofiber (NC‐in‐NF) structural NFM system is developed for simultaneous loading of hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs. Oleic acid‐modified chitosan is first converted into NCs by the developed mini‐emulsion interfacial cross‐linking procedure, followed by loading a hydrophobic anti‐inflammatory agent Curcumin (Cur) into the NCs. Sequentially, the Cur‐loaded NCs are successfully introduced into reductant‐responsive maleoyl functional chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol NFMs containing a hydrophilic antibiotic Tetracycline hydrochloride. Having a co‐loading capability for hydrophilicity distinctive agents, biocompatibility, and a controlled release property, the resulting NFMs have demonstrated the efficacy on promoting wound healing either in normal or diabetic rats.
Chitin Nanomaterials as Multifunctional Systems in Advanced Applications – Progress and Challenges toward Sustainability
Authors: Iroegbu Austine Ofondu Chinomso , Ray Suprakas Sinha
Published: June 2023

There is an emerging agreement that “de‐fossilization” and not “decarbonization” is the way to mitigate global warming, achieving sustainable manufacturing and a viable bioeconomy. The finite supply, nonrenewability, and associated environmental and economic challenges of conventional materials derived from fossil hydrocarbons are causative in pursuing sustainable, renewable, ecological, efficient, and practical alternatives. Chitin is a biobased hydrocarbon that ranks among the most abundant and renewable polysaccharidal materials on Earth and is momentous in the pursuit of sustainability and a circular bioeconomy. It possesses tunable surface properties with unique multidimensional physiognomy for various adaptations while exhibiting characteristic nanoscale self‐ordered assemblages and chiral nematic phases at different dimensional ranges. This review reports the fundamental and functional properties of nanoscale chitin as a multifunctional material for advanced applications. A concise overview sets the background with a brief description of various chitin nanomaterials. Significant advancements in green(er) and sustainable technologies in material usage while elucidating essential research gaps and current challenges are also underscored. Finally, an outlook is provided toward consolidating the role of chitin as a primal but crucial material that offers significant developmental opportunity in the pursuit of sustainability with considerable gains toward mitigating the overbearing negative impact of the fossil economy.
Potential impacts of environmental bacteria on the microbiota of loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtle eggs and their hatching success
Authors: McMaken Colleen M. , Burkholder Derek A. , Milligan Rosanna J. , Lopez Jose V.
Published: June 2023

Sea turtle hatching success can be affected by many variables, including pathogenic microbes, but it is unclear which microbes are most impactful and how they are transmitted into the eggs. This study characterized and compared the bacterial communities from the (i) cloaca of nesting sea turtles (ii) sand within and surrounding the nests; and (iii) hatched and unhatched eggshells from loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles. High throughput sequencing of bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene V4 region amplicons was performed on samples collected from 27 total nests in Fort Lauderdale and Hillsboro beaches in southeast Florida, United States. Significant differences were identified between hatched and unhatched egg microbiota with the differences caused predominately by Pseudomonas spp., found in higher abundances in unhatched eggs (19.29% relative abundance) than hatched eggs (1.10% relative abundance). Microbiota similarities indicate that the nest sand environment, particularly nest distance from dunes, played a larger role than the nesting mother's cloaca in influencing hatched and unhatched egg microbiota. Pathogenic bacteria potentially derive from mixed‐mode transmission or additional sources not included in this study as suggested by the high proportion (24%–48%) of unhatched egg microbiota derived from unknown sources. Nonetheless, the results suggest Pseudomonas as a candidate pathogen or opportunistic colonizer associated with sea turtle egg‐hatching failure.
A novel splice‐site mutation in CHMP2B associated with frontotemporal dementia: The first report from China and literature review
Authors: Li Chang , Wen Ya , Zhao Mengqiu , Wang Yaye , Li Ping , Wang Liang , Wang Shan
Published: June 2023

Background

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) has genetic heterogeneity, and the endosomal ESCRTIII‐complex subunit CHMP2B variant is a rare cause of FTD. The mutations in CHMP2B were first identified in a large Danish pedigree with autosomal dominant FTD, and have also been found in several individuals from Belgium, France, the United States, and Türkiye. In the Chinese population, cases of CHMP2B variant‐associated FTD have never been reported.

Methods

The spectrum of clinical symptoms and the genetic analysis of the presented patient were identified and investigated. Besides this case, we assessed previously reported cases with CHMP2B gene mutations.

Results

This study presents a Chinese patient harboring a novel heterozygous A‐to‐T variant (NM_014043:c.532‐2A>T) in CHMP2B with a phenotype compatible with FTD. Although previous reports suggested cases of CHMP2B variant‐associated FTD initially presented with personality changes and stereotypical movements at the age of 50, this case was characterized by psychosis involving delusion of persecution, auditory hallucination, and suspiciousness at the earlier onset age of 44. Minigene splicing assay revealed that the splice‐site variant could result in the retention of intron 5.

Conclusion

This is the first case of CHMP2B variant‐associated FTD reported in the Chinese population. The novel c.532‐2A>T variant in the acceptor splice site of exon 6 retaining intron 5 was predicted to cause truncated protein and protein conformation changes. This discovery may expand the genetic and phenotypic spectrum of CHMP2B variant‐associated FTD.
An exploration of controllability on Hilfer fractional system via integral contractor
Authors: Jothimani Kasthurisamy , Valliammal Natarajan , Vijayakumar Velusamy
Published: June 2023

The primary focus of this article is to provide sufficient conditions for the controllability of Hilfer fractional neutral integrodifferential systems. By using the theories on fractional calculus, semigroup theory, and fixed point theorem method, the results are proved through integral contractors for the nonlinear neutral evolution equation in a non‐dense domain. In the end, the derived outcomes are validated through suitable illustrations.
Neural network guided sinogram‐domain iterative algorithm for artifact reduction
Authors: Zeng Gengsheng L.
Published: June 2023

Background

Artifact reduction or removal is a challenging task when the artifact creation physics are not well modeled mathematically. One of such situations is metal artifacts in x‐ray CT when the metallic material is unknown, and the x‐ray spectrum is wide.

Purpose

A neural network is used to act as the objective function for iterative artifact reduction when the artifact model is unknown.

Methods

A hypothetical unpredictable projection data distortion model is used to illustrate the proposed approach. The model is unpredictable, because it is controlled by a random variable. A convolutional neural network is trained to recognize the artifacts. The trained network is then used to compute the objective function for an iterative algorithm, which tries to reduce the artifacts in a computed tomography (CT) task. The objective function is evaluated in the image domain. The iterative algorithm for artifact reduction is in the projection domain. A gradient descent algorithm is used for the objective function optimization. The associated gradient is calculated with the chain rule.

Results

The learning curves illustrate the decreasing treads of the objective function as the number of iterations increases. The images after the iterative treatment show the reduction of artifacts. A quantitative metric, the Sum Square Difference (SSD), also indicates the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Conclusion

The methodology of using a neural network as an objective function has potential value for situations where a human developed model is difficult to describe the underlying physics. Real‐world applications are expected to be benefit from this methodology.
Managing demand slowdown: The interplay between trade‐ins and quality improvement
Authors: Wang Wei , Feng Lipan , Li Yongjian , Cai Gangshu (George) , Zhang Wubo
Published: June 2023

Quality improvement and trade‐ins are widely used by firms to manage the demand slowdown. However, how these two strategies interact with each other is unclear. In this paper, we construct a stylized model where a monopoly sells the new product to a market comprising both new and replacement consumers. We examine and compare the firm's optimal decisions, demands, and profits under four cases with quality improvement and/or trade‐in program. We identify several interesting results. First, quality improvement may lead to a lower retail price, while the trade‐in program consistently results in a higher price. Additionally, the trade‐in program encourages the firm to increase quality improvement level and sell the product with a higher price increase per unit of quality improvement. Second, although the trade‐in program and quality improvement strategy can certainly help increase the new product's demand, they may be partially substitutive under some conditions. Interestingly, their complementary effect in improving the firm's profit always exists. Third, quality improvement constantly improves consumer surplus and social welfare; however, it brings a larger environmental burden. Conversely, although the trade‐in program might reduce consumer surplus and social welfare, it can potentially reduce the environmental impacts when unit production cost is relatively low. Finally, our main findings above are relatively robust when considering the internal competition from remanufactured products, external competition from the secondary market, or the impacts of strategic consumer behaviors.
Mechanisms regulating vascular and lymphatic regeneration in the heart after myocardial infarction
Authors: Berkeley Bronwyn , Tang Michelle Nga Huen , Brittan Mairi
Published: June 2023

Myocardial infarction, caused by a thrombus or coronary vascular occlusion, leads to irreversible ischaemic injury. Advances in early reperfusion strategies have significantly reduced short‐term mortality after myocardial infarction. However, survivors have an increased risk of developing heart failure, which confers a high risk of death at 1 year. The capacity of the injured neonatal mammalian heart to regenerate has stimulated extensive research into whether recapitulation of developmental regeneration programmes may be beneficial in adult cardiovascular disease. Restoration of functional blood and lymphatic vascular networks in the infarct and border regions via neovascularisation and lymphangiogenesis, respectively, is a key requirement to facilitate myocardial regeneration. An improved understanding of the endogenous mechanisms regulating coronary vascular and lymphatic expansion and function in development and in adult patients after myocardial infarction may inform future therapeutic strategies and improve translation from pre‐clinical studies. In this review, we explore the underpinning research and key findings in the field of cardiovascular regeneration, with a focus on neovascularisation and lymphangiogenesis, and discuss the outcomes of therapeutic strategies employed to date. © 2023 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
An investigation into performance properties of sustainable polypropylene composites reinforced with basalt fiber and fly ash
Authors: Maurya Atul Kumar , Mahadeva Rajesh , Manik Gaurav , Patole Shashikant P.
Published: June 2023

The presented work explores the fabrication and performance analysis of a 10–20 wt% basalt fiber (BF) reinforced styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene toughened polypropylene (PP) composite. The effect of hybridization of 5 wt% cetrimonium bromide (CTAB) treated submicron particulate fly ash (FA) on various properties of the composites was investigated. The composites containing 5 wt% FA and 20 wt% BF offered the highest tensile and flexural strengths of ~48 and 99 MPa, respectively. Likewise, an impact strength of 1.08 kJ/m2 was possessed by the composite containing 5 wt% FA and 10 wt% BF. Thermomechanical and thermal decomposition analysis depicted a desirable increase in the storage modulus, glass transition temperature and a positive shift in the degradation temperature of all the composites compared to base matrix. The use of PP with naturally available basalt fiber, along with waste fly ash for the composite could be environmental benign and welcomed by industry.
Brachial plexopathy after breast cancer: A persistent late effect of radiotherapy
Authors: Harris Susan R.
Published: June 2023

Radiation‐induced brachial plexopathy (RIBP) is an iatrogenic, progressively disabling, and often very late effect of adjuvant radiotherapy most commonly seen in breast cancer survivors but also in those treated for lymphoma, lung, and head and neck cancers. In late‐onset RIBP following breast cancer, the nerve injury is chronic and irreversible, occurring more commonly when axillary and/or supraclavicular nodes have been irradiated, as well as the breast/chest wall. RIBP is manifested initially by paresthesia, hypoesthesia, dysesthesia, and later by weakness in the ipsilateral hand with those symptoms progressing distally to proximally up through the shoulder. Depressed/absent deep tendon reflexes in the upper extremity and muscle fasciculations occur also. Neither patients nor their health care providers tend to associate these unusual neurological symptoms with cancer treatments received ≥20 years prior, often failing to link these sensory‐motor symptoms with radiotherapy decades before. Because long‐term follow‐up of these patients now typically falls to general practitioners, many cases may be missed or misdiagnosed because of the rarity of this disorder. Physiatrists and allied rehabilitation professionals must be aware of this progressively disabling, incurable condition to provide appropriate diagnoses and compensatory rehabilitation therapies. Additionally, professional oncology organizations should include RIBP in their long‐term, survivorship guidelines for breast cancer. Researchers examining the iatrogenic late effects of radiotherapy should extend their follow‐up periods well beyond the current 5–6 years to ascertain the true incidence of RIBP today. Rehabilitation providers must continue to advocate for awareness, diagnosis, and management of iatrogenic outcomes experienced by long‐term cancer survivors.
High‐throughput computational investigation of protein electrostatics and cavity for SAM‐dependent methyltransferases
Authors: Jurich Christopher , Yang Zhongyue J.
Published: June 2023

S‐adenosyl methionine (SAM)–dependent methyl transferases (MTases) are a ubiquitous class of enzymes catalyzing dozens of essential life processes. Despite targeting a large space of substrates with diverse intrinsic reactivity, SAM MTases have similar catalytic efficiency. While understanding of MTase mechanism has grown tremendously through the integration of structural characterization, kinetic assays, and multiscale simulations, it remains elusive how these enzymes have evolved to fit the diverse chemical needs of their respective substrates. In this work, we performed a high‐throughput molecular modeling analysis of 91 SAM MTases to better understand how their properties (i.e., electric field [EF] strength and active site volumes) help achieve similar catalytic efficiency toward substrates of different reactivity. We found that EF strengths have largely adjusted to make the target atom a better methyl acceptor. For MTases that target RNA/DNA and histone proteins, our results suggest that EF strength accommodates formal hybridization state and variation in cavity volume trends with diversity of substrate classes. Metal ions in SAM MTases contribute negatively to EF strength for methyl donation and enzyme scaffolds tend to offset these contributions.
Exploring the real cause of hemoptysis: A case of pulmonary tumor embolism in a young woman with accompanying pulmonary metastasis of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia
Authors: Hu Qun , Li Meiqian , Liu Yu , Xie Min , Wang Lan
Published: June 2023

We report a case of pulmonary embolism caused by gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) accompanied by pulmonary metastasis to improve the recognition ability of the disease in young female patients with pulmonary embolism and hemoptysis.
Cover cropping reduces the negative effect of salinity on soil microbiomes
Authors: Dasgupta Debarshi , Ries Mackenzie , Walter Kelly , Zitnick‐Anderson Kimberly , Camuy‐Vélez Lennel A. , Gasch Caley , Banerjee Samiran
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Soil salinization is a major abiotic stress that imposes high osmotic stress on plant growth, thereby limiting crop productivity. It also acts as an environmental filter for microbes, impacting associated ecosystem services and functions. Agricultural practices such as cover cropping can help mitigate the negative impacts of soil salinity. However, our knowledge of how cover cropping and salinity influence soil microbiome diversity and complexity is limited.

Materials & Methods

Using amplicon sequencing, metagenomics, and network analysis, we aimed to determine if cover cropping can be effective in maintaining microbiome complexity and functioning in salinity‐affected soils. We conducted a field study to determine the soil microbial properties over four locations with salinity (saline: SS, and nonsaline: NS) and cover cropping (cover‐cropped: CC, and no cover‐cropped: NC) treatments. We hypothesized that microbial diversity and complexity will be lower in saline as compared to nonsaline soils, and the reduction can be countered by inclusion of cover crops.

Results

Our results found a significant effect of salinity on the clustering of bacterial communities in soil. However, cover cropping increased bacterial and fungal alpha diversity. Cover cropping increased soil microbial network complexity under both saline and nonsaline conditions. Most of the keystone taxa were members of the order Thermomicrobiales, which are known to enhance stress tolerance in plants. Metagenomics revealed higher activities of genes related to transcription and folate metabolism in saline‐cover crop treatments.

Conclusion

Our results identify key microbial players under salinity stress and highlight the potential of using cover crops to mitigate the negative effect of salinity on soil microbiomes, which can facilitate sustainable productivity in saline agroecosystems.
The behavior of cold‐formed steel geopolimeric composites
Authors: Kılıç Mahmut , Alcan Haluk Görkem , Çelebi Oğuzhan , Bayrak Barış , Öz Ali , Kaplan Gökhan , Aydın Abdulkadir Cüneyt
Published: June 2023

Geopolymer concrete‐filled cold formed steel composite beams can exhibit high durability and adequate strength. The geopolymer concrete is used to manufacture the cold‐formed steel tubular composite beam due to the significant advantages, such as greater in strength resisting capacity, higher‐energy dissipation capacity, and more stiffness than the regular one. This paper reports an experimental investigation on the behavior of rectangular geopolymer concrete‐filled cold‐formed steel composite beams. In order to investigate the mechanical behavior (such as flexural, shear, and torsion) of geopolymer concrete‐filled cold‐formed steel tubular composite beams (GCFTBs), 48 beam samples were tested. The 16‐GCFTBs and another 16‐GCFTBs were tested under flexural and overhanging, respectively, which the 16‐GCFTBs were tested under pure torsion. The relationships for load–displacement, torsional moment‐rotation angle, energy dissipation capacity, ductility, and failure mode were analyzed. The test results showed that the increase in cross‐sectional area and curing temperature had a significant effect on bending, shear and torsion behavior. Although the increase in the cross‐section ratio (height/width) increased the bending moment capacity, it decreased the displacement capacity and caused a decrease in ductility. Curing conditions and cross‐section ratio affected strength, displacement capacity, and experimental modulus of elasticity in both bending and shear tests. Increasing the cross‐section ratio and curing temperature resulted in an increase in ductility. Contrary to bending test and shear test, curing temperature, and cross‐section ratio increased both torsional moment strength and rotation angle in torsional moment tests.
The reconstruction of serial numbers in polymers: Recent progress, challenges, and perspectives
Authors: Skokan Lilian , Crispino Frank , Muehlethaler Cyril , Ruediger Andreas
Published: June 2023

The mass production of polymers has forced forensic practitioners to reconsider traditional methods of traces analysis. The field of impression reconstruction, specifically markings in firearms, is a prime example. This overview offers a critical evaluation of the relevant published techniques for the reconstruction of serial number in polymers, which include destructive methods such as swelling, heat treatments and relief polishing as well as methods allowing for trace preservation, such as hyperspectral Raman imaging combined with multivariate statistical analysis for enhanced pertinent data extraction. It therefore provides a complementary compilation to existing protocols for metal substrates. The novelty of this work lies within its approach, specifically by establishing not only the mechanistic scientific explanation for suitable comprehension and application of the techniques, but also by properly assessing their relevance considering the use in a forensic science context. The potential of wide‐field imaging techniques, mainly auto‐fluorescence analysis, is suggested for faster acquisition and reduced data processing (i.e., decreased time and greater accessibility). Additionally, application of the acquired knowledge to other relevant forensic traces, such as failure analysis of 3D printed objects, is proposed. Emphasis is also placed on the relevance of a purposeful interpretative framework necessary to reconstruct the singular past of the obliterated serial number thus leading to the identification of the given object in which it is affixed.

This article is categorized under:

Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Fingermarks and Other Marks

Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Emerging Technologies and Methods

Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Trace Evidence
Free boundary value problem for a model of inviscid liquid‐gas two‐phase flow with radial symmetry
Authors: Dong Jianwei
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we are concerned with the free boundary value problem for a model of inviscid liquid‐gas two‐phase flow with radial symmetry. For simplicity, we assume that the gas velocity is always equal to the liquid one and the gas and liquid are both connected continuously to the outer vacuum through the same free boundary. First, we constructed two classes of global analytical solutions by using a self‐similar ansatz. Second, for the general free boundary value problem of this model, we show that the free boundary separating the two‐phase flow from vacuum will spread outward at least linearly in time, provided that the two‐phase fluids motion remains smooth and the initial flow moves outward on average to the vacuum. Third, we present a sufficient condition for the blowup of smooth solutions to the problem.
Learning When to Treat Business Processes: Prescriptive Process Monitoring with Causal Inference and Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Bozorgi Zahra Dasht , Dumas Marlon , Rosa Marcello La , Polyvyanyy Artem , Shoush Mahmoud , Teinemaa Irene
Published: June 2023

Increasing the success rate of a process, i.e. the percentage of cases that end in a positive outcome, is a recurrent process improvement goal. At runtime, there are often certain actions (a.k.a. treatments) that workers may execute to lift the probability that a case ends in a positive outcome. For example, in a loan origination process, a possible treatment is to issue multiple loan offers to increase the probability that the customer takes a loan. Each treatment has a cost. Thus, when defining policies for prescribing treatments to cases, managers need to consider the net gain of the treatments. Also, the effect of a treatment varies over time: treating a case earlier may be more effective than later in a case. This paper presents a prescriptive monitoring method that automates this decision-making task. The method combines causal inference and reinforcement learning to learn treatment policies that maximize the net gain. The method leverages a conformal prediction technique to speed up the convergence of the reinforcement learning mechanism by separating cases that are likely to end up in a positive or negative outcome, from uncertain cases. An evaluation on two real-life datasets shows that the proposed method outperforms a state-of-the-art baseline.
Zur Aufgabe der Führung in Digitalisierungsprojekten
Authors: Baecker Dirk , Leske Michael , Lieckweg Tania
Published: June 2023

Der Beitrag macht den Versuch, die komplexen Zusammenhänge von Führungsaufgaben in Organisationen, die sich mit Digitalisierungsprojekten beschäftigen, in der Sprache einfacher funktionaler Abhängigkeiten zu formalisieren und so übersichtlicher darzustellen, als es die Umgangssprache und die wissenschaftlichen Fachsprachen vermögen. Digitalisierungsprojekte werden als als Veränderungen des Zustands eines Betriebs betrachtet. Der Vorteil dieser mathematischen Darstellung liegt darin, dass man auf einen Blick sieht, dass in der Identität der Variablen die erste Täuschung liegt, mit der es die Führung zu tun bekommt. Es stellt sich heraus, dass die Aufgaben der Führung in einem dreistufigen Integrationsprozess zwischen betrieblichen Prozessen, personellen Kompetenzen und Wertschöpfung bestehen, über die jeweils eine Verständigung erreicht werden muss. Wir erläutern, warum die triviale Einsicht, dass Kommunikation das A&O von Führung ist, auf alles andere als triviale Probleme aufmerksam macht.
Aus analog wird digital? Der technische und der soziologische Blick auf die Digitalisierung der Produktion im Mittelstand
Authors: Locher Maximilian
Published: June 2023

Der technische Blick auf die Digitalisierung fokussiert die weitere Technisierung von Abläufen in der Produktion, dieses Mal auf der Basis elektronischer Medien. Der Schritt von relativ analogen Verhältnissen wie beispielsweise mündlichen Absprachen und schriftlich weitergegebenen Produktionsinformationen in digitale Verhältnisse hat dementsprechend ein vermeintlich einfaches Ziel: Die Produktion soll weiterhin möglichst störungsfrei funktionieren, nun aber mit zusätzlichen Gewinnen hinsichtlich der Produktivität. Der Beitrag skizziert den soziologischen Blick auf Digitalisierung und benennt Erfolgsfaktoren der Digitalisierung im Mittelstand.
Technik im Datenraum
Authors: Baecker Dirk
Published: June 2023

Man kann Fragen der digitalen Medien, des Maschinenlernens und der Künstlichen Intelligenz nicht diskutieren, ohne irgendwann auf die Frage zu stoßen, welchen Grad von Autonomie und Intelligenz die Maschinen bereits erreicht haben. Man kann die Veränderung kommunikativer Dynamiken in Organisation und Gesellschaft nicht diskutieren, ohne irgendwann auf die Frage zu stoßen, ob die Maschinen ein bloßes, wenn auch dynamisches Werkzeug dieser Kommunikation sind oder sich mit eigenen Intentionen, einem eigenen Gedächtnis und eigenen Relevanzen an dieser Kommunikation beteiligen. Müssen wir damit rechnen, dass mit elektronischen Medien und digitalen Apparaten Intelligenzen entstehen, die die menschliche Gesellschaft beobachten und mit ihr zu interagieren versuchen oder auch nur eigene Absichten verfolgen, um ihr Überleben auf diesem gefährdeten Planeten zu sichern? Der Beitrag kann diese Fragen nicht beantworten. Er beschränkt sich darauf, im Anschluss an die Kybernetik ein Kriterium anzugeben, das es erlaubt, die Entwicklung im Auge zu behalten. Dieses Kriterium unterscheidet zwischen einer trivialen und einer nicht-trivialen Technik. Intelligente Maschinen müssten gemäß diesem Kriterium auf einer nicht-trivialen Technik beruhen. Es ist die These des Beitrags, dass elektronische Medien und digitale Apparate und Programme bis auf Weiteres in einem präzisen Sinne als trivial anzusehen sind. Der Datenraum der Technik ist alles andere als homogen. Der Eindruck der Nicht-Trivialität, der zuweilen entsteht, verdankt sich nicht der Technik selbst, sondern ihrer Einbettung in eine nicht-triviale Gesellschaft. Der Beitrag plädiert im Anschluss an die Techniksoziologie dafür, den Referenzrahmen der Beobachtung und Diskussion neuer Technologien um den Faktor der Gesellschaft zu erweitern.
Digitalisierung als Kalkül
Authors: Baecker Dirk
Published: June 2023

Beim Design digitaler Medien spielen Wahrnehmung, Bewusstsein, Kommunikation, Organisation und Technik gleichermaßen eine Rolle. Es lohnt sich, die zugrundeliegenden Systemreferenzen zu unterscheiden. Der Artikel stellt zunächst dem eingeschränkten umgangssprachlichen Verständnis von Digitalisierung einen theoretisch kontrollierten Begriff gegenüber, fasst digitale Medien als besonderen Fall einer strukturellen Kopplung zwischen den angesprochenen Systemreferenzen und beschreibt ein Kalkül der differentiellen Integration dieser Systeme im Medium ihrer wechselseitigen Plastizität. Die hier vorgelegte Theorieperspektive macht gängige Designpraktiken explizit und ermöglicht damit Lerneffekte sowie eine strategische und bei Bedarf ethische Kontrolle der beteiligten Systemreferenzen.
Zur Methode der Schnittstellenanalyse aus der Sicht der partizipativen Anwendungsforschung
Authors: Thomas Martina , Locher Maximilian
Published: June 2023

Um unseren Begleitforschungsansatz vorzustellen, wird in diesem Beitrag unsere vom Gedanken der soziologischen Aufklärung inspirierte Forschungsperspektive skizziert. Daran anschließend wird der Ansatz am Beispiel des im Projekt entwickelten Instruments der Schnittstellenanalyse anwendungsorientiert veranschaulicht und schließlich als Forschungsdesign in methodischer Hinsicht erörtert.
Digitalisierung in produzierenden KMU kompetenzsensibel gestalten: Ein Leitfaden zur lernförderlichen Schnittstellengestaltung
Authors: Elsholz Uwe , Thomas Martina
Published: June 2023

Der Beitrag plädiert dafür, bei der Umsetzung betrieblicher Digitalisierungsvorhaben deren lernförderliche Ausgestaltung im Blick zu behalten, um gleichermaßen Lernchancen für Unternehmen und Mitarbeiter:innen zu realisieren. Dazu wird ein Vorgehen vorgeschlagen, zu dem im ersten, eher praxisorientierten Abschnitt, Anregungen in Form eines Leitfadens gegeben werden. Dem Leitfaden liegen empirische Erkenntnisse aus der Begleitung des Projekts KILPaD zugrunde, die auf wissenschaftliche Modelle und weitere Forschungsergebnisse bezogen und zu einem Rahmenmodell verdichtet wurden. Dessen Entstehung wird im zweiten Teil des Beitrags erörtert
Wie kann Digitalisierung erfolgreich gelingen? Über Strukturen der Prozessdigitalisierung
Authors: Kiesow Marie Christin
Published: June 2023

Der Beitrag berichtet von der Arbeit der internen Softwareentwicklungsabteilung bei XENON. Diese Abteilung hat eigene Windows-Anwendungen sowie Schnittstellen entwickelt und unterstützt die Fachabteilungen bei der Optimierung ihrer Geschäftsprozesse. Mit über 10 Jahren Erfahrung in der Programmierung von .NET-Anwendungen und in der Datenbankprogrammierung mit Microsoft SQL-Server kann auf ein breites Repertoire technischer Möglichkeiten zurückgegriffen werden. Im Rahmen des KILPaD Förderprojektes haben wir uns daher unter anderem darauf fokussiert, durch Digitalisierung und Automatisierung von Prozessen, die Mitarbeiter und XENON bei der Erledigung von (Standard-)Aufgaben zu unterstützen.
Use of the iliac-outlet and iliac-inlet combined views in percutaneous posterior column retrograde screw fixation
Authors: Cattaneo Stefano , Galante Claudio , Biancardi Elena , Domenicucci Marco , Paderno Marco , Pianelli Antonio , Milano Giuseppe , Casiraghi Alessandro
Published: June 2023

Posterior column fractures are common acetabular injuries. Although displaced fractures require open reduction and fixation, undisplaced patterns may benefit from percutaneous screw fixation. The combination of iliac oblique with inlet and outlet views offers an intuitive and panoramic rendering of the bony corridor into the posterior column; lateral cross table view completes the sequence of fluoroscopic projections. Herein we describe the use of outlet/inlet iliac views and a detailed procedure for percutaneous retrograde posterior column screw fixation.
Shedding light on the calculation of electrode electroactive area and heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants at graphite screen-printed electrodes
Authors: Trachioti Maria G. , Lazanas Alexandros Ch. , Prodromidis Mamas I.
Published: June 2023

We present in detail the most known
and commonly used methods for the calculation of electrode electroactive area ($$A$$
A
) and heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants ($${k}^{0}$$

k

0

). The correct procedure for the calculation of these parameters is often disregarded due to either lack of a minimum theoretical background or oversimplification of each method’s limitations and prerequisites. The aim of this work is to provide the theoretical background as well as a detailed guide for the implementation of these measurements by impressing upon the electrochemists the parameters that need to be considered so that the obtained results are safe and useful. Using graphite screen-printed electrodes, $$A$$
A
, and $${k}^{0}$$

k

0

were calculated with different methods and techniques. Data are compared and discussed.

Graphical Abstract
On maximal function of discrete rough truncated Hilbert transforms
Authors: Paluszyński Maciej , Zienkiewicz Jacek
Published: June 2023

We prove the weak type (1,1) estimate for maximal function of the truncated rough Hilbert transform considered in Paluszy’nski (ASNSCS 910:679-704, 2019), Paluszy’nski (CM 164(2):305-325, 2021).
Relationship of frailty status with health resource use and healthcare costs in the population aged 65 and over in Catalonia
Authors: Lavado Àngel , Serra-Colomer Júlia , Serra-Prat Mateu , Burdoy Emili , Cabré Mateu
Published: June 2023

Background

Frailty is a geriatric syndrome with repercussions on health, disability, and dependency.

Objectives

To assess health resource use and costs attributable to frailty in the aged population.

Methods

A population-based observational longitudinal study was performed, with follow-up from January 2018 to December 2019. Data were obtained retrospectively from computerized primary care and hospital medical records. The study population included all inhabitants aged ≥ 65 years ascribed to 3 primary care centres in Barcelona (Spain). Frailty status was established according to the Electronic Screening Index of Frailty. Health costs considered were hospitalizations, emergency visits, outpatient visits, day hospital sessions, and primary care visits. Cost analysis was performed from a public health financing perspective.

Results

For 9315 included subjects (age 75.4 years, 56% women), frailty prevalence was 12.3%. Mean (SD) healthcare cost in the study period was €1420.19 for robust subjects, €2845.51 for pre-frail subjects, €4200.05 for frail subjects, and €5610.73 for very frail subjects. Independently of age and sex, frailty implies an additional healthcare cost of €1171 per person and year, i.e., 2.25-fold greater for frail compared to non-frail.

Conclusions

Our findings underline the economic relevance of frailty in the aged population, with healthcare spending increasing as frailty increases.
Knowledge is of no value unless to be shared. A synthesis of knowledge-sharing drivers in born-globals
Authors: Rezaei Mojtaba , Sadraei Razieh , Jafari-Sadeghi Vahid , Vrontis Demetris
Published: June 2023

In recent years, technological advancements have enabled born-global firms to build on their knowledge-based resources and more effectively contribute to the international economy. Hence, knowledge management practices have become crucial capabilities of born-global firms. Therefore, this paper strives to develop and validate drivers and indicators that impact such firms’ knowledge sharing. In doing so, we focus on the born-globals originating from the context of Australia and take advantage of exploratory analysis in two complementary studies. Accordingly, using a Delphi analysis, we first employ a panel of experts consisting of founders and owners of born-global firms to explore key knowledge-sharing (KS) drivers. Subsequently, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM) will validate the identified drivers. In this regard, the results of the three-round Delphi analysis led to the identification of the 12 KS drivers in three categories of individual, technological and organisational dimensions. Also, the validation phase (CFA synthesis) ended with the retention of 36 items for the 12 drivers. Accordingly, this research reveals significant findings that contribute to enriching the prior KS studies in born-global firms. For instance, we highlight that in born-global firms, individuals are more likely to share their knowledge with those who are more reliable and trustworthy. Overall, we highlight how effective KS drivers can influence born globals features.
“I Ran to Make a Point”: Predicting and Preventing Youth Runaway from Foster Care
Authors: Byers Kaela , Barton Jared , Grube Whitney , Wesley Jessica , Akin Becci A. , Hermesch Emily , Felzke Erin , Roosevelt Rachelle
Published: June 2023

Youth who run away from foster care experience danger to health and safety and increased risk of adverse child welfare outcomes. By applying a concurrent mixed-methods approach, this study aimed to develop a deeper understanding of runaway risk that used a person-centered lens and amplified youth voices. Collectively, this approach can inform service innovations to support youth placed in out-of-home care. Working with a foster care agency in Kansas, data sources comprised administrative data for youth ages 12 + in care, and interview data with 20 youth, 12 + in care. Quantitative analyses involved latent class analysis followed by multinomial logistic regression to investigate whether the population of youth in care was comprised of subpopulations with differential runaway risk and whether subpopulations would predict runaway behaviors. Qualitative analyses applied modified analytic inductive thematic analysis to explore critical life experiences that may act as risk or protective factors of running away from care. Results revealed four sub-populations which were characterized by their previous family and system experiences. Additionally, class membership, gender, number of siblings, and age were statistically significant predictors of runway behaviors. Youth interviews revealed five key themes on life experiences that mitigate or exacerbate youths’ runaway behaviors. Recommendations resulting from this study were provided in three key areas: (1) improving family visitation and maintaining youth connections with self-identified family and non-relative kin; (2) supporting service approaches for youth that honor and amplify their voices, choices, and family connections; and (3) improving placement quality and individualization of services.
The messy politics of local climate assemblies
Authors: Lewis Pancho , Ainscough Jacob , Coxcoon Rachel , Willis Rebecca
Published: June 2023

In recent years, many local authorities in the UK have run local climate assemblies (LCAs) such as citizens’ assemblies or juries, with the goal of developing citizen-led solutions to the climate crisis. In this essay, we argue that a ‘convenient fiction’ often underpins the way local authority actors explain the rationale for running LCAs. This convenient fiction runs as follows: LCAs are commissioned as a response to the climate threat, and local decision-makers work through LCA recommendations to implement appropriate policies in their locality. We suggest that this narrative smooths over and presents as linear a process that is in fact messy and political. LCAs emerge as a result of political pressure and bargaining. Once LCAs have run their course, the extent to which their recommendations are implemented is dependent on power dynamics and institutional capacities. We argue that it is important to surface the messiness and political tensions that underpin the origins and aftermath of local climate assemblies. This achieves three things. First, it helps manage expectations about the impact LCAs are likely to have on the policy process. Second, it broadens understandings of how LCAs can contribute to change. Third, it provides a complex model that actors can use to understand how they can help deliver climate action through politics. We conclude that LCAs are important — if as yet unproven — new interventions in local climate politics, when assessed against this more complex picture.
Mapping of digital pedagogies in higher education
Authors: Santoveña-Casal Sonia , López Susana Regina
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this research is to analyse the evolution and trends of research into digital pedagogy in higher education through the application of bibliometric analysis and systematic review of scientific output. For the bibliometric analysis, the built-in functions of WoS were used, including Analyze results and Citation report. The VOSviewer software was employed to construct bibliometric maps. The analysis focuses on studies about digitalisation, university education and education quality, three categories that are grouped around digital pedagogies and methodologies. The sample contains 242 scientific publications, including articles (65.7%), publications published in the United States (17.7%) and publications financed by the European Commission (3.71%). Barber, W., and Lewin, C., are the authors with the greatest impact. The scientific output forms three networks: the “social network” (2000–2010), the “digitalisation network” (2011–2015) and the “network of the expansion of digital pedagogy” (2016–2023). The most-mature research (2005–2009) concerns the integration of technologies in education. The research with the greatest impact (2020–2022) looks at digital pedagogy and its implementation during the situation created by COVID-19. This research shows that digital pedagogy has come a long way over the last twenty years, but it is at the same time a topical area today. The paper opens up future paths for research such as the development of more-flexible pedagogies that can be adapted to different pedagogical scenarios.
Is There any Difference Between DSM-5 performance-only Specifier and Social Anxiety Disorder? Results from the Young-HUNT3 Study
Authors: Aune Tore , Beidel Deborah C. , Nordahl Hans M.
Published: June 2023

With the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5, APA, 2013), the diagnostic criteria for social anxiety disorder (SAD) changed; the generalized SAD specifier was removed, and a performance-only specifier was introduced. Despite growing awareness and understanding of the DSM-5 performance-only type specifier, information about its key aspects is lacking. Exploring a large, population-based adolescent sample (N = 8,216), we identified three SAD classes: full spectrum SAD, subclinical SAD, and the performance-only specifier. The three groups were compared across a broad range of parameters. The results indicate that adolescents with the performance-only specifier differed significantly from both the full spectrum and subclinical groups on most clinical indexes. By contrast, the subclinical and full spectrum groups differed less from each other on most parameters. Thus, there were specific aspects of the performance-only specifier group that differentiate this condition from subclinical and clinical SAD in our sample of adolescents. These data indicate that the specifier in the new version of the DSM may be valid in adolescents, and that policymakers and clinicians should not disregard adolescents who show subclinical SAD levels with performance-related challenges. Furthermore, researchers and clinicians should consider the extent to which adolescents with the SAD performance-only specifier may need a different treatment approach.