bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of a Multicomponent Group-Based Treatment in Patients with Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms: A Multisite Naturalistic Study
Authors: Pourová Martina , Řiháček Tomáš , Boehnke Jan R. , Šimek Jakub , Saic Martin , Kabát Jaromír , Šilhán Petr
Published: September 2023

Psychotherapy is expected to be effective in the treatment
of patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS). However, evidence is scarce. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a multicomponent treatment based on group therapy in patients with MUPS in a naturalistic setting and to explore potential predictors of the outcomes. A multisite naturalistic uncontrolled effectiveness study. A total of 290 patients with MUPS participated in group psychotherapy across seven clinical sites. Somatic symptoms, depression, anxiety, general psychotherapy outcomes operationalized as the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS) score, well-being, role functioning interference, as well as a number of pretreatment predictors were measured using a battery of self-report measures. Multilevel modeling and lasso regression with bootstrapping were used for the analysis. Medium to large pre-post effects were found for somatic symptoms, ORS, depression, anxiety, well-being, role functioning interference found in completers after controlling for site and group effects, pretreatment outcome values, and treatment length. Changes reported at 6- and 12-month follow-up were higher for most variables. No substantial pretreatment predictors of the patients’ posttreatment status were found in addition to the pretreatment level of outcome variables. Somatic symptoms seem to be less malleable in psychotherapy than psychological outcome variables. However, there was a trend of further improvement after treatment completion.

Registration

This study was retrospectively registered with ISRCTN (Identifier 13532466).
Looking for missing outcomes: accounting for intellectual capital and value creation in ecosystems
Authors: Iacuzzi Silvia , Pauluzzo Rubens
Published: September 2023

This article investigates intellectual capital (IC) and value creation at an ecosystem level, which is a topic relatively unexplored within public administration. Yet, public sector organisations are a prime example of how IC transcends the scope of individual entities and contributes to knowledge transfer and value creation into wider society. The research was developed within the first step of an interventionist research project focusing on a public sector agency which supports local authorities in Italy and launched an in-depth review of its processes to assess in how far it was fulfilling its mission. Part of this initiative was to assess whether, how, and to what extent the agency creates value for itself and for its stakeholders. The research develops a framework which visualises the importance of accounting for outcomes which are both internal and external to an organisation. The analysis underlines the need for reporting frameworks to consider the overall value creation, maintenance, and erosion. The analysis moves beyond the outcomes of activities and outputs for a single entity to appreciate their impact on its stakeholders’ IC. Results call for the emergence of defined roles for IC management and for the adoption of an ecosystem perspective in governance, business, and reporting models for the public sector. Public managers should adopt a business case imperative with a particular emphasis on maximising value creation for the whole ecosystem. IC visual maps including key stakeholders can help in such endeavour and improve reporting frameworks.
Tailoring the optical properties of polyvinyl alcohol-polyvinyl pyrrolidone based polymers
Authors: Gad Michael , Elkattan Mohamed
Published: September 2023

In this work, new polymeric based films are fabricated and optically characterized. The new films include poly(vinyl alcohol), plain and blended with poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), comprising glycerin, and acetic acid,as additives. XRD and FTIR analysis were conducted to give insight into the structure of the films. The reflectance and transmittance for these films are measured in the UV–vis–NIR regions. Using these measurements, the refractive index, the permittivity and many other optical constants are retrieved. The results reveal that the fabricated films possess an extinction coefficient that is almost 3 times less, and a refractive index that is 0.1 higher than plain PVA in the telecommunications wavelength range. Besides, a noticeable increase in the refractive index of the films is achieved, up to 0.35 higher compared with silicon dioxide at the near infrared spectral region. Moreover, when compared to silicon and Germanium, in the ultraviolet and visible spectral region, a substantial reduction of 3 to 4 orders of magnitudes in extinction coefficient is achieved, in the favor of the investigated films. Interestingly, the films also show small dispersion over a wide range of wavelength. Therefore, the newly proposed films can be candidates for optoelectronics, solar cells, and integrated optics applications where high refractive index and low loss are desired for high density of fabrication.
Look-alike medications in the perioperative setting: scoping review of medication incidents and risk reduction interventions
Authors: Ryan Alexandra N. , Robertson Kelvin L. , Glass Beverley D.
Published: September 2023

Background

Look-alike medications, where ampoules or vials of intravenous medications look similar, may increase the risk of medication errors in the perioperative setting.

Aim

This scoping review aimed to identify and explore the issues related to look-alike medication incidents in the perioperative setting and the reported risk reduction interventions.

Method

Eight databases were searched including: CINAHL Complete, Embase, OVID Emcare, Pubmed, Scopus, Informit, Cochrane and Prospero and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Key search terms included anaesthesia, adverse drug event, drug error or medication error, look alike sound alike, operating theatres and pharmacy. Title and abstracts were screened independently and findings were extracted using validated tools in collaboration and consensus with co-authors.

Results

A total of 2567 records were identified to 4th July 2022; however only 18 publications met the inclusion criteria. Publication types consisted of case reports, letters to the editor, multimodal quality improvement activities or survey/audits, a controlled simulation study and one randomised clinical trial. Risk reduction intervention themes identified included regulation, procurement, standardisation of storage, labelling, environmental factors, teamwork factors and the safe administration.

Conclusion

This review highlighted challenges with look-alike medications in the perioperative setting and identified interventions for risk reduction. Key interventions did not involve technology-based solutions and further research is required to assess their effectiveness in preventing patient harm.
Mind the Gap… But Which Gap? The Distinctions Between Social Inequalities in Student Achievement
Authors: Strello Andrés , Strietholt Rolf , Steinmann Isa
Published: September 2023

International large-scale assessments have revealed social inequalities in achievement in almost all countries, reporting achievement gaps between socioeconomic status groups, by immigration background and by gender. However, there has been little research on whether individual countries show smaller or larger gaps across all three different social categories, or whether the gaps corresponding to these categories are independent of each other. This article explores the degree to which social inequality can be understood as one umbrella concept, or whether different categories of social inequality are substantially different concepts. Using the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment 2018 results in Mathematics in 76 countries, the study observes the correlation between the three achievement gaps across countries, and compares how each achievement gap is associated with some typical country-level covariates. Several results are highlighted. First, the size and direction of the immigration and gender gaps vary across countries; most countries present achievement gaps in favor of boys and native students, but this direction is reversed in several countries. Second, there is hardly any correlation between the three achievement gaps. One education system may be egalitarian in one category, but profoundly unequal in another. Third, this lack of correlation is also related to how we study these inequalities, as the results show that each achievement gap is associated with a different set of institutional features. To properly assess how unequal or egalitarian education systems are, researchers and interested parties need to consider and address different indicators of social inequality.
A non-ideal approach to slurs
Authors: Mühlebach Deborah
Published: September 2023

Philosophers of language are increasingly engaging with derogatory terms or slurs. Only few theorists take such language as a starting point for addressing puzzles in philosophy of language with little connection to our real-world problems. This paper aims to show that the political nature of derogatory language use calls for non-ideal theorising as we find it in the work of feminist and critical race scholars. Most contemporary theories of slurs, so I argue, fall short on some desiderata associated with a non-ideal approach. They neglect crucial linguistic or political aspects of morally and politically significant meaning. I argue that a two-stage project is necessary to understand the perniciousness of slurs: accounting for the derogatory content of derogatory terms in general and, additionally, explaining the communicative function of slurs more specifically. I end by showing how inferentialism is well-suited to account for the content of derogatory terms whilst allowing for further explanations of the communicative functions of slurs.
Spatiotemporal distribution of microplastics in Miri coastal area, NW Borneo: inference from a periodical observation
Authors: Mishra Anshuman , Mohan Viswanathan Prasanna , Ramasamy Nagarajan , Panchatcharam Saravanan , Sabarathinam Chidambaram
Published: September 2023

The current study aims to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of microplastics (MPs) in the Miri coast, targeting their occurrences, characterisation, and potential sources. For a periodical study, coastal sediments were collected from three different time intervals (monsoon, post-monsoon, and post-COVID) and subjected to stereomicroscope, ATR-FTIR, and SEM-EDX analyses. These results show a significant increase of MPs in post-COVID samples by approximately 218% and 148% comparatively with monsoon and post-monsoon samples, respectively. The highest concentration of MPs was detected near the river mouths and industrial areas where the waste discharge rate and anthropogenic activities dominate. Fibre-type MPs are the most abundant, with an average of nearly 64%, followed by fragments, films, microbeads, and foams. The most dominant polymer types were polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyester (PET). Overall, the current study shows a better understanding of MPs occurrence and potential sources in the Miri coastal area.
What Constitutes Well-being? Five Views Among Adult People from the Netherlands on what is Important for a Good Life
Authors: van der Deijl Willem , Brouwer Werner , van Exel Job
Published: September 2023

Well-being has gained interest as object of study in the social sciences and as an outcome measure for policy evaluation. However, little agreement exists with respect to the substantive meaning of well-being, the dimensions of well-being that should be considered in a multi-dimensional approach, and the variety of well-being conceptions people have for their own lives. This study explored conceptions of “a good life for you” among 1,477 adult people from the Netherlands by means of Q-methodology, based on a theoretical framework synthesizing the main theories of well-being. We find five distinct views on what people consider to be a good life for themselves: “Health and feeling well”, “Hearth and home”, “Freedom and autonomy”, “Social relations and purpose” and “Individualism and independence”. While there is strong agreement with respect to the importance of feeling both physically and mentally well, the views diverge considerably regarding aspects such as social relations, autonomy, spirituality, and material welfare. Associations between viewpoints and respondent characteristics had face validity. The findings of this study have significant implications for the development of measures of well-being and policies aimed to improve population well-being. Further research is required into the prevalence of these views on well-being in the population, their relation to respondent characteristics and into differences in views over time and between countries with different socio-economic, political and cultural environments.
Adjuvant and Neoadjuvant Treatments for Resectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Crook Christiana J. , Li Daneng
Published: September 2023

Purpose of Review

This review provides an update on the developments of adjuvant and neoadjuvant liver-directed and systemic therapy options for patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Recent Findings

Data on liver-directed treatment in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings are sparse and results are conflicting; many studies suggest that optimizing patient selection criteria is a key milestone required to improve study design and clinical benefit to patients. Systemic treatment options are primarily focused on investigation of anti-PD-1/L1 immunotherapeutic agents, either alone or in combination with other drugs. Numerous clinical trials in both adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings are in progress.

Exploration of liver-directed and systemic treatment options for adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment of patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma has the potential to improve clinical outcomes for this patient population.
Influences of Aged Bone Marrow Macrophages on Skeletal Health and Senescence
Authors: Pappert Moritz , Khosla Sundeep , Doolittle Madison
Published: September 2023

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to discuss the role of macrophages in the regulation of skeletal health with age, particularly in regard to both established and unexplored mechanisms in driving inflammation and senescence.

Recent Findings

A multitude of research has uncovered mechanisms of intrinsic aging in macrophages, detrimental factors released by these immune cells, and crosstalk from senescent mesenchymal cell types, which altogether drive age-related bone loss. Furthermore, bone marrow macrophages were recently proposed to be responsible for the megakaryocytic shift during aging and overall maintenance of the hematopoietic niche. Studies on extra-skeletal macrophages have shed light on possible conserved mechanisms within bone and highlight the importance of these cells in systemic aging.

Macrophages are a critically important cell type in maintaining skeletal homeostasis with age. New discoveries in this area are of utmost importance in fully understanding the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in aged individuals.
Ucp4 Knockdown of Cerebellar Purkinje Cells Induces Bradykinesia
Authors: Wang Ya-Yun , Liu Hui , Li Shu-Jiao , Feng Ban , Huang Yun-Qiang , Liu Shui-Bing , Yang Yan-Ling
Published: September 2023

Although uncoupling protein 4 (UCP4) is the most abundant protein reported in the brain, the biological function of UCP4 in cerebellum and pathological outcome of UCP4 deficiency in cerebellum remain obscure. To evaluate the role of Ucp4 in the cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs), we generated the conditional knockdown of Ucp4 in PCs (Pcp2cre;Ucp4fl/fl mice) by breeding Ucp4fl/fl mice with Pcp2cre mice. Series results by Western blot, immunofluorescent staining, and triple RNAscope in situ hybridization confirmed the specific ablation of Ucp4 in PCs in Pcp2cre;Ucp4fl/fl mice, but did not affect the expression of Ucp2, the analog of Ucp4. Combined behavioral tests showed that Pcp2cre;Ucp4fl/fl mice displayed a characteristic bradykinesia in the spontaneous movements. The electromyogram recordings detection excluded the possibility of hypotonia in Pcp2cre;Ucp4fl/fl mice. And the electrical patch clamp recordings showed the altered properties of PCs in Pcp2cre;Ucp4fl/fl mice. Moreover, transmission electron microscope (TEM) results showed the increased mitochondrial circularity in PCs; ROS probe imaging showed the increased ROS generation in molecular layer; and finally, microplate reader assay showed the significant changes of mitochondrial functions, including ROS, ATP, and MMP in the isolated cerebellum tissue. The results suggested that the specific knockdown of mitochondrial protein Ucp4 could damage PCs possibly by attacking their mitochondrial function. The present study is the first to report a close relationship between UCP4 deletion with PCs impairment, and suggests the importance of UCP4 in the substantial support of mitochondrial function homeostasis in bradykinesia. UCP4 might be a therapeutic target for the cerebellar-related movement disorder.

Graphical Abstract
Backbone 1H, 15N and 13C resonance assignments of the 27kDa fluorescent protein mCherry
Authors: Sette Marco , Johnson Laura Anne , Jimenez Ralph , Mulder Frans A.A.
Published: September 2023

mCherry is one of the most successfully applied monomeric red fluorescent proteins (RFPs) for in vivo and in vitro imaging. However, questions pertaining to the photostability of the RFPs remain and rational further engineering of their photostability requires information about the fluorescence quenching mechanism in solution. To this end, NMR spectroscopic investigations might be helpful, and we present the near-complete backbone NMR chemical shift assignment to aid in this pursuit.
Impact of nanoscale silicon dioxide coating of stainless-steel surfaces on Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Hillig Nadja , Schumann-Muck Felicitas , Hamedy Ahmad , Braun Peggy G. , Koethe Martin
Published: September 2023

High resistance to environmental factors as well as the ability to form biofilms allow Listeria monocytogenes to persist for a long time in difficult-to-reach places in food-producing plants. L. monocytogenes enters final products from contaminated surfaces in different areas of plants and poses a health risk to consumer. Modified surfaces are already used in the food industry to prevent cross-contamination. In this study, stainless-steel surfaces were coated with nanoscale silicon dioxide and the effects on attachment, bacterial growth and detachment of L. monocytogenes were evaluated. Attachment was considered for three different ways of application to simulate different scenarios of contamination. Bacterial growth of L. monocytogenes on the surface was recorded over a period of up to 8 h. Detachment was tested after cleaning inoculated stainless-steel surfaces with heated distilled water or detergent. Coating stainless-steel surfaces with nanoscale silica tends to reduce adherence and increased detachment and does not influence the bacterial growth of L. monocytogenes. Further modifications of the coating are necessary for a targeted use in the reduction of L. monocytogenes in food-processing plants.
Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Potential Synergies
Authors: Chambers Richard , Stoliker Devon , Simonsson Otto
Published: September 2023

Objectives

The mindfulness-informed intervention that has so far received the most attention as an adjunct to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), but little remains known about potential synergies between psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and mindfulness-based interventions such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). This paper examines and evaluates the therapeutic compatibility of MBCT with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, and their potential synergies.

Methods

This study represents a narrative review of the current literature on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and MBCT.

Results

We demonstrate how MBCT targets core processes including acceptance, being present, concentration, decentering and embracing difficulties — and outline why strengthening these capacities with systematic meditation training may prove invaluable during the preparation, dosing and integration phases of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

Conclusions

MBCT’s emphasis on systematic training in mindfulness meditation and fostering nonjudgmental presence aligns well with the states of consciousness induced by psychedelics, highlighting its potential to enhance various stages of both the psychedelic experience and subsequent integration. By equipping individuals with effective mindfulness and cognitive restructuring techniques, MBCT may offer advantages beyond those provided by ACT, such as the ability to skillfully navigate and manage challenging experiences that can emerge during different phases of the psychedelic experience and integration. This suggests that MBCT’s unique approach may complement psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in ways that ACT may not fully address, particularly in the context of handling challenging experiences.
The Mindfulness-Based Kindness Curriculum for Preschoolers: An Applied Multi-Site Randomized Control Trial
Authors: Haines Beth A. , Hong Phan Y. , Immel Kathy R. , Lishner David A.
Published: September 2023

Objectives

This study examined the impact of the Mindfulness-Based Kindness Curriculum (MBKC) on social-emotional, executive function, and academic skills of preschoolers.

Method

Sixteen preschool and 4K (4-year-old kindergarten) classrooms (245 children, 57.6% ethnically diverse, 69.8% low SES) were randomly assigned to either a curriculum-as-usual (CAU) or MBKC group taught by trained classroom teachers. Measures, as reported by children, teachers, and parents, were collected prior to and after implementation of the MBKC.

Results

Trained classroom teachers effectively implemented the MBKC. Teachers rated MBKC children significantly higher on outcome measures of social-emotional skills (e.g., sharing, prosocial skills, empathy), executive functioning (e.g., planning/organizing, working memory), and academic skills (e.g., physical development, language, math) than CAU children. Parents rated MBKC children as having significantly higher levels of cognitive empathy compared to parents’ ratings of CAU children. MBKC children were significantly more likely to engage in sharing behavior with a sick child, though children’s self-ratings indicated no effect of the MBKC on mindfulness skills or self-efficacy. Unlike previous research, the MBKC did not benefit initially lower functioning children more than initially higher functioning children.

Conclusions

Consistent with previous research, children given the MBKC appeared to benefit in terms of higher social-emotional competency, prosocial behavior, and executive functioning. The MBKC proved to be a useful complement to their other social-emotional learning programming. The present study expands the literature on the application of mindfulness with preschool children and highlights important implications of teaching and measuring mindfulness skills in young children, thereby identifying specific issues to address in future studies.

Preregistration

This study was not preregistered.
Empty Nose Syndrome: The Case for “Functional Nasal Obstruction” as a Predisposing Risk Prior to Nasal Surgery
Authors: Png Lu Hui , Kalish Larry , Sacks Raymond
Published: September 2023

Purpose of Review

Although empty nose syndrome (ENS) is axiomatically defined post nasal surgery, these patients present to otolaryngologists with complaints of nasal airflow dysfunction preoperatively. The critical question of how to resolve ENS should be in the preoperative assessment rather than focusing on interventions post nasal surgery. There are no proven factors from surgery that predict ENS post turbinate surgery. We review the latest literature on ENS and evaluate developing trends in the understanding of its pathophysiology and associations. This review seeks to develop a modern approach to the management of this recalcitrant condition.

Recent Findings

Recent literature on ENS suggests possible psychogenic etiologies and associations, providing an avenue for treatment strategies. Previous theories of ENS pathogenesis regarding extent of turbinate surgery are not supported by airflow and radiologic assessments. Premorbid neurosensory alterations may explain why some patients, often with mental health comorbidities, present for nasal surgery without significant clinical findings and is a patient population predisposed to ENS.

The concept of “functional nasal obstruction” or FNO, needs to become a diagnostic option for the clinician when assessing patients for nasal surgery. Patients identifying with ENS may be a population of patients with functional nasal obstruction, unrecognized and now after surgical efforts to relieve symptoms. The disorder underlying ENS should be considered an unrecognized risk factor in patient selection “prior” to nasal surgery rather than a postoperative complication “from” nasal surgery. Identifying this risk factor preoperatively is critical in avoiding subsequent morbidity. Further research into identifying “functional nasal obstruction” prior to nasal surgery should be undertaken as a priority over interventions after the ENS condition occurs.
Effects of mealtime assistance in the nutritional rehabilitation of eating disorders
Authors: Lacalaprice Doriana , Mocini Edoardo , Frigerio Francesco , Minnetti Marianna , Piciocchi Claudia , Donini Lorenzo Maria , Poggiogalle Eleonora
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of meal supervision, provided by health professionals, volunteers or family members, on anthropometric, nutritional, psychological, and behavioural outcomes in patients with eating disorders (EDs).

Methods

The present systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The last search was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane library). Inclusion criteria considered paediatric and adult patients suffering from EDs, regardless of ethnicity, and treated in different therapeutic settings. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) adapted for cross-sectional studies and Version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool for randomised trials.

Results

3282 articles were retrieved, out of which only 6 met the eligibility criteria. A marked heterogeneity in definitions and approaches to supervised mealtime was observed. This variability emerged in the methodologies used in the supervised meal, and in the reference values for the outcome measures that were used, such as the analysis of different parameters.

Based on these observations, mealtime assistance provided to patients with EDs shows an overall positive effect on eating behaviour and dysfunctional attitudes. Future research should be prompted to provide a thorough definition of a structured procedure for meal assistance to be potentially and systematically included in the nutritional rehabilitation protocols for patients with EDs.

Level of evidence

Level IV systematic reviews of uncontrolled trials.
How did organ donation in Israel become a club membership model? From civic to communal solidarity in organ sharing
Authors: Boas Hagai
Published: September 2023

Figuring out what pushes individuals to become organ donors has become the holy grail of social scientists interested in transplantations. In this paper I concentrate on solidarity as a determinant of organ donation and examine it through the history of organ donation in Israel. By following the history of transplantation policies since 1968 and examining them in relation to different types of solidarities, this paper leads to a nuanced understanding of the ties between solidarity and health policy. Attempts to foster an all-encompassing consensus on the definition of brain death yielded the Transplantation and the Brain-Respiratory Death Laws of 2008. It was hoped that a wide “civic solidarity” would render Israel self-sufficient in its organ economy. However, the failure of the law led to the breakdown of civic solidarity in organ donation. As a result, initiatives such as the priority policy and non-directed living organ donations, developed out of a narrower conception of solidarity. Juxtaposing these initiatives sheds light on macro level processes for policy makers and suggests solidarity as a key bioethical concept to understand organ donation policies.
Standardized, risk-adapted induction therapy in kidney transplantation
Authors: Eisinger Felix , Mühlbacher Thomas , Na Ario , Althaus Karina , Nadalin Silvio , Birkenfeld Andreas L. , Heyne Nils , Guthoff Martina
Published: September 2023

Background

The choice of induction therapy in kidney transplantation is often non-standardized and centre-specific. Clinicians can choose between depleting and non-depleting antibodies, which differ in their immunosuppressive capacity and the concomitant risk of infection. We herein present a standardized risk-stratified algorithm for induction therapy that might help to balance the risk of rejection and/or serious infection.

Methods

Prior to kidney transplantation, patients were stratified into low-risk, intermediate-risk or high-risk according to our protocol based on immunologic risk factors. Depending on their individual immunologic risk, patients received basiliximab (low risk), antithymocyte globulin (intermediate risk) or low-dose alemtuzumab (high risk) for induction therapy. We analysed the results after 3 years of implementation of our risk-stratified induction therapy protocol at our kidney transplant centre.

Results

Between 01/2017 and 05/2020, 126 patients were stratified in accordance with our protocol (low risk/intermediate risk/high risk: 69 vs. 42 vs. 15 patients). The median follow-up time was 1.9 [1.0–2.5] years. No significant difference was observed in rejection rate and allograft survival (low risk/intermediate risk/high risk: 90.07% vs. 80.81% vs. 100% after 3 years (p > 0.05)) among the groups. The median eGFR at follow-up was (low risk/intermediate risk/high risk) 47 [33–58] vs 58 [46–76] vs 44 [22–55] ml/min/1.73 m2. Although the rate of viral and bacterial infections did not differ significantly, we observed a higher rate of opportunistic fungal infections with alemtuzumab induction.

Conclusions

Our strategy offers facilitated and individualized choice of induction therapy in kidney transplantation. We propose further evaluation of our algorithm in prospective trials.
A Hybrid Similarity-Based Method for Wind Monitoring System Deployment Optimization Along Urban Railways
Authors: Zhao Wenqiang , Zhang Zhipeng , Hou Bowen , Huang Yujie , Xie Ye
Published: September 2023

Urban railways in coastal areas are exposed to the risk of extreme weather conditions. A cost-effective and robust wind monitoring system, as a vital part of the railway infrastructure, is essential for ensuring safety and efficiency. However, insufficient sensors along urban rail lines may result in failure to detect local strong winds, thus impacting urban rail safety and operational efficiency. This paper proposes a hybrid method based on historical wind speed data analysis to optimize wind monitoring system deployment. The proposed methodology integrates warning similarity and trend similarity with a linear combination and develops a constrained quadratic programming model to determine the combined weights. The methodology is demonstrated and verified based on a real-world case of an urban rail line. The results show that the proposed method outperforms the single similarity-based method and spatial interpolation approach in terms of both evaluation accuracy and robustness. This study provides a practical data-driven tool for urban rail operators to optimize their wind sensor networks with limited data and resources. It can contribute significantly to enhancing railway system operational efficiency and reducing the hazards on rail infrastructures and facilities under strong wind conditions. Additionally, the novel methodology and evaluation framework can be efficiently applied to the monitoring of other extreme weather conditions, further enhancing urban rail safety.
Characterisation of print path deviation in material extrusion
Authors: Sherugar Shivdarshan , Birkett Martin , Blacklock Matthew
Published: September 2023

Material extrusion, also known as fused filament fabrication, is one of the most popular additive manufacturing techniques due to its lower cost and ease of handling. However, parts produced by material extrusion have relatively poor mechanical performance, dimensional accuracy and thermal performance as compared to parts produced by subtractive manufacturing due to high void content. Previous studies have suggested print path deviation as the cause of these voids, but no attempt has yet been made to characterise these deviations. In this study, we propose a method to assess print path deviation for material extrusion that may reduce the formation of voids in printed parts. Geometric features including straight paths, various angled corners and curves of varying radii are printed at different print speeds using an open-source printer and then imaged under a microscopic. The deviation in print path centroid and width is classified as being a combination of systematic and stochastic deviations. Systematic deviation is determined by the difference between the mean of the actual print path and the ideal print path sent to the printer by the user. Stochastic deviation represents the randomness across print samples and is given by the root mean square deviation. The relationship between stochastic deviation between any two points along the print path is determined by a correlation coefficient. The results show that both print speed and different geometric print features affect the amount of deviation in the print path. In the case of correlation of the stochastic deviation along print paths, geometric features are found to have a much greater effect than print speed. The proposed method provides a low cost and highly transferrable technique to characterise the print path deviation within material extrusion parts with respect to varying printing parameters. An accurate understanding of local print deviations within a part plays a major role in the analysis and topology optimisation of 3D printed parts and gives the ability to assess the print quality and identify the root cause of print deviations, thus reducing voids and improving mechanical performance, dimensional accuracy and thermal properties of the printed part.
An Efficient Keywords Search in Temporal Social Networks
Authors: Ge Youming , Chen Zitong , Liu Yubao
Published: September 2023

With the increasing of requirements from many aspects, various queries and analyses arise focusing on social network. Time is a common and necessary dimension in various types of social networks. Social networks with time information are called temporal social networks, in which time information can be the time when a user sends message to another user. Keywords search in temporal social networks consists of finding relationships between a group users that has a set of query labels and is valid within the query time interval. It provides assistance in social network analysis, classification of social network users, community detection, etc. However, the existing methods have limitations in solving temporal social network keyword search problems. We propose a basic algorithm, the discrete timestamp algorithm, with the intention of turning the problem into a traditional keyword search on social networks. We also propose an approximative algorithm based on the discrete timestamp algorithm, but it still suffers from the traditional algorithms’ low efficiency. To further improve the performance, we propose a new algorithm based on dynamic programming to solve the keyword search in temporal social network. The main idea is to extend a vertex into a solution by edge-growth operation and tree-merger operation. We also propose two powerful pruning techniques to reduce the intermediate results during the extension. Additionally, all of the algorithms we proposed are capable of handling a variety of ranking functions, and all of them can be made to conform to top-N keyword querying. The efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed algorithms are verified through extensive empirical studies.
A cross-sectional study on Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis prevalence and associated factors in Brazilian southern cattle farms
Authors: Siqueira Franciele Maboni , Breyer Gabriela Merker , De Carli Silvia , Lopes Cassiane E. , Dias Maria Eduarda , da Silva Maria Eduarda Rocha Jacques , Moni Camila , Zitelli Larissa Caló , Borsato Márcio , Gomes Rogers , Lopes Francisco Paulo Nunes , Moraes Rosane Collares , Cattáneo Milton , Sosa Ruben , Pessoa Gilson Antonio , de Freitas Costa Eduardo
Published: September 2023

Cattle farming is a major livestock activity with economic relevance in Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. However, this activity is still considered of intermediate to low technological level, and in this region, there are few epidemiologic reports of Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis (Cfv), the causative agent of bovine genital campylobacteriosis (BGC). Thus, we designed a cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence and Cfv-associated factors in cattle farms in RS, Brazil. In total, 99 farms were randomly selected to participate in the survey. Preputial mucus samples from selected bulls were collected twice (within a 15-day interval) and subjected to Cfv molecular detection. A farm was considered positive when at least one sample was positive for Cfv. Our findings indicate that the farm-level Cfv prevalence in RS is 67.67%. On average, the chance of a farm using natural service to be Cfv-positive increased approximately twice compared to farms that do not use natural service. We also determined that Cfv routine tests reduce the chance of a farm being positive by 92%. Therefore, both Cfv detection tests and the reduction of natural services decrease the chance of a farm being positive for Cfv. Finally, we conclude that Cfv is widely spread in Southern Brazil cattle farms and it is urgent the implementation of control measures to reduce Cfv prevalence in the target population.
Reliability and Performance of the Online Literature Database CAMbase after Changing from a Semantic Search to a Score Ranking Algorithm
Authors: Unger Sebastian , Raak Christa K. , Ostermann Thomas
Published: September 2023

Despite the increase in scientific publications in the field of integrative medicine over the past decades, a valid overview of published evidence remains challenging to get. The online literature database CAMbase (available at https://cambase.de) is one of the established databases designed to provide such an overview. In 2020, the database was migrated from a 32-bit to a 64-bit operating system, which resulted in unexpected, technical issues and forced the replacement of the semantic search algorithm with Solr, an open-source platform that uses a score ranking algorithm. Although semantic search was replaced, the goal was to create a literature database that is essentially no different from the legacy system. Therefore, a before-after analysis was conducted to compare first the number of retrieved documents and then their titles, while the titles were syntactically compared using two Sentence-Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (SBERT) models. Analysis with a paired t-test revealed no significant overall differences between the legacy system and the final system in the number of documents (t =− 1.41, df = 35, p = 0.17), but an increase in performance (t = 4.13, df = 35, p < 0.01). Analysis with a t-test for independent samples of the values from the models also revealed a high degree of consistency between the retrieved documents. The results show that an equivalent search can be provided by using Solr, while improving the performance, making this technical report a viable blueprint for projects with similar contexts.
Lessons Learned from Assessing Trustworthy AI in Practice
Authors: Vetter Dennis , Amann Julia , Bruneault Frédérick , Coffee Megan , Düdder Boris , Gallucci Alessio , Gilbert Thomas Krendl , Hagendorff Thilo , van Halem Irmhild , Hickman Eleanore , Hildt Elisabeth , Holm Sune , Kararigas Georgios , Kringen Pedro , Madai Vince I. , Wiinblad Mathez Emilie , Tithi Jesmin Jahan , Westerlund Magnus , Wurth Renee , Zicari Roberto V. ,   Z-Inspection® initiative (2022)
Published: September 2023

Building artificial intelligence (AI) systems that adhere to ethical standards is a complex problem. Even though a multitude of guidelines for the design and development of such trustworthy AI systems exist, these guidelines focus on high-level and abstract requirements for AI systems, and it is often very difficult to assess if a specific system fulfills these requirements. The Z-Inspection® process provides a holistic and dynamic framework to evaluate the trustworthiness of specific AI systems at different stages of the AI lifecycle, including intended use, design, and development. It focuses, in particular, on the discussion and identification of ethical issues and tensions through the analysis of socio-technical scenarios and a requirement-based framework for ethical and trustworthy AI. This article is a methodological reflection on the Z-Inspection® process. We illustrate how high-level guidelines for ethical and trustworthy AI can be applied in practice and provide insights for both AI researchers and AI practitioners. We share the lessons learned from conducting a series of independent assessments to evaluate the trustworthiness of real-world AI systems, as well as key recommendations and practical suggestions on how to ensure a rigorous trustworthiness assessment throughout the lifecycle of an AI system. The results presented in this article are based on our assessments of AI systems in the healthcare sector and environmental monitoring, where we used the framework for trustworthy AI proposed in the Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI by the European Commission’s High-Level Expert Group on AI. However, the assessment process and the lessons learned can be adapted to other domains and include additional frameworks.
Thermo‐Kinematic Constraints on Restoration of the Eastern Sichuan Fold‐And‐Thrust Belt, South China
Authors: Feng Qianqian , Qiu Nansheng , Wu Hang , Koyi Hemin
Published: September 2023

Kinematic restoration of the eastern Sichuan fold‐and‐thrust belt (ESFTB) in South China is calibrated with a new thermo‐kinematic model combining analog models, discrete element method, and thermochronology data. Thermo‐kinematic analysis provides constraints on the onset, rate, and lateral variation of deformation and exhumation. Results show that the ESFTB experienced a northwestward thrusting and periodic exhumation. Its evolution was characterized by five major stages based on the deformation characteristics; (a) Shortening above a basal decollement and formation of large imbricates separated by narrow synclines during 170–130 Ma; (b) Transition stage during 130–100 Ma; (c) Stepping up of deformation to shallow decollement levels and shaping of the thick‐skinned domain during 100–70 Ma; (d) Shaping of the thin‐skinned domain during 70–20 Ma; and (e) Continuous exhumation and structural modification from 20 Ma to present. The changes in the exhumation rate have been tectonic responses to the subduction retreat of the Paleo‐Pacific Plate and the eastward growth of the Tibetan Plateau. The westward subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific Plate resulted in northwestward shortening across South China, progressive deformation of the ESFTB, and rapid exhumation from the Late Jurassic to the Late Cretaceous. The crustal extension associated with the rollback of the Paleo‐Pacific slab accounted for the Mesozoic exhumation rate decrease until the Miocene. The accelerated cooling of the thin‐skinned domain of the ESFTB since the Miocene was a response to the eastward growth of the Tibetan Plateau, while the continuous slow exhumation in the thick‐skinned domain was related to the continuous crustal extension in South China.
Temperature Extremes Hit Lower- and Middle-Income Countries Hardest
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: September 2023

Smaller cities in these regions are less likely to have infrastructure to deal with extreme climates.
Seismic Ocean Thermometry Using CTBTO Hydrophones
Authors: Wu Wenbo , Shen Zhichao , Peng Shirui , Zhan Zhongwen , Callies Jörn
Published: September 2023

Due to limited observational coverage, monitoring the warming of the global ocean, especially the deep ocean, remains a challenging sampling problem. Seismic ocean thermometry (SOT) complements existing point measurements by inferring large‐scale averaged ocean temperature changes using the sound waves generated by submarine earthquakes, called T waves. We demonstrate here that Comprehensive Nuclear‐Test‐Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) hydrophones can record T waves with a higher signal‐to‐noise ratio compared to a previously used land‐based T‐wave station. This allows us to use small earthquakes (magnitude <4.0), which occur much more frequently than large events, dramatically improving the resulting temporal resolution of SOT. We also find that the travel time changes of T waves at the land‐based T‐wave station and the CTBTO hydrophone show small but systematic differences, although the two stations are only about 20 km apart. We attribute this feature to their different acoustic mode components sampling different parts of the ocean. Applying SOT to two CTBTO hydrophones in the East Indian Ocean reveals signals from decadal warming, seasonal variations, and mesoscale eddies, some of which are missing or underestimated in previously available temperature reconstructions. This application demonstrates the great advantage of hydrophone stations for global SOT, especially in regions with a low seismicity level.
Induced Polarization of Metal Grains: Simulations of Three‐Dimensional Electric Fields
Authors: Izumoto Satoshi
Published: September 2023

Induced polarization (IP) method is one of the geophysical methods that utilizes polarization of subsurface materials. This method is very sensitive to the presence of (semi) conducting materials. Previous studies revealed the underlying mechanisms of metal polarization in simple geometry. However, there is a gap between such studies and the conditions in geological materials. To fill the gap, I have established the simulation method for studying the polarization of metal grains in a three‐dimensional field using the open‐source computational‐fluid‐dynamic software OpenFOAM. The three‐dimensional view of the surface potential distribution on a metal grain clarified how polarization is induced while varying geometrical constrictions. I varied the channel size, the orientation of the anisotropic grain, the elongation of the grain, and the distance of two grains. The results include: (a) a less decay of imaginary potential over distance for shorter or narrower channel, enhanced polarization in narrower channel and reduced polarization in shorter channel, (b) shift of the position of maximum imaginary potential over frequency on the surface of the oriented anisotropic grains, (c) higher peak frequency and larger polarization locally at the edge of the grains for elongated grains, and (d) enhancement of polarization by interaction of nearby grains. The underlying mechanisms were examined for each case. In addition, relationships between each scenario in my simulation and the subsurface environment were discussed. My successful implementation of the simulation for metal grains may be applied to improve the modeling, interpretation, and laboratory experimental setup.