bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cleanness of Molten Steel—Active and Reactive, Exchangeable Filter Systems for the Continuous Casting of Steel
Authors: Wetzig Tony , Baaske Andreas , Karrasch Sven , Dudczig Steffen , Aneziris Christos G.
Published: May 2024

The filtration of steel melts in the continuous casting of steel is of special interest in order to meet the ever-increasing purity requirements regarding the metal’s purity. Due to the high mass flow and the high casting duration, the application of in-built filters in the tundish system is rather challenging, especially regarding the filter capacity. In the framework of this contribution, a new concept involving the immersion of filters into the steel melt from above the tundish was investigated. This approach allows for the flexible exchange of used filters without interruption of the underlying process. At the Institute of Ceramics, Refractories and Composite Materials, carbon-bonded alumina filters on the basis of established slurry compositions and modified replication techniques were scaled up for the industrial application in continuous casting of steel. The best property profile was observed for a triple coating approach based on centrifugation, dip coating and spray coating. In the tundish of a steel casting simulator, a lab-scale casting test was conducted in order to check the thermos-mechanical behavior of the filter in contact with molten steel. After the successful evaluation in lab scale, the filters were tested in industrial trials in cooperation with the company thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG. A ladle casting with immersed filter lasted approximately 45 min with a static casting speed of 8 to 10 t/min and a melt temperature of above 1550 °C. The filters were analyzed for inclusions and potential damage at the Institute of Ceramics, Refractories and Composite Materials. Dense clogging layers on the filter surface were identified as in-situ layers as usually observed in lab-scale steel casting simulator tests in consequence of reactive filtration effects. Furthermore, inclusion clusters which were removed at the filter bottom due to the direct inflow in consequence of the buoyancy were observed as signs of active filtration. A further alternative to foam filters is presented by gel-cast spaghetti filter structures with mechanically robust full-strut structure. In the subproject T01K, the gel casting process was optimized in order to realize the necessary upscaling of the components. With the aid of alginate-based gel casting, spaghetti filter with organized lattice structures were manufactured and tested. Steel casting simulator trials showed favorable behavior in contact with the melt.
Precipitation of Iron-Containing Intermetallic Phases from Aluminum Alloys by Metal Melt Filtration
Authors: Schoß Johannes Paul , Keßler Andreas , Dommaschk Claudia , Szucki Michal , Wolf Gotthard
Published: May 2024

Iron (Fe) provides a non-reactive dissolved impurity in aluminum (Al) alloys, which forms a coarse, plate-shaped intermetallic β-phase during solidification. This β-phase is detrimental to the mechanical and casting properties. Therefore, the reduction of Fe by binding in Fe-containing intermetal-lics (sludge phase) was realized via a two-stage procedure, which consisted of conditioning of the melt by manganese (Mn) and chromium (Cr) with subsequent-ly applied metal melt filtration. For this purpose, the formation characteristics of the Fe-rich intermetallic phases were investigated regarding the temperature, time, and initial chemical composition to separate these intermetallics from the residual melt. To evaluate the different process parameters of Fe removal for a potential implementation in lightweight metal foundries, a process technology on an indus-trial scale was developed in cooperation with an industrial partner. The examina-tion of samples in optical microscopy (OM) using image analysis were conducted to determine the area fractions of Fe-rich intermetallics. In addition, optical emis-sion spectrometer (OES) measurements were performed. Complementary investi-gations were achieved by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), with energy dis-persive spectroscopy (EDS), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) to measure the partial chemical composition and for phase identification. The for-mation characteristics of the Fe-containing phases were investigated using DSC cooling curves and selective sampling in quenching experiments. In the experi-mental trials, a maximum reduction of iron of ≈50% was revealed compared to the unfiltered sample, whereby greater influence on the formation of α-intermetallics was inferred by temperature than by time. Moreover, the elements Mn and Cr were reduced by about 66% and 86% at 620 °C, respectively, thus, the element contents in the filtered samples approached the chemical composition of the standard alloy (EN-AC-AlSi9Cu3(Fe)).
Functionalized Feeders, Hollowware, Spider Bricks and Starter Casting Tubes for Increasing the Purity in Steel Casting Processes
Authors: Wetzig Tony , Schwarz Matthias , Schöttler Leandro , Gehre Patrick , Aneziris Christos G.
Published: May 2024

Although continuous casting became the state of the art for the casting of ordinary steel grades, ingot casting by bottom teeming still has relevance in the steelmaking industry, especially for the manufacturing of specialty and alloy steels. As for every casting process, the ever-increasing quality requirements by customers lead to increased demand for new technologies to increase the purity of the cast steel melt regarding its inclusion content. Due to the special design of the bottom-teeming ingot casting facility and the discontinuous operation as batch process, the application of filters is a promising approach. Tailored foam geometries were prepared based on additive manufacturing via selective laser sintering (SLS) and transformed into filters via modified replication techniques and flame spraying. Additionally to filter application, the functionalization and quality improvement of applied hollowware refractories has high potential to remove existing inclusions from the steel melt and avoid the formation of new inclusions during casting. The investigated hollowware components were manufactured by pressure slip casting on the basis of coarse-grained alumina compositions and subsequent functionalization by spray coating based on carbon-bonded alumina slurries. Simultaneous application of functionalized, “reactive” refractory components and flame-sprayed, “active” filters enables a combined filtration system which unites the advantages of the distinct filtration mechanisms. In the continuous casting of specialty steels, the conditions are more severe resulting in additional challenges regarding the application of filters. An approach investigated in this subproject is the use of extruded filter starter casting tubes above the tundish outlet. To achieve this, extrusion mixes based on cellulose derivatives and materials of the system Al2O3-ZrO2-C (AZC) were investigated for their suitability. The new concepts were tested in industrial casting trials in cooperation with the company Deutsche Edelstahlwerke Specialty Steels Europe GmbH (DEW). Post-mortem, the former melt-refractory interface of the applied components was investigated and steel samples from the ladle, the gating system and the ingot were analyzed in comparison to untreated samples.
Preference Management in a Single User Group Recommender System
Authors: Emamgholizadeh Hanif , Delić Amra , Ricci Francesco
Published: May 2024

Group recommender systems (GRSs) support groups of users to find items, e.g., restaurants, that suit, as much as possible, all the group members’ preferences. We consider a GRS scenario where a single member of the group, the organizer, uses the system to find and choose a suitable restaurant for the entire group. We present a novel GRS that helps the organizer to: enter the preferences of all the group members, recall them, and manage incompatible preferences. In the system’s experimental evaluation, we have found that the designed functionality for recalling group members’ preferences and managing incompatible preferences improve the quality of the organizer’s choice.
Beyond Sensors: A Rule-Based Approach for Cost-Effective Visitor Guidance
Authors: Neubig Stefan , Bečevová Markéta , Brosda Fabian , Loges Ronja , Hein Andreas , Keller Robert , Krcmar Helmut
Published: May 2024

Tourism is an important economic driver for numerous regions, attracting more than one billion visitors annually. While economically significant, excessive numbers of visitors lead to local overcrowding, which negatively impacts visitors’ experience and safety, and causes environmental harm. This paper proposes a practical approach to empowering destination management organizations (DMOs) to manage tourist flows. We advocate for a rule-based approach that models visitor occupancy based on easily understandable influence factors like weather and date. As a central component, an ontology-guided knowledge graph ensures compatibility with diverse touristic data models and allows seamless integration into existing infrastructures. By digitizing DMOs’ experiential knowledge, we facilitate the implementation of lean and cost-effective visitor guidance. We demonstrate our approach by implementing two applications for two different use cases. The results of our qualitative evaluation reveal the compelling potential for rule-based occupancy modeling approaches serving as a baseline for future visitor management systems.
Customer-to-Customer Real-Time Value Co-creation in Tourism Live Streaming: A Live Streamer Perspective
Authors: Shang Kaiti , Buhalis Dimitrios , Fan Daisy X. F. , Augustyn Marcjanna
Published: May 2024

Live streaming has emerged as a new medium for the creation and dissemination of travel experiences, product marketing and destination promotion. Empirical studies on live streamers’ motivations and travel behavior in tourism live streaming are currently under-explored. This study adopted a live streamer perspective and followed a qualitative approach to 1) explore the motivations and travel behaviour of live streamers in tourism, and 2) investigate the process of customer-to-customer real-time value co-creation of the live streamer with other stakeholders by drawing on the Porter-Lawler model. Findings provide in-depth understanding of live streamers’ motivations for engaging in tourism live streaming and the influence of viewers on live streamers. Recommendations are also offered to tourism live streaming platforms regarding how to develop a better incentive strategy for live streamers.
Transformative Communication on Webpages from the Eudaimonic Perspective
Authors: Heinonen Johanna , Myburgh Jade , Murto Maria
Published: May 2024

The key to creating genuinely transformative travel experiences lies in effective communication strategies. By engaging with an audience through meaningful and thought-provoking content, tourism organisations can inspire them to fulfil their life's purpose and embark on a journey of personal growth and discovery. Whether through inspiring stories, beautiful imagery, or practical tips and advice, the right content can help connect with an audience on a deeper level and create unforgettable travel experiences. This study reviewed the literature on eudaimonic communication and analysed the textual content on selected companies’ web pages. By identifying specific elements and their absence, the study aimed to enhance the effectiveness of webpage communication, ultimately leading to a transformative response in the end-user. As a result, it was clear that elements of transformative and eudaimonic communication appeared on web pages, but the way they were used did not support transformation.
Workplace Transformation: Exploring the Impact of Digital Nomad-Inspired Travel Experiences
Authors: Chevtaeva Ekaterina
Published: May 2024

This short research paper explores the experiences and transformations of employed remote workers who engage in remote work trips, a type of digital nomad-inspired travel where individuals combine work and leisure while traveling. The study aims to understand the meaning of these experiences and their impact on participants’ work practices. The methodology employed in this study is Heidegger's hermeneutical phenomenology, which focuses on subjective interpretations of experiences. Data was collected between 2022 and 2023 through prolonged engagement with seven participants who have work flexibility but do not identify as digital nomads. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to empathize with the participants’ experiences. The study highlights that remote work travel is not perceived as a typical vacation experience and differs from digital nomadism. The dimension of self-awareness at work emerged, revealing a range of feelings toward work arrangements in new environments. Some participants felt balanced and healthier, while others felt a lack of motivation. Overall, the experiences made participants more aware of their work style preferences that potentially benefits enterprises as well.
Unlocking the Potential of Content-Based Restaurant Recommender Systems
Authors: Godolja Dante , Kolb Thomas Elmar , Neidhardt Julia
Published: May 2024

Content-based restaurant recommender systems use features such as cuisine type, price range, and location to suggest dining options to users. Current research explores ways to improve their effectiveness. In this work, we explore different ideas on how to build a recommender system. We explore TF-IDF as a baseline and the state-of-the-art model SBERT. These ideas are tested on a real-world data-set of a digital restaurant guide. Evaluation involves both qualitative assessment by a domain expert and quantitative analysis. The results show that, with proper preprocessing, TF-IDF can achieve similar scores to SBERT and, depending on the scenario, even better results. However, SBERT still provides more novel recommendations than TF-IDF. Depending on the scenario, both models can be used to generate meaningful restaurant recommendations. However, more implicit aspects like a restaurant’s atmosphere can hardly be captured by these models.
Personalized Smart Travel with Identification and Payment
Authors: Özçelik Şuayb Talha , Yöndem Meltem Turhan , Sayıcı Tunga , Balcı Emre , Al Begüm , Akkurt Oğuzhan
Published: May 2024

Tourism is a sector that has a substantial economic impact on countries. With the advancement of technology, personalized solutions have become essential in the tourism sector. Building a user profile is the most common method to personalize a system. Personalization in the travel industry aims to provide travelers with the same level of support that they would receive from an assistant who knows them best. This can be achieved by analyzing the traveler’s previous activities, demographic information, and characteristics as a traveler. Various new technologies have started to be used in tourism, and one of them is blockchain, which can be a critical element in the tourism industry in the following years. Travelers must present their identification at various points throughout their trip. Blockchain-based identification technology allows users to go paperless throughout their journey. Digital transactions can enhance the payment experience for visitors at tourism destinations. Destinations that offer digital payment services are viewed as smart tourist hotspots and tend to be more successful in attracting visitors. In this perspective, we added a digital payment system to our system. In this project, as a sub-part of the Celtics-Next project, SmarTravel, we planned to develop the personalized tourism system of the future, in which the customer is the focus, with three institutions: Setur Tourism Agency, Turkcell Technology, and Paycell. We hope that our project will set an example of how payment processes and blockchain-based identification can be integrated into customer-oriented smart systems.
UGC-Based Factors Influencing Customer Satisfaction Pre and Post COVID-19: The Case of Lake Constance
Authors: Regitz Dominic , Höpken Wolfram , Fuchs Matthias
Published: May 2024

User-generated content (UGC) created and distributed through social media and tourism-related websites provides potential travelers the opportunity to gain first-hand experiences about destination products and services. UGC is also of great value to tourism service providers. Since UGC represents customers’ opinions and experience outcomes, potential problems, but also drivers behind customer delight can be identified. In this regard, also temporal changes regarding customer requirements can be determined. The aim of this paper is to identify how certain topic areas mentioned in UGC affect customer satisfaction, exemplarily analyzed for the Lake of Constance Region. Furthermore, potential temporal changes regarding customer satisfaction since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic will be examined. A sentiment analysis, topic detection and regression analysis are carried out on two datasets containing UGC before and after the outbreak of the pandemic. Findings show that the pandemic has changed customers’ attitudes towards certain topic areas.
I Know What You Think About Your Last Vacation: A Topic Modelling Approach for Destination Online Reviews
Authors: Quarshie Benjamin , Santoso Halim Budi , Rachmat Chrismanto Antonius , Ngubeni Paulina , Ukpabi Dandison
Published: May 2024

Online reviews (ORs) have garnered interdisciplinary attention, notably in hospitality and tourism. Despite their significance, concerns about OR credibility persist. Destination Management Organizations increasingly recognize ORs as valuable sources of firsthand, authentic feedback from consumers. However, there remains a dearth of cross-continental investigations into ORs, particularly concerning themes discussed by local and international travelers across various destinations. To address this gap, we employ Latent Dirichlet Analysis—a probabilistic technique to extract topics from a given corpus—to examine 10350 TripAdvisor reviews from 12 destinations in Ghana and Indonesia. Our analysis reveals shared concerns among domestic and international travelers regarding activities, destination attractions, local staff attitudes, and positive visitor experiences. This study advances insights, highlights limitations, and lays the groundwork for future research.
Unveiling Destination Perceptions: A Machine Learning Study on Instagram Influencers’ Cognitive Images
Authors: Egger Roman , Surkic Veronika
Published: May 2024

This study examines the cognitive image of Austria as a travel destination through Instagram content posted by travel influencers. The study also investigates how the account type, influencer type, and posting frequency affect user engagement. Machine learning techniques and statistical analysis are used to analyze the data. The study found that influencers contribute to Austria's destination image mainly through content about the Alps, Vienna, and cycling. The study provides insights into successful destination promotion on Instagram through influencer marketing. Micro-influencers who post regularly with relevant content are ideal for DMOs. Meso-influencers and verified accounts receive more likes for less popular themes, while micro-influencers are sufficient for more popular themes. It is also disadvantageous for meso-influencers to be perceived as commercial accounts and not to post as often as emerging influencers.
Exploring the Impact of Music in Short-Form Travel Videos on Users’ Emotional Resonance, Sharing Intention and Impulsive Travel Intention
Authors: Zhu Kaige , Li Jiao , Zhou Han , Jang Juhyeok
Published: May 2024

The popularity of short-form video platforms and content creation tools has grown significantly in recent years, leading to increased consumption of travel-related visual content. A growing number of potential tourists are actively engaging with short-form travel videos (STVs). While previous studies have highlighted the importance of music in STVs, the research mechanisms and frameworks to investigate its impact remain unclear. Therefore, this study develops a research model based on resonance theory and the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) model, aiming to investigate the influence of music congruity with various video elements (e.g., tempo, copywriting, style, destination attributes) within STVs presented on social media. Through a scenario-based experiment, this study attempts to confirm the role of music and video aesthetics as key factors in evoking emotional resonance and shaping users’ behaviour. The findings could also suggest that emotional resonance could directly influence users’ sharing intentions and impulsive travel intentions. These findings are expected to provide valuable insights for destination marketers and travel content creators.
Does More Data Create Better Strategies for Destinations?
Authors: Moilanen Anne-Maria , Pesonen Juho , Heinonen Johanna
Published: May 2024

This research provides insight into the current knowledge management position in Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs). We explore what kind of tourism data is utilized in the strategy process and how. The main challenges and issues of big data management are addressed. Destinations and tourism businesses need to have a clearly defined strategy on what kind of value they provide and for whom and understand how this strategy leads to a competitive advantage. Access to data and formulation of knowledge for the strategy process is critical. We interviewed 9 Finnish DMO representatives using semi-structured interviews. We identify that enhanced knowledge management skills, resources and successful stakeholder collaboration are needed to enable business strategies based on data and knowledge. The crucial strategy development process still requires an improved understanding of tourism and destination management research.
Can ChatGPT Inspire Me? Evaluate Students’ Questioning Techniques on AI Tool for Overcoming Fixation
Authors: Leung Rosanna , Lo Iris Sheungting
Published: May 2024

AI-powered large language models are shaping a new era of learning. Students use AI chatbots for information search and idea inspiration. However, are students’ questioning skills effective enough to interact with an AI Chatbot? This study explores the interaction between students and ChatGPT on idea generation and identifies whether participants can effectively use AI chatbots to simulate creativity for idea generation. The results indicated that, rather than discussing their idea with AI Chatbot for suggestions and recommendations to enhance the existing ideas, many students ask AI to generate more ideas without providing directions. Participants reflected that ChatGPT provided generic ideas and were unsatisfied with its creativity. They are more positive towards using the question guide, developed using SCAMPER questioning technique combined with a narrative approach by the researcher, compared to ChatGPT because the question guide enables perspective-shifting to generate ideas from a new perspective.
The BiKS-Study on “Educational Processes, Competence Development, and Formation of Educational Decisions in Preschool and School Age”: General Outline of Research Questions and Design of the BiKS-3-18 and the BiKS-8-18 Studies
Authors: von Maurice Jutta , Weinert Sabine , Blossfeld Hans-Peter , Artelt Cordula , Rossbach Hans-Günther
Published: May 2024

BiKS is an interdisciplinary longitudinal large-scale study on educational processes, competence development, and the formation of educational decisions. It consists of two panel studies: BiKS-3-18 started in September 2005 with 547 children at age 3 and followed these children till age 18 with 13 panel waves. BiKS-8-18 started in March 2006 with 2,395 students in grade 3 and followed them till age 18 with 11 panel waves. Both samples were drawn in selected cities and regions in Bavaria and Hesse (Germany) following a multi-step sampling procedure. Besides individual development of competencies, school-relevant attitudes, and educational decisions, special attention is given to the family, preschool, and school as important learning environments. The instrumentation follows a multi-informant perspective where possible and includes standardized competence tests, questionnaires, and observational methods. Moreover, some subsamples are studied with in-depth qualitative methods. Data are documented and available to the scientific community free of charge. This chapter provides a general introduction to the interdisciplinary research unit BiKS and its main aims. Moreover, it presents an overview of the two longitudinal BiKS studies BiKS-3-18 and BiKS-8-18.
Development of Majority Language Skills in Children with Different Family Language Backgrounds: Results from the BiKS-3-18 Study
Authors: Ebert Susanne , Weinert Sabine
Published: May 2024

Given that social disparities evolve early in development (cf. Weinert and Ebert this volume), the main aim of this chapter is to learn more about how disparities in (majority) language skills develop in preschool children when their parents have a nonnative German language background. For this purpose, we refer to key findings from the longitudinal study BiKS-3-18. These demonstrate that especially children with two nonnative German-speaking parents are disadvantaged in majority language development, particularly when the everyday language in the family is not German or when the family feels less integrated into German society. However, these two factors correlate only marginally, and both change over the preschool years. Moreover, our results suggest that the quality, and not the pure quantity, of German language interaction within the family promotes children’s majority language development. Further, results show that internal factors such as verbal working memory are an important explanatory factor for children’s language development in the majority language when children grow up with more than one language. Concerning external factors in the environment, the study can hardly demonstrate the effect of language and literacy support in preschool for children’s majority language development. We discuss how the results of the BiKS-3-18 study can (and cannot) contribute to an understanding of the complex developmental process of majority language development in preschool children.
On democratic string field theories
Authors: Giaccari Stefano , Kroyter Michael
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We reexamine democratic open string field theories, namely, theories in which string fields are not constrained to a single picture number and picture changing is obtained as a gauge transformation. We describe several possibilities for regular free theories and attempt to construct the lowest order interaction term and identify the lowest order gauge transformation for some of these theories. We also discuss projections over string field spaces that might be needed for a consistent off-shell implementation of picture changing.
Lightcone Modular Bootstrap and Tauberian Theory: A Cardy-Like Formula for Near-Extremal Black Holes
Authors: Pal Sridip , Qiao Jiaxin
Published: May 2024

We show that for a unitary modular invariant 2D CFT with central charge $$c>1$$

c
>
1

and having a nonzero twist gap in the spectrum of Virasoro primaries, for sufficiently large spin J, there always exist spin-J operators with twist falling in the interval $$(\frac{c-1}{12}-\varepsilon ,\frac{c-1}{12}+\varepsilon )$$

(

c
-
1

12

-
ε
,

c
-
1

12

+
ε
)

with $$\varepsilon =O(J^{-1/2}\log J)$$

ε
=
O
(

J

-
1
/
2

log
J
)

. We establish that the number of Virasoro primary operators in such a window has a Cardy-like, i.e., $$\exp \left( 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{(c-1)J}{6}}\right) $$

exp

2
π

(
c
-
1
)
J

6

growth. A similar result is proven for a family of holographic CFTs with the twist gap growing linearly in c and a uniform boundedness condition, in the regime $$J\gg c^3\gg 1$$

J
≫

c
3

≫
1

. From the perspective of near-extremal rotating BTZ black holes (without electric charge), our result is valid when the Hawking temperature is much lower than the “gap temperature.”
Enhancing the fire resistance properties of thermally modified Robinia pseudoacacia wood with natural and synthetic flame retardants: chemical characterisation and fire behaviour
Authors: Marino Salvio , Gaff Milan , Sethy Anil Kumar , Kamboj Gourav , Rezaei Fatemeh , Kačík František , Hosseini S. Behnam , Li Haitao , Hui David
Published: May 2024

The increasing demand for wood with enhanced flame retardant characteristics in construction applications necessitates strategic interventions. This study explores the fire behaviour and chemical characterisation of Robinia pseudoacacia wood subjected to thermal modification and flame retardant treatments. Thermal modification was carried out at three different temperatures (160 °C, 180 °C and 240 °C). The fire properties of wood coated with Flame Gard (F), a commercial flame retardant, arabinogalactan (A), a natural flame retardant, melamine adhesive (MF) with ammonium polyphosphate (AP), nanosilica (NS), nanoclay (NC) (MF-AP-NS and MF-AP-NC) and arabinogalactan with AP, NS and NC (A-AP-NS and A-AP-NC), were assessed using cone calorimetry in terms of the weight loss rate, ignition time and heat release rate. The commercial flame retardant Flame Gard outperformed the natural and fortified flame retardants in terms of the weight loss rate, heat release rate (HRR) and ignition time (tig). Unmodified samples exhibited superior fire properties in terms of tig and HRR compared to thermally modified samples. The peak heat release rate (kW.m− 2) and time to peak heat release rate (s) showed a moderate degree of dependency on the chemical constituents of the wood.
The Todd–Coxeter algorithm for semigroups and monoids
Authors: Coleman T. D. H. , Mitchell J. D. , Smith F. L. , Tsalakou M.
Published: May 2024

In this paper we provide an account of the Todd–Coxeter algorithm for computing congruences on semigroups and monoids. We also give a novel description of an analogue for semigroups of the so-called Felsch strategy from the Todd–Coxeter algorithm for groups.
Long-term effects of the titanium butterfly implant on quality of life: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Harthoorn F. S. , Ingels K. J. A. O. , Damen G. W. J. A. , Scheffer A. R. T. , van Heerbeek N.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Nasal valve insufficiency is known to have a negative impact on both nasal patency and quality of life. The titanium butterfly implant is a surgical treatment proven to have a positive effect on these aspects up to 6 months postoperative. This study aimed to determine the long-term effects of the titanium butterfly implant on nasal obstruction symptoms and quality of life in adult patients with nasal valve insufficiency up to 5 years after procedure.

Methods

A prospective single cohort study was performed including 29 patients that underwent the titanium butterfly implant in one tertiary medical center. Data was obtained before and at least 5 years after surgery using three questionnaires: the Nasal Obstruction and Septoplasty Effectiveness questionnaire, the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 and the Glasgow Benefit Inventory questionnaire.

Results

A significant decrease in total NOSE score was seen compared to baseline measurements. The SNOT-22 scores also showed a significant decrease, whereas the GBI scores showed no significant changes at the late follow-up.

Conclusion

Seven years after placement the titanium butterfly implant still has a statistically significant improvement on otorhinologic-related quality of life compared to preoperative measurements.
Evaluation of a multimodal diagnostic algorithm for prediction of cognitive impairment in elderly patients with dizziness
Authors: Felfela K. , Jooshani N. , Möhwald K. , Huppert D. , Becker-Bense S. , Schöberl F. , Schniepp R. , Filippopulos F. , Dieterich M. , Wuehr M. , Zwergal A.
Published: May 2024

Background

The current diagnostic workup for chronic dizziness in elderly patients often neglects neuropsychological assessment, thus missing a relevant proportion of patients, who perceive dizziness as a subjective chief complaint of a concomitant cognitive impairment. This study aimed to establish risk prediction models for cognitive impairment in chronic dizzy patients based on data sources routinely collected in a dizziness center.

Methods

One hundred patients (age: 74.7 $$\pm$$
±
7.1 years, 41.0% women) with chronic dizziness were prospectively characterized by (1) neuro-otological testing, (2) quantitative gait assessment, (3) graduation of focal brain atrophy and white matter lesion load, and (4) cognitive screening (MoCA). A linear regression model was trained to predict patients’ total MoCA score based on 16 clinical features derived from demographics, vestibular testing, gait analysis, and imaging scales. Additionally, we trained a binary logistic regression model on the same data sources to identify those patients with a cognitive impairment (i.e., MoCA < 25).

Results

The linear regression model explained almost half of the variance of patients’ total MoCA score (R2 = 0.49; mean absolute error: 1.7). The most important risk-predictors of cognitive impairment were age (β = − 0.75), pathological Romberg’s sign (β = − 1.05), normal caloric test results (β = − 0.8), slower timed-up-and-go test (β = − 0.67), frontal (β = − 0.6) and temporal (β = − 0.54) brain atrophy. The binary classification yielded an area under the curve of 0.84 (95% CI 0.70–0.98) in distinguishing between cognitively normal and impaired patients.

Conclusions

The need for cognitive testing in patients with chronic dizziness can be efficiently approximated by available data sources from routine diagnostic workup in a dizziness center.
SAGES guidelines for the use of laparoscopy during pregnancy
Authors: Kumar Sunjay S. , Collings Amelia T. , Wunker Claire , Athanasiadis Dimitrios I. , DeLong Colin G. , Hong Julie S. , Ansari Mohammed T. , Abou-Setta Ahmed , Oliver Emily , Berghella Vincenzo , Alli Vamsi , Hassan Imran , Hollands Celeste , Sylla Patricia , Slater Bethany J. , Palazzo Francesco
Published: May 2024

Background

When pregnant patients present with nonobstetric pathology, the physicians caring for them may be uncertain about the optimal management strategy. The aim of this guideline is to develop evidence-based recommendations for pregnant patients presenting with common surgical pathologies including appendicitis, biliary disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods

The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Guidelines Committee convened a working group to address these issues. The group generated five key questions and completed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. An expert panel then met to form evidence-based recommendations according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. Expert opinion was utilized when the available evidence was deemed insufficient.

Results

The expert panel agreed on ten recommendations addressing the management of appendicitis, biliary disease, and IBD during pregnancy.

Conclusions

Conditional recommendations were made in favor of appendectomy over nonoperative treatment of appendicitis, laparoscopic appendectomy over open appendectomy, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy over nonoperative treatment of biliary disease and acute cholecystitis specifically. Based on expert opinion, the panel also suggested either operative or nonoperative treatment of biliary diseases other than acute cholecystitis in the third trimester, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography rather than common bile duct exploration for symptomatic choledocholithiasis, applying the same criteria for emergent surgical intervention in pregnant and non-pregnant IBD patients, utilizing an open rather than minimally invasive approach for pregnant patients requiring emergent surgical treatment of IBD, and managing pregnant patients with active IBD flares in a multidisciplinary fashion at centers with IBD expertise.

Graphical abstract
Adherence to dietary guidelines and associated factors among rural Australian cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Leach Michael James , Barber Georgina , Monacella Stephanie , Jamieson Philip , Trinh Thi , Vo Ngan , Schmidt Ulla , Byrne Anny , Ristevski Eli
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to explore levels of adherence to dietary guidelines, and factors associated with dietary guideline adherence, among rural Australian cancer survivors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was undertaken. We recruited a convenience sample of adults with cancer who attended the chemotherapy day unit or allied health appointments at a rural hospital in Baw Baw Shire, Victoria, Australia, between August 2017 and December 2021. Dietary guideline adherence was assessed by cross-referencing participants’ responses to an adapted version of the Dietary Questionnaire for Epidemiological Studies with dietary recommendations in Australian dietary guidelines. Binary logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with dietary guideline adherence for fruits and whole red meats.

Results

There were 107 rural cancer survivors (median age, 67 years). Dietary guideline adherence was highest for alcohol (88%) followed by whole red meats (63%), fruits (56%), processed red meats (24%), cereals/breads/grains (7%), and vegetables (4%). Relative to those aged < 65 years, 65–74-year-olds had 5.7-fold greater odds (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 5.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.91–17.17) of adhering to the dietary guideline for fruits. Relative to those who had completed/ceased treatment, participants who were currently receiving treatment had 78% lower odds (aOR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.09–0.59) of adhering to the dietary guideline for fruits.

Conclusion

This study contributes preliminary data on adherence to dietary guidelines and associated factors among rural Australian cancer survivors. Dietary guideline adherence varied across food groups and was mostly low, albeit not markedly worse than Australia’s national population for the fruits and vegetables groups. The mostly low adherence in our sample suggests a potential need to increase provision of dietary information, supportive care screening, and, wherever necessary, dietetics referrals, assessments, and interventions among rural cancer survivors. Larger, longitudinal studies of adherence to dietary guidelines and/or tailored, cancer-specific dietary recommendations should be undertaken in future.
Parameters extraction of photovoltaic models using enhanced generalized normal distribution optimization with neighborhood search
Authors: Ghetas Mohamed , Elshourbagy Motasem
Published: May 2024

The photovoltaic system has been widely integrated into electrical power grids to produce clean and sustainable energy sources. Precisely modeling of systems is crucial to simulate and asset the performance of such power system. Modeling of system is a challenge because the characteristic curve of current and voltage is nonlinear and has unknown parameters due to insufficient data points in manufacture’s data sheet. This work proposes generalized normal distribution optimization based on neighborhood search strategies () to extract the parameter of single diode model (), double diode model (), and module model (). The root means square error () is used as a performance indicator. Two commercial models like RTC France solar cell and PWP201 are used to validate the ability of to precisely estimated the system’s parameters. The results show the superiority of over competitive optimization methods and can reduce the to 2.05296E-03 for PWP201 and to 9.8248E-04 for RTC France solar cell which prove that can be used as competitor method to identify the parameters of solar system. The statistical analysis shows the robustness of through statistical measurements and Wilcoxon rank test.’
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on care of maintenance hemodialysis patients: a multicenter study
Authors: Naga Yasmine Salah , El Keraie Ahmed , Abd ElHafeez Samar Samy , Zyada Rowan Saad
Published: May 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic posed a challenge to hemodialysis (HD) patients. While most outpatient and elective medical services stopped during lockdown, HD patients continued to visit their dialysis centers. We aimed to assess how the initial phase of the pandemic affected patient care by comparing dialysis adequacy and other parameters of patient care before and during the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

In a retrospective multi-center observational study, all adult dialysis patients in five dialysis centers in Alexandria, Egypt were included. Dialysis adequacy, missed sessions, laboratory parameters and hospitalization were recorded. Data of the 10 months before and the 10 months after the pandemic were compared and predictors of adequacy were determined.

Results

In the 388 HD patients included in the study, the number of missed sessions was higher during the pandemic with peaks during the first and second wave of the pandemic. The ratio of patients to nurses, phosphorus and parathormone levels were significantly higher during the pandemic, while urea reduction ratio, Kt/V, hemoglobin, calcium and albumin levels were significantly lower. In patients who reported difficult accessibility, missed HD sessions were higher during lockdown. Hospital admissions doubled during the pandemic, with COVID-19 infection being the main cause (45.5%). Number of patients per nurse and interdialytic weight gain were predictors of inadequate dialysis.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic and its related lockdown negatively affected multiple aspects of dialysis patient care. Continued access of optimum care in dialysis patients should be a priority in any future mass events.
Fingertip dynamic response simulated across excitation points and frequencies
Authors: Serhat Gokhan , Kuchenbecker Katherine J.
Published: May 2024

Predicting how the fingertip will mechanically respond to different stimuli can help explain human haptic perception and enable improvements to actuation approaches such as ultrasonic mid-air haptics. This study addresses this goal using high-fidelity 3D finite element analyses. We compute the deformation profiles and amplitudes caused by harmonic forces applied in the normal direction at four locations: the center of the finger pad, the side of the finger, the tip of the finger, and the oblique midpoint of these three sites. The excitation frequency is swept from 2.5 to 260 Hz. The simulated frequency response functions (FRFs) obtained for displacement demonstrate that the relative magnitudes of the deformations elicited by stimulating at each of these four locations greatly depend on whether only the excitation point or the entire finger is considered. The point force that induces the smallest local deformation can even cause the largest overall deformation at certain frequency intervals. Above 225 Hz, oblique excitation produces larger mean displacement amplitudes than the other three forces due to excitation of multiple modes involving diagonal deformation. These simulation results give novel insights into the combined influence of excitation location and frequency on the fingertip dynamic response, potentially facilitating the design of future vibration feedback devices.
The complex regional effects of macro-institutional change: evidence from EU enlargement over three decades
Authors: Mitze Timo , Breidenbach Philipp
Published: May 2024

The EU enlargement process has thrust EU internal border regions into the spotlight of the European single market. This study explores how this specific macro-institutional change has impacted their socio-economic development. Tracking outcomes across four EU enlargement waves from 1986 to 2007, we identify integration effects across EU NUTS3 regions. Pooled over all waves and border regions, positive integration effects emerge for per capita GDP, labor productivity, patents per capita, and night light emissions in border regions compared to non-border areas. These effects diminish with increasing spatial distance from the enlargement border. At a detailed level, structural heterogeneities become evident across enlargement waves and region types. Internal border regions in established EU member countries benefit relatively in terms of GDP per capita and labor productivity but experience relative declines in employment rates and population. In contrast, border regions in new member countries, particularly during the 2004 and 2007 eastern enlargements, gain from deepening economic integration in terms of population and employment growth. Sector-specific estimations indicate post-enlargement specialization of economic activities in border regions in line with standard trade theories.
Structural diversity and carbon stock of forest stands: tradeoff as modified by silvicultural thinning
Authors: Pretzsch Hans , Hilmers Torben
Published: May 2024

In forest management, merging stand structural diversity with carbon storage is essential for resilience and climate mitigation. This study assesses (1) how structural diversity in stands of spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.), pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), and oak (Quercus robur L. and Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) in Central Europe varies with age, site quality, and applied thinning grade; (2) these factors' impact on carbon stock; and (3) the link between structural diversity and carbon stock. Analyzing 26 long-term thinning experiments, we used the Gini coefficient of tree heights to measure structural diversity and species-specific biomass functions for carbon stock assessments. Our results show that structural diversity, highest in beech and spruce, decreases with stand age and on richer sites. Thinning enhances structural diversity in spruce and beech but reduces it in pine and oak. Unthinned or only moderately thinned mature spruce and beech stands outperform pine and oak in carbon stock (200–300 vs. 100–150 Mg C ha−1). C- and D&E-grade thinning halves carbon stock. A decrease in vertical layering with increased carbon storage varies across species. Given the same carbon stock, thinning from above maintains structural diversity in spruce and beech, while non-thinning or thinning from below promotes structural diversity in pine and oak. Based on the current silvicultural practice reflected by the NFI data of Germany, we argue that reduced thinning in previously D&E-grade thinned stands may slightly reduce their structural diversity. However, a suspension or reduction of thinning would strongly improve carbon storage (+ 100–200 Mg C ha−1) in the next 3–5 decades. We discussed options for reconciling structural diversity and carbon storage by silvicultural management of the four considered species in Central Europe.
Primary school students’ perceptions of artificial intelligence – for good or bad
Authors: Walan Susanne
Published: May 2024

Since the end of 2022, global discussions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) have surged, influencing diverse societal groups, such as teachers, students and policymakers. This case study focuses on Swedish primary school students aged 11–12. The aim is to examine their cognitive and affective perceptions of AI and their current usage. Data, comprising a pre-test, focus group interviews, and post-lesson evaluation reports, were analysed using a fusion of Mitcham’s philosophical framework of technology with a behavioural component, and the four basic pillars of AI literacy. Results revealed students’ cognitive perceptions encompassing AI as both a machine and a concept with or without human attributes. Affective perceptions were mixed, with students expressing positive views on AI’s support in studies and practical tasks, alongside concerns about rapid development, job loss, privacy invasion, and potential harm. Regarding AI usage, students initially explored various AI tools, emphasising the need for regulations to slow down and contemplate consequences. This study provides insights into primary school students perceptions and use of AI, serving as a foundation for further exploration of AI literacy in education contexts and considerations for policy makers to take into account, listening to children’s voices.