bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Netherlands: Comprehension of Basic Skills and Covid-19
Authors: Haelermans Carla , Baumann Sabine
Published: October 2024

The PIRLS and PISA results that were published in 2023 severely shook things up in the Netherlands and reinforced the need for sustainable educational policy improvements. In this chapter, we show examples of how educational interventions are accompanied by structural monitoring based on national assessment data on school performance for mathematics and reading comprehension for pupils in primary schools in the Netherlands. From the analyses it becomes clear that both the national data as well as the international comparisons done by PIRLS and PISA show worrisome downwards trends in pupils’ performance. The international comparisons show a larger decrease than the national data, for which there are many possible reasons, such as different age groups and types of tests. However, the overall picture from all sources shows that there is still a lot of progress to be made in the Netherlands.
Theoretische Grundlagen
Authors: Kneifel Malte
Published: October 2024

Dieses Kapitel legt das theoretische Fundament der vorliegenden Untersuchung. Zunächst wird der aktuelle Forschungsstand hinsichtlich der für die vorliegende Untersuchung zentralen Sprachen Zapotekisch und Spanisch rekapituliert, respektive der jeweils relevanten historischen Varietäten. Darauffolgend werden zentrale Entwicklungslinien der Textlinguistik rekapituliert sowie diskutiert, insbesondere mit Blick Strömungen und Ansätze, die historische Untersuchungen ermöglichen. Besonderes Augenmerk wird dabei auf pragmatische Strömungen innerhalb der Textlinguistik, auf die Textproduktions- und Schreibforschung sowie auf das Konzept der Diskurstraditionen sowie der Dimensionen der Textbeschreibung gelegt. Zudem werden die für diese Arbeit relevanten Grundlagen aus der Translationswissenschaft aufgearbeitet. Außerdem wird diesem Kapitel die Beziehung zwischen Translationswissenschaft und Textlinguistik, und darin explizit auch zwischen Translation und Diskurstraditionen thematisiert.
Forschungsdesign
Authors: Kneifel Malte
Published: October 2024

Dieses Kapitel beschreibt das Forschungsdesign, das auf Grundlage der in den vorhergehenden Kapiteln gewonnenen Erkenntnisse für die in dieser Arbeit durchzuführende Analyse geschaffen wurde, sowie das sich daraus ergebende Untersuchungsvorgehen.
Validierung subjektiver Beschwerden: Differenzialdiagnostik von „gesundem Leiden“ am Beispiel Müdigkeit
Authors: Linden Michael
Published: October 2024

Subjektive Klagen haben in der Medizin eine große Bedeutung bei der Diagnose und Schwerebeurteilung von Krankheiten, wie auch mit Blick auf die Therapiewahl und -steuerung. Es handelt sich um „Beschwerden“, die vom Patienten berichtet werden, für die es aber keine Objektivierungsmöglichkeit gibt. Sie unterliegen vielfältigen Verfälschungsmöglichkeiten und erfordern daher eine Beschwerdenpräzisierung und Beschwerdevalidierung. Beispiele sind Klagen über Schmerzen, Herzinsuffizienz, schlechte Stimmung oder Müdigkeit. Zudem ist zwischen „krankem“ und „gesundem Leiden“ zu unterscheiden, um eine Medikalisierung von Alltäglichkeiten und diagnostische und therapeutische Fehlschlüsse zu vermeiden. Es werden diagnostische Kriterien für „gesundes Leiden“ beschrieben, da diese Diagnostik eine wichtige Aufgabe in der Medizin ist. Dies wird in diesem Übersichtsartikel am Beispiel von Müdigkeitsklagen ausgeführt.
Aesthetic Surgical Treatment of Large Xanthelasma palpebrarum
Authors: Lin Yuan , Wu Liangliang
Published: October 2024

Background

Xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) is a common eyelid condition. Various treatment modalities exist, each with its own merits and drawbacks. Managing larger lesions poses increased challenges. This study aims to explore the aesthetic surgical management of large xanthelasma palpebrarum.

Methods

Patients with xanthelasma palpebrarum presenting to our department underwent partial excision of the lesion and debridement of the medullary nucleus under local anesthesia for lesions with a diameter of 6 mm or more. Microsurgical scissors were utilized to remove residual subcutaneous lesions. Postoperatively, tie-over bolster dressings were applied. Patients with lipid and glucose abnormalities received corresponding therapy. Bolster dressings were removed on the third postoperative day, with suture removal seven days later.

Results

All flaps subjected to subcutaneous medullary debridement exhibited complete viability, with minimal localized eyelid depression early postoperatively and inconspicuous scarring three months post-surgery. No instances of lid ectropion were observed. The eyelid maintained a natural appearance, with a low recurrence rate of xanthelasma palpebrarum.

Conclusion

Surgical intervention involving partial excision of the lesion and medullary nucleus debridement offers a satisfactory approach for managing large xanthelasma palpebrarum.

Level of Evidence IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Der Defizitausgleich nach dem geplanten Krankenhausversorgungsverbesserungsgesetz (KHVVG)
Authors: Kaeding Nadja
Published: October 2024

Das geplante Gesetz zur Verbesserung der Versorgungsqualität im Krankenhaus und zur Reform der
Vergütungsstrukturen (Krankenhausversorgungsverbesserungsgesetz – KHVVG) ist das Kernstück
der aktuellen Krankenhausreform, die den Krankenhausbetrieb vom ökonomischen Druck befreien und die
Gesundheitsversorgung strukturell verbessern soll. Der Beitrag befasst sich mit der Frage, wie sich die
Krankenhausreform auf den beihilferechtskonformen Defizitausgleich auswirken kann.
Genetische Studien an forensisch Untergebrachten?
Authors: Heller Felix
Published: October 2024

Die Frage nach der Vertretbarkeit genetischer Studien an forensisch-psychiatrisch Untergebrachten
ist historisch belastet und kontrovers diskutiert. Sie hat mitnichten an Aktualität eingebüßt
und verlangt daher eine differenzierte wissenschaftliche Aufarbeitung, die die ethischen, medizinischen
und juristischen Problemfelder gleichermaßen beleuchtet. Dieser Bericht fasst die Vorträge einer
am 19.1.2024 abgehaltenen Tagung zum umrissenen Thema zusammen, zu der der Geschäftsführende Direktor
des Instituts für Bio-, Gesundheits- und Medizinrecht (IBGM) und Inhaber des Lehrstuhls für Öffentliches
Recht, Medizinrecht und Rechtsphilosophie, Prof. Dr. iur. Josef Franz Lindner, an die Juristische Fakultät
der Universität Augsburg eingeladen hat.
Shortest-path recovery from signature with an optimal control approach
Authors: Rauscher Marco , Scagliotti Alessandro , Pagginelli Patricio Felipe
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we consider the signature-to-path reconstruction problem from the control-theoretic perspective. Namely, we design an optimal control problem whose solution leads to the minimal-length path that generates a given signature. In order to do that, we minimize a cost functional consisting of two competing terms, i.e., a weighted final-time cost combined with the $$L^2$$

L
2

-norm squared of the controls. Moreover, we can show that, by taking the limit to infinity of the parameter that tunes the final-time cost, the problem $$\Gamma $$
Γ
-converges to the problem of finding a sub-Riemannian geodesic connecting two signatures. Finally, we provide an alternative reformulation of the latter problem, which is particularly suitable for the numerical implementation.
Financial impact of pandemics on pension sustainability: an application for Spain
Authors: Boado-Penas M. Carmen , Eisenberg Julia , Song Zuochen
Published: October 2024

Epidemiologists are warning that the next pandemic is almost around the corner. As we have seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, the death toll was at the highest for over 60th, transforming the population pyramids. In times of pandemics, two effects on sustainability of the pay-as-you-go (PAYG) pension scheme go in different directions: the increase in old-age mortality (leading to a decrease in pension spending) and the increase in unemployment (leading to a decline in income from contributions). In this paper, we investigate the long-term effects of pandemics on the financial sustainability of PAYG pension schemes, taking into account changes in both mortality and unemployment factors. Using functional data analysis we develop projections of population pyramids and allow for anticipated mortality jumps as a result of future pandemics. An application is carried out using mortality and fertility data from Spain. Given some plausible assumptions, our findings indicate, firstly, that the financial sustainability of the Spanish pension system is compromised. Secondly, in the event of a pandemic, we observe that financial sustainability is primarily driven by the mortality effect—resulting in a decrease in pension expenditure—while the impact of unemployment is almost negligible.
Why dogs prefer zoomies to zoom and what it tells us about the importance of in-person meetings for learning and memory
Authors: Coppin Géraldine , Onofrio Michael L.
Published: October 2024

As people commonly observe dog behaviors like the sudden bursts of physical movement colloquially known as “zoomies,” and the canine penchant for sticking their nose out of car windows and for sniffing intently in dog parks, it is not surprising that people generally believe dogs learn and communicate by smell. While people generally discount their own olfactory sensitivity and the importance of smell overall, humans also learn and communicate by smell, in some cases even better than dogs. In this article, we discuss why this information exchange matters for learning and memory and why virtual meetings don’t pass the sniff test.
Wire-in-needle versus conventional syringe-on-needle technique for ultrasound-guided central venous catheter insertion in the internal jugular vein: the WIN randomized trial
Authors: Thomsen Kristen K. , Stekovic Jovana , Köster Felix , Bergholz Alina , Kouz Karim , Flick Moritz , Sessler Daniel I. , Zöllner Christian , Saugel Bernd , Schulte-Uentrop Leonie
Published: October 2024

Purpose

There are different techniques for ultrasound-guided central venous catheter (CVC) insertion. When using the conventional syringe-on-needle technique, the syringe needs to be removed from the needle after venous puncture to pass the guidewire through the needle into the vein. When, alternatively, using the wire-in-needle technique, the needle is preloaded with the guidewire, and the guidewire—after venous puncture—is advanced into the vein under real-time ultrasound guidance. We tested the hypothesis that the wire-in-needle technique reduces the time to successful guidewire insertion in the internal jugular vein compared with the syringe-on-needle technique in adults.

Methods

We randomized 250 patients to the wire-in-needle or syringe-on-needle technique. Our primary endpoint was the time to successful guidewire insertion in the internal jugular vein.

Results

Two hundred and thirty eight patients were analyzed. The median (25th percentile, 75th percentile) time to successful guidewire insertion was 22 (16, 38) s in patients assigned to the wire-in-needle technique and 25 (19, 34) s in patients assigned to the syringe-on-needle technique (estimated location shift: 2 s; 95%-confidence-interval: − 1 to 5 s, p = 0.165). CVC insertion was successful on the first attempt in 103/116 patients (89%) assigned to the wire-in-needle technique and in 113/122 patients (93%) assigned to the syringe-on-needle technique. CVC insertion-related complications occurred in 8/116 patients (7%) assigned to the wire-in-needle technique and 19/122 patients (16%) assigned to the syringe-on-needle technique.

Conclusion

The wire-in-needle technique—compared with the syringe-on-needle technique—did not reduce the time to successful guidewire insertion in the internal jugular vein. Clinicians can consider either technique for ultrasound-guided CVC insertion in adults.
Resonance Testing Data Evaluation Approaches for Scaling Onset Detection in Pipelines
Authors: Stüwe Isabelle , Küstenmacher Anastassia , Schmid Simon , Grosse Christian U.
Published: October 2024

Most industries dealing with pipelines face problems resulting from the buildup of deposits therein, such as reduced efficiency, downtime and increased maintenance costs. Although solutions to this issue have been sought for decades, no widely employed technique for monitoring growth of inorganic deposits (or ‘scaling’) in pipelines exists. In this research, a means of detecting the onset of scaling growth, by processing resonance testing data, was sought. For the resonance testing measurements the pipeline segment of interest is equipped with acceleration sensors which record signals generated by impacting the pipeline with a steel tip. The signals are Fourier transformed and analysed in the frequency domain, where a clear shift in frequency peak positions can be observed as the scaling thickness changes. How best to extract quantitative information from the generated frequency data is an open question. In this research, two data analysis approaches for scaling thickness prediction are compared: a supervised (binary classification) machine learning approach as well as a comparison-based change detection approach using cross-correlation. The supervised machine learning approach yields generalizable results for different acceleration sensors and impactor diameters whilst the change detection approach is sensitive from a scaling thickness of 0.5 mm. Whilst this research is specific to the pipe–scaling geometry—and type used in the experiments conducted, resonance testing can be applied to any pipe–scaling combination. The robustness of the data processing approaches presented in this work, when applied to other pipe–scaling materials and geometries, is the next point of research.
National differences in gambling-driven stock trading behavior: evidence from a simulated trading game
Authors: Mosenhauer Moritz , Windisch Jakob
Published: October 2024

There are significant differences in real-life gambling behavior between Germany and Italy. Contemporary theories suggest that these differences in individual preferences would translate to differences in trading behavior. We elicited trading behavior from participants of both Italian and German language groups using a stylized hold-or-trade scenario distributed via a survey. Additionally, we collected data on their self-stated gambling preferences. Our findings confirm the existence of large and significant differences in gambling consumption, problem gambling, and trading behavior between the two nationalities. Furthermore, we observed that gambling preferences explain most of the national differences. This suggests that established factors of financial decision-making play a more prominent role in explaining national differences in trading behavior than any latent cultural factors.
Cancer-on-chip: a breakthrough organ-on-a-chip technology in cancer cell modeling
Authors: Nejati Babak , Shahhosseini Reza , Hajiabbasi Mobasher , Ardabili Nastaran Safavi , Baktash Kosar Bagtashi , Alivirdiloo Vahid , Moradi Sadegh , Rad Mohammadreza Farhadi , Rahimi Fatemeh , Farani Marzieh Ramezani , Ghazi Farhood , Mobed Ahmad , Alipourfard Iraj
Published: October 2024

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The unclear molecular mechanisms and complex in vivo microenvironment of tumors make it difficult to clarify the nature of cancer and develop effective treatments. Therefore, the development of new methods to effectively treat cancer is urgently needed and of great importance. Organ-on-a-chip (OoC) systems could be the breakthrough technology sought by the pharmaceutical industry to address ever-increasing research and development costs. The past decade has seen significant advances in the spatial modeling of cancer therapeutics related to OoC technology, improving physiological exposition criteria. This article aims to summarize the latest achievements and research results of cancer cell treatment simulated in a 3D microenvironment using OoC technology. To this end, we will first discuss the OoC system in detail and then demonstrate the latest findings of the cancer cell treatment study by Ooc and how this technique can potentially optimize better modeling of the tumor. The prospects of OoC systems in the treatment of cancer cells and their advantages and limitations are also among the other points discussed in this study.

Graphical Abstract
Walkability der Stadt Regensburg – eine Mixed-methods-Untersuchung mittels QGIS und Walk Audits
Authors: Heudobler Marlies , Fina Stefan , Gerten Christian , Voß Stephan , Jung-Sievers Caroline
Published: October 2024

Hintergrund

Urbanisierung, Klimakrise und demografischer Wandel stellen Herausforderungen für die Lebensqualität und die Gesundheit der Stadtbevölkerung dar. Ein Konzept der gesundheitsorientierten Stadtplanung ist die sog. „Walkability“, d. h. eine fußgängerfreundlich gestaltete Umwelt. Ziel der Studie war es, einen Ist-Zustand der Walkability für die Stadt Regensburg zu erheben und davon ausgehend Möglichkeiten zur Verbesserung der Walkability zu diskutieren und abzuleiten.

Methodik

Anhand eines Mixed-methods-Studiendesigns, bestehend aus einer datenbasierten Vorbewertung (QGIS-Analyse mittels des OS-WALK-EU-Tools) und fragebogenbasierten Vor-Ort-Begehungen unter Einsatz des Walking Route Audit Tools (WRAT), wurden quantitative und qualitative Kriterien der Walkability in Regensburg im Zeitraum vom 08.09.2022–28.02.2023 untersucht. In die datenbasierte Analyse flossen Geodaten zur Bevölkerungsdichte, den Erholungsräumen und den Einrichtungen des alltäglichen Lebens ein. Zu den Bewertungskritierien der Begehungen gehörten Attraktivität, Komfort, Direktheit, Sicherheit und Kohärenz der Gehwege auf 5 ausgewählten Routen.

Ergebnisse

Auf der stadtweiten Betrachtungsebene nahm die Walkability nach der datenbasierten Bewertung zentrifugal von der Stadtmitte Regensburgs hin zu den Außenbereichen (und v. a. in den nordöstlichen Stadtvierteln) ab. Hier zeigte sich ein Optimierungsbedarf im Sinne einer Stadt der kurzen Wege und dem Postulat der nahräumlichen Erreichbarkeit von Einrichtungen des alltäglichen Bedarfs. Bei den Begehungen schnitten die Altstadt und das Dörnberg-Quartier am besten ab. Auf Quartiersebene konnten zudem konkrete und einfach umsetzbare Verbesserungsmaßnahmen abgeleitet werden.

Schlussfolgerung

Walkability als Rahmenkonzept der gesundheitsorientierten Städteplanung stellt eine gesamtgesellschaftliche Aufgabe dar. Der öffentliche Gesundheitsdienst könnte perspektivisch ein Bindeglied zwischen Politik, Verkehrsplanung und Bürgerschaft in der kommunalen Gesundheitsförderung sein und Maßnahmen zur Verbesserung der Walkability aktiv mitgestalten.
Modification of Neural Circuit Functions by Microglial P2Y6 Receptors in Health and Neurodegeneration
Authors: Zhang Yi , Tang Yong , Illes Peter
Published: October 2024

Neural circuits consisting of neurons and glial cells help to establish all functions of the CNS. Microglia, the resident immunocytes of the CNS, are endowed with UDP-sensitive P2Y6 receptors (P2Y6Rs) which regulate phagocytosis/pruning of excessive synapses during individual development and refine synapses in an activity-dependent manner during adulthood. In addition, this type of receptor plays a decisive role in primary (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, neuropathic pain) and secondary (epilepsy, ischemic-, mechanical-, or irradiation-induced) neurodegeneration. A whole range of microglial cytokines controlled by P2Y6Rs, such as the interleukins IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), leads to neuroinflammation, resulting in neurodegeneration. Hence, small molecular antagonists of P2Y6Rs and genetic knockdown of this receptor provide feasible ways to alleviate inflammation-induced neurological disorders but might also interfere with the regulation of the synaptic circuitry. The present review aims at investigating this dual role of P2Y6Rs in microglia, both in shaping neural circuits by targeted phagocytosis and promoting neurodegenerative illnesses by fostering neuroinflammation through multiple transduction mechanisms.
Estimates for Sums of Eigenfunctions of Elliptic Pseudo-differential Operators on Compact Lie Groups
Authors: Cardona Duván , Delgado Julio , Ruzhansky Michael
Published: October 2024

We extend the estimates proved by Donnelly and Fefferman, and by Lebeau, Robbiano and Zuazua, for sums of eigenfunctions of the Laplacian (on a compact manifold) to estimates for sums of eigenfunctions of any positive and elliptic pseudo-differential operator of positive order on a compact Lie group. Our criteria are imposed in terms of the positivity of the corresponding matrix-valued symbol of the operator. As an application of these inequalities in control theory, we obtain the null-controllability for diffusion models for elliptic pseudo-differential operators on compact Lie groups.
Early Carboniferous parallelodontid Arcoida (Bivalvia) from the hercynotypic facies of the Rhenohercynian Basin and their Devonian origin
Authors: Friedel Julia C. , Amler Michael R. W.
Published: October 2024

Parallelodontids, as typical bivalves of the shelf facies, have been successfully diversified since the Middle Devonian. During the second radiation of the family in the latest Devonian (Strunian regional stage) and early Carboniferous, the shelf areas yielded highly diverse parallelodontids, but they also invaded the deeper basins of the northwesternmost Palaeotethys, particularly the Rhenohercynian Basin. Here, we provide a comprehensive description and comparison of the parallelodontids of the deeper marine environments in the Mississippian across Europe. In addition to the already known species Parallelodon semicostatus (McCoy, 1844), P. tenuistria (McCoy, 1844), and P. geinitzi De Koninck, 1885, the species P. beneckei (Tornquist, 1896) and P. decheni (von Koenen, 1879) are revived after years of disuse. ‘Byssoarca lanceolata’, a distorted fragment described by McCoy in 1844 from Irish mudstones, is considered as nomen dubium. Additional taxa mentioned in the literature complete the diversity of parallelodontids of the Carboniferous Kulm Basin and adjacent basinal settings. Parallelodon decheni proves to be the most characteristic parallelodontid in the Kulm Basin. In addition, material from the Strunian of Germany, here described as Parallelodon pauli n. sp., is available to infer the development of the Kulm parallelodontids from the external shelf areas of the latest Devonian. The diversity of parallelodontids in basinal settings is surprisingly high despite the atypical habitat of Palaeozoic arcoids. Morphological similarities between the species, which would indicate a similar habitat, could not be identified.
Targeting the Notch-Furin axis with 2-hydroxyoleic acid: a key mechanism in glioblastoma therapy
Authors: Rodríguez-Lorca Raquel , Román Ramón , Beteta-Göbel Roberto , Torres Manuel , Lladó Victoria , Escribá Pablo V. , Fernández-García Paula
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are highly treatment-resistant and aggressive brain tumors. 2OHOA, which is currently running a phase IIB/III clinical trial for newly diagnosed GBM patients, was developed in the context of melitherapy. This therapy focuses on the regulation of the membrane’s structure and organization with the consequent modulation of certain cell signals to revert the pathological state in several disorders. Notch signaling has been associated with tumorigenesis and cell survival, potentially driving the pathogenesis of GBM. The current study aims to determine whether 2OHOA modulates the Notch pathway as part of its antitumoral mechanism.

Methods

2OHOA’s effect was evaluated on different components of the pathway by Western blot, Q-PCR, and confocal microscopy. Notch receptor processing was analyzed by subcellular fractionation and colocalization studies. Furin activity was evaluated under cleavage of its substrate by fluorescence assays and its binding affinity to 2OHOA was determined by surface plasmon resonance.

Results

We found that 2OHOA inhibits Notch2 and Notch3 signaling by dual mechanism. Notch2 inhibition is unleashed by impairment of its processing through the inactivation of furin activity by physical association. Instead, Notch3 is transcriptionally downregulated leading to a lower activation of the pathway. Moreover, we also found that HES1 overexpression highlighted the relevance of this pathway in the 2OHOA pharmacological efficacy.

Conclusion

These findings report that the inhibition of Notch signaling by 2OHOA plays a role in its anti-tumoral activity, an effect that may be driven through direct inhibition of furin, characterizing a novel target of this bioactive lipid to treat GBM.
Symptomatische Hyperkalzämie und hyperkalzämische Krise
Authors: Weismann Dirk
Published: October 2024

Biochemisch wird die Hyperkalzämie häufig in mild (< 3 mmol/L), moderat (3–5 mmol/L) oder schwer (> 3,5 mmol/L) eingeteilt. Eine milde Hyperkalzämie ist in der Regel asymptomatisch. Auch eine schwere Hyperkalzämie kann oligo- oder asymptomatisch sein, wenn sie sich langsam entwickelt hat. Eine symptomatische Hyperkalzämie ist daher in der Regel mindestens biochemisch moderat. Eine ausgeprägte akute Symptomatik geht mit Übelkeit, Erbrechen, Exsikkose und einer entsprechenden Vigilanzstörung einher. Bei chronischen Verlaufsformen spielen Müdigkeit, Nephrolithiasis und gastrointestinale Beschwerden eine größere Rolle.

Mit > 90 % der Fälle liegt einer Hyperkalzämie ein primärer Hyperparathyreoidismus (pHPT) oder eine maligne Hyperkalzämie („humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy“, HHM) zugrunde. Ein erhöhtes Parathormon (PTH) und eine Hyperkalziurie sind diagnostisch für einen pHPT. Im Falle einer HHM ist das Tumorleiden sehr häufig entweder bekannt oder offensichtlich. Ist dann das PTH supprimiert, erübrigt sich meist eine weitere Abklärung. Die calcitriolabhängigen Hyperkalzämien sind dagegen bereits selten. Therapeutisch kommt dem Volumenausgleich im Falle einer kalziuminduzierten Exsikkose eine entscheidende Bedeutung zu. Die Inhibition der Knochenresorption durch Bisphosphonate oder Denosumab stellen dann die wichtigste pharmakologische Intervention dar. In aller Regel kann hierdurch das Kalzium innerhalb von 2–4 Tagen normalisiert oder zumindest ausreichend gut gesenkt werden. In aller Regel lassen sich auch intensivpflichtige Patienten mit diesen Maßnahmen gut stabilisieren und eine Therapieeskalation ist nicht erforderlich.
The genotypic antibiogram: using gram-negative antimicrobial resistance genes identified via rapid blood culture identification tests to optimize treatment of Enterobacterales bloodstream infections
Authors: Sunagawa Shawnalyn W. , Tigh Jeremy , Chan Yolande A. , Okada Ashlyn , Bergman Scott J. , Van Schooneveld Trevor C. , Fey Paul D. , Ryder Jonathan H.
Published: October 2024

The negative predictive value of blaCTX-M on BCID2 for ceftriaxone resistance in E. coli and K. pneumoniae group was 97% and 94%, respectively. Creation of a genotypic antibiogram led to updated local guidance for clinicians to utilize for empiric treatment of Enterobacterales bloodstream infections identified via rapid diagnostics.
Assessments of working group effectiveness in the planning of the New Jersey Kids Study: An applied mixed-methods study on the science of team science
Authors: Gigliotti Ralph A. , Weidner Melissa , Jansen Michelle , Greenberg Patricia , Bachmann Gloria , Dominguez-Bello Maria Gloria , Parmar Veenat , Panettieri Reynold A. , Reilly Nancy , Ayers Charletta A. , Cohen Barrie , Denzin Lisa K. , Feldman Cecile A. , Fiedler Nancy , Jimenez Manuel E. , Laumbach Robert J. , Malin Steven K. , Mazzaferro Natale , Pai Shilpa , Rosen Todd , Rossman-Murphy Lisa , Salvatore Jessica E. , Schmitz Kristine H. , Shapses Sue A. , Shiau Stephanie , Zarbl Helmut , Reichman Nancy E. , Barrett Emily S. , Blaser Martin J. , Horton Daniel B.
Published: October 2024

Introduction:

The New Jersey Kids Study (NJKS) is a transdisciplinary statewide initiative to understand influences on child health, development, and disease. We conducted a mixed-methods study of project planning teams to investigate team effectiveness and relationships between team dynamics and quality of deliverables.

Methods:

Ten theme-based working groups (WGs) (e.g., Neurodevelopment, Nutrition) informed protocol development and submitted final reports. WG members (n = 79, 75%) completed questionnaires including de-identified demographic and professional information and a modified TeamSTEPPS Team Assessment Questionnaire (TAQ). Reviewers independently evaluated final reports using a standardized tool. We analyzed questionnaire results and final report assessments using linear regression and performed constant comparative qualitative analysis to identify central themes.

Results:

WG-level factors associated with greater team effectiveness included proportion of full professors (β = 31.24, 95% CI 27.65–34.82), team size (β = 0.81, 95% CI 0.70–0.92), and percent dedicated research effort (β = 0.11, 95% CI 0.09–0.13); age distribution (β = −2.67, 95% CI –3.00 to –2.38) and diversity of school affiliations (β = –33.32, 95% CI –36.84 to –29.80) were inversely associated with team effectiveness. No factors were associated with final report assessments. Perceptions of overall initiative leadership were associated with expressed enthusiasm for future NJKS participation. Qualitative analyses of final reports yielded four themes related to team science practices: organization and process, collaboration, task delegation, and decision-making patterns.

Conclusions:

We identified several correlates of team effectiveness in a team science initiative's early planning phase. Extra effort may be needed to bridge differences in team members' backgrounds to enhance the effectiveness of diverse teams. This work also highlights leadership as an important component in future investigator engagement.
Risk of invasive MDRO infection in MDRO-colonized patients
Authors: Alshubaily Ali M. , Alosaimi Aeshah S. , Alhothli Bushra I. , Althawadi Sahar I. , Alghamdi Salem M.
Published: October 2024

Objective:

In this study, we aim to estimate the risk of developing clinical multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) infection with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), or vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in colonized patients compared with non-colonized admitted to high-risk areas with a main focus on CRE colonization/infection.

Design and setting:

Retrospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary care facility.

Methods:

This study included patients enrolled in active surveillance testing (AST) for CRE, MRSA, or VRE during the year 2021. Development of relevant invasive infection within 365 days of the AST result was collected as the primary outcome. The association between MDRO colonization and infection was calculated using the risk ratio. The prevalence of CRE organisms and carbapenemase genes is presented.

Results:

A total of 19,134 ASTs were included in the analysis (4,919 CRE AST, 8,303 MRSA AST, and 5,912 VRE AST). Patient demographics were similar between colonized and non-colonized groups. Colonization was associated with an increased risk of infection in the 3 cohorts (CRE, MRSA, and VRE), with risk ratios reported as 4.6, 8.2, and 22, respectively. Most patients (88%) develop CRE infection with the same colonizing carbapenemase gene. Oxa-48/NDM Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common organism detected in CRE infection.

Conclusions:

The study demonstrated that colonization with CRE, MRSA, or VRE is a risk factor for developing infections caused by the respective bacteria. The high percentage of match between carbapenemase genes detected in colonization and infection indicates that screening results might be used to inform infection management and treatment.
A singularly perturbed ruin problem for a two-dimensional Brownian motion in the positive quadrant
Authors: Grandits Peter
Published: October 2024

We consider the following problem: the drift of the wealth process of two companies, modelled by a two-dimensional Brownian motion, is controllable such that the total drift adds up to a constant. The aim is to maximize the probability that both companies survive. We assume that the volatility of one company is small with respect to the other, and use methods from singular perturbation theory to construct a formal approximation of the value function. Moreover, we validate this formal result by explicitly constructing a strategy that provides a target functional, approximating the value function uniformly on the whole state space.
Substituting imported soybean meal with locally produced novel yeast protein in concentrates for Norwegian Red dairy cows: implications for rumen microbiota and fatty acid composition
Authors: Stork Eirin , Ekeberg Dag , Devle Hanne M. , Umu Özgün C. O. , Porcellato Davide , Olsen Martine A. , Vhile Stine G. , Kidane Alemayehu , Devold Tove , Skeie Siv B.
Published: October 2024

This research paper addresses the hypothesis that substituting soybean meal with locally produced yeast protein from Cyberlindnera jadinii in barley-based concentrates for Norwegian Red (NR) dairy cows does not have adverse effects on milk fatty acid (FA) composition, rumen microbiota and sensory quality of milk. As soybeans also represent valuable protein sources for human consumption, alternative protein sources need to be investigated for animal feed. A total of 48 NR dairy cows were allocated into three feeding treatments, with the same basal diet of grass silage, but different concentrates. The concentrates were all based on barley, but 7% of the barley in the barley-concentrate (BAR; negative control) was replaced by either soybean meal (SBM; conventional control) or yeast microbial protein (YEA). The experiment lasted for a total of 10 weeks, including 2 weeks of adaptation with the soybean meal concentrate. Analysis of the feed revealed some differences in the FA composition of the YEA concentrate compared to the SBM and BAR concentrates. In milk, only two FAs (C17:1n-8cis9 and an unidentified isomer of C18:3) were significantly different between the YEA- and SBM-group, while six FAs differed between the BAR- and SBM-group. However, the amount of these FAs was low compared to the entire FA profile (<0.7 g/100 g). The experimental diets did not affect rumen microbiota nor the milk sensory quality. This study shows that C. jadinii can replace soybean meal as a protein source in concentrates (7% inclusion) for NR dairy cows fed a diet composed of grass silage and concentrates without any effects on rumen microbiota, and without compromising the FA composition or sensory quality of milk.
Effects of fibrolytic and amylolytic compound enzyme preparation on rumen fermentation, serum parameters and production performance in primiparous early-lactation dairy cows
Authors: Liu Zhaokun , Li Wen , Zhao Congcong , Zhang Yuanjie , Li Yong , Wang Lamei , Li XiaoYong , Yao Junhu , Pellikaan Wilbert F. , Cao Yangchun
Published: October 2024

This research communication reports the effects of a compound enzyme preparation consisting of fibrolytic (cellulase 3500 CU/g, xylanase 2000 XU/g, β-glucanase 17 500 GU/g) and amylolytic (amylase 37 000 AU/g) enzymes on nutrient intake, rumen fermentation, serum parameters and production performance in primiparous early-lactation (47 ± 2 d) dairy cows. Twenty Holstein–Friesian cows in similar body condition scores were randomly divided into control (CON, n = 10) and experimental (EXP, n = 10) groups in a completely randomized single-factor design. CON was fed a basal total mixed ration diet and EXP was dietary supplemented with compound enzyme preparation at 70 g/cow/d. The experiment lasted 4 weeks, with 3 weeks for adaptation and then 1 week for measurement. Enzyme supplementation significantly increased diet non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) content as well as dry matter intake (DMI) and NFC intake (P < 0.05). EXP had increased ruminal butyrate and isobutyrate percentages (P < 0.01) but decreased propionate and valerate percentages (P < 0.05), as well as increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity and albumin concentration (P ≤ 0.01). Additionally, EXP had increased milk yield (0.97 kg/d), 4% fat corrected milk yield and energy corrected milk yield, as well as milk fat and protein yield (P < 0.01). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with a fibrolytic and amylolytic compound enzyme preparation increased diet NFC content, DMI and NFC intake, affected rumen fermentation by increasing butyrate proportion at the expense of propionate, and enhanced milk performance in primiparous early-lactation dairy cows.
Dimensions of human–tiger conflict and solutions for coexistence in the forests of the Khata Corridor, Bardiya, Nepal
Authors: Sharma Basant , Hope Andrew G. , Neupane Dinesh
Published: October 2024

Khata Corridor forest, which serves as a border crossing for wildlife between Nepal and India, is one of the areas in Nepal with the highest incidence of human–wildlife conflict. In recent years both the tiger Panthera tigris tigris and human populations in this region have increased, leading to more frequent conflict. We aimed to determine whether increased conflict risk was primarily from tigers entering human settlements or whether there are additional drivers associated with human use of forested areas. We conducted the study in four settlements that varied in socio-economic status and distance from Bardiya National Park, through field visits and household surveys. Tiger records (sightings, pug marks and attacks) were most frequent far from Bardiya National Park, in settlements without benefits from tiger-based tourism and nearer the periphery of forest, and were rarely associated with the interior of settlements. Human visitation into forests was also highest in the most remote settlement. Our findings suggest that conflict risk is driven by the extent of human activity in forested areas, reflecting an unequal distribution of the conservation benefits of tourism amongst settlements. In the long-term, continued coexistence between people and tigers will depend on minimizing conflict risk across settlements through establishing an equitable distribution of conservation benefits. In the short term, we recommend raising public awareness of tiger behaviour to emphasize that tigers are highly unlikely to enter and occupy the interior of human settlements, mitigating negative perceptions of conflict risk.
Crisis management from a relational perspective: an analysis of interorganizational transboundary crisis networks
Authors: Bravo-Laguna Carlos
Published: October 2024

Although transboundary crises have gained relevance in an increasingly interdependent world, our understanding of the relational dynamics governing these phenomena remains limited. This paper addresses this knowledge gap by identifying common characteristics across interorganizational transboundary crisis networks and drivers of tie formation in successful structures. For this purpose, it applies descriptive Social Network Analysis and Exponential Random Graph Models to an original dataset of three networks. Results show that these structures combine elements of issue networks and policy communities. Common features include moderately high centralization, reciprocated ties, core-periphery structures, and the popularity of international organizations. Additionally, successful networks display smooth communication between NGOs and international organizations, whereas unsuccessful networks have fewer heterophilous interactions. Transitivity seems to play a role in network success too. These findings suggest that crisis networks are robust structures that reconcile bridging and bonding dynamics, thereby highlighting how evidence from relational studies could guide transboundary crisis management.
Prices, wages and living standards in Spain in the modern era
Authors: Zegarra Luis Felipe
Published: October 2024

This study relies on a linear programming model to estimate welfare ratios in Spain between 1600 and 1800. This method is used to find the food basket that guaranteed the intake of basic nutrients at the lowest cost. The estimates show that working families in Toledo had higher welfare ratios than in those in Barcelona. In addition, the welfare ratios of Spain were always below those of London and Amsterdam. The divergence between Northern Europe and Spain started before the Industrial Revolution and increased over time.
Cooperative defense of a territorial-constrained target in a target-attacker-defender game
Authors: Dong Gangqi , Xing Yahong , Mi Qianbao
Published: October 2024

Multi-player pursuit-evasion games are crucial for addressing the maneuver decision problem arising in the cooperative control of multi-agent systems. This paper presents a cooperative defense strategy involving cooperation and confrontation among the target, attacker, and multiple defenders based on location information only. The primary objective of the attacker is to capture the target while avoiding being captured by multiple defenders. Meanwhile, the target is confined to a restricted area and can only move within its boundaries. The proposed cooperative defense strategy aims to prevent the attacker from capturing the target while minimizing the time required to neutralize the threat. Therefore, the multiple defenders are classified into two categories: the primary defender and the auxiliary defenders. The primary defender is to prevent the attacker from approaching the target by predicting the intention of the attacker. On the other hand, the auxiliary defenders adopt a surround-shrink-capture strategy to reduce the time consumption to capture the attacker. Numerical simulations have been conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Size sound symbolism in mothers’ speech to their infants
Authors: Laing Catherine , Khattab Ghada , Sloggett Shayne , Keren-Portnoy Tamar
Published: October 2024

Six-month-olds infer object size based on pitch: they map high-pitched vowels onto smaller objects and low-pitched vowels onto larger objects (Peña et al., 2011). The ‘sound symbolism bootstrapping hypothesis’ (Imai & Kita, 2014) proposes that this may support understanding of word-meaning correspondences; by drawing on iconic pairings between linguistic cues and corresponding referents (e.g., higher pitch for smaller objects), infants develop understanding of word-referent associations. Here we analyse mother-child interactions, testing whether sound-symbolic pitch-size correspondences occur in infant-directed speech. 40 dyads engaged in (semi-)naturalistic interaction around picture books containing images of toys of varying sizes. We compare mothers’ pitch when referring to small versus large toys, analysing i) actual size (bigger vs. smaller toys); ii) relative toy size congruence (i.e., congruent vs. incongruent with real-world expectation); and iii) transparency of the test paradigm as regards its focus on size contrastiveness (non-transparent, moderately transparent, highly transparent) to observe the nuances of size sound symbolism in infant-directed speech.
Synthesis and structural characterization of new perovskite phases, Ba2Bi0.572TeO6±δ and SrLa2NiFeNbO9
Authors: El Hachmi Abdelhadi , Sadoune Zouhair
Published: October 2024

Ba2Bi0.572TeO6±δ and SrLa2NiFeNbO9 ceramics were prepared in polycrystalline form by conventional solid-state reaction techniques in air. The crystal structures of the title compounds were determined at room temperature from X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) data using the Rietveld method. The Ba2Bi0.572TeO6±δ structure crystallizes in a triclinic space group I–1 with unit-cell parameters a = 6.0272(2) Å, b = 6.0367(1) Å, c = 8.5273(3) Å, α = 90.007(7)°, β = 90.061(2)°, and γ = 90.015(4)°. The tilt system of the BiO6 and TeO6 octahedra corresponds to the notation a–b–c–. The crystal structure of the SrLa2NiFeNbO9 compound adopts an orthorhombic Pbnm space group with lattice parameters a = 5.6038(5) Å, b = 5.5988(4) Å, and c = 7.9124(6) Å. The BO6 octahedra (B = Ni/Fe/Nb) sharing the corners in 3D. Along the c-axis, the octahedra are connected by O(1) atoms of (x,y,1/4) positions; while in the ab-plane, they are linked by O(2) atoms of (x,y,z) positions. The bond angle of B–O1–B is 168.7° and that of B–O2–B is 156.3°. The octahedral lattice corresponds to the tilt pattern a–a–c+; it indicates that the octahedra tilt out-of-phase along the a,b-axes and in phase along the c-axis.
Exclusive breastfeeding mitigates the association between prenatal maternal pandemic-related stress and children sleep problems at 24 months of age
Authors: Mariani Wigley Isabella Lucia Chiara , Nazzari Sarah , Pastore Massimiliano , Grumi Serena , Provenzi Livio
Published: October 2024

Infant sleep quality is increasingly regarded as an important factor for children long-term functioning and adaptation. The early roots of sleep disturbances are still poorly understood and likely involve a complex interplay between prenatal and postnatal factors. This study investigated whether exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months moderated the association between maternal prenatal pandemic-related stress (PRS) and sleep problems in 24-months children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also explored the potential contribution of maternal postnatal anxiety in these relations. Seventy-eight infants (50% males) and their mothers provided complete data from birth to 24 months. Between 12 and 48 h from birth, maternal PRS during pregnancy was retrospectively reported as well as maternal anxiety and exclusive breastfeeding. Maternal anxiety and exclusive breastfeeding were also reported at 3 and 6 months after childbirth. Children sleep disturbances were reported at 24 months. Bayesian analyses revealed that maternal PRS was positively associated with sleep problems in children who were not exclusively breastfed from birth to 6 months. Findings add to the growing literature on the lasting impact of early pre- and postnatal experiences on child well-being and development.
Rare association of aortic atresia with balanced superior-inferior ventricles: case report of successful neonatal biventricular repair and review of the literature
Authors: Mather Puja Mehta , Vricella Luca , El-Zein Chawki , Borsheim Kirsten , Ross Eleanor , Ganigara Madhusudhan , Anderson Robert , Loomba Rohit S.
Published: October 2024

Aortic atresia is a rare finding and has not been previously described with superior-inferior ventricles. Presented here is a case of a heart with these concomitant findings and review of reported cases of aortic atresia in the absence of hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The aim of this report is to help highlight associated findings and the clinical approach taken. Also highlighted is the importance of not mistaking aortic atresia for common arterial trunk.