bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From the Organizational Theory of Ecological Functions to a New Notion of Sustainability
Authors: El-Hani Charbel N. , de Lima Felipe Rebelo Gomes , Nunes-Neto Nei de Freitas
Published: November 2023

In this chapter, we will address criticisms to the theory of ecological functions introduced by Nunes-Neto et al. (2014). In doing so, we intend to further develop the theory, as a possible basis for naturalizing the teleological and normative dimensions of ecological functions. We will also take the first steps in the construction of an integrated scientific and ethical approach to sustainability that is intended to avoid an anthropocentric perspective.
Does Organicism Really Need Organization?
Authors: Sartenaer Olivier
Published: November 2023

The main purpose of the present chapter is to argue in favor of the claim that, contrary to what is usually and tacitly assumed, organization is not necessary for organicism. To this purpose, I first set up the stage by providing a working characterization of organicism that involves two free parameters, whose variations allow for covering the rich and diverse conceptual landscape of organicism, past and present. In particular, I contend that organization is usually construed as a “mean to an end” notion, or as a tool put at the service of vindicating organicism’s twofold defining assumption, namely, that organisms are determinative entities in their own right, to the effect that (organismic) biology is epistemologically autonomous from physico-chemistry. After a short detour devoted to show that organicism generally collapses on a spectrum of variants of emergentism, I take inspiration from a recent account of emergence called “transformational emergence” to put forward a transformational version of organicism. For such a version meets organicism’s defining standards in a way that is free of any commitment to organization, arguing for its very conceptual soundness finally allows for legitimizing the claim that organicism doesn’t really need organization.
Organisms: Between a Kantian Approach and a Liberal Approach
Authors: Huneman Philippe
Published: November 2023

The concept of “organism” has been central to modern biology, with its definition and philosophical implications evolving since the nineteenth century. In contemporary biology, the divide between developmental and physiological approaches and evolutionary approaches has influenced the definition of organism. The convergence between molecular biology and evolutionary biology has led to the term “suborganismal biology,” while the return to the organism has been characterized by animal behavior studies and Evo-devo. The philosophical approach to the concept of individual is divided between a Kantian understanding of organism, which defines necessary and sufficient conditions for any X to be a “natural purpose,” and an evolutionary approach, which considers what a biological individual is and confers natural selection a key role in this definition. While the former aims to find necessary and sufficient conditions for an organism, the latter thinks in terms of conceptual spaces, being much more liberal in pointing out organisms in the world. The paper examines possible connections between these two approaches and assesses the prospects of a reconciliation between them.
Functional performance tests, clinical measurements, and patient‐reported outcome measures do not correlate as outcomes 1 year after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Authors: Al‐Gburi Mustafa , Kristiansen Jakob Bredahl , Christensen Karl Bang , Krogsgaard Michael Rindom
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The results after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are evaluated by laxity measures, functional tests, and patients’ perception by patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs). It is not known, if one of these evaluation instruments is representative or if outcome scores from all must be reported to obtain a full evaluation of the condition. The aim was to study the correlations between these three types of outcomes 1 year after primary ACLR.

Method

All adult patients (range 18–45 years) who had an ACLR between 1.1.2019 and 31.12.2021 were offered 1‐year follow‐up by an independent observer. Preoperative information about knee laxity and peroperative information about the condition of menisci and cartilage were registered. At 1‐year follow‐up clinical and instrumented knee stability and function assessed by four different hop tests were registered. Patients completed four PROMs (the Subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, the Knee Numeric‐Entity Evaluation Score (KNEES‐ACL), the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and the Lysholm score) and Tegner activity scale and answered anchor questions regarding satisfaction and willingness to repeat the operation.

Results

A total of 190 adults attended the 1‐year follow‐up and 151 had all assessments. There were only a few positive and weak correlations between performance tests and PROMS and between clinical measurements and PROMS (r = 0.00–0.38), and the majority were of negligible strength. Tegner score had in general the highest correlation (low to moderate). The highest correlation was 0.53 (moderate) between the anchor question about patient satisfaction and Lysholm/IKDC scores. There was no difference in the correlations depending on meniscal condition.

Conclusions

In ACLR patients there was no clinically relevant correlation between scores obtained by PROMs, a battery of functional performance tests and instrumented laxity of the knee at 1‐year follow‐up. Therefore, one type of outcome cannot represent the others. This is an argument for always to include and report all three types of outcomes, and conclusions based on one type of outcome may not be sufficient.

Level of evidence

II.
No difference in return to play rates between different elite sports after primary autograft ACL reconstruction
Authors: Jones Mary , Hugo Pinheiro Vitor , Balendra Ganesh , Borque Kyle , Williams Andy
Published: November 2023

Purpose

To demonstrate return to play (RTP) rates, the level of RTP and time taken to RTP in different sports after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL‐R) and compare the differences between football and rugby. The secondary aims were to compare the differences in intra articular injuries and their treatments and reoperation rates between these sports.

Methods

A retrospective review of a consecutive series of all primary ACL‐R undertaken by the senior author between 2005 and 2019 was undertaken. Patients were included if they were elite athletes and were a minimum of 2 year post‐primary autograft ACL‐R. The outcomes measured were RTP (defined as participation in a professional match or in national/international‐level competition in amateur sports), time to RTP after surgery and RTP level (Tegner score).

Results

Three hundred and ninety‐four elite athletes, with 420 ACL‐Rs were included. 235 (55.9%) were in footballers and 125 (29.8%) were in rugby players. 399 (95.0%) of all elite athletes returned to competition at an average of 10.3 months after ACL‐R. 386 (90.2% played at the same or higher level post‐surgery. Although there was no difference in RTP rates between different sports, rugby players RTP significantly faster than footballers (9.6 vs 10.6 months, (p = 0.027). Footballers were more likely to rupture their ACL during jumping/landing manoeuvres and to receive a PT graft than rugby players. There were no other significant differences between football and rugby players regarding patient characteristics, intraoperative findings, re‐rupture and re‐operation rates.

Conclusions

Over 95% of all elite athletes RTP after primary ACL‐R with 90% able to play at the same level. Rugby players RTP significantly faster than footballers.

Level of evience

Level IV.
Free Boundary Minimal Annuli Immersed in the Unit Ball
Authors: Fernández Isabel , Hauswirth Laurent , Mira Pablo
Published: November 2023

We construct a family of compact free boundary minimal annuli immersed in the unit ball $$\mathbb {B}^3$$

B

3

of $$\mathbb {R}^3$$

R

3

, the first such examples other than the critical catenoid. This solves a problem formulated by Nitsche in 1985. These annuli are symmetric with respect to two orthogonal planes and a finite group of rotations around an axis, and are foliated by spherical curvature lines. We show that the only free boundary minimal annulus embedded in $$\mathbb {B}^3$$

B

3

foliated by spherical curvature lines is the critical catenoid; in particular, the minimal annuli that we construct are not embedded. On the other hand, we also construct families of non-rotational compact embedded capillary minimal annuli in $$\mathbb {B}^3$$

B

3

. Their existence solves in the negative a problem proposed by Wente in 1995.
Infaunal invertebrate community relationships to water column and sediment abiotic conditions
Authors: McGarrigle Samantha A. , Hunt Heather L.
Published: November 2023

Infaunal invertebrates are affected by the overlying water and the sediment in which they live. Therefore, understanding how these environmental conditions impact infauna is critical for evaluating how they may respond to future changes in these conditions due to climate change. Here, we considered which abiotic variables, for example, salinity, sediment characteristics (i.e. mean grain size, sorting), and water column and sediment carbonate chemistry, influence infaunal invertebrate communities and juvenile bivalve abundance at intertidal sites. We used data from sites in two regions in New Brunswick, Canada with contrasting tidal regimes and oceanographic conditions, the Bay of Fundy and the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. We were particularly interested in bivalve recruitment due to the importance of bivalves in ecosystem services and predicted sensitivity to climate change impacts. Using data collected in 2020 and 2021, statistical modeling was done to determine which abiotic variables were potential drivers of multivariate community composition as well as species richness, total abundance, and juvenile bivalve abundance. We found that carbonate chemistry variables, both sediment and water, explained a large amount of variation (~ 7–44%) in infaunal invertebrate communities in the two regions in both our multivariate and univariate analyses. Sediment pH explained the most variation (16.9%) in the multivariate analyses for the Bay of Fundy sites. However, in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, salinity explained the most variation (9.8%) in the multivariate community composition. In the univariate modeling, alkalinity, either water column or sediment, was included in all top models for all four dependent variables, suggesting the importance of this carbonate chemistry variable for bivalves and infaunal communities. Climate change is expected to have large impacts on carbonate chemistry conditions in the oceans, specifically pH, carbonate availability, and alkalinity. The influence of carbonate chemistry parameters on infaunal invertebrate communities in these regions shows the potential sensitivity these animals have to future oceanic conditions.
Femoral anteversion change is associated with ischiofemoral impingement after total hip arthroplasty: a retrospective CT evaluation
Authors: Marth Adrian A. , Goller Sophia S. , Sutter Reto
Published: November 2023

Objectives

We evaluated the relationship between femoral anteversion (FA), FA change, and ischiofemoral impingement (IFI) and the relationship between FA, femoral offset (FO), and greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) after total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Materials and methods

In this retrospective study, two readers assessed FA and FO on CT images of 197 patients following primary THA with an anterior surgical approach between 2014 and 2021. FA change was calculated relative to preoperative CT, while FO change was calculated relative to preoperative radiographs and classified as decreased (≥−5 mm), increased (≥ + 5 mm), or restored (± 5 mm). Clinical and imaging data were analyzed for IFI and GTPS after surgery. Group differences were evaluated using Student’s t-test, chi-square analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

The change in FA was 3.6 ± 3.3° to a postoperative FA of 22.5 ± 6.8°, while FO increased by 1.7 ± 3.5 mm to a postoperative FO of 42.9 ± 7.1 mm. FA and FA change were higher in patients with IFI (p ≤ 0.006), while no significant difference was observed for patients with and without GTPS (p ≥ 0.122). IFI was more common in females (p = 0.023). In the ROC analysis, an AUC of 0.859 was observed for FA change to predict IFI, whereas the AUC value was 0.726 for FA alone. No significant difference was found for FO change in patients with and without IFI or GTPS (p ≥ 0.187).

Conclusion

Postoperative FA, FA change, and female sex were associated with IFI after anterior-approached THA. The change in FA was a better predictor of IFI than absolute postoperative FA alone.

Clinical relevance statement

The findings of this study suggest that preservation of the preoperative femoral anteversion may reduce postoperative ischiofemoral impingement in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty.

Key Points

• Higher postoperative femoral anteversion and anteversion change were associated with ischiofemoral impingement.

• Femoral anteversion change was a better predictor of impingement than absolute postoperative anteversion.

• No significant association was found between femoral offset and postoperative hip pain.
One seasonal clock fits all?
Authors: Michel Stephan , Kervezee Laura
Published: November 2023

Adaptation of physiology and behavior to seasonal changes in the environment are for many organisms essential for survival. Most of our knowledge about the underlying mechanisms comes from research on photoperiodic regulation of reproduction in plants, insects and mammals. However, even humans, who mostly live in environments with minimal seasonal influences, show annual rhythms in physiology (e.g., immune activity, brain function), behavior (e.g., sleep–wake cycles) and disease prevalence (e.g., infectious diseases). As seasonal variations in environmental conditions may be drastically altered due to climate change, the understanding of the mechanisms underlying seasonal adaptation of physiology and behavior becomes even more relevant. While many species have developed specific solutions for dedicated tasks of photoperiodic regulation, we find a number of common principles and mechanisms when comparing insect and mammalian systems: (1) the circadian system contributes to photoperiodic regulation; (2) similar signaling molecules (VIP and PDF) are used for transferring information from the circadian system to the neuroendocrine system controlling the photoperiodic response; (3) the hormone melatonin participates in seasonal adaptation in insects as well as mammals; and (4) changes in photoperiod affect neurotransmitter function in both animal groups. The few examples of overlap elaborated in this perspective article, as well as the discussion on relevance for humans, should be seen as encouragement to unravel the machinery of seasonal adaptation in a multitude of organisms.
Cortical excitation/inhibition ratios in patients with major depression treated with electroconvulsive therapy: an EEG analysis
Authors: Stuiver Sven , Pottkämper Julia C. M. , Verdijk Joey P. A. J. , ten Doesschate Freek , Aalbregt Eva , van Putten Michel J. A. M. , Hofmeijer Jeannette , van Waarde Jeroen A.
Published: November 2023

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for major depression, but its working mechanisms are poorly understood. Modulation of excitation/inhibition (E/I) ratios may be a driving factor. Here, we estimate cortical E/I ratios in depressed patients and study whether these ratios change over the course of ECT in relation to clinical effectiveness. Five-minute resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) recordings of 28 depressed patients were recorded before and after their ECT course. Using a novel method based on critical dynamics, functional E/I (fE/I) ratios in the frequency range of 0.5–30 Hz were estimated in frequency bins of 1 Hz for the whole brain and for pre-defined brain regions. Change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score was used to estimate clinical effectiveness. To account for test–retest variability, repeated EEG recordings from an independent sample of 31 healthy controls (HC) were included. At baseline, no differences in whole brain and regional fE/I ratios were found between patients and HC. At group level, whole brain and regional fE/I ratios did not change over the ECT course. However, in responders, frontal fE/I ratios in the frequencies 12–28 Hz increased significantly (pFDR < 0.05 [FDR = false discovery rate]) over the ECT course. In non-responders and HC, no changes occurred over time. In this sample, frontal fE/I ratios increased over the ECT course in relation to treatment response. Modulation of frontal fE/I ratios may be an important mechanism of action of ECT.
What it takes to reduce sitting at work: a pilot study on the effectiveness and correlates of a multicomponent intervention
Authors: Porath Jannik , Schmidt Laura I. , Möckel Juliane , Dold Chiara , Hennerkes Lisa , Haussmann Alexander
Published: November 2023

Objective

This study aimed to assess the feasibility and effects of a simple-to-implement multicomponent intervention to reduce sedentary time of office workers.

Methods

Six groups of eight to ten office workers took part in the two-week Leicht Bewegt intervention. Participants completed questionnaires at baseline (T0, n = 52), after 2 weeks (T1, n = 46), and after 5 weeks (T2, n = 38), including subjective sedentary measures and social-cognitive variables based on the health action process approach (HAPA). Objective sedentary measures were obtained using activPAL trackers.

Results

The intention to reduce sedentary behavior during work increased significantly from T0 to T1. Participants’ objective and subjective sitting time decreased significantly from T0 to T1, corresponding to an average decrease per 8-h-workday of 55 min (d = − .66) or 74 min (d = − 1.14), respectively. This reduction persisted (for subjective sitting time) at T2 (d = − 1.08). Participants indicated a high satisfaction with the intervention.

Conclusions

The Leicht Bewegt intervention offers a feasible and effective opportunity to reduce sedentary behavior at work. Randomized controlled trials including longer follow-up time periods are needed to validate its benefits in different workplaces.
Impact of autoimmune gastritis on chronic urticaria in paediatric patients – pathophysiological point of views
Authors: Bufka J. , Sýkora J. , Vaňková L. , Gutová V. , Kačerová Š. , Daum O. , Schwarz J.
Published: November 2023

We would like to provide an updated comprehensive perspective and identify the components linked to chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) without specific triggers in autoimmune atrophic gastritis (AAG). AAG is an organ-specific autoimmune disease that affects the corpus-fundus gastric mucosa. Although we lack a unified explanation of the underlying pathways, when considering all paediatric patients reported in the literature, alterations result in gastric neuroendocrine enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cell proliferation and paracrine release of histamine. Several mechanisms have been proposed for the pathogenesis of CSU, with much evidence pointing towards AAG and ECL cell responses, which may be implicated as potential factors contributing to CSU. The excessive production/release of histamine into the bloodstream could cause or trigger exacerbations of CSU in AAG, independent of Helicobacter pylori; thus, the release of histamine from ECL cells may be the primary modulator.

Conclusion: Considering the understanding of these interactions, recognising the respective roles of AAG in the pathogenesis of CSU may strongly impact the diagnostic workup and management of unexplained/refractory CSU and may inform future research and interventions in the paediatric population.

What is Known:• Autoimmune atrophic gastritis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease characterised by the destruction of the oxyntic mucosa in the gastric body and fundus, mucosal atrophy, and metaplastic changes.• Autoimmune atrophic gastritis in paediatric patients is important because of the poor outcome and risk of malignancy and possibly underestimated entities primarily reported in single-case reports.

What is New:• Upper gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders, independent of H. pylori, have been implicated as potential inducing factors in the development of chronic spontaneous urticaria.• If a paediatric patient presents with symptoms such as anaemia, reduced vitamin B12 levels, recurrent urticaria with no other detectable aetiology, positive anti-parietal cell antibodies, and elevated gastrin levels, autoimmune atrophic gastritis should be considered a possible cause of chronic urticaria.
A case report of two instances of colorectal hepatoid adenocarcinoma, accompanied by a comprehensive literature review
Authors: Zhang Ran , Yu Yi , Zheng Jinxiu , Pi Sijie , Li Junhe , Chen Jun
Published: November 2023

Objective

The study aimed to explore the clinical and pathological characteristics, survival outcomes, and prognostic factors of colorectal hepatoid adenocarcinoma.

Methods

We performed two cases of colorectal hepatoid adenocarcinoma treated at the Oncology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. We also reviewed literature up to the present and performed a retrospective study of colorectal hepatoid adenocarcinoma.

Results

Among the 39 patients included in this study, 28 had primary tumors in the colon, 9 in the rectum, and 2 in the rectosigmoid junction. The median age was 52 years (range 31–75 years); 28 patients (71.8%) were male. Out of the 32 patients for whom survival data were available, 24 patients succumbed to disease-related causes. The median overall survival of 32 patients was 8 months, with 1-year and 2-year overall survival rates of 31.0% and 16.0%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that depth of infiltration, presence of liver metastases, TNM stage, and the completeness of surgical resection were significantly associated with the overall survival period of colorectal hepatoid adenocarcinoma.

Conclusion

Colorectal hepatoid adenocarcinoma exhibits a high degree of aggressiveness and poor prognosis. The major strategy for early-stage HAC was radical surgery and chemoradiotherapy demonstrates limited efficacy for extending survival.
Reproductive psychiatric advance directives: promoting autonomy for perinatal people with serious mental illness diagnoses
Authors: Dossett Emily C. , Castañeda-Cudney Sonja L. , Nguyen Michelle T. , Olgun Melisa , Wang Jennifer , Myrick Keris Jän , Hallmark Laurie , Saks Elyn R.
Published: November 2023

People with serious mental illness (SMI) diagnoses who become pregnant are particularly vulnerable to symptom recurrence and resulting potential lack of decision-making capacity (Taylor et al. J Psychiatr Res 104:100-107, 2018; Bagadia et al. Int J Soc Psychiatry 66:792-798, 2020). In these situations, prenatal and behavioral health providers have little legally viable guidance on what medical and/or psychiatric care the patient desires (Aneja and Arora Indian J Med Ethics V:133-139, 2020). We created a “Reproductive Psychiatric Advance Directive (PAD),” grounded in Reproductive Justice principles, that promotes patient autonomy by proactively articulating perinatal medical and psychiatric care preferences. We conducted a medical and legal literature review using two sets of terms related to (1) PADs and (2) reproductive health. We convened an expert working group of legal, medical, psychiatric, peer, and advocacy leaders and community-based organizations to develop a Reproductive PAD. Our literature review yielded no results about Reproductive PADs. We created de novo a Reproductive PAD template with sections on medical and psychiatric history, informed consent for critical medical and psychiatric care, family planning and custody preferences, and optional sections on abortion and on electroconvulsive therapy. The Reproductive PAD provides a possible legal mechanism for people of childbearing age with SMI diagnoses to articulate their medical and psychiatric care choices around reproduction and pregnancy. Future research should evaluate the Reproductive PAD as an effective tool for protecting patient autonomy during pregnancy and postpartum and guiding medical and psychiatric providers.
Effect of preoperative chemotherapy on the histopathological classification of gastric cancer
Authors: Caspers I. A. , Biesma H. D. , Wiklund K. , Pontén F. , Lind P. , Nordsmark M. , Sikorska K. , Meershoek-KleinKranenbarg E. , Hartgrink H. H. , van de Velde C. J. H. , van Sandick J. W. , Verheij M. , Cats A. , van Grieken N. C. T.
Published: November 2023

Background

In the era of individualized gastric cancer (GC) treatment, accurate determination of histological subtype becomes increasingly relevant. As yet, it is unclear whether preoperative chemotherapy may affect the histological subtype. The aim of this study was to assess concordance in histological subtype between pretreatment biopsies and surgical resection specimens before and after the introduction of perioperative treatment.

Methods

Histological subtype was centrally determined in paired GC biopsies and surgical resection specimens of patients treated with either surgery alone (SA) in the Dutch D1/D2 study or with preoperative chemotherapy (CT) in the CRITICS trial. The histological subtype as determined in the resection specimen was considered the gold standard. Concordance rates and sensitivity and specificity of intestinal, diffuse, mixed, and “other” subtypes of GC were analyzed.

Results

In total, 105 and 515 pairs of GC biopsies and resection specimens of patients treated in the SA and CT cohorts, respectively, were included. Overall concordance in the histological subtype was 72% in the SA and 74% in the CT cohort and substantially higher in the diffuse subtype (83% and 86%) compared to the intestinal (70% and 74%), mixed (21% and 33%) and “other” subtypes (54% and 54%). In the SA cohort, sensitivities and specificities were 0.88 and 0.71 in the intestinal, 0.67 and 0.93 in the diffuse, 0.20 and 0.98 in the mixed, and 0.50 and 0.93 in the “other” subtypes, respectively.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that accurate determination of histological subtype on gastric cancer biopsies is suboptimal but that the impact of preoperative chemotherapy on histological subtype is negligible.
Investigation of a method to estimate the average speed of sound using phase variances of element signals for ultrasound compound imaging
Authors: Nagaoka Ryo , Omura Masaaki , Hasegawa Hideyuki
Published: November 2023

Purpose

In the receive beamforming of an ultrasonography system, a B-mode image is reconstructed by assuming an average speed of sound (SoS) as a constant value. In our previous studies, we proposed a method for estimating the average SoS based on the coherence factor (CF) and the reciprocal of phase variances of element signals in delay-and-sum (DAS) beamforming. In this paper, we investigate the accuracy of estimation of the average SoS for compound imaging.

Methods

For this purpose, two numerical simulations were performed with k-Wave software. Also, the estimation methods based on the CF and the reciprocal were applied to in vivo data from the common carotid artery, and B-mode images were reconstructed using the estimated average SoS.

Results

In the first numerical simulation using an inhomogeneous phantom, the relationship between the accuracy and the transmission angles for the estimation was investigated, and the root mean squared errors (RMSEs) of estimates obtained based on the CF and the reciprocal of the phase variance were 1.25 ± 0.09, and 0.765 ± 0.17% at the transmission sequence of steering angles of (− 10°, − 5°, 0°, 5°, 10°), respectively. In the second numerical simulation using a cyst phantom, lateral resolutions were improved by reconstructing the image using the estimates obtained using the proposed strategy (reciprocal). By the proposed strategy, improvement of the continuity of the lumen–intima interface in the lateral direction was observed in the in vivo experiment.

Conclusion

Consequently, the results indicated that the proposed strategy was beneficial for estimation of the average SoS and image reconstruction.
The Performance of GRAMM-SCI and WRF in Simulating the Surface-Energy Budget and Thermally Driven Winds in an Alpine Valley
Authors: Simonet Gaspard , Oettl Dietmar , Lehner Manuela
Published: November 2023

Using WRF as a benchmark, GRAMM-SCI simulations are performed for a case study of thermally driven valley- and slope winds in the Inn Valley, Austria. A clear-sky, synoptically undisturbed day was selected when large spatial heterogeneities occur in the components of the surface-energy budget driven by local terrain and land-use characteristics. The models are evaluated mainly against observations from four eddy-covariance stations in the valley. While both models are able to capture the main characteristics of the surface-energy budget and the locally driven wind field, a few overall deficiencies are identified: (i) Since the surface-energy budget is closed in the models, whereas large residuals are observed, the models generally tend to overestimate the daytime sensible and latent heat fluxes. (ii) The partitioning of the available energy into sensible and latent heat fluxes remains relatively constant in the simulations, whereas the observed Bowen ratio decreases continuously throughout the day because of a temporal shift between the maxima in sensible and latent heat fluxes, which is not captured by the models. (iii) The comparison between model results and observations is hampered by differences between the real land use and the vegetation type in the model. Recent modifications of the land-surface scheme in GRAMM-SCI improve the representation of nighttime katabatic winds over forested areas, reducing the modeled wind speeds to more realistic values.
Construction of Novel Z-scheme Heterojunction in ZnFe2O4/P25 @ MOF-5 Nanocomposite from Plastic Waste for Efficient Photodegradation of Aqueous BTX Under Visible Light
Authors: Abdel-Azim Samira M. , El-Desouki Doaa S. , Mady Amr H. , Aman Delvin
Published: November 2023

An innovative strategy to reduce water pollution is adsorption-assisted photocatalysis. A novel mesoporous heterogeneous adsorbent MOF-5-based photocatalysts were successfully synthesized by a green method from plastic waste through a one-step solvothermal process. Additionally, ZnFe2O4 nanocrystals were physically ground with commercial Degussa P25 at room temperature to prepare ZF/P nanocomposite catalysts. These catalysts demonstrated significant photocatalytic activity for the removal of BTX from wastewater. BTX was successfully degraded in an aqueous solution utilizing integrated adsorption and photocatalytic degradation using the newly developed ZF/P@MOF-5 samples with 0.01% of ZF/P. The in-depth characterization of the ZF/P@MOF-5 confirmed its positive physicochemical properties, such as porous nature, stability, high surface area, beneficial functional groups on its surface, and photocatalytic activity. PL spectroscopy also shows that the ZF/P-incorporated MOF-5 nanocomposite has a lower electron-hole recombination rate. The as-prepared ZF/P@MOF-5 mesoporous heterogeneous adsorbent-photocatalyst presented high adsorption and maximum degradation of BTX under visible radiations after 180 min. The reusability results demonstrated that 20 P/ZF @MOF-5 composite can be used effectively for up to four cycles, which makes the process more economical. This experimental study demonstrates that the novel ZF/P-incorporated MOF-5 is a potential route to producing photocatalysts for dissociating BTX wastewater that is highly effective, stable, economical, and sustainable.
Dynamic interlining in bus operations
Authors: Zahedi Seyedmostafa , Koutsopoulos Haris N. , Ma Zhenliang
Published: November 2023

The paper introduces and evaluates the concept of the dynamic interlining of buses. Dynamic interlining is an operational strategy for routes with a terminal station at a common hub, allowing a portion of (or all) the fleet to be shared among the routes belonging to the hub (shared fleet) as needed. The shared fleet is dispatched on an on-demand basis to serve scheduled trips on any route to avoid delays and regulate services. The paper examines systematically the impacts of dynamic interlining on service reliability. It formulates the dispatching problem as an optimization problem and uses simulation to evaluate the dynamic interlining strategy under a variety of operating conditions. Using bus routes in Boston’s Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) as a case study, the strategy’s feasibility and factors that affect its performance are investigated. Results show that dynamic interlining can improve service reliability (increases on-time departures and decreases departure headways variability at the hub). The fraction of the fleet that is shared has the most dominant impact on performance. In the case where all buses are dynamically interlined, the performance improves as route frequency increases and more routes participate in the strategy.
Coupling engagement with analytical rigor: advancing research on religion and entrepreneurship using a mechanism-based approach
Authors: Dejardin Marcus , Hoogendoorn Brigitte , Janssen Frank , Rietveld Cornelius A. , van Burg Elco
Published: November 2023

Secularization processes alongside supposed tensions between science and religion may partly explain the slow development of literature on the relationship between religion and entrepreneurship. Nevertheless, the overwhelming number of submissions we received for the present special issue of Small Business Economics suggests a profound interest in this topic by researchers from all around the globe. In many of these submissions, the researcher’s own personal values or beliefs explicitly or implicitly motivated the research question, shaped the research design, and steered the interpretation of outcomes – regrettably, although this engagement often being at the expense of the study’s analytical rigor. We explain how the Weberian distinction between value-neutrality and value-relevance can help to increase the rigor of studies on the relationship between religion and entrepreneurship. Moreover, we propose a mechanism-based approach to explain and test the multiple interrelationships between religion and entrepreneurship because such mechanisms are often assumed rather than empirically tested. By drawing on and extending Saroglou’s religious dimensions model, we structure potential mechanisms between religion and entrepreneurship as well as between entrepreneurship and religion.
Halftime rotational atherectomy: a unique concept for diffuse long severely calcified lesions
Authors: Sakakura Kenichi , Jinnouchi Hiroyuki , Taniguchi Yousuke , Tsukui Takunori , Watanabe Yusuke , Yamamoto Kei , Seguchi Masaru , Fujita Hideo
Published: November 2023

Rotational atherectomy (RA) is technically more difficult in a diffuse calcified lesion than in a focal calcified lesion. We hypothesized that taking a halftime can be another option for RA to the diffuse calcified lesions. Halftime was defined as at least one long break during RA, in which an operator pulled out the Rotablator system from the guide catheter before crossing the lesion. This study aimed to compare the complications between RA with and without halftime. We included 177 diffuse long severely calcified lesions (lesion lengths ≥ 30 mm) that required RA, and divided those lesions into a halftime group (n = 29) and a no-halftime group (n = 148). The primary outcome was periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI). The reference diameter was smaller in the halftime group than in the no-halftime group [1.82 (1.70–2.06) mm versus 2.17 (1.89–2.59) mm, p = 0.002]. The total run time was longer in the halftime group than in the non-halftime group [133.0 (102.0–223.0) seconds versus 71.5 (42.0–108.0) seconds, p < 0.001]. Although creatinine kinase (CK) and CK–myocardial band (MB) was significantly higher in the halftime group than in the no-halftime group [CK: 156 (97–308) U/L versus 99 (59–216) U/L, p = 0.021; CK–MB: 15 (8–24) U/L versus 5 (3–15) U/L, p < 0.001], periprocedural MI was not observed in the halftime group. In conclusion, periprocedural MI was not observed in RA with halftime. This preliminary study suggests that halftime RA may be a safe option for diffuse severely calcified lesions.

Graphical abstract
Recent progress in the conversion of agricultural waste into functional materials
Authors: Nqoro Xhamla , Taziwa Raymond , Popoola Patricia
Published: November 2023

Agricultural waste is enriched with a variety of environmentally friendly materials that can potentially boost economic growth, reduce the spread of contagious diseases, and serve as a carbon-free renewable energy bioresource. Biopolymers produced from agricultural waste have a range of applications in medicine, agriculture, pharmaceutics, and industrial factories. The chemical extraction of biopolymers from biomass requires a series of alternating alkali, acid, and alkali treatments at controlled temperatures. Chemical extraction of plant-based biopolymers requires elevated temperatures (70–100°C), while for animal and sea organism-based biopolymers, moderate temperatures of 25–60°C are used. The obtained biopolymers are functionalized into various materials for application in a wide range of industries. The reported functional materials are loaded with inorganic nanomaterials, plant extracts, and organic compounds, which resulted in a synergistic effect and enhanced activity of the materials. Several researchers have synthesized biopolymers with synthetic polymers to improve their bioavailability, tensile strength, shelf life, and UV adsorption. This review article reports the extraction techniques of biopolymers from agricultural waste and their application in wound healing, water treatment, food storage, passive cooling, and cosmetics. The dearth of scientific articles on the applications of biopolymers generated from agricultural waste produced from food crops grown in Africa is a motivation for the present compilation.
Diet-Related Risk Factors for Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases in Italian Prisoners: B.A.C.I. (Benessere All’interno delle Carceri Italiane, Well-Being Inside the Italian Prisons) Project by the Italian Society of Penitentiary Medicine and Public Health (S.I.M.S.Pe. Società Italiana di Medicina e Sanità Penitenziaria)
Authors: Verde Ludovica , Pagano Antonio Maria , de Leo Monica , Vetrani Claudia , Ambretti Antinea , Lucania Luciano , Babudieri Sergio , De Chiara Anna , Colao Annamaria , Corsi Michele , Muscogiuri Giovanna , Barrea Luigi
Published: November 2023

Purpose of Review

The review aims to present an overview of inmate health, focusing on lifestyle-related diseases, physical activity levels, and nutritional status. It also presents the B.A.C.I. (Benessere All’interno delle Carceri Italiane, well-being inside the Italian prisons) project, which aims to offers an innovative path of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) related to unhealthy lifestyles in prisons in the Campania region, Italy.

Recent Findings

The global prison population has risen by 24% since the year 2000, with over 10.77 million people detained worldwide in 2021. In Italy alone, there are currently over 57,000 inmates. Inmates face a higher risk of NCDs such as cardiovascular disease due to unhealthy lifestyles characterized by poor diets and lack of physical activity. Additionally, sleep disorders, particularly insomnia, are prevalent among inmates, further contributing to health disparities. While physical activity has shown positive effects on inmate well-being, there is limited research on nutritional status and interventions in prison populations.

Providing quality healthcare to inmates is an international policy norm, but the standards vary globally and are often inadequate. The economic burden of NCDs is rising, and this is exacerbated in prisons, making it challenging for individuals to reintegrate into society after release.
Estimating Costs Associated with Disease Model States Using Generalized Linear Models: A Tutorial
Authors: Zhou Junwen , Williams Claire , Keng Mi Jun , Wu Runguo , Mihaylova Borislava
Published: November 2023

Estimates of costs associated with disease states are required to inform decision analytic disease models to evaluate interventions that modify disease trajectory. Increasingly, decision analytic models are developed using patient-level data with a focus on heterogeneity between patients, and there is a demand for costs informing such models to reflect individual patient costs. Statistical models of health care costs need to recognize the specific features of costs data which typically include a large number of zero observations for non-users, and a skewed and heavy right-hand tailed distribution due to a small number of heavy healthcare users. Different methods are available for modelling costs, such as generalized linear models (GLMs), extended estimating equations and latent class approaches. While there are tutorials addressing approaches to decision modelling, there is no practical guidance on the cost estimation to inform such models. Therefore, this tutorial aims to provide a general guidance on estimating healthcare costs associated with disease states in decision analytic models. Specifically, we present a step-by-step guide to how individual participant data can be used to estimate costs over discrete periods for participants with particular characteristics, based on the GLM framework. We focus on the practical aspects of cost modelling from the conceptualization of the research question to the derivation of costs for an individual in particular disease states. We provide a practical example with step-by-step R code illustrating the process of modelling the hospital costs associated with disease states for a cardiovascular disease model.
Nach der Digitalisierung
Authors: Schumacher Eckhard
Published: November 2023

In dem Maß, in dem Gegenwartsliteratur gängige Auffassungen von Literatur wie von Gegenwart irritieren kann, kann sie auch als Impulsgeber und Korrektiv für eine Literaturwissenschaft fungieren, die nicht immer schon voraussetzt zu wissen, was Literatur ist. Sichtbar geworden ist dies zuletzt in Auseinandersetzungen mit Sozialen Medien, bei denen in Experimenten mit digitalen Tools wie im Rahmen konventionellerer Formen von Literatur und korrespondierender Theoriediskurse literarische und zeitdiagnostische Schreibweisen aneinanderrücken und auf je verschiedene Weise das hervorbringen, was als »Gegenwartsvergegenwärtigung« bezeichnet werden kann.
Fractional-view analysis of the transmission dynamics of a bacterial infection with nonlocal and nonsingular kernel
Authors: Degaichia Hakima , Jan Rashid , Rehman Ziad Ur , Boulaaras Salah , Jan Asif
Published: November 2023

An enormous cost is placed on people, communities, and healthcare systems by bacterial infections. Measures of the burden of bacterial infections include morbidity, mortality, economic expenditures, and overall effects on public health. Campylobacteriosis is a bacterial infection imposes a significant economic burden on both individuals and societies due to its prevalence, healthcare costs, and the associated loss of productivity. In our research, we develop a model to analyze the transmission of campylobacteriosis infection, taking into account factors such as vaccination and treatment. We also examine the fundamental characteristics of fractional calculus to understand the model better. The equilibria of the model are studied, and we calculate the reproduction parameter denoted as $$\mathcal{R}_{0}$$

R
0

. Furthermore, we provide proof of stability for the equilibria of the system. Lastly, we conduct numerical investigations to explore the variation of the system’s reproduction parameter with different input parameters. We have established the necessary conditions to ensure the existence and uniqueness of solutions for the proposed model of campylobacteriosis infection. To better understand the complex dynamics of campylobacteriosis infection, we conduct various simulations of the suggested model while modifying the input factors. These simulations allow us to investigate the effects of different input parameters on the dynamics of campylobacteriosis infection. We analyze the dynamic behavior of the system to develop efficient control strategies for managing the infection. Notable improvements have been observed by reducing the order of the fractional derivative. Based on our findings, we propose various factors to the policy makers in the community to mitigate the spread of campylobacteriosis infection.
Comparison of different mulching options for improving water productivity and maize yield in a semi-arid climate, Northern Ethiopia, Tigray
Authors: Yisfa Teame , Grum Berhane , Aregay Gebremeskel
Published: November 2023

This study compared the effectiveness of organic and inorganic mulching options for improving soil moisture content (SMC), water productivity (WP), and maize yield. The objectives of the study were to (a) investigate the effects of organic and inorganic mulches on SMC and water productivity, (b) quantify maize yield improvements due to the application of organic and inorganic mulches. The experiment was set up with a randomized complete block design with four treatments, namely black plastic mulch (BPM), white plastic mulch (WPM), flax straw mulch (FSM), and a control. The result indicated that WPM, BPM, and FSM increased maize yield by 66.1, 47.0, and 1.9% compared to the control. The net returns with the application of WPM, BPM and FSM were 1459.0, 1119.6, and 847.1 USD/hectare, respectively. Similarly, WPM, BPM, and FSM increased WP by 184.5, 127.6, and 39.4%, respectively. SMC was also increased by 16, 10.8, and 3.5% by WPM, BPM, and FSM, respectively. Inorganic mulches had a significant effect on WP and maize yield. On the other hand, FSM did not have any significant effect on WP and maize yield. The findings of this study indicated that inorganic mulches are useful for improving WP and maize yield. It is therefore necessary to apply inorganic mulches to improve WP and maximize maize yield in areas with a semi-arid climate such as northern Ethiopia.
Trichomonas vaginalis and human papillomavirus: Association with the microbiota and burden on the cervix
Authors: Osafo Kelvin Stefan , Lin Wenyu , Dong Binhua , Sun Pengming
Published: November 2023

Trichomoniasis and HPV infection are common non-viral and viral sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. Emerging evidence shows that the female genital tract and its microbiota are greatly affected by these pathogens. However, the relationship between Trichomonas vaginalis, the vaginal microbiome, and High-risk (HR)-HPV infection is complex and multifaceted. Studies have proven that concurrent infections of HIV and HPV increase the risk of cervical cancer. With this basis, a question arises: How does the concurrent infection of trichomonas vaginalis and HPV affect genital tract health? Does this concurrent infection enhance or inhibit the development of cervical lesions? This review aims to bring light to these questions. This review also covers the association of trichomonas vaginalis and HPV with the microbiota of the genital tract.