bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on mechanical properties of 2219 aluminum alloy bobbin tool friction stir welding
Authors: Li Xitong , An Tiancheng , Lan Jinlong , Hu Xia , Hu Jiaqi
Published: August 2023

The Bobbin tool friction stir welding (BT-FSW) process experiment was performed on 2219 aluminum alloy with different butt clearances and misalignments. The maximum allowable clearance and misalignment amount for BT-FSW were obtained, and the weld formation, mechanical properties and microstructure under different parameters were compared and analysed. The results show that the face and back sides of the weld joint surface are perfect and there are no defect inside with the butt clearance under 2 mm and the misalignment under 1.5 mm. During the increase of butt clearance and misalignment, the tensile strength of the weld will be decreased gradually. In comparison, the impact of misalignment on weld strength is lower than that of the butt clearance. The tensile strength from both of them will reach more than 60% of the base metal strength. The lowest hardness value occurs in the thermal-mechanical influence zone, which is 79.1HV, about 70% of the base metal hardness value. The microstructure characteristics are similar to those of conventional friction stir welding. The macroscopic morphology of the welded joint is typical ‘dumbbell type’, and there are many ‘dimples’ in the tensile fracture, which is a typical ductile fracture. A large number of dispersed phase particles (Al2Cu) were found in the dimples, which is the main reason for the decrease in mechanical strength and hardness compared with the substrate.
‘Magic’ of twisted multi-layered graphene and 2D nano-heterostructures
Authors: Saumya K , Naskar S , Mukhopadhyay T
Published: August 2023

Two-dimensional materials with a single or few layers are exciting nano-scale materials that exhibit unprecedented multi-functional properties including optical, electronic, thermal, chemical and mechanical characteristics. A single layer of different 2D materials or a few layers of the same material may not always have the desired application-specific properties to an optimal level. In this context, a new trend has started gaining prominence lately to develop engineered nano-heterostructures by algorithmically stacking multiple layers of single or different 2D materials, wherein each layer could further have individual twisting angles. The enormous possibilities of forming heterostructures through combining a large number of 2D materials with different numbers, stacking sequences and twisting angles have expanded the scope of nano-scale design well beyond considering only a 2D material mono-layer with a specific set of given properties. Magic angle twisted bilayer graphene (BLG), a functional variant of van der Waals heterostructures, has created a buzz recently since it achieves unconventional superconductivity and Mott insulation at around 1.1∘ twist angle. These findings have ignited the interest of researchers to explore a whole new family of 2D heterostructures by introducing twists between layers to tune and enhance various multi-physical properties individually as well as their weighted compound goals. Here we aim to abridge outcomes of the relevant literature concerning twist-dependent physical properties of BLG and other multi-layered heterostructures, and subsequently highlight their broad-spectrum potential in critical engineering applications. The evolving trends and challenges have been critically analysed along with insightful perspectives on the potential direction of future research.
Machine learning for accurate methane concentration predictions: short-term training, long-term results
Authors: Luo Ran , Wang Jingyi , Gates Ian
Published: August 2023

Although methane emissions from Alberta’s oil and gas sector have decreased in recent years, monitoring these emissions using Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS) can be costly. Predictive Emissions Monitoring Systems (PEMS), powered by machine learning, offer an alternative to or can supplement CEMS. However, effective machine learning models for methane emissions prediction rely heavily on the amount of training data. To address this, we compare the prediction performance of different neural network models, including Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Stacked LSTM, Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), and Bidirectional LSTM (BiLSTM), using varying time intervals for training of methane concentration data from Alberta airshed stations. The results showed that the GRU model performed better with shorter datasets, whereas the LSTM and Stacked LSTM models outperformed the GRU and BiLSTM models when trained with more historical data. However, the study found that more training data did not necessarily result in significantly better prediction models.
Graph Neural Networks and 3-dimensional topology
Authors: Jin Ri Song , Putrov Pavel
Published: August 2023

We test the efficiency of applying geometric deep learning to the problems in low-dimensional topology in a certain simple setting. Specifically, we consider the class of 3-manifolds described by plumbing graphs and use graph neural networks (GNN) for the problem of deciding whether a pair of graphs give homeomorphic 3-manifolds. We use supervised learning to train a GNN that provides the answer to such a question with high accuracy. Moreover, we consider reinforcement learning by a GNN to find a sequence of Neumann moves that relates the pair of graphs if the answer is positive. The setting can be understood as a toy model of the problem of deciding whether a pair of Kirby diagrams give diffeomorphic 3- or 4-manifolds.
Media and their Emergence: The Ontology
Authors: Simons Peter
Published: August 2023

In any field of research, philosophical groundedness requires an ontology, a structured inventory of the objects of the field and an account of their principal interrelations and modes of operation. The concept of emergence was developed in the nineteenth century in connection with debates about the status of life and mind. Although there are several varieties of emergence, it is philosophically fairly well understood. By contrast, the more specific notion of a medium and the taxonomy of the various media is less well defined and, correspondingly, its ontology is in need of more work. This contribution uses modern taxonomic methods to provide a rational ontology and taxonomy of media, making room for new and unexpected media, and inquiring whether such novelty counts as emergence in any philosophically interesting sense.
New Realism and New Media: from Documentality to Normativity
Authors: Ferraris Maurizio
Published: August 2023

The aim of this paper is to redefine the role of media in contemporary society, in the light of the theories of new realism and documentality. The chapter starts by refuting the view that everything is socially constructed and that the media actually produce reality (postmodernism). It argues that, instead, both media and social reality emerge from a solid ground of reality that is independent of thought (new realism). The chapter also claims that (contrary to Searle’s view) the fundamental rule of social reality is that of documentality: that is to say, documents produce social reality as a whole, including media. Finally, it posits that human thought (and, therefore, social reality, which is one of its sophisticated products) ultimately does not only depend on being, but also emerges out of it.
The Pygmalionic Impulse: A Neoromanticism for Emerging Media
Authors: Krebs Victor J.
Published: August 2023

McLuhan’s The Medium Is the Message announced a new task for philosophers: gauging the manner and extent to which technological changes transform our basic faculties of (collective) experience (rational thinking, feeling, intuiting, empathizing, imagining). The more traditionally repressed of these basic capacities in philosophical discourse are nevertheless the ones most directly affected by newly emerging media. After 2500 years of exploring reason in the West, it may be time for a deeper exploration into the spontaneous vitality,“the submerged iceberg beyond the mere tip that is reason,” as Ortega y Gasset argues. Ethical questions are not anymore about what is right or good but about the need to transform and overcome our resistance to finitude and mortality by learning to see the concrete circumstances of our words, actions, and feelings as conditions for things’ standing in the world.
From Traditional Documentation to Network Media
Authors: Thomas Neal
Published: August 2023

This chapter gives an account of how documentary theory fits together with the network information environment. From the eighteenth century onward, modern documentation techniques have been used to name and organize natural entities, books and documents of all sorts. In this context, the reference of an entity, and to a more limited degree its sense, are determined by a controlled vocabulary, precoordinate indexes, and classification schemes. Such taxonomies, ontologies, and classification schemes all play essentially the same role: imposing control on natural language ambiguity, in order to precisely name an entity in relationship to other entities. They are structural, transcendentally imposed languages that users appropriate. Acknowledging this line of thinking, the chapter gives way to a discussion of more contemporary, emergent forms of naming and classification, which involve the use of social feedback to produce semantic structures that persist in a more topological form.
Association of the fibronectin type III domain–containing protein 5 rs1746661 single nucleotide polymorphism with reduced brain glucose metabolism in elderly humans
Authors: Lima-Filho Ricardo A S , Benedet Andréa L , De Bastiani Marco Antônio , Povala Guilherme , Cozachenco Danielle , Ferreira Sergio T , De Felice Fernanda G , Rosa-Neto Pedro , Zimmer Eduardo R , Lourenco Mychael V ,   Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: August 2023

Fibronectin type III domain–containing protein 5 (FNDC5) and its derived hormone, irisin, have been associated with metabolic control in humans, with described FNDC5 single nucleotide polymorphisms being linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome. Decreased brain FNDC5/irisin has been reported in subjects with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. Since impaired brain glucose metabolism develops in ageing and is prominent in Alzheimer’s disease, here, we examined associations of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the FNDC5 gene (rs1746661) with brain glucose metabolism and amyloid-β deposition in a cohort of 240 cognitively unimpaired and 485 cognitively impaired elderly individuals from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. In cognitively unimpaired elderly individuals harbouring the FNDC5 rs1746661(T) allele, we observed a regional reduction in low glucose metabolism in memory-linked brain regions and increased brain amyloid-β PET load. No differences in cognition or levels of cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-β42, phosphorylated tau and total tau were observed between FNDC5 rs1746661(T) allele carriers and non-carriers. Our results indicate that a genetic variant of FNDC5 is associated with low brain glucose metabolism in elderly individuals and suggest that FNDC5 may participate in the regulation of brain metabolism in brain regions vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease pathophysiology. Understanding the associations between genetic variants in metabolism-linked genes and metabolic brain signatures may contribute to elucidating genetic modulators of brain metabolism in humans.
Reinforcing path marginalization: revealing the unaccounted labour organization at a mining frontier in Indonesia
Authors: Vela-Almeida Diana , Karlsen Asbjørn
Published: August 2023

How could we conceptualize path development taking place in regions dominated by extracting industries and subsistence economies? The article expands existing Evolutionary Economic Geography theory by focussing on extractive economies in a peripheral region that has, thus far, barely been covered. It challenges existing conceptualizations by highlighting a tin producing island in Indonesia. The article introduces the concept of path marginalization and its reinforcing mechanisms that explain the dynamics between large and artisanal mining activities. It examines how the mining path is reproduced by the interaction between multiple forms of labour organization that are normally unaccounted for.
Worldwide impact of COVID-19 on hospital admissions for non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTACS): a systematic review with meta-analysis of 553 038 cases
Authors: Sofi Francesco , Dinu Monica , Reboldi GianPaolo , Lotti Sofia , Genovese Luca , Tritto Isabella , Gensini GianFranco , Gibson Charles Michael , Ambrosio Giuseppe
Published: August 2023

Background

How coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impacted non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTACS) is an object of controversial reports.

Aim

To systematically review studies reporting NSTACS hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic, and analyse whether differences in COVID-19 epidemiology, methodology of report, or public health-related factors could contribute to discrepant findings.

Methods

Comprehensive search (Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Register), of studies reporting NSTACS hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with a reference period, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines. Data were independently extracted by multiple investigators and pooled using a random-effects model. Health-related metrics were from publicly available sources, and analysed through multiple meta-regression modelling.

Results

We retrieved 102 articles (553 038 NSTACS cases, 40 countries). During peak COVID-19 pandemic, overall incidence rate ratio (IRR) of NSTACS hospitalizations over reference period decreased (0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66–0.75; P < 0.00001). Significant heterogeneity was detected among studies (I2 = 98%; P < 0.00001). Importantly, wide variations were observed among, and within, countries. No significant differences were observed by study quality, whereas comparing different periods within 2020 resulted in greater decrease (IRR: 0.61; CI: 0.53–0.71) than comparing 2020 vs. previous years (IRR: 0.74; CI 0.69–0.79). Among many variables, major predictors of heterogeneity were severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 reproduction rate/country, number of hospitals queried, and reference period length; country stringency index and socio-economical indicators did not contribute significantly.

Conclusions

During the COVID-19 pandemic, NSTACS hospitalizations decreased significantly worldwide. However, substantial heterogeneity emerged among countries, and within the same country. Factors linked to public health management, but also to methodologies to collect results may have contributed to this heterogeneity.

Trial registration

The protocol was registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (ID: CRD42022308159).
Winter is Coming: Early-life Experiences and Politicians’ Decisions
Authors: Guo Shiqi , Gao Nan , Liang Pinghan
Published: August 2023

This paper traces the formation of politicians’ policy preferences to their early-life experiences. Based on biographical information on 2,806 county party secretaries in China and fiscal data from the 1,713 counties they governed during the 1998–2007 period, we find that a one-percentage-point increase in the early-life famine severity experienced by a county party secretary increases fiscal expenditures on agriculture by 0.8% and on social security subsidies by 1.1%. Agricultural taxes are reduced significantly, boosting grain production in the county party secretaries’ work counties. Our findings suggest that county party secretaries who experience early-life famine may develop preferences for food sufficiency and care for people suffering hardships.
Persuadable or Dissuadable Altruists? The Impact of Information of Recipient Characteristics on Giving
Authors: Gangadharan Lata , Grossman Philip J , Huang Lingbo , Leister C Matthew , Xiao Erte
Published: August 2023

We investigate how information about recipients’ characteristics affects donors’ giving as opposed to when no information is available. In a rational model in which information causes a donor to update their assessment of the recipient's deservingness, we introduce the idea that altruism can be ‘persuadable’ (‘dissuadable’) by information about positive (negative) characteristics. We report data from three experiments in which donors are provided information regarding three recipient characteristics: alcoholism, attending courses, and disability. Across different characteristics, our results are broadly consistent with the predictions of persuadable altruism. Overall, we find a positive net impact of providing information on aggregate giving.
Patterns of cigarette and e-cigarette use among UK adolescents: a latent class analysis of the Millennium Cohort Study
Authors: Vrinten Charlotte , Parnham Jennie C , Radó Márta K , Filippidis Filippos T , Creese Hanna , Hopkinson Nicholas S , Laverty Anthony A
Published: August 2023

Background

Patterning of cigarette and e-cigarette use among young people remains poorly characterized. We aimed to describe these patterns in the UK Millennium Cohort Study at age 14 and 17 years.

Methods

Data on cigarette and e-cigarette use come from 9731 adolescents. Latent class analysis assigned participants to membership of classes of product use and multinomial logistic regression analyses assessed differences in the likelihood of belonging to classes by sociodemographic (age, gender, ethnicity, household income, maternal education and country of residence) and smoking-related social factors (caregiver tobacco use, caregiver e-cigarette use and peer smoking).

Results

We identified four classes of use: 45.8% of adolescents ‘continued to abstain’ from cigarettes or e-cigarettes; 21.3% ‘experimented’ (used once or in the past but not currently) with cigarettes and/or e-cigarettes by age 17 but were not current users; 19.0% were ‘late adopters’, characterized by low levels of use at age 14 but high levels of experimentation and current use at age 17; and 13.9% were ‘early adopters’, characterized by high levels of experimentation and current use at ages 14 and 17. At age 17, 70.4% of ‘early adopters’ smoked cigarettes regularly plus an additional 27.3% experimented with cigarettes. Corresponding percentages for e-cigarettes were 37.9% and 58.9%. Tobacco and e-cigarette use by caregivers, and cigarette use by peers, were associated with being both ‘late adopters’ and ‘early adopters’.

Conclusions

Approximately one in seven adolescents in the UK are ‘early adopters’ of nicotine products. This highlights the need to develop and implement effective policies to prevent nicotine use uptake.
Countering vaccine hesitancy: a systematic review of interventions to strengthen healthcare professionals’ action
Authors: Lo Moro Giuseppina , Ferrara Maria , Langiano Elisa , Accortanzo Davide , Cappelletti Toni , De Angelis Aldo , Esposito Maurizio , Prinzivalli Alessandro , Sannella Alessandra , Sbaragli Sara , Vuolanto Pia , Siliquini Roberta , De Vito Elisabetta
Published: August 2023

Background

Vaccine hesitancy is relevant for healthcare professionals (HCPs) who face challenges in building trusting relationships with patients. Accordingly, the VAX-TRUST project has been developed to improve experiences of HCPs and patients dealing with vaccinations. To support VAX-TRUST, this work aimed to identify latest interventions targeted at HCPs to address hesitancy and increase vaccine uptake.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA by searching PubMed, Scopus and Embase. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO. Articles were eligible if evaluated interventions directly targeted at HCPs/healthcare students. The search was run on 26 January 2022. Articles published in 2016 or after were included.

Results

A total of 17 492 records were identified; 139 articles were selected. Most articles were set in USA (n = 110). Over half had a pre–post design without a control group (n = 78). A total of 41 articles focused on single-component interventions, 60 on multi-component interventions involving only HCPs and/or students and 38 on multi-component interventions involving also other professionals. Main components were in-person education (n = 76), synchronous (n = 10) and asynchronous (n = 23) online learning, educational materials (n = 26), performance assessment and feedback (n = 33), electronic record changes (n = 30), role play/simulation (n = 21) and online games/apps (n = 5). Educational sessions were mainly about scientific update or communication. Outcomes of interventions were grouped in: vaccination rates (n = 69), knowledge (n = 32), attitudes (n = 26), confidence in counselling (n = 30) and acceptability (n = 16).

Conclusions

Apps, gaming, role play/simulations could represent innovative interventions. This review highlighted the need of delving into communication strategies and using more robust evaluations, longer follow-up and standardized measurements.
Nonpharmacological home remedies for upper respiratory tract infections: a cross-sectional study of primary care patients in Switzerland and France
Authors: Sebo Paul , Winkler Neria E , Moussa Mohamed Amir , Haller Dagmar M , Maisonneuve Hubert
Published: August 2023

Background

Many patients might be tempted to use nonpharmacological home remedies (NPHRs) to relieve upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms. However, primary care physicians (PCPs) rarely recommend NPHRs due to a lack of knowledge in this field. We conducted a questionnaire-based survey among primary care patients in Switzerland and France to explore which NPHRs they use and consider effective for 3 common URTI symptoms: sore throat/cough/common cold.

Methods

Using official physician registries, we randomly selected 50 PCPs in Geneva (Switzerland) and Lyon/Grenoble (France). Seven research assistants were involved in the recruitment of consecutive patients from the waiting rooms of these PCPs (20–25 patients per practice). Patients were asked to complete a paper-based questionnaire to assess the use and perceived effectiveness of 72 NPHRs for URTI symptoms. The list of NPHRs was developed by our research team with the help of 97 patients. Remedies were considered effective if patients reported that they were effective/very effective. Data were analysed descriptively.

Results

Of the 1,198 eligible patients, 1,012 agreed to participate (84.5%). The 4 most frequently used NPHRs were honey/lemon/thyme/herbal teas. Most patients using these NPHRs considered them as effective (between 77% of patients for onion syrup for cough and 94% of patients for thyme inhalations for common colds).

Conclusions

Many patients reported using honey/lemon/thyme/herbal teas for URTI symptoms, and generally considered these treatments to be effective. Future research should explore the extent to which these remedies can be safely proposed as alternatives for the symptomatic treatment of ear/nose/throat complaints in primary care.
The copper-responsive regulator CsoR is indirectly involved in Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens denitrification
Authors: Pacheco Pedro J , Cabrera Juan J , Jiménez-Leiva Andrea , Torres María J , Gates Andrew J , Bedmar Eulogio J , Richardson David J , Mesa Socorro , Tortosa Germán , Delgado María J
Published: August 2023

The soybean endosymbiont Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens harbours the complete denitrification pathway that is catalysed by a periplasmic nitrate reductase (Nap), a copper (Cu)-containing nitrite reductase (NirK), a c-type nitric oxide reductase (cNor), and a nitrous oxide reductase (Nos), encoded by the napEDABC, nirK, norCBQD, and nosRZDFYLX genes, respectively. Induction of denitrification genes requires low oxygen and nitric oxide, both signals integrated into a complex regulatory network comprised by two interconnected cascades, FixLJ–FixK2–NnrR and RegSR–NifA. Copper is a cofactor of NirK and Nos, but it has also a role in denitrification gene expression and protein synthesis. In fact, Cu limitation triggers a substantial down-regulation of nirK, norCBQD, and nosRZDFYLX gene expression under denitrifying conditions. Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens genome possesses a gene predicted to encode a Cu-responsive repressor of the CsoR family, which is located adjacent to copA, a gene encoding a putative Cu+-ATPase transporter. To investigate the role of CsoR in the control of denitrification gene expression in response to Cu, a csoR deletion mutant was constructed in this work. Mutation of csoR did not affect the capacity of B. diazoefficiens to grow under denitrifying conditions. However, by using qRT-PCR analyses, we showed that nirK and norCBQD expression was much lower in the csoR mutant compared to wild-type levels under Cu-limiting denitrifying conditions. On the contrary, copA expression was significantly increased in the csoR mutant. The results obtained suggest that CsoR acts as a repressor of copA. Under Cu limitation, CsoR has also an indirect role in the expression of nirK and norCBQD genes.
A Chromosome-Level Reference Genome for the Black-Legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), a Declining Circumpolar Seabird
Authors: Sozzoni Marcella , Ferrer Obiol Joan , Formenti Giulio , Tigano Anna , Paris Josephine R , Balacco Jennifer R , Jain Nivesh , Tilley Tatiana , Collins Joanna , Sims Ying , Wood Jonathan , Benowitz-Fredericks Z Morgan , Field Kenneth A , Seyoum Eyuel , Gatt Marie Claire , Léandri-Breton Don-Jean , Nakajima Chinatsu , Whelan Shannon , Gianfranceschi Luca , Hatch Scott A , Elliott Kyle H , Shoji Akiko , Cecere Jacopo G , Jarvis Erich D , Pilastro Andrea , Rubolini Diego
Published: August 2023

Amidst the current biodiversity crisis, the availability of genomic resources for declining species can provide important insights into the factors driving population decline. In the early 1990s, the black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), a pelagic gull widely distributed across the arctic, subarctic, and temperate zones, suffered a steep population decline following an abrupt warming of sea surface temperature across its distribution range and is currently listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Kittiwakes have long been the focus for field studies of physiology, ecology, and ecotoxicology and are primary indicators of fluctuating ecological conditions in arctic and subarctic marine ecosystems. We present a high-quality chromosome-level reference genome and annotation for the black-legged kittiwake using a combination of Pacific Biosciences HiFi sequencing, Bionano optical maps, Hi-C reads, and RNA-Seq data. The final assembly spans 1.35 Gb across 32 chromosomes, with a scaffold N50 of 88.21 Mb and a BUSCO completeness of 97.4%. This genome assembly substantially improves the quality of a previous draft genome, showing an approximately 5× increase in contiguity and a more complete annotation. Using this new chromosome-level reference genome and three more chromosome-level assemblies of Charadriiformes, we uncover several lineage-specific chromosome fusions and fissions, but find no shared rearrangements, suggesting that interchromosomal rearrangements have been commonplace throughout the diversification of Charadriiformes. This new high-quality genome assembly will enable population genomic, transcriptomic, and phenotype–genotype association studies in a widely studied sentinel species, which may provide important insights into the impacts of global change on marine systems.
Human Creative Contribution to AI-Based Output – One Just Can(’t) Get Enough
Authors: Militsyna Kateryna
Published: August 2023

The article attempts to clarify the issue of the copyrightability of AI-based output by streamlining the assessment of human creative contribution to the creation process assisted by generative AI systems. It starts with briefly outlining the state of the art of modern generative AI systems contributing to a better understanding of AI. Then the article presents a five-part test to distinguish between sufficient and insufficient human creative participation and contemplates the following authorship scenarios: sole authorship of AI designers or users; their joint authorship; and non-authorship. The article proceeds with applying the test to output produced using Midjourney, a generative AI tool. It concludes that in many cases of using AI to create output human creative participation remains sufficient for copyright protection eligibility. However, there are also developments and circumstances that drive the increase in ‘authorless’ AI-based output. Moreover, depending on the specific circumstances, using even the same AI system may lead to different test results.
Hospitals’ uneven recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Rhodes Jordan H , Santos Tatiane , Young Gary J
Published: August 2023

Using hospital cost report data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, we examined the changes in hospitals’ operating margins and total margins between 2019 and 2021. We found that, as of 2021, hospitals’ operating margins had not fully rebounded to 2019 levels, although they had recovered from the 2020 nadirs. Conversely, average total margins increased by 140% during this period across all US hospitals, with the most significant growth occurring among rural hospitals, publicly operated hospitals, and critical access hospitals. Rural hospitals exhibited the largest gains in total margins during this time, experiencing a 1600% increase from 2019 to 2021. Our findings indicate that government relief funding tied to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency significantly bolstered the financial health of the average hospital and had an outsize effect on lifting total margins among smaller hospitals that entered the pandemic in the most financially vulnerable position.
Reproductive capacity after gender-affirming testosterone therapy
Authors: Kinnear Hadrian M , Moravek Molly B
Published: August 2023

Transgender and nonbinary people with female birth sex may utilize testosterone therapy for masculinization. Individuals interested in reproduction using their own gametes should be offered fertility preservation prior to starting testosterone. However, logistical and practical barriers prevent many from accessing fertility preservation options prior to starting testosterone. Some of these transmasculine and nonbinary individuals may later become interested in carrying a pregnancy or using their oocytes for reproduction after being on testosterone. Many questions remain about the reproductive impact of long-term masculinizing testosterone therapy. Emerging literature has documented pregnancies and successful assisted reproduction for some people after taking testosterone, but it is not known whether individuals can expect these successful outcomes. Testosterone appears to impact the reproductive tract, including the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes, but the reversibility and functional impact of these changes also remain unclear. A greater understanding of the impact of masculinizing testosterone on reproductive capacity remains a priority area for future research.
Analysing the divide between technocrats and diplomats in international organizations
Authors: Pring Jamie
Published: August 2023

International Relations scholarship has examined how technical knowledge boosts the performance of international organizations, but has found that it could also lead to behaviour undermining their broader goals. Research has not reconciled these contrasting observations by specifying when and how technical proficiency leads to such dysfunction. Addressing these gaps, this article examines the connections among Communities of Practice (CoPs) within the organization in linking technical knowledge with other forms of knowledge, actors and tools crucial to address the larger environment, enhancing performance. To illustrate this, the article examines the role of two CoPs, namely, the technical CoP and the diplomatic CoP, in developing and deploying African Mediation Support Structures. The research uses qualitative analysis of official documents, reports, scholarly works and semi-structured expert interviews of officials, partners and analysts. It finds that disconnections among relevant CoPs foster an excessive focus on specific sets of knowledge and tools, particularly technical knowledge, at the expense of engaging others also crucial in addressing the IOs' operating environment, leading to dysfunction. Connections among CoPs promote a holistic response to the environment, enabling the organization to function according to its mandate.
Error estimates of high-order compact finite difference schemes for the nonlinear abcd s systems
Authors: Yi Su-Cheol , Fu Kai , Xie Shusen
Published: August 2023

In this paper, some fourth-order compact finite difference schemes are derived and analyzed for the nonlinear $abcd$ Boussinesq systems. The optimal order error estimates for the semidiscrete compact finite difference schemes with different cases of dispersion coefficients $a,\ b,\ c,\ d$, are presented. The third-order and fourth-order linearized implicit multistep schemes are adopted for time discretization, and numerical experiments are conducted on the model problems. Numerical results show that the proposed schemes have high accuracy and are consistent with the theoretical analysis.
Study of coaxial-dual-gap dielectric barrier discharge based on capillary: discharge characteristics and Escherichia coli decontamination
Authors: Zhu Di , Liu Dongping , Zhao Yao , Li Haiyu , Wang Zhishang , Lu Na
Published: August 2023

Aims

The medical capillary catheters occupy a high proportion of medical diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment devices, and will cause serious cross-infection without being disinfected adequately. This paper presents a new plasma structure for efficient inactivation of harmful microorganisms in medical capillaries.

Methods and results

An innovative coaxial-dual-gap dielectric barrier discharge reactor powered by nanosecond-pulsed power supply was designed for disinfection of Escherichia coli (E. coli) inside and outside medical capillary catheters in this work. Atmospheric helium plasma (AHP) and atmospheric air plasma (AAP) were successfully obtained inside and outside capillary (0.6 mm inner diameter and 1.0 mm outer diameter), respectively. The electrical and optical characteristics of AHP and AAP were investigated. As the threshold of applied voltage amplitude (Uamp) was <7.0 kV, only one helium glow discharge was generated inside the capillary at the rising and falling stages of pulse voltage. As the Uamp exceeded the threshold, two helium glow discharges were generated that further caused generation of air discharge. Under the Uamp of 9.0 kV, the production of AHP lowered the breakdown voltage in air gap, resulting in the formation of high-volume and uniform AAP, which was conducive to the realization of full inactivation. The inactivation rates of E. coli reached 98.13% and 99.99% by 2 min AHP and 0.5 min AAP treatment, respectively.

Conclusions

The electrical stress of AHP and the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species produced by AAP were contributed to the inactivation of E. coli. The results of SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) show that plasma treatment can destroy the cellular structure of E. coli.
Genetic diversity, plant growth promotion potential, and antimicrobial activity of culturable endophytic actinobacteria isolated from Aconitum carmichaelii Debeaux
Authors: Zou Lan , Zhang Yaopeng , Wang Qian , Wang Siyu , Li Muyi , Huang Jing
Published: August 2023

Aim

This study evaluated the phylogenetic diversity, plant growth promotion capacity, antifungal activity, and biocontrol potential of culturable actinobacterial endophytes isolated from the medicinal plant Aconitum carmichaelii Debeaux.

Methods and results

Isolation of actinobacteria from healthy A. carmichaelii plants was carried out on six different media. Full-length 16S rRNA gene was amplified by PCR from the genomic DNA of each strain. Indole-3-acetic acid and siderophore production were quantitatively assessed by the Salkowski and Chrome Azurol S methods, respectively. Rice seeds germination and seedling growth were employed to evaluate plant growth promotion capacities of candidate strains. Dual-culture assay and pot experiments were performed to investigate the antifungal and biocontrol potential of isolates. We obtained 129 actinobacterial isolates from A. carmichaelii, and they belonged to 49 species in 7 genera. These strains exhibited diverse plant growth promotion ability, among which one strain significantly enhanced rice seeds germination, while 31 strains significantly facilitated rice seedling growth. SWUST-123 showed strong antifungal activity against four pathogens in vitro and was most compatible with Qingchuan cultivar. SWUST-123 reduced around 40% of southern blight disease occurrence compared to blank control treatment. .

Conclusion

Aconitum carmichaelii harbored genetically diverse actinobacterial endophytes exhibiting diverse plant growth promotion and antifungal potential, some of which can be served as good candidates for biofertilizers and biocontrol agents.
Electronic health records and clinical documentation in medical residency programs: preparing residents to become master clinicians
Authors: Anderson Chad , Kaul Mala , Gullapalli Nageshwara , Pitani Sujatha
Published: August 2023

Objective

The ubiquity of electronic health records (EHRs) has made incorporating EHRs into medical practice an essential component of resident’s training. Patient encounters, an important element of practice, are impacted by EHRs through factors that include increasing documentation requirements. This research sheds light on the role of EHRs on resident clinical skills development with emphasis on their role in patient encounters.

Materials and Methods

We conducted qualitative semistructured interviews with 32 residents and 13 clinic personnel at an internal medicine residency program in a western US medical school focusing on the resident’s clinic rotation.

Results

Residents were learning to use the EHR to support and enhance their patient encounters, but one factor making that more challenging for many was the need to address quality measures. Quality measures could shift attention away from the primary reason for the encounter and addressing them consumed time that could have been spent diagnosing and treating the patient’s chief complaint. A willingness to learn on-the-job by asking questions was important for resident development in using the EHR to support their work and improve their clinical skills.

Discussion

Creating a culture where residents seek guidance on how to use the EHR and incorporate it into their work will support residents on their journey to become master clinicians. Shifting some documentation to the patient and other clinicians may also be necessary to keep from overburdening residents.

Conclusion

Residency programs must support residents as they develop their clinical skills to practice in a world where EHRs are ubiquitous.
Thoracoscopic esophagectomy with subcarinal lymph node dissection in the prone position for esophageal cancer with a right top pulmonary vein
Authors: Mikami Shinya , Enomoto Takeharu , Shimada Jun , Hiwatari Masaki , Tsukamoto Yoshitsugu , Hisatsune Yasuhito , Kimura Sae , Arifuku Hirotaka , Umezawa Saori , Otsubo Takehito
Published: August 2023

The right top pulmonary vein (RTPV), a rare pulmonary vein (PV) variant draining the right upper lobe, arises independently from the right superior PV, travels posterior to the right bronchial tree and drains directly into the left atrium (LA) or another PV. We report an RTPV discovered on preoperative computed tomography (CT) scanning in a 60-y-old man who subsequently underwent prone thoracoscopic esophagectomy and subcarinal lymph node dissection. The preoperative CT scan showed an anomalous vessel 7.8 mm in diameter arising from the right upper lobe, running posterior to the right main bronchus (RMB), and draining directly into the LA. To our best knowledge, this is the largest reported RTPV (7.8 mm in diameter) and is an extremely rare variant, passing posterior to the RMB and draining into the LA.
Linear logic in a refutational setting
Authors: Piazza Mario , Pulcini Gabriele , Tesi Matteo
Published: August 2023

Sequent-style refutation calculi with non-invertible rules are challenging to design because multiple proof-search strategies need to be simultaneously verified. In this paper, we present a refutation calculus for the multiplicative–additive fragment of linear logic ($\textsf{MALL}$) whose binary rule for the multiplicative conjunction $(\otimes )$ and the unary rule for the additive disjunction $(\oplus )$ fail invertibility. Specifically, we design a cut-free hypersequent calculus $\textsf{HMALL}$, which is equivalent to $\textsf{MALL}$, and obtained by transforming the usual tree-like shape of derivations into a parallel and linear structure. Next, we develop a refutation calculus $\overline{\textsf{HMALL}}$ based on the calculus $\textsf{HMALL}$. As far as we know, this is also the first refutation calculus for a substructural logic. Finally, we offer a fractional semantics for $\textsf{MALL}$—whereby its formulas are interpreted by a rational number in the closed interval [0, 1] —thus extending to the substructural landscape the project of fractional semantics already pursued for classical and modal logics.
Money, magic, and machines: International Telecommunication Union and liberalisation of telecommunications networks and services (1970s–1990s)
Authors: Mansouri Negar
Published: August 2023

This paper studies the liberalisation of telecommunication networks and services in the last quarter of the twentieth century, focusing on the role that the International Telecommunication Union played in creating the material, normative and ideological foundations of the pro-market global telecommunications order.
Building social capital in a new home country. A closer look into the predictors of bonding and bridging relationships of migrant populations at different education levels
Authors: Tuominen Minna , Kilpi-Jakonen Elina , García Velázquez Regina , Castaneda Anu , Kuusio Hannamaria
Published: August 2023

This article explores the factors that may facilitate or hinder the development of migrant social capital in a settlement country. We build on Robert Putnam’s dyad of bonding and bridging social capital, which are here combined into a single categorical dependent variable. As earlier research shows that higher educated migrants tend to form more extensive social relationships, we explore whether they draw from different background factors to build social capital than those with less education. Separate multinomial regression analyses are conducted for the two education groups using data from the Survey on Well-Being among Foreign Born Population in Finland (n: 5,247). The study finds important differences but also similarities between the education groups. The higher educated group most commonly possesses abundant social capital (i.e. extensive bonding and bridging relationships), while in the lower education group, the proportion of people with scarce social capital (limited bonding and bridging relationships) outnumbers those with abundant capital by over twofold. A satisfactory level of income emerges as the single most important underlying factor that both education groups draw from to build abundant social capital, but it is a far more common characteristic in the higher education group. Yet, income is not enough to explain the disparity between the education groups. Furthermore, the migration-related characteristics shield the higher education group from scarce or one-sided social capital. The lower educated group derive benefits from education obtained in the new home country. Individual characteristics outweigh the importance of context-related factors for social capital development.
Vaginal homeostasis features of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis through vaginal metabolic profiling
Authors: Chen Xinyi , Wang Jinbo , Chen Jing , Wang Guanghua , Zhang Runjie , Qiu Jin
Published: August 2023

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an inflammatory disease primarily infected by Candida albicans. The condition has good short-term treatment effects, high recurrence, and seriously affects the quality of life of women. Metabolomics has been applied to research a variety of inflammatory diseases. In the present study, the vaginal metabolic profiles of VVC patients and healthy populations (Cnotrol (CTL)) were explored by a non-targeted metabolomics approach. In total, 211 differential metabolites were identified, with the VVC group having 128 over-expressed and 83 under-expressed metabolites compared with healthy individuals. Functional analysis showed that these metabolites were mainly involved in amino acid metabolism and lipid metabolism. In addition, network software analysis indicated that the differential metabolites were associated with mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and NF-κB signaling. Further molecular docking suggested that linoleic acid can bind to the acyl-CoA synthetase 1 (ACSL1) protein, which has been shown to be associated with multiple inflammatory diseases and is an upstream regulator of the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways that mediate inflammation. Therefore, our preliminary analysis results suggest that VVC has a unique metabolic profile. Linoleic acid, a significantly elevated unsaturated fatty acid in the VVC group, may promote VVC development through the ACSL1/MAPK and ACSL1/NF-κB signaling pathways. This study's findings contribute to further exploring the mechanism of VVC infection and providing new perspectives for the treatment of Candida albicans vaginal infection.
Observed isavuconazole exposure: 5-year experience of azole TDM from a Spanish reference laboratory
Authors: Gomez-Lopez Alicia , Sanchez Galiano Susana , Ortega Madueño Sheila , Carballo Gonzalez Cristina
Published: August 2023

We aimed to assess patient exposure to isavuconazole (ISZ) from samples received in our laboratory for therapeutic antifungal monitoring. We used liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet (UV) absorbance detection adapted from a multiplex-validated method with photodiode array (PDA) detection to monitor the analytes. The latter device allows the characterization of the azoles UV spectra. The method was validated according to international guidelines for efficient ISZ monitoring.

The assay exhibited linearity between 0.25 and 16 mg/l for ISZ. Accuracy and intra- and inter-day precision were within acceptable ranges, and the method was successfully applied to quantify azoles and major metabolites from clinical samples collected from treated patients. We focus on ISZ blood concentrations and compared them to those of voriconazole, posaconazole, and itraconazole for a period of 5 years (2017–2021). Median ISZ concentration was 2.92 mg/l (interquartile range 1.82–5.33 mg/l) with 89% of measurements classified as adequate exposure (> 1 mg/l). Additionally, 71% of samples reach concentration values > 2 mg/l. Different ISZ exposure between adults to children were found.

In conclusion, ISZ achieves excellent blood concentrations compared to other azole drugs, they are almost identical to those previously described, they exceed the MICs of most fungi for which its use was recommended and they differ depending on the patient’s age. The method we describe for antifungal monitoring is simple, robust, and efficient. It simultaneously analyzes azoles and metabolites, and can be used for tailored interventions, achieve exposures associated with therapeutic success, decrease treatment-related toxicity, and help prevent resistance emergence due to continuous azole sub-optimal concentrations.