bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does uptake of specialty care affect HRQoL development in COPD patients beneficially? A difference-in-difference analysis linking claims and survey data
Authors: Stöber Alisa , Marijic Pavo , Kurz Christoph , Schwarzkopf Larissa , Kirsch Florian , Schramm Anja , Leidl Reiner
Published: January 2023

Background

There is an evidence gap on whether the choice of specialty care beneficially affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study analyzes how newly initiated pulmonologist care affects the generic and disease-specific HRQoL in COPD patients over a period of 1 year.

Methods

We linked claims data with data from two survey waves to investigate the longitudinal effect of specialty care on HRQoL using linear Difference-in-Difference models based on 1:3 propensity score matched data. Generic HRQoL was operationalized by EQ-5D-5L visual analog scale (VAS), and disease-specific HRQoL by COPD assessment test (CAT). Subgroup analyses examined COPD patients with low (GOLD AB) and high (GOLD CD) exacerbation risk.

Results

In contrast to routine care patients, pulmonologists’ patients (n = 442) experienced no significant deterioration in HRQoL (VAS − 0.0, p = 0.9870; CAT + 0.5, p = 0.0804). Models unveiled a small comparative advantage of specialty care on HRQoL (mean change: CAT − 0.8, VAS + 2.9), which was especially pronounced for GOLD AB (CAT − 0.7; VAS + 3.1).

Conclusion

The uptake of pulmonologist care had a statistically significant, but not clinically relevant, beneficial impact on the development of HRQoL by slowing down overall HRQoL deterioration within 1 year. Including specialty care more appropriately in COPD management, especially at lower disease stages (GOLD AB), could thus improve patients’ health outcome.
Comparative modal analysis in micro–nano-optical fiber tapers using spectral parameter power series method and exact modes method
Authors: Castillo-Perez R. , Ek-Ek J. R. , Jacome-Peñaherrera C. E. , Jauregui-Vazquez D. , Sanchez-Lara R. , Offerhaus H. L. , Alvarez-Chavez J. A.
Published: January 2023

This work presents a comparative theoretical analysis of spatial modal evolution in micro/nano-optical fiber (MNF) tapers. The study proposes the use of the Spectral Parameter Power Series (SPPS) Method and compares its performance with results from the so-called Exact Modes Method (EMM) and the Finite Element Method (FEM) (the method employed by the COMSOL© software in which the computations were implemented). By using these techniques, the modal analysis and intensity evolution are discussed along different sections of the optical fiber taper. Furthermore, the data are compared considering experimental values from a real micro/nano-optical fiber taper sample. The SPPS method offers a competitive accuracy and versatility to deal with graded index profiles, its computational costs are low, and its implementation is relatively easy. The results from the SPPS method fit to those of the EM method, which sometimes involves intricated models, and those of the FEM, which may require more computational time. The SPPS method offers an average relative error of less than 5% with respect to the exact method with less computational cost compared to the FEM method for radii bigger than 2 μm at 1550 nm.
Ultra-fast Surrogate Model for Magnetic Field Computation of a Superconducting Magnet Using Multi-layer Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Yazdani-Asrami Mohammad , Sadeghi Alireza , Song Wenjuan
Published: January 2023

Due to the inherent nonlinear and sophisticated nature of superconducting wires/tapes, magnetic field computation of superconducting magnets by means of finite element methods (FEMs) is a time-consuming and complicated procedure. Although Legendre series method (LSM) was proposed as an alternative of FEMs, LSMs are not still fast enough. In current research, a surrogate model based on multi-layer artificial neural networks (ANNs) was introduced for the first time to dramatically reduce the computation time of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnet. To do this, firstly, the data related to the magnetic field were extracted based on LSM simulations for around 5000 different coil geometries. After that, the geometries of coils were used as inputs to a semi-deep learning ANN-based model in MATLAB software package. The minimum magnetic field in diameter spherical volume, maximum and minimum of total magnetic field were considered as outputs of the model, known as field indices. Then, ANN model was trained to calculate these field indices for any coil geometry. By doing so, magnetic field indices were estimated with a high accuracy based on the target values and also with extremely higher speed, comparing to FEM and LSM. Results showed that it takes 15 to 17 s for the proposed model to calculate the field indices for 750 different geometries whereas it takes for LSM-based model about 4 h.
Are anthropogenic soils from dumpsites suitable for arable fields? Evaluation of soil fertility and transfer of potentially toxic elements to plants
Authors: Asare Michael O. , Száková Jiřina
Published: January 2023

Background and purpose

The fertility of anthropogenic soils developed from dumpsites used for arable fields is not well-studied. The study aimed to evaluate the fertility of anthropogenic soils from an abandoned dumpsite in Awotan, Nigeria, by measurable indicators and the bioaccessibility of elements of selected plant species.

Methods

The study adopted multi-analytical approaches to determine the signatures of the soils and further parameterized the bioaccessibility of elements to plants.

Results

The comparatively high content of Ca and Na in the anthropogenic soil contributed to the slightly alkaline soil reaction against the slightly acidic control. The high amount of organic matter is well-indicated by the enrichment of organic C and N in the anthropogenic soil. Waste deposition significantly contributed to the high accumulation of macronutrients (P, Ca, K, S) and micronutrients (Mn, Na, Fe) sufficient for maximum plant growth and yields, with an adequate C/N ratio supporting effective mineralization. The high cation exchange capacity of the anthropogenic soil contributed to cations binding. Indiscriminate waste deposition resulted in a high accumulation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs; Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb) above permissible limits in agricultural soils following WHO limits. Potential effects on lives are evident in the high PTEs accumulation in roots and leaves of Chromolaenaodorata, Saccopetalumtectonum, Passiflorafoetida, and Sennasiamea. These plant species exhibited various PTEs accumulation, especially for Cd and Pb.

Conclusion

Although anthropogenic soils remained fertile, the bioaccessibility of PTEs by plants indicates potential threats to consumers of crops and herbs produced from such sites.
Untangling the relationship between small and medium-sized enterprises and growth: a review of extant literature
Authors: Garcia-Martinez Luis Javier , Kraus Sascha , Breier Matthias , Kallmuenzer Andreas
Published: January 2023

The importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) increased in the recent years, particularly since 2007, with the intention to promote growth. This study aims to analyse the relationship between growth and SMEs and the different elements influencing this linkage. For this purpose, a systematic literature review was implemented. The analysis identifies seven factors affecting SMEs’ financial performance: size, age, internationalization, network, innovation, public institutions, and capital structure. These elements are significantly related with smaller firms and growth, influencing firms’ aptitudes towards performance. In addition, there seven factors could influence each other increasing the possibilities to grow. Further research investigating this literature gap is recommended.
Added value of ultra-short echo time and fast field echo using restricted echo-spacing MR imaging in the assessment of the osseous cervical spine
Authors: Deininger-Czermak Eva , Gascho Dominic , Franckenberg Sabine , Kälin Pascal , Blüthgen Christian , Villefort Christina , Thali Michael J. , Guggenberger Roman
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To evaluate the added value of ultra-short echo time (UTE) and fast field echo resembling a CT using restricted echo-spacing (FRACTURE) MR sequences in the assessment of the osseous cervical spine using CT as reference.

Materials and methods

Twenty-seven subjects underwent postmortem CT and MRI within 48 h. Datasets were anonymized and analyzed retrospectively by two radiologists. Morphological cervical spine alterations were rated on CT, UTE and FRACTURE images. Afterward, neural foraminal stenosis was graded on standard MR and again after viewing additional UTE/FRACTURE sequences. To evaluate interreader and intermodality reliability, intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) and for stenosis grading Wilcoxon-matched-pairs testing with multiple comparison correction were calculated.

Results

Moderate interreader reliability (ICC = 0.48–0.71) was observed concerning morphological findings on all modalities. Intermodality reliability was good between modalities regarding degenerative vertebral and joint alterations (ICC = 0.69–0.91). Compared to CT neural stenosis grades were more often considered as nonsignificant on all analyzed MR sequences. Neural stenosis grading scores differed also significantly between specific bone imaging sequences, UTE and FRACTURE, to standard MR sequences. However, no significant difference was observed between UTE and FRACTURE sequences.

Conclusion

Compared to CT as reference, UTE or FRACTURE sequence added to standard MR sequences can deliver comparable information on osseous cervical spine status. Both led to changes in clinically significant stenosis gradings when added to standard MR, mainly reducing the severity of neural foramina stenosis.
A pricing formula for delayed claims: appreciating the past to value the future
Authors: Biffis Enrico , Goldys Beniamin , Prosdocimi Cecilia , Zanella Margherita
Published: January 2023

We consider the valuation of contingent claims with delayed dynamics in a Samuelson complete market model. We find a pricing formula that can be decomposed into terms reflecting the current market values of the past and the future, showing how the valuation of prospective cashflows cannot abstract away from the contribution of the past. As a practical application, we provide an explicit expression for the market value of human capital in a setting with wage rigidity. The formula we derive has successfully been used to explicitly solve the infinite dimensional stochastic control problems addressed in Biffis et al. (SIAM J Control Optim 58(4):1906–1938, 2020), Djeiche et al. (Stoch Process Appl 145:48–85, 2022) and Biagini et al. (SIAM J Financial Math 13(3):1004–1039, 2022).
Thermodynamic Modeling of Elemental Distributions of Trace Elements in Non-ferrous Iron Residue Hydrogen Reduction
Authors: Pankka Iida , Salminen Justin , Taskinen Pekka , Lindberg Daniel
Published: January 2023

Every year millions of tons of iron residue are generated as a by-product of zinc production. Stabilized landfilled iron residue contains recoverable metals that could be valorized with further processing. Pyrometallurgical processing allows the recovery of valuable metals while simultaneously producing a clean slag that can then be further utilized. A thermodynamic model was developed with FactSage version 8.0. The focus was on minor element behavior and distribution of elements between phases. Calculations were performed at 1200–1400°C and pressure of 1 atm with both pure H2 and H2-Ar mixtures used as a reductant. Also, the concentrations of Pb and Zn in the input were varied. The results showed that a liquid alloy phase forms consisting mostly of either Cu, As and Pb or Fe, As and Cu. It was noted that a higher Ar total gas amount in reduction decreased the mass fraction of the liquid alloy and increased the evaporation of elements into fume dust. S, Bi, Pb, Ge and Zn were observed to evaporate fully, while As, In, Sb and Ag evaporated only partially. The results need to be verified experimentally.
Cutaneous lymphomas—fast facts about an orphan disease—a short review
Authors: Porkert Stefanie , Valencak Julia
Published: January 2023

Cutaneous lymphomas are a rare group of primary skin lymphoproliferative disorders, divided into T and B cell lymphomas. They differ substantially in clinical course and therapy. The two main subtypes of primary cutaneous T‑cell lymphomas include mycosis fungoides, which is the most common, and Sézary syndrome, the rare leukemic variant. Skin lesions seen in mycosis fungoides patients are erythematous patches, plaques, or tumors. Most patients remain at patch/plaque (early) stage, while some progress to tumor (advanced) stage during their clinical course. Sézary syndrome is characterized by erythroderma and involvement of lymph nodes and the peripheral blood. Treatment is dependent on the disease stage. Therapeutic options include skin-directed and systemic therapies. In localized, early stage mycosis fungoides, prognosis is usually good which changes in advanced stages. Significant progress has been made in recent years in the clinical management of progressive or relapsed cutaneous T‑cell lymphomas by the approval of new targeted therapies. Although there are no curative treatment options apart from allogeneic transplantation, response rates are often encouraging, in particular when using combination therapies. Primary cutaneous B cell lymphomas are rare and three main subtypes are recognized: primary cutaneous marginal zone lymphoma, primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma, and primary cutaneous diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma, leg type. An accurate diagnosis of the subtype is important for therapeutic management. The most common clinical presentations are red-to-violaceous cutaneous nodules and papules. Primary cutaneous marginal and follicle center lymphoma have excellent 5‑year survival rates of 95–99%.
Groundwater exploration using drainage pattern and geophysical data: a case study from Wadi Qena, Egypt
Authors: Alkholy Arwa , Saleh Ahmed , Ghazala Hosni , Al Deep Mohamed , Mekkawi Mahmoud
Published: January 2023

In the Wadi Qena region, the digital elevation model (DEM), aeromagnetic, and magnetotelluric data are processed and examined to outline surface water flow patterns, the subsurface structures, demonstrate their effects on the groundwater flow direction, and assess the groundwater aquifer thickness and the relationship between subsurface structures and the inherited surface water flow (drainage pattern). Wadi Qena’s drainage pattern and watershed basins were delineated using satellite digital elevation data in order to accomplish these objectives. The first vertical derivative transformation was used and examined to determine the prevailing northwest-southeast and northeast-southwest structural trends impacting the region. In order to handle aeromagnetic data, it is necessary first to reduce the observed magnetic data such that they correspond to the reduced magnetic pole (RTP). The two-dimensional analytical signal technique was used to discover that the depth of the basement rocks, which in the research region serve as the bedrock of the overlying groundwater aquifer, ranges from 101 to − 1165 m relative to sea level. This information was obtained by measuring the distance from the earth’s surface to the bedrock. To further define the accurate subsurface geological model in the region, the conducted magnetotelluric survey in the area was interpreted using the 1-D inversion technique, and the results were coupled with the existing drill data. The base of the groundwater aquifer was discovered to be between 350 and 410 m deep. Finally, the results are reliable and closely related to earlier geological and geophysical investigations in the studied area.
Beneficial Bacteria and Plant Extracts Promote Honey Bee Health and Reduce Nosema ceranae Infection
Authors: Garrido Paula Melisa , Porrini Martín Pablo , Alberoni Daniele , Baffoni Loredana , Scott Dara , Mifsud David , Eguaras Matín Javier , Di Gioia Diana
Published: January 2023

The research aims to give new insights on the effect of administering selected bacterial strains, isolated from honey bee gut, and/or a commercial plant extract blend (HiveAlive®) on Nosema ceranae. Analyses were first performed under laboratory conditions such as different infective doses of N. ceranae, the effect of single strains and their mixture and the influence of pollen administration. Daily survival and feed consumption rate were recorded and pathogen development was analysed using qPCR and microscope counts. Biomarkers of immunity and physiological status were also evaluated for the different treatments tested using one bacterial strain, a mixture of all the bacteria and/or a plant extract blend as treatments. The results showed an increase of abaecin transcript levels in the midgut of the honey bees treated with the bacterial mixture and an increased expression of the protein vitellogenin in the haemolymph of honey bees treated with two separate bacterial strains (Bifidobacterium coryneforme and Apilactobacillus kunkeei). A significant effectiveness in reducing N. ceranae was shown by the bacterial mixture and the plant extract blend regardless of the composition of the diet. This bioactivity was seasonally linked. Quantitative PCR and microscope counts showed the reduction of N. ceranae under different experimental conditions. The antiparasitic efficacy of the treatments at field conditions was studied using a semi-field approach which was adapted from research on insecticides for the first time, to analyse antiparasitic activity against N. ceranae. The approach proved to be reliable and effective in validating data obtained in the laboratory. Both the mixture of beneficial bacteria and its association with Hive Alive® are effective in controlling the natural infection of N. ceranae in honey bee colonies.
TEM1 up-regulates MMP-2 and promotes ECM remodeling for facilitating invasion and migration of uterine sarcoma
Authors: Wu Chenghao , Sun Wenhuizi , Shen Dongsheng , Li Huaifang , Tong Xiaowen , Guo Yi
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To explore the correlation between tumor endothelial marker 1 (TEM1) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) in uterine sarcoma and their roles in the progression of uterine sarcoma.

Methods

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS, n = 25) and uterine leiomyoma (n = 25) specimens were collected from a total of 50 patients. Immunohistochemistry assay was conducted to determine the expression of TEM1, MMP-2 and MMP-9. TEM1 over expression (hTEM1) and low expression (shRNA-TEM1) MES-SA cell lines were established as in vitro uterine sarcoma models. MMP-2 mRNA, protein expression and enzymatic activity were verified using qPCR, Western blot and gelatin zymography respectively. MMP-2 expression was downregulated using MMP-2 siRNA in hTEM1 MES-SA cells to better study the role of MMP-2. The invasive and migratory capacities of hTEM1, shRNA-TEM1, and hTEM1 treated with MMP-2 siRNA MES-SA cells were determined using transwell assays. Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling mediated by TEM1 was examined using cell-ECM adhesion and fluorescent gelatin-ECM degradation assays. The immunofluorescence of F-actin was examined to analyze the formation of invadopodia. Subcutaneous and intraperitoneal xenografts were established to validate the role of TEM1 in promoting uterine sarcoma metastasis.

Results

TEM1 and MMP-2 were expressed in 92% (n = 23) and 88% (n = 22) of uterine leiomyosarcoma specimens, respectively. Both TEM1 and MMP-2 were highly expressed in 100% (n = 17) of high stage (III-IV) uterine leiomyosarcoma specimens. In addition, TEM1 expression was positively correlated with MMP-2 expression in uterine leiomyosarcoma. The successful establishment of in vitro uterine sarcoma models was confirmed with qPCR and Western blotting tests. TEM1 promoted the invasion and metastasis of uterine sarcoma in vivo and in vitro. MMP-2 expression and activity were up-regulated in hTEM1 cells but down-regulated in shRNA-TEM1 cells. Importantly, MMP-2 knockdown impaired the invasive and migratory capacity of hTEM1 cells. TEM1 promoted ECM remodeling by increasing cell-ECM adhesion and ECM degradation. TEM1 overexpression also induced the formation of invadopodia.

Conclusion

TEM1 was co-expressed and positively correlated with MMP-2 in uterine leiomyosarcoma specimens. In addition, both TEM1 and MMP-2 were associated with tumor development. TEM1 promoted uterine sarcoma progression by regulating MMP-2 activity and ECM remodeling.
SAPS2, APACHE2, SOFA, and Core-10-TISS upon admission as risk indicators for ICU-acquired infections: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ginter Katharina , Schwab Frank , Behnke Michael , Wolkewitz Martin , Gastmeier Petra , Geffers Christine , Maechler Friederike
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Early identification of high-risk patients is an important component in improving infection prevention. The SAPS2, APACHE2, Core-10-TISS, and SOFA scores are already widely used to estimate mortality, morbidity and nursing workload, but this study evaluated their usefulness in assessing a patient’s risk of ICU-acquired infection.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study by analyzing all patient admissions to seven ICUs at Charité Berlin, Germany in 2017 and 2018. The four scores were documented by physicians on the day of admission. The infection control staff monitored daily whether the patients experienced lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), urinary tract infections (UTIs), or primary blood stream infections (PBSIs). For each combination of scoring system and infection type, an adjusted Fine and Gray model was fitted.

Results

We analyzed 5053 ICU admissions and observed at least one ICU-acquired infection in N = 253 patients (incidence density: 4.73 per 1000 days). 59.0% (N = 2983) of the patients were male, median age was 66 years (IQR 55–77) and median length of stay was 6 days (IQR 4–12). All models showed that patients with a higher score value were at higher risk for ICU-acquired first PBSI, LRTI, or UTI, except for the model of APACHE2 and PBSI. Patients with a SAPS2 score of > 50 points showed an increased risk of infection of sHR = 2.34 for PBSIs (CI 1.06–5.17, p < 0.05), sHR = 2.33 for LRTIs (1.53–2.55, p < 0.001) and sHR = 2.25 for UTIs (1.23–4.13, p < 0.01) when compared to the reference group with 0–30 points.

Conclusions

The result of this study showed that admission scores of SAPS2, Core-10-TISS, APACHE2, and SOFA might be adequate indicators for assessing a patient’s risk of ICU-acquired infection.
Role of Emerging Technologies in Accounting Information Systems for Achieving Strategic Flexibility through Decision-Making Performance: An Exploratory Study Based on North American and South American Firms
Authors: Yoshikuni Adilson Carlos , Dwivedi Rajeev , Dultra-de-Lima Ronaldo Gomes , Parisi Claudio , Oyadomari José Carlos Tiomatsu
Published: January 2023

Nowadays, accounting departments highly rely on accounting information systems to make decisions based on current, updated, and contemporary data. And, most accounting practices can be enhanced by emerging technologies coupled with accounting information systems. Therefore, contemporary accounting information systems (AIS) coupled with emerging technologies is the highest priority in organizations to make decisions that can contribute to strategic flexibility and performance of the organizations. The objective of the study is to identify the role of information systems infrastructure integration (ISII) on strategic flexibility and innovation (SFI) through the mediated role of information systems (IS)-enabled strategic enterprise management (IS-SEM) practices and decision-making performance (DMP). The study is based on contemporary literature in the field of emerging technologies in accounting information systems particularly business intelligence and analytics (BI &A). Resource-based view had been applied to create novel constructs to test the research framework and hypothesis. The research framework and hypothesis are tested based on 388 organizations from Brazil and USA. The results reflect that information systems infrastructure integration impacts strategic flexibility and innovations in organizations. Further, there is no difference observed between North American and South American organizations. The results of the research suggest that accounting information systems (AIS) practitioners and researchers should look beyond emerging technologies investments and shift their attention to how information systems infrastructure integration (ISII) and information systems-enabled strategic enterprise management (IS-SEM) practices can leverage decision-making performance (DMP) and impact on strategic flexibility and innovation.
Influence of smartphone-based physical activity intervention on executive functions and cardiometabolic disease risk in obese young adults: a pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Domal Sapna Vithoba , Chandrasekaran Baskaran , Palanisamy Hari Prakash
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Smartphone is an impending solution to influence long-term behavior change, including physical activity; however, the evidence regarding personalized prescription remains mixed in obese. We aimed to explore the influence of smartphone-based physical activity promotion on weight loss and cognitive functions in obese young adults.

Methods

In our pilot randomised controlled trial, 24 obese adults were randomized to two conditions: (1) EXI group receiving a smartphone-application based personalized physical activity prescription; (2) CONT group continuing their routine work for eight weeks. Executive functions and cardiometabolic risk variables [body and fat mass, waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP)] and executive functions were measured before and after eight weeks.

Results

Our study findings revealed a significant improvement in reaction times with overall (H = 7.71, p = 0.005), congruent stimuli (H = 4.43, p = 0.03) and incongruent stimuli (H = 5.35, p = 0.02) between groups. Though EXI participants reduced their fat mass by 5.07 kg more than CONT group users after eight weeks, the findings were statistically insignificant. Similarly, our study did not find significant differences in body mass, WC, BP or accuracy between EXI and CONT groups. There was a decreased user engagement (H = 5.80, p = 0.564) after the 3rd week of the study period.

Conclusion

Short-term smartphone-based physical activity programs may offer favourable cognitive benefits to young adults; however, the weight loss benefits remain unconvincing.

Trial Registration

The study was registered prospectively with the Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI/2022/02/040202).
A comparative analysis of the Irish post-graduate geriatric medicine training scheme with the European post-graduate curriculum in geriatric medicine
Authors: Murphy Robert , McCarthy Christine , Reddin Catriona , Canavan Michelle , O’Dwyer Clodagh , Mulroy Martin , O’Donnell Martin
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Minimum training recommendations to become a specialist geriatrician in the EU have been published and in this study we compared these recommendations with content from the post-graduate training scheme in Geriatric Medicine in Ireland.

Methods

We examined the content of didactic study-day lectures delivered during Geriatric medicine training in Ireland. We compared how both the formal Irish curriculum and the content of the study days match up with the 36 items that are identified as core knowledge content areas.

Results

The Irish geriatric medicine curriculum outlined that 30 of the 36 knowledge areas from the European curriculum should be covered. Formal teaching was delivered on 33 of the 36 knowledge components that are outlined in the European curriculum. 24 of 36 topics were covered at least twice.

Conclusion

There was a high concordance between the content of the Irish and European post-graduate curriculum in Geriatric medicine.
Goals of older hospitalized patients with multimorbidity
Authors: Tent Sanne , Verhoeff Marlies , Festen Suzanne , van Munster Barbara C.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Patient-centered healthcare, with aligning treatment to a patients’ goal, is recognized by experts as essential to improve healthcare for older patients with multimorbidity. Little literature exists on goals of these specific patients. Therefore, we aimed to explore goals of older hospitalized patients with multimorbidity and compare their goals to those of older hospitalized patients without multimorbidity.

Methods

Older hospitalized patients (aged ≥ 70 years) were included in a prospective mixed-methods cohort study at the University Medical Centre Groningen, the Netherlands. Goals were assessed by a standardized interview, whereafter they were categorized and analyzed descriptively.

Results

Four hundred and ninety-three older hospitalized patients (median age 75 (IQR 72–80), 64% male) were included, of which 223 patients presented with multimorbidity (45%). Goals mentioned most often were ‘controlling disease’ and ‘alleviating complaints’. No differences were found in goals mentioned by patients with and without multimorbidity. Forty-one percent of both patients with and without multimorbidity mentioned goals that were disease-unrelated.

Conclusion

No major differences were found in goals of older hospitalized patients with and without multimorbidity. However, the large proportion of patients mentioning disease-unrelated goals emphasizes the importance of goal elicitation by healthcare professionals within hospital care to provide optimally integrated care.
Lessons for Child Protection Moving Forward: How to Keep From Rearranging the Deck Chairs on the Titanic
Authors: Krugman Richard D. , Korbin Jill E.
Published: January 2023

The Gary B. Melton Visiting Professorship was created to honor and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Melton and to encourage scholars and advocates to continue to build on his impressive body of interdisciplinary work on children’s rights, global approach to child health and well-being, and social frameworks of family and community. A collaboration of the Haruv Institute and the Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect at the University of Colorado, the Melton Lecture was designed to be interdisciplinary, with the inaugural professorship and lecture given by a pediatrician and an anthropologist. This set of award recipients encompassed Gary Melton’s concerns from the individual and family to the larger context of culture and community. In this inaugural Melton Lecture, we take as our starting point Gary Melton’s quote, “Child abuse is wrong….” On this, we all can agree. Agreement lessens in response to the second part of the quote, “…the nation’s lack of an effective response to it is also wrong….” Indeed, the field continues to grapple with long-standing issues on how to ensure an effective response to child abuse. We use this lecture to consider how to move toward an effective response without simply rearranging the deck chairs on a sinking ship.
CYX-5, a G-protein biassed MOP receptor agonist, DOP receptor antagonist and KOP receptor agonist, evokes constipation but not respiratory depression relative to morphine in rats
Authors: Imam Mohammad Zafar , Kuo Andy , Ghassabian Sussan , Cai Yunxin , Qin Yajuan , Li Tingyou , Smith Maree T.
Published: January 2023

Background

Strong opioid analgesics such as morphine alleviate moderate to severe acute nociceptive pain (e.g. post-surgical or post-trauma pain) as well as chronic cancer pain. However, they evoke many adverse effects and so there is an unmet need for opioid analgesics with improved tolerability. Recently, a prominent hypothesis has been that opioid-related adverse effects are mediated by β-arrestin2 recruitment at the µ-opioid (MOP) receptor and this stimulated research on discovery of G-protein biassed opioid analgesics. In other efforts, opioids with MOP agonist and δ-opioid (DOP) receptor antagonist profiles are promising for reducing side effects c.f. morphine. Herein, we report on the in vivo pharmacology of a novel opioid peptide (CYX-5) that is a G-protein biassed MOP receptor agonist, DOP receptor antagonist and kappa opioid (KOP) receptor agonist.

Methods

Male Sprague–Dawley received intracerebroventricular bolus doses of CYX-5 (3, 10, 20 nmol), morphine (100 nmol) or vehicle, and antinociception (tail flick) was assessed relative to constipation (charcoal meal and castor oil-induced diarrhoea tests) and respiratory depression (whole body plethysmography).

Results

CYX-5 evoked naloxone-sensitive, moderate antinociception, at the highest dose tested. Although CYX-5 did not inhibit gastrointestinal motility, it reduced stool output markedly in the castor oil-induced diarrhoea test. In contrast to morphine that evoked respiratory depression, CYX-5 increased tidal volume, thereby stimulating respiration.

Conclusion

Despite its lack of recruitment of β-arrestin2 at MOP, DOP and KOP receptors, CYX-5 evoked constipation, implicating a mechanism other than β-arrestin2 recruitment at MOP, DOP and KOP receptors, mediating constipation evoked by CYX-5 and potentially other opioid ligands.
An exploration of how the disruption of mainstream schooling during the COVID-19 crisis provided opportunities that we can learn from so that we may improve our future relationship with the more-than-human world
Authors: Adams Dylan , Gray Tonia
Published: January 2023

The COVID-19 crisis forced educators globally to reassess delivery of their curricula and educational priorities. Already the worsening climate crisis amid human beings’ deleterious relationship with the more-than-human world has caused many educators to demand radical reconsiderations as to the purpose and meaning of education. We ask: how did the disruption of mainstream schooling, during the COVID-19 crisis, provide opportunities that we can learn from so that we may improve our future relationship with the more-than-human world? We examine research that shows children can benefit from outdoor, contemplative pedagogical approaches that differ from their usual indoor classroom experience. Outdoor, contemplative pedagogical approaches involving freedom from “clock-time”, as were experienced by some children during the lockdowns, can allow for ways of knowing and states of being that are often marginalised or excluded from mainstream schools in industrial growth societies. We draw on underpinning theory that argues the status quo in schools conforms to a factory model of schooling that prioritises limited ways of knowing and states of being, thus, lacking the perspectives needed to enable children to cultivate a sustained, healthy relationship with nature. We suggest that outdoor contemplative approaches are required that allow children to dwell pedagogically and experience their relationship with the more-than-human world.
WordNet Semantic Relations Based Enhancement of KNN Model for Implicit Aspect Identification in Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Benarafa Halima , Benkhalifa Mohammed , Akhloufi Moulay
Published: January 2023

Opinion mining or sentiment analysis (SA) is a key component of real-world applications for e-commerce organizations, manufacturers, and customers. SA deals with the computational evaluation of people’s views, thoughts, and feelings in the text, whether they are visible or concealed. The Aspect based SA level is becoming one of the most active phases in this area. In this paper, we propose an approach to enrich K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) to deal with Implicit Aspect Identification task (IAI). Through the use of WordNet semantic relations, we propose an enhancement for KNN distance computation to support the IAI task. For a conclusive empirical evaluation, experiments are conducted on two datasets of electronic products and restaurant reviews and the effects of our approach are examined and analyzed according to three criteria: KNN distance used to compute the similarity, the number of nearest neighbors (K) and the KNN behavior towards Overfitting and Underfitting. The experimental results show that our approach helps KNN improve its performance and better deal with Overfitting and Underfitting for Implicit Aspect Identification.
Photogrammetry and GIS in Human-Occupied Digital Landscapes
Authors: Reinhard Andrew , Zaia Sara
Published: January 2023

In the last decade, archaeologists have been using human-occupied interactive digital built environments to investigate human agency, settlement, and behavior. To document this evidence, we provide here one method of conducting drone-based photogrammetry and GIS mapping from within these digital spaces based on well-established methods conducted in physical landscapes. Mapping is an integral part of archaeology in the natural world, but it has largely eluded researchers in these new, populated digital landscapes. We hope that our proposed method helps to resolve this issue. We argue that employing archaeological methods in digital environments provides a successful methodological framework to investigate human agency in digital spaces for anthropological purposes and has the potential for extrapolating data from human-digital landscape interactions and applying them to their natural analogues.
The effect of transparent unequal penalty rates on safety compliance for different-sized businesses
Authors: Kogler Christoph , Olsen Jerome , Osman Magda , Zeelenberg Marcel
Published: January 2023

The present study investigates the relation of procedural transparency and compliance with authorities’ regulations. The underlying assumption is that procedural transparency encourages compliance with regulations. In an incentivized experiment, 666 participants took on the role of a business owner and had to fill in a form and spend a certain amount of their income as compliance costs to adhere to safety rules. In a 2 (Business Size: small vs big) × 2 (Penalty Rate: equal vs unequal) × 2 (Penalty Scheme: transparent vs nontransparent) between-subjects design, we investigated whether an unequal penalty rate for small-size in contrast to big-size businesses had a different effect on compliance when this difference was transparent compared to when it was not transparent. Business income, compliance costs, and audit probability were varied within-subject, over 18 decision rounds. We find that the deterring effect of a higher penalty rate for big-size compared to small-size businesses under a nontransparent unequal penalty scheme is attenuated when the same information is available. This supports the idea of a backfiring effect and suggests that authorities need to carefully consider what information about their procedures to communicate in order to avoid the unintended negative effects of increasing transparency.
Drivers of change in Arctic fjord socio-ecological systems: Examples from the European Arctic
Authors: Schlegel Robert , Bartsch Inka , Bischof Kai , Bjørst Lill Rastad , Dannevig Halvor , Diehl Nora , Duarte Pedro , Hovelsrud Grete K. , Juul-Pedersen Thomas , Lebrun Anaïs , Merillet Laurène , Miller Cale , Ren Carina , Sejr Mikael , Søreide Janne E. , Vonnahme Tobias R. , Gattuso Jean-Pierre
Published: January 2023

Fjord systems are transition zones between land and sea, resulting in complex and dynamic environments. They are of particular interest in the Arctic as they harbour ecosystems inhabited by a rich range of species and provide many societal benefits. The key drivers of change in the European Arctic (i.e., Greenland, Svalbard, and Northern Norway) fjord socio-ecological systems are reviewed here, structured into five categories: cryosphere (sea ice, glacier mass balance, and glacial and riverine discharge), physics (seawater temperature, salinity, and light), chemistry (carbonate system, nutrients), biology (primary production, biomass, and species richness), and social (governance, tourism, and fisheries). The data available for the past and present state of these drivers, as well as future model projections, are analysed in a companion paper. Changes to the two drivers at the base of most interactions within fjords, seawater temperature and glacier mass balance, will have the most significant and profound consequences on the future of European Arctic fjords. This is because even though governance may be effective at mitigating/adapting to local disruptions caused by the changing climate, there is possibly nothing that can be done to halt the melting of glaciers, the warming of fjord waters, and all of the downstream consequences that these two changes will have. This review provides the first transdisciplinary synthesis of the interactions between the drivers of change within Arctic fjord socio-ecological systems. Knowledge of what these drivers of change are, and how they interact with one another, should provide more expedient focus for future research on the needs of adapting to the changing Arctic.
Coordination and complexity: an experiment on the effect of integration and verification in distributed design processes
Authors: Wöhr Ferdinand , Uhri Ekin , Königs Simon , Trauer Jakob , Stanglmeier Max , Zimmermann Markus
Published: January 2023

The continuous integration and verification of components is essential in distributed design processes. Identifying the optimal integration and verification frequency, however, can be challenging due to the complexity of product development. Especially the effect of human decision-making in partially isolated development scenarios is difficult to consider. Thus, we performed an experimental study based on the following three steps: first, an extension of the existing parameter design framework, which is used to conduct experiments under laboratory conditions, in which human subjects solve quantitative surrogate design tasks. Second, a series of experiments in which 32 subjects divided into groups of two solved 229 parameter design tasks with a varying integration and verification frequency. And, third, a statistical analysis of the results with respect to development time, coupling strength and process costs. According to our results, development time can be reduced by up to 71%, if the integration and verification frequency is doubled. If process costs are also considered, the optimal frequency can be subject to a conflict of goals between reducing development time and minimising process cost.
Feasibility study of laser-driven neutron sources for pharmaceutical applications
Authors: Mori Takato , Yogo Akifumi , Arikawa Yasunobu , Hayakawa Takehito , Mirfayzi Seyed R. , Lan Zechen , Wei Tianyun , Abe Yuki , Nakai Mitsuo , Mima Kunioki , Nishimura Hiroaki , Fujioka Shinsuke , Kodama Ryosuke
Published: January 2023

We predict the production yield of a medical radioisotope

${}^{67}$

Cu using

${}^{67}$

Zn(n, p)

${}^{67}$

Cu and

${}^{68}$

Zn(n, pn)

${}^{67}$

Cu reactions with fast neutrons provided from laser-driven neutron sources. The neutrons were generated by the p+

${}^9\mathrm{Be}$

and d+

${}^9$

Be reactions with high-energy ions accelerated by laser–plasma interaction. We evaluated the yield to be (3.3

$\pm$

0.5)

$\times$

10

${}^5$

atoms for

${}^{67}$

Cu, corresponding to a radioactivity of 1.0

$\pm$

0.2 Bq, for a Zn foil sample with a single laser shot. Using a simulation with this result, we estimated

${}^{67}$

Cu production with a high-frequency laser. The result suggests that it is possible to generate

${}^{67}$

Cu with a radioactivity of 270 MBq using a future laser system with a frequency of 10 Hz and 10,000-s radiation in a hospital.
Numerical simulation of turbulent, plane parallel Couette–Poiseuille flow
Authors: Cheng W. , Pullin D.I. , Samtaney R. , Luo X.
Published: January 2023

We present numerical simulation and mean-flow modelling of statistically stationary plane Couette–Poiseuille flow in a parameter space

$(Re,\theta )$

with

$Re=\sqrt {Re_c^2+Re_M^2}$

and

$\theta =\arctan (Re_M/Re_c)$

, where

$Re_c,Re_M$

are independent Reynolds numbers based on the plate speed

$U_c$

and the volume flow rate per unit span, respectively. The database comprises direct numerical simulations (DNS) at

$Re=4000,6000$

, wall-resolved large-eddy simulations at

$Re = 10\,000, 20\,000$

, and some wall-modelled large-eddy simulations (WMLES) up to

$Re=10^{10}$

. Attention is focused on the transition (from Couette-type to Poiseuille-type flow), defined as where the mean skin-friction Reynolds number on the bottom wall

$Re_{\tau,b}$

changes sign at

$\theta =\theta _c(Re)$

. The mean flow in the

$(Re,\theta )$

plane is modelled with combinations of patched classical log-wake profiles. Several model versions with different structures are constructed in both the Couette-type and Poiseuille-type flow regions. Model calculations of

$Re_{\tau,b}(Re,\theta )$

,

$Re_{\tau,t}(Re,\theta )$

(the skin-friction Reynolds number on the top wall) and

$\theta _c$

show general agreement with both DNS and large-eddy simulations. Both model and simulation indicate that, as

$\theta$

is increased at fixed

$Re$

,

$Re_{\tau,t}$

passes through a peak at approximately

$\theta = 45^{\circ }$

, while

$Re_{\tau,b}$

increases monotonically. Near the bottom wall, the flow laminarizes as

$\theta$

passes through

$\theta _c$

and then re-transitions to turbulence. As

$Re$

increases,

$\theta _c$

increases monotonically. The transition from Couette-type to Poiseuille-type flow is accompanied by the rapid attenuation of streamwise rolls observed in pure Couette flow. A subclass of flows with

$Re_{\tau,b}=0$

is investigated. Combined WMLES with modelling for these flows enables exploration of the

$Re\to \infty$

limit, giving

$\theta _c \to 45^\circ$

as

$Re\to \infty$

.
Attractors for the motion of a finite-size particle in a cuboidal lid-driven cavity
Authors: Wu Haotian , Romanò Francesco , Kuhlmann Hendrik C.
Published: January 2023

The motion of a finite-size particle in the cuboidal lid-driven cavity flow is investigated experimentally for Reynolds numbers

$100$

and

$200$

for which the flow is steady. These steady three-dimensional flows exhibit chaotic and regular streamlines, where the latter are confined to Kolmogorov–Arnold–Moser (KAM) tori. The interaction between the moving wall and the particle creates global particle attractors. For neutrally buoyant particles, these attractors are periodic or quasi-periodic, strongly attracting and located in or near KAM tori of the flow. As the density mismatch between particle and fluid increases, buoyancy and inertia become important, and the attractors evolve from those for neutrally buoyant particles, changing their shape, position and attraction rates.
Almost extreme waves
Authors: Dyachenko Sergey A. , Hur Vera Mikyoung , Silantyev Denis A.
Published: January 2023

Numerically computed with high accuracy are periodic travelling waves at the free surface of a two-dimensional, infinitely deep, and constant vorticity flow of an incompressible inviscid fluid, under gravity, without the effects of surface tension. Of particular interest is the angle the fluid surface of an almost extreme wave makes with the horizontal. Numerically found are the following. (i) There is a boundary layer where the angle rises sharply from

$0^\circ$

at the crest to a local maximum, which converges to

$30.3787\ldots ^\circ$

, independently of the vorticity, as the amplitude increases towards that of the extreme wave, which displays a corner at the crest with a

$30^\circ$

angle. (ii) There is an outer region where the angle descends to

$0^\circ$

at the trough for negative vorticity, while it rises to a maximum, greater than

$30^\circ$

, and then falls sharply to

$0^\circ$

at the trough for large positive vorticity. (iii) There is a transition region where the angle oscillates about

$30^\circ$

, resembling the Gibbs phenomenon. Numerical evidence suggests that the amplitude and frequency of the oscillations become independent of the vorticity as the wave profile approaches the extreme form.