bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Language Report Polish
Authors: Ogrodniczuk Maciej , Pęzik Piotr , Łaziński Marek , Miłkowski Marcin
Published: June 2023

The quality of language technology (LT) for Polish has greatly improved recently, influenced by three independent trends. The first one is Poland-specific and concerns the increase in national funding of both scientific and R&D projects, resulting in the construction of The National Corpus of Polish and the development of the CLARIN-PL and DARIAH-PL infrastructures. Two other trends are global: the development of language resources (LRs) and tools by private companies and of course, the deep learning revolution which has led to enormous improvements in the state-of-the-art in all fields of language processing.
Results of the Forward-looking Community-wide Consultation
Authors: Daly Emma , Dunne Jane , Gaspari Federico , Lynn Teresa , Resende Natalia , Way Andy , Giagkou Maria , Piperidis Stelios , Vojtěchová Tereza , Hajič Jan , Grützner-Zahn Annika , Hegele Stefanie , Marheinecke Katrin , Rehm Georg
Published: June 2023

Within the ELE project three complementary online surveys were designed and implemented to consult the Language Technology (LT) community with regard to the current state of play and the future situation in about 2030 in terms of Digital Language Equality (DLE). While Chapters 4 and 38 provide a general overview of the community consultation methodology and the results with regard to the current situation as of 2022, this chapter summarises the results concerning the future situation in 2030. All of these results have been taken into account for the specification of the project’s Strategic Research, Innovation and Implementation Agenda (SRIA) and Roadmap for Achieving Full DLE in Europe by 2030.
Deep Dive Machine Translation
Authors: Skadiņa Inguna , Vasiḷjevs Andrejs , Pinnis Mārcis , Bērziņš Aivars , Aranberri Nora , Bogaert Joachim Van den , O’Connor Sally , García-Martínez Mercedes , Goenaga Iakes , Hajič Jan , Herranz Manuel , Lieske Christian , Popel Martin , Popović Maja , Castilho Sheila , Gaspari Federico , Rosa Rudolf , Superbo Riccardo , Way Andy
Published: June 2023

Machine Translation (MT) is one of the oldest language technologies having been researched for more than 70 years. However, it is only during the last decade that it has been widely accepted by the general public, to the point where in many cases it has become an indispensable tool for the global community, supporting communication between nations and lowering language barriers. Still, there remain major gaps in the technology that need addressing before it can be successfully a0146pplied in under-resourced settings, can understand context and use world knowledge. This chapter provides an overview of the current state-of-the-art in the field of MT, offers technical and scientific forecasting for 2030, and provides recommendations for the advancement of MT as a critical technology if the goal of digital language equality in Europe is to be achieved.
Deep Dive Data and Knowledge
Authors: Kaltenböck Martin , Revenko Artem , Choukri Khalid , Boytcheva Svetla , Lieske Christian , Lynn Teresa , Rigau German , Heuschkel Maria , Farwell Aritz , Jones Gareth , Aldabe Itziar , Estarrona Ainara , Marheinecke Katrin , Piperidis Stelios , Arranz Victoria , Vandeghinste Vincent , Borg Claudia
Published: June 2023

This deep dive on data, knowledge graphs (KGs) and language resources (LRs) is the final of the four technology deep dives, as data as well as related models are the basis for technologies and solutions in the area of Language Technology (LT) for European digital language equality (DLE). This chapter focuses on the data and LRs required to achieve full DLE in Europe by 2030. The main components identified – data, KGs, LRs – are explained, and used to analyse the state-of-the-art as well as identify gaps. All of these components need to be tackled in the future, for the widest range of languages possible, from official EU languages to dialects to non- EU languages used in Europe. For all these languages, efficient data collection and sustainable data provision to be facilitated with fair conditions and costs. Specific technologies, methodologies and tools have been identified to enable the implementation of the vision of DLE by 2030. In addition, data-related business models and data-governance models are discussed, as they are considered a prerequisite for a working data economy that stimulates a vibrant LT landscape that can bring about European DLE.
Strategic Research, Innovation and Implementation Agenda for Digital Language Equality in Europe by 2030
Authors: Rehm Georg , Way Andy
Published: June 2023

This chapter presents the ELE Programme (ELE Consortium 2022). Reacting to the landmark resolution (European Parliament 2018), its vision is to achieve digital language equality in Europe by 2030. The programme was prepared jointly with many stakeholders from the European Language Technology, Natural Language Processing, Computational Linguistics and language-centric AI communities, as well as with representatives of relevant initiatives and associations, and language communities. Europe still suffers from strong inequalities in terms of technology support of its languages. English is still by far the language with the best technological support, followed by a cluster of three languages (German, Spanish, French) that already have only half the technological support of English. More than half of the around 90 languages surveyed have either weak or no technological support at all. The ELE Programme is foreseen to be a shared, long-term funding programme tailored to Europe’s needs, demands and values. For the EU we foresee the role of providing resources for coordinating the programme, for providing shared infrastructures, for maintaining the scientific goals and programme principles, etc. The participating countries have the role of providing resources for the development of technologies and datasets for their own languages. Key goals are to reduce the technology gap between English and all other European languages and to address the lack of available language data. The ELE Programme tackles the following overarching themes: Language Modelling, Data and Knowledge, Machine Translation, Text Understanding and Speech. These interconnected themes focus upon the socio-political goal of establishing DLE in Europe and on the scientific goal of Deep Natural Language Understanding, both by 2030.1
Language Report Bulgarian
Authors: Koeva Svetla
Published: June 2023

This chapter reports on the current status of technology support for Bulgarian and highlights certain gaps. The analysis is based on the services and resources available in the European Language Grid in early 2022. While the LT field as a whole has significantly progressed in the last ten years, we conclude that there is still a yawning technological gap between English and Bulgarian, and even between German, French, Italian, Spanish and Bulgarian. It is exactly this distance that needs to be ideally eliminated, if not at least reduced, in order to move towards Digital Language Equality for Bulgarian.
Radiation Exposure in Interventional Stroke Treatment
Authors: Bärenfänger Felix , Schramm Peter , Rohde Stefan
Published: June 2023

Purpose

To evaluate patient-related radiation exposure in interventional stroke treatment by analyzing data from the German Society for Interventional Radiology and Minimally Invasive Therapy (DeGIR) and the German Society of Neuroradiology (DGNR) quality registry from 2019–2021.

Methods

The DeGIR/DGNR registry is the largest database of radiological interventions in Germany. Since the introduction of the registry in 2012, the participating hospitals have entered clinical and dose-related data on the procedures performed. To evaluate the current diagnostic reference level (DRL) for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in stroke patients, we analyzed interventional data from 2019 to 2021 with respect to the reported dose area product (DAP) and factors that might contribute to the radiation dose, such as the localization of the occlusion, technical success using the modified treatment in cerebral ischemia (mTICI) score, number of passages, technical approach, additional intracranial/extracranial stenting, and case volume per center.

Results

A total of 41,538 performed MTs from 180 participating hospitals were analyzed. The median DAP for MT was 7337.5 cGy∙cm2 and the corresponding interquartile range (IQR) Q25 = 4064 cGy∙cm2 to Q75 = 12,263 cGy∙cm2. In addition, we discovered that the dose was significantly influenced by occlusion location, number of passages, case volume per center, recanalization score, and additional stenting.

Conclusion

We conducted a retrospective study on radiation exposure during MT in Germany. Based on the results of more than 41,000 procedures, we observed that the DRL of 14,000 cGy·cm2 is currently appropriate but may be lowered over the next years. Furthermore, we identified several factors that contribute to high radiation exposure. This can aid in detecting the cause of an exceeded DRL and optimize the treatment workflow.
Optimierung der Risiko- und Krisenkommunikation von Regierungen, Behörden und Organisationen der Gesundheitssicherung – Herausforderungen in lang anhaltenden Krisen am Beispiel der COVID-19-Pandemie
Authors: Schulze Annett , Brand Fabian , Leschzyk Dinah Kristin , Beuthner Michael , Biegert Alena , Bomnüter Udo , Boy Bettina , Bucher Hans-Jürgen , Frau Robert , Hubig Marvin , Löffelholz Martin , Mayer Johanne , Pliquet Carolyn , Radechovsky Johanna , Schleicher Kathrin , Ulbrich Kirsten
Published: June 2023

Die COVID-19-Pandemie illustriert die besondere Bedeutung von Risiko- und Krisenkommunikation. Behörden und Politik stehen vor der Herausforderung, in einer dynamischen Lage mit einer Vielzahl von Daten umzugehen, diese zu überprüfen und zielgruppengerecht zu kommunizieren. Verständliche und eindeutige Informationen zu Risiken und Handlungsoptionen tragen maßgeblich zu einer Steigerung der objektiven und subjektiven Sicherheit der Bevölkerung bei. Es besteht daher ein großer Bedarf, die Erfahrungen aus der Pandemie in die Optimierung der Risiko- und Krisenkommunikation einfließen zu lassen.

Die Digitalisierung ermöglicht multimodale Arrangements – also die Kombination aus Text, Abbildungen, Grafik, Icons und z. T. Bewegtbilder, Animationen und Ton. Diese spielen auch in der digitalen Risiko- und Krisenkommunikation eine zunehmend wichtigere Rolle. Von Interesse ist, inwiefern das kommunikative Zusammenspiel von Behörden, Medien und weiteren Öffentlichkeitsakteur/-innen in Vorbereitung auf und zur Bewältigung von Krisen angesichts einer komplexen Öffentlichkeit mit Hilfe zielgruppenspezifischer Kommunikation verbessert und wie Rechtssicherheit für die behördliche und mediale Praxis gewährleistet werden kann. Dementsprechend verfolgt der Beitrag 3 Ziele:

1. Er beschreibt die Herausforderungen, vor denen Behörden und mediale Akteur/-innen in der Pandemiekommunikation stehen.

2. Er zeigt, welche Rolle multimodale Arrangements spielen und welcher Forschungsperspektiven es bedarf, um die Komplexität des kommunikativen Krisenhandelns im föderalen System zu erfassen.

3. Er begründet, wie ein interdisziplinärer Forschungsverbund aus Medien‑, Kommunikations- und Rechtswissenschaft Erkenntnisse zum evidenzbasierten Einsatz multimodaler Kommunikation gewinnen kann.
Medical Care Use Among Patients with Monogenic Osteoporosis Due to Rare Variants in LRP5, PLS3, or WNT1
Authors: Verdonk S. J. E. , Storoni S. , Zhytnik L. , Zhong W. , Pals G. , van Royen B. J. , Elting M. W. , Maugeri A. , Eekhoff E. M. W. , Micha D.
Published: June 2023

Pathogenic variants in the LRP5, PLS3, or WNT1 genes can significantly affect bone mineral density, causing monogenic osteoporosis. Much remains to be discovered about the phenotype and medical care needs of these patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the use of medical care among Dutch individuals identified between 2014 and 2021 with a pathogenic or suspicious rare variant in LRP5, PLS3, or WNT1. In addition, the aim was to compare their medical care utilization to both the overall Dutch population and the Dutch Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) population. The Amsterdam UMC Genome Database was used to match 92 patients with the Statistics Netherlands (CBS) cohort. Patients were categorized based on their harbored variants: LRP5, PLS3, or WNT1. Hospital admissions, outpatient visits, medication data, and diagnosis treatment combinations (DTCs) were compared between the variant groups and, when possible, to the total population and OI population. Compared to the total population, patients with an LRP5, PLS3, or WNT1 variant had 1.63 times more hospital admissions, 2.0 times more opened DTCs, and a greater proportion using medication. Compared to OI patients, they had 0.62 times fewer admissions. Dutch patients with an LRP5, PLS3, or WNT1 variant appear to require on average more medical care than the total population. As expected, they made higher use of care at the surgical and orthopedic departments. Additionally, they used more care at the audiological centers and the otorhinolaryngology (ENT) department, suggesting a higher risk of hearing-related problems.
Co-occurrence of Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia and X-Linked Hypophosphatemia in a Three-Generation Chinese Family
Authors: Ma Jian , Zhang Ye , Ding Xiaoxiao , Liang Zhijiang , Yang Chaoxiang , Deng Zhi , He Hui , Guan Zhihong , Zeng Chunhua , Lin Yunting , Luo Xianqiong
Published: June 2023

Rare genetic skeletal disorders (GSDs) remain the major problem in orthopedics and result in significant morbidity in patients, but the causes are highly diverse. Precise molecular diagnosis will benefit management and genetic counseling. This study aims to share the diagnostic experience on a three-generation Chinese family with co-occurrence of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (SED) and X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH), and evaluate the therapeutic effects of two third-generation siblings. The proband, his younger brother, and mother presented with short stature, skeletal problems, and hypophosphatemia. His father, paternal grandfather, and aunt also manifested short stature and skeletal deformities. Whole exome sequencing (WES) of proband–brother–parents initially only found the proband and his younger brother had a pathogenic c.2833G > A(p.G945S) variant in the COL2A1 gene inherited from their father. Re-analysis of WES uncovered the proband and his younger brother also harbored a pathogenic ex.12 del variant in the PHEX gene transmitted from their mother. Sanger sequencing, agarose gel electrophoresis, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction proved these results. The proband and his younger brother were confirmed to have a paternally inherited SED and a maternally inherited XLH. During a 2.8-year follow-up, these two siblings remained short stature and hypophosphatemia, but their radiographic signs and serum bone alkaline phosphatase levels were improved with treatment of oral phosphate and calcitriol. Our study presents the first report of co-occurrence of SED and XLH, shows the possibility that two different rare GSDs co-exist in a single patient, and alerts clinicians and geneticists to be cautious about this condition. Our study also suggests that next-generation sequencing has limit in detecting exon-level large deletions.
Comparison of schlieren-based techniques for measurements of a turbulent and wavy free surface
Authors: Bheeroo Vivek , Mandel Tracy L.
Published: June 2023

The free surface at an air–water interface can provide information regarding bathymetric complexities, as well as the subsurface flow. We present a comparison of the performance of two recent advances in light-based optical techniques for free surface measurements, total internal reflection-deflectometry and moon-glade background-oriented schlieren, with the more established method of free surface synthetic schlieren. We make use of an optical flow algorithm over the more traditional digital image correlation, in order to obtain higher spatial resolution data across the imaged free surface domain. The optical flow algorithm presents additional benefits, such as computational efficiency and robustness in capturing large displacements and straining of tracked features. The three optical techniques are assembled in synchronization to image two free surface conditions: (1) a free surface being impinged upon by an underlying turbulent, free-shear flow and (2) a random and irregular wave field induced by a free jet. Using the high-resolution measurements, we provide insight on the emergence of multiple free surface dynamics for a turbulent free surface. We present a comprehensive discussion on the benefits and drawbacks of each technique, including suggestions on the suitability of each technique for several experimental constraints.

Graphical abstract
Wall-shear-stress measurements using volumetric µPTV
Authors: Fuchs Thomas , Bross Matthew , Kähler Christian J.
Published: June 2023

Accurately determining the wall-shear-stress, $$\tau _\textrm{w}$$

τ
w

, experimentally is challenging due to small spatial scales and large velocity gradients present in the near-wall region of turbulent flows. To avoid these resolution requirements, several indirect iterative fitting methods, most notably the Clauser chart method, exist for determining $$\overline{\tau }_{w}$$

τ
¯

w

by fitting the mean velocity profile further away from the near-wall region in the log-law layer. These methods often require proper selection of fitting constants, assumptions of a canonical flow state, and other empirical-based generalizations. To reduce the amount of ambiguity, determining the near-wall velocity gradient by assuming a linear relationship between the mean streamwise velocity and wall normal distance in the viscous sublayer can be used. However, this requires an accurate unbiased measurement of the near-wall velocity profile in the region below five viscous spatial units, which can be less than 50 µm for high Reynolds number flows. Therefore, in this study a method for a volumetric defocusing microparticle tracking velocimetry method is presented that is capable of resolving the flow in the viscous sublayer of a turbulent boundary layer up to $$U_{\textrm{e}}=44.7\,$$

U
e

=
44.7

m/s ($$Re_{\theta }=27250$$

R

e
θ

=
27250

). This method allows for the measurement of the near-wall flow through a single optical access for illumination and imaging and serves as an excellent complement of larger scale measurements that require near-wall information. The $$\overline{\tau }_\textrm{w}$$

τ
¯

w

values determined from the defocusing approach were found to be in good agreement values obtained from a simultaneous parallax PTV measurement. Furthermore, analysis of the diagnostic plot and cumulative distribution of measured fluctuations in the near-wall region, showed that both methods are capable of accurately determining mean velocity and fluctuation profiles in the self-similar viscous sublayer region.
Submandibular gland involvement in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective multicenter study
Authors: Iocca Oreste , Copelli Chiara , Garzino-Demo Paolo , Ramieri Guglielmo , Rubattino Stefano , Sedran Luca , Volpe Fabio , Manfuso Alfonso , Longo Francesco , Sanchez-Aniceto Gregorio , Rivero-Calle Álvaro , García-Sánchez Aitor , Pellini Raul , Petruzzi Gerardo , Moretto Silvia , Al-Qamachi Laith , Aga Hiba , Ridley Stephen , Di Maio Pasquale
Published: June 2023

Background

The submandibular gland (SMG) is routinely excised during neck dissection. Given the importance of the SMG in saliva production, it is important to understand its involvement rate by cancer tissue and the feasibility of its preservation.

Methods

Retrospective data were collected from five academic centers in Europe. The study involved adult patients affected by primary oral cavity carcinoma (OCC) undergoing tumor excision and neck dissection. The main outcome analyzed was the SMG involvement rate. A systematic review and a meta-analysis were also conducted to provide an updated synthesis of the topic.

Results

A total of 642 patients were enrolled. The SMG involvement rate was 12/642 (1.9%; 95% CI 1.0–3.2) when considered per patient, and 12/852 (1.4%; 95% CI 0.6–2.1) when considered per gland. All the glands involved were ipsilateral to the tumor. Statistical analysis showed that predictive factors for gland invasion were: advanced pT status, advanced nodal involvement, presence of extracapsular spread and perivascular invasion. The involvement of level I lymph nodes was associated with gland invasion in 9 out of 12 cases. pN0 cases were correlated with a reduced risk of SMG involvement. The review of the literature and the meta-analysis confirmed the rare involvement of the SMG: on the 4458 patients and 5037 glands analyzed, the involvement rate was 1.8% (99% CI 1.1–2.7) and 1.6% (99% CI 1.0–2.4), respectively.

Conclusions

The incidence of SMG involvement in primary OCC is rare. Therefore, exploring gland preservation as an option in selected cases would be reasonable. Future prospective studies are needed to investigate the oncological safety and the real impact on quality of life of SMG preservation.
The three pillars in treating antibody-mediated encephalitis
Authors: Macher S. , Bsteh G. , Pataraia E. , Berger T. , Höftberger R. , Rommer P. S.
Published: June 2023

The rapid initiation of immunotherapy has a decisive impact on the course of the disease in patients with antibody-mediated encephalitis (AE). The importance of treating AE with antiseizure medication and antipsychotics is discussed controversially; however, standardized procedures should be ensured, especially for the initiation of treatment in severe disease. Recommendations and guidelines for further interventions in refractory courses are needed. In this review, we contrast the three mainstays of treatment options in patients with AE and attempt to highlight the importance of 1) antiseizure therapy, 2) antipsychotic therapy, and 3) immunotherapy/tumor resection from today’s perspective.
Krebsberatung: „Gut gegen Kopfkino“
Authors: Wünsch Alexander , Bayer Oliver , Adlkofer Ulrike , Besseler Markus , Bruns Gudrun , Bochmann Kathrin , Bohrmann Monika , Eckhardt Andrea , Engesser Deborah , Götz Sabine , Holz Franziska , Hegestweiler Annette , Ihrig Andreas , Jakob Johannes , Jung Marianne , Lückert Frank , Pereira Lita Laura , Petridis Franziska , Perzlmaier Heide , Reuthlinger Claudia , Singer Susanne
Published: June 2023

Einleitung

Männer nutzen seltener psychosoziale Unterstützung als Frauen, auch wenn sie psychisch belastet sind. Ziel war, verschiedene Maßnahmen zu entwickeln, die Männern die Inanspruchnahme der Angebote von Krebsberatungsstellen erleichtern sollen. Dieser Beitrag gibt die Erfahrungen aus der Praxis wieder, die wir im Rahmen der Studie WAG-ES! gewinnen konnten.

Methode

Ein Maßnahmenpaket wurde in vier Schritten entwickelt, dabei auf Praxistauglichkeit und Umsetzbarkeit geprüft und zu einem Katalog zusammengefasst. Anschließend wurde es in einer mehrmonatigen Pilotierungs- und Interventionsphase in sieben Krebsberatungsstellen umgesetzt und an die jeweiligen Gegebenheiten adaptiert.

Ergebnisse

Das Maßnahmenpaket besteht aus vier Säulen: Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, Schnittstellen & Zuweisende, strukturelle Veränderungen und männerspezifische Aktivitäten. Ziel der Öffentlichkeitsarbeit ist, Zuweisende über das Beratungsangebot und männerspezifische Angebote zu informieren und mögliche Fehlvorstellungen über psychosoziale Beratung zu korrigieren. Die Zuweisenden wurden gezielt angesprochen und hatten eine Schlüsselfunktion. Strukturelle Veränderungen, zum Beispiel eine Abendsprechstunde, konnten leicht umgesetzt werden. Besonders wichtig waren männerspezifische Angebote. Dabei wurde die körperliche Aktivität oder Informationsvermittlung an erste Stelle gesetzt. Später, wenn sich eine Vertrautheit entwickelt hatte, konnten auch emotional oder schambesetzte Themen angesprochen und bearbeitet werden.

Schlussfolgerung

Das erarbeitete Maßnahmenpaket ist praxistauglich und kann in der Breite eingesetzt werden.
How material flow cost accounting contributes to the SDGs through improving management decision-making
Authors: Kokubu Katsuhiko , Kitada Hirotsugu , Nishitani Kimitaka , Shinohara Aki
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this study is to clarify how material flow cost accounting (MFCA) can contribute to the SDGs and indicate how to introduce it into a company. First, we undertake a literature review to examine which SDGs MFCA can potentially contribute to. We then analyse the interplay between MFCA and management decision-making on the SDGs using an MFCA-LCA integrated model. Finally, we discuss how to introduce MFCA into a company to integrate the SDGs into management decision-making with reference to the SDG Compass. The main contributions are as follows: First, we revealed that MFCA could potentially contribute to multiple goals in the SDGs. Second, we clarified that MFCA could integrate the SDGs into actual management decision-making. Third, we suggested appropriate steps for implementation, regarding how managers should introduce MFCA into the management process on the condition that it does not prioritise economic benefit over social and environmental benefits in contributing to the SDGs. Therefore, this study provides evidence that MFCA can contribute to the SDGs by integrating them into management decision-making, and suggests appropriate implementation steps for promoting the pursuance of SDGs in any company.
A novel dynamic rockfall susceptibility model including precipitation, temperature and snowmelt predictors: a case study in Aosta Valley (northern Italy)
Authors: Bajni Greta , Camera Corrado A. S. , Apuani Tiziana
Published: June 2023

The overarching goal of the study was the development of a potentially dynamic rockfall susceptibility model by including climate predictors. The work is based on previously defined critical thresholds relating three climate indices — effective water inputs (EWI), wet-dry cycles (WD) and freeze–thaw cycles (FT) — and rockfall occurrence. The pilot area is located in the Aosta Valley region (Italian Western Alps). The susceptibility model settings were optimized through a stepwise procedure, carried out by means of generalized additive models (GAM). Predictors included topographic, climatic and additional snow-related variables. As climatic predictors, the mean annual threshold exceedance frequency was calculated for each index. All models were developed including an automatic penalization of statistically non-significant variables (i.e. shrinkage). The initial susceptibility model was set without considering potential inventory bias. Secondly, a “visibility mask” was produced to limit the modelling domain according to the rockfall event census procedures. Thirdly, GAMs functional relationships were analysed to verify the physical plausibility of predictors. Finally, to reduce concurvity, a principal component analysis (PCA) including climatic and snow-related predictors was carried out. Key findings were as follows: (i) ignoring inventory bias led to excellent model performance but to physically implausible outputs; (ii) the selection of non-rockfall points inside a “visibility mask” is effective in managing inventory bias influence on outputs; (iii) the inclusion of climate predictors resulted in an improvement of the physical interpretability of the associated models and susceptibility maps, being EWI, WD and the maximum cumulated snow melting the most important physically plausible climate predictors; (iv) the PCA strategy can efficiently reduce model concurvity.
Quality changes in workplace health promotion over time: an extended validation of quality criteria from a longitudinal perspective
Authors: Lang Gert , Jiménez Paulino
Published: June 2023

Aim

The quality of workplace health promotion (WHP) is essential for the successful deployment of financial and human resources. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the measurement quality of a WHP instrument with 15 quality criteria over time. In addition, it examines whether the quality of WHP in the enterprises concerned changed over time and whether typical developments can be identified. Finally, the role of company parameters such as size and implementation phase are analysed in relation to how WHP develops over time.

Subjects and methods

Evaluations of the quality of WHP collected between 2014 and 2021 were available at two and three measurement points for 570 and 279 enterprises, respectively. To assess the longitudinal measurement structure, confirmatory factor analyses were carried out followed by structural equation modelling to analyse causality. Cluster analysis was used to identify typical developments, and differences in company parameters were analysed with MANOVA.

Results

The results prove that the 15 quality criteria can be used to evaluate the quality of WHP in enterprises in a valid and reliable manner, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. The quality of WHP in the enterprises concerned remained relatively stable over approximately 12 years. The cluster solution revealed three different developments characterized by increasing, stable or decreasing quality.

Conclusion

Measurements using a quality evaluation system permit a good assessment of WHP in enterprises. WHP quality also depends on company parameters; here more support should be provided to motivate enterprises in the long run, particularly in the sustainability phase.
Bounds on energy and angular momentum loss in the full n-body problem
Authors: Scheeres D. J. , Brown G. M.
Published: June 2023

A new bound on the amended potential in an n-body system is derived and applied to the partitioning of energy and angular momentum in a disrupting gravitational aggregate. This result provides analytic insight into how energy and angular momentum can be lost or partitioned between different collections of bodies as they escape from each other. To better understand the possible outcomes in such a situation, some specific numerical tests are also performed for systems of $$N = 3, 4, 5, 6$$

N
=
3
,
4
,
5
,
6

. The results confirm that disrupting systems always lose energy, with a characteristic stochastic distribution of the lost energy. We also find that the system loses most of its angular momentum, although individual escaping components can retain significant nonzero angular momentum vectors that can be uniformly distributed in space as the number of bodies in the system increases.
Physicochemical Properties of Oriented Crystalline Assembled Polyaniline/Metal Doped Li4Ti5O12 Composites for Li-ion Storage
Authors: Qasim Khaled Faisal , Mousa Mahmoud Ahmed
Published: June 2023

In this work, pure, doped Mg–, Mn–, and V-Li4Ti5O12, as well as polyaniline (PANI), and binary composites have been synthesized for supercapacitor applications. In situ, oxidation polymerization was used to create the nanocomposites. XRD, SEM, and XPS characterized the crystal structure, morphology, and compositions. The XRD analysis shows that all the pure and doped samples crystallize in the cubic spinel phase with a preferred orientation of the crystallites along the (111) direction, and the crystallite size has decreased with the addition of doping. The composites' SEM investigation revealed the production of LTO nanoparticles coated with PANI. The influence of dopant type on electrical and electrochemical characteristics was studied. The electrochemical performance is analyzed by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD), and impedance methods in a 1 M LiNO3 electrolyte solution, whereas their electrical conductivity and dielectric constant are measured by electric impedance spectroscopy. All samples showed conductivity and dielectric properties depending on the composition of the samples. The electrical conduction is enhanced by adding PANI to the pure and doped LTO samples. The electrochemical data obtained showed pseudo-capacitive behavior with a revisable charge/discharge property, and specific capacitance values lie between 58 and 202 F/g depending upon sample composition. The V-LTO@PANI demonstrates the highest performance among all the tested electrodes. The V-LTO@PANI electrode shows a specific capacitance of 202 F/g, a maximum energy density of 72.8 Wh/kg, a maximum power density of 2430 W/kg, and high cycling performance, with 82.6% capacitance retained over 3000 cycles at 1 A/g.
The relative abundance of fecal bacterial species belonging to the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla is related to plasma levels of bile acids in young adults
Authors: Osuna-Prieto Francisco J. , Xu Huiwen , Ortiz-Alvarez Lourdes , Di Xinyu , Kohler Isabelle , Jurado-Fasoli Lucas , Rubio-Lopez Jose , Plaza-Díaz Julio , Vilchez-Vargas Ramiro , Link Alexander , Gil Angel , Ruiz Jonatan R. , Rensen Patrick C. N. , Martinez-Tellez Borja
Published: June 2023

Background

Gut bacteria play a crucial role in the metabolism of bile acids (BA). Whether an association exists between the fecal microbiota composition and circulating BA levels in humans is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the relationship between fecal microbiota diversity and composition with plasma levels of BA in young adults.

Methods

Fecal microbiota diversity/composition was analyzed with 16S rRNA sequencing in 80 young adults (74% women; 21.9 ± 2.2 years old). Plasma levels of BA were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. PERMANOVA and Spearman correlation analyses were used to investigate the association between fecal microbiota parameters and plasma levels of BA.

Results

Fecal microbiota beta (P = 0.025) and alpha diversity indexes of evenness (rho = 0.237, P = 0.033), Shannon (rho = 0.313, P = 0.004), and inverse Simpson (rho = 0.283, P = 0.010) were positively associated with plasma levels of the secondary BA glycolithocholic acid (GLCA). The relative abundance of genera belonging to the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla was positively correlated with plasma levels of GLCA (all rho ≥ 0.225, P ≤ 0.049). However, the relative abundance of species from Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla were negatively correlated with plasma levels of primary and secondary BA (all rho ≤ − 0.220, P ≤ 0.045), except for the relative abundance of Bacteroides vulgatus, Alistipes onderdonkii, and Bacteroides xylanisolvens species (Bacteroidetes phylum) that were positively correlated with the plasma levels of GLCA.

Conclusions

The relative abundance of specific fecal bacteria species is associated with plasma levels of BA in young adults. However, further investigations are required to validate whether the composition of the gut microbiota can regulate the plasma concentrations of BA in humans.
Understanding multidimensional poverty in pakistan: implications for regional and demographic-specific policies
Authors: Saddique Rashida , Zeng Weihong , Zhao Pianpian , Awan Ashar
Published: June 2023

This study enriches the limited literature on multidimensional poverty by focusing on household demographic characteristics as determinants of household-specific living arrangements in Pakistan. The study employs the Alkire and Foster methodology to measure the multidimensional poverty index (MPI) using data drawn from the latest available nationally representative Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES 2018-19). The analysis investigates multidimensional poverty levels among households in Pakistan according to various criteria (such as access to education and healthcare, basic living standards, and monetary status) and how they differ across Pakistan’s regions and provinces. The results indicate that 22% of Pakistanis are multidimensionally poor in terms of health, education, basic living standards, and monetary status; and that multidimensional poverty is more common in rural areas and Balochistan. Furthermore, the logistic regression results show that households with more working-age people, employed women, and employed young people are less likely to be poor, whereas households with more dependents and children are more likely to be poor. This study recommends policies for addressing poverty that consider the needs of multidimensionally poor Pakistani households in various regions and with various demographic characteristics.
Gesundheitsförderung auf dem Campus – Wie es Studierenden geht und was sie sich wünschen
Authors: Rolle Carolin , Götte Petra , Rotthoff Thomas
Published: June 2023

Hintergrund

Studierende in Deutschland weisen seltener einen guten subjektiven Gesundheitszustand und häufiger eine depressive Symptomatik auf als die 18- bis 29-jährige Allgemeinbevölkerung.

Ziel und Fragestellung

Ziel der Befragung ist die Analyse des Gesundheitszustands, -verhaltens und der Interessen an Maßnahmen der Gesundheitsförderung und Prävention sowie die dabei vorliegenden Unterschiede bei Studierenden der Erziehungswissenschaft und Medizin an der Universität Augsburg, um auf dieser Grundlage zukünftige spezifische Interventionen abzuleiten.

Material und Methoden

Datenbasis bilden Online-Befragungen von Studierenden im Bachelor und Master der Erziehungswissenschaft (N = 163) und Humanmedizin (N = 100) an der Universität Augsburg im Wintersemester 2021/2022. Der Gesundheitszustand, das Gesundheitsverhalten sowie die Interessen an Themen, Formaten und Ideen für die Gesundheitsförderung im Setting Universität werden anhand von uni-, bi- und multivariaten Analysen dargestellt.

Ergebnisse

Beide Studierendengruppen weisen eine verminderte psychische Gesundheit auf. Verglichen mit Medizinstudierenden weisen die befragten Erziehungswissenschaftsstudierenden höhere Risiken für ein depressives Syndrom, eine generalisierte Angststörung sowie körperliche Beschwerden auf. Etwa jede(r) dritte Befragte aus beiden Fächergruppen zeigt ein hohes Erschöpfungserleben als eine Subdimension von Burnout und einen riskanten Alkoholkonsum. Bei 65,6 % der Erziehungswissenschafts- und bei 41,0 % der Medizinstudierenden finden sich Hinweise auf eine internetbezogene Störung. Nahezu jede(r) zweite Studierende wünscht sich Kursangebote zu Bewegung sowie zu Entspannung/Stressbewältigung. Erziehungswissenschaftsstudierende zeigen einen größeren Bedarf an Angeboten zur psychischen Gesundheit als Medizinstudierende.

Schlussfolgerung

Bei Studierenden der Erziehungswissenschaft und Medizin besteht ein hoher Bedarf an Maßnahmen zu psychischer Gesundheit, Alkohol- und Internetkonsum sowie Erschöpfung und Überforderungsgefühlen im Setting Universität. Bei der Umsetzung sollten Studiengangsspezifika beachtet und ein studentisches Gesundheitsmanagement vorangebracht werden, das auch Studierende weiterer Studiengänge berücksichtigt.
Effect of NaCl and Na2SO4 on Low Temperature Corrosion of Vapour- and Pack-Aluminide Coated Single Crystal Turbine Blade Alloys CMSX-4 and RR3010
Authors: Tjandra J. , Ranjan A. , Ackerman A. K. , Appleton M. , Pedrazzini S.
Published: June 2023

The current work presents a systematic study of two alloy compositions (RR3010 and CMSX-4) and two types of coatings: inward grown (pack) and outward grown (vapour) deposited aluminides, exposed to 98Na2SO4–2NaCl mixture. Grit blasting was used on some of the samples, prior to coating, to mimic in-service procedures and remove oxides from the surface prior to coating. Two-point bend tests were then performed on the coated samples, with and without applied salt at 550 °C for 100 hours. Samples were pre-strained at 0.6 pct strain to deliberately pre-crack the coating and then strained at 0.3 pct for the heat treatment. Exposure to 98Na2SO4–2NaCl under applied stress of vapour-aluminide coated samples of both alloys, revealed significant coating damage in the form of secondary cracks in the intermetallic-rich inter-diffusion zone, although only CMSX-4 exhibited cracks propagating further into the bulk alloy while RR3010 proved more resistant. The pack-aluminide coating proved more protective for both alloys, with cracks propagating only into the coating and never into the underlying alloy. In addition, grit blasting proved beneficial in reducing spallation and cracking for both types of coating. The findings were used to propose a mechanism based on thermodynamic reactions, to explain the crack width changes through the formation of volatile AlCl3in the cracks.
Supportive care interventions for managing gastrointestinal symptoms following treatment for colorectal cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Ju Angela , Wiltink Lisette , Walker Jared , White Kate , Rutherford Claudia
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is prevalent in the developed world, with unhealthy lifestyles and diet contributing to rising incidence. Advances in effective screening, diagnosis, and treatments have led to improved survival rates, but CRC survivors suffer poorer long-term gastrointestinal consequences than the general population. However, the current state of clinical practice around provision of health services and treatment options remains unclear.

Purpose

We aimed to identify what supportive care interventions are available to manage gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms for CRC survivors.

Methods

We searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL from 2000 to April 2022 for resources, services, programs, or interventions to address GI symptoms and functional outcomes in CRC. We extracted information about characteristics of supportive care interventions, the study design, and sample characteristics from included studies, and performed a narrative synthesis

Results

Of 3807 papers retrieved, seven met the eligibility criteria. Types of interventions for managing or improving GI symptoms included two rehabilitation, one exercise, one educational, one dietary, and one pharmacological. Pelvic floor muscle exercise may help to resolve GI symptoms more quickly in the post-operative recovery phase. Survivors may also benefit from rehabilitation programs through improved self-management strategies, especially administered soon after completing primary treatment.

Conclusions/Implications for cancer survivors

Despite a high prevalence and burden of GI symptoms post-treatment, there is limited evidence for supportive care interventions to help manage or alleviate these symptoms. More, large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to identify effective interventions for managing GI symptoms that occur post-treatment.
Intracranial Pressure Monitoring and Management in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Addis Alberto , Baggiani Marta , Citerio Giuseppe
Published: June 2023

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a medical condition that can lead to intracranial hypertension, negatively impacting patients’ outcomes. This review article explores the underlying pathophysiology that causes increased intracranial pressure (ICP) during hospitalization. Hydrocephalus, brain swelling, and intracranial hematoma could produce an ICP rise. Although cerebrospinal fluid withdrawal via an external ventricular drain is commonly used, ICP monitoring is not always consistently practiced. Indications for ICP monitoring include neurological deterioration, hydrocephalus, brain swelling, intracranial masses, and the need for cerebrospinal fluid drainage. This review emphasizes the importance of ICP monitoring and presents findings from the Synapse-ICU study, which supports a correlation between ICP monitoring and treatment with better patient outcomes. The review also discusses various therapeutic strategies for managing increased ICP and identifies potential areas for future research.
Education and Inter-Ethnic Attitudes among Recent Immigrants in the Netherlands
Authors: Velásquez Paolo
Published: June 2023

Recent research
shows that better educated and structurally integrated immigrants do not articulate more positive attitudes toward the ethnic majority than immigrants who have lower levels of educational attainment, described as evidence of an “integration paradox.” While these findings have important implications for theories of immigrant integration, they stand in contrast with theories of intergroup relations, e.g., intergroup contact theory. Importantly, these findings also challenge the strong theoretical expectation that higher levels of education generate more positive intergroup attitudes, that is, the universality of the educational effect. Using four waves from ‘New Immigrants Survey Netherlands’ (NIS2NL) survey, I investigate attitudinal differences toward both the ethnic majority and other ethnic minorities in the Netherlands for four recent immigrant groups by focusing on the highest level of education from their country of origin. First, I analyze whether the relationship between education and outgroup attitudes differs toward the ethnic majority and toward ethnic minorities. Second, I look at how attitudes toward outgroups change over time. Findings indicate that immigrants with higher levels of educational attainment hold more positive attitudes toward other ethnic minority groups, and these attitudes are stable over time. Attitudes toward the ethnic majority, however, are initially very positive but become less so over time, regardless of level of education. The findings shed new light on the universality of the educational effect on interethnic attitudes by showing that higher levels of education among immigrants have a potential “liberalizing” effect only toward minority groups, but not toward the ethnic majority.
A new alcyonacean octocoral (Anthozoa) from the Late Silurian of Gotland, Sweden
Authors: Reich Mike , Kutscher Manfred
Published: June 2023

A new species and genus of stem-group ‘soft corals’ (Anthozoa: Octocorallia: Alcyonacea) is described and illustrated in detail, as well as compared to other species of the sparse octocorallian fossil record. Sueciatractos leipnitzae gen. et sp. nov. has been collected from the Upper Silurian Hemse beds of the Isle of Gotland, Sweden. The new taxon differs from all other taxa by its unique form of sclerites which were fused at first glance, but stacked compactly, densely packed aggregates forming a nearly solid skeleton or former supporting layers in part. Sueciatractos is compared with other fossil octocoral species that were known by microscopic/mesoscopic sclerites.
Role of Phenolic Acid Metabolism in Enhancing Bioactivity of Mentha Extract Fermented with Plant-Derived Lactobacillus plantarum SN13T
Authors: Shakya Shrijana , Danshiitsoodol Narandalai , Noda Masafumi , Sugiyama Masanori
Published: June 2023

Plant-derived lactic acid bacteria are major fermentation organisms that can grow in medicinal herb extracts enriched with phytochemicals like glycosides, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins. Fermentation with strain-specific Lactobacilli harboring metabolic enzymes can increase the bioactivity and bioavailability of medicinal herbs. Fermentation of extracts of Artemisia princeps and Paeonia lactiflora has been previously found to increase their bioactivities. Therefore, this study explores the possibility of increasing the bioactivity of Mentha arvensis (Mentha) extract against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells by fermenting with plant-derived probiotic strains Lactobacillus (Lact.) plantarum SN13T and Pediococcus (Ped.) pentosaceus LP28. As a result, fermentation with SN13T significantly increased the bioactivity of Mentha extract as compared to unfermented or LP28-fermented extracts. This higher bioactivity was associated with the metabolism of rosmarinic acid (RA) and caffeic acid (CA), the major bioactive phenolic acids reported in Mentha, along with the production of the metabolite dihydrocaffeic acid (DHCA). DHCA was found to be a more potent LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) inhibitor than its precursor phenolic acids. The metabolism of RA to DHCA via CA could be mediated by the enzymes cinnamoyl ester hydrolase and hydroxycinnamate reductases, encoded by the ceh gene and the hcrRABC gene operon, respectively, which were identified in the complete genome sequence of Lact. plantarum SN13T but were absent in Ped. pentosaceus LP28. The genes hcrA, hcrB, and hcrC were significantly and time-dependently overexpressed in Lact. plantarum SN13T when grown in the Mentha extract, suggesting the role of phenolic acid metabolism in enhancing its bioactivity.