bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant potential and chemical composition of new generation extruded snack pellets supplemented with fresh broccoli addition
Authors: Combrzynski Maciej , Biernacka Beata , Wojtowicz Agnieszka , Bakowski Maciej , Mitrus Marcin , Wojtunik-Kulesza Karolina , Oniszczuk Anna , Rozylo Renata
Published: December 2023

The therapeutic potential of broccoli has been highlighted by its function in the prevention of cancer, diabetes and other diseases. As a result, there is a great deal of interest in creating innovative functional foods supplemented with broccoli. In the extrusion-cooking process, raw materials based on potato mixes with the addition of fresh broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var italica, Brassicaceae) were used to create new generation extruded snack pellets. A prototype single screw extruder-cooker with L/D=20 was utilized, and various processing conditions (screw speed 60 and 100 rpm, as well as either 32 and 36% levels of initial moisture content) were applied. Mixtures of 10% and 30% fresh broccoli contents were investigated. The final snack pellets obtained under such processing conditions were determined for their antioxidant potential, polyphenols, proximate composition and fatty acids profile. We found that in the presence of fresh broccoli in blends, higher screw speed and higher moisture content allowed obtaining (in most samples) a higher polyphenal content in the resulting pellets. Over all, the antioxidant potential of snack pellets increased with the addition of fresh broccoli. Pellets with 30% addition of the broccoli processed at screw speed 100 rpm at moisture content of 32% displayed the highest total polyphenols content and highest antioxidant activity. Moreover, such samples demonstrated notable increase in the content of total protein, crude ash, as well as MUFA and PUFA in the total amount of fatty acids.
Fosfomycin activity in vitro against Escherichia coli strains isolated from urine specimens
Authors: Zdzieblo Magdalena , Biernasiuk Anna , Helon Pawel , Malm Anna
Published: December 2023

Urinary tract infections are caused mostly by uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains. The aim of this paper was to assess the activity of fosfomycin in vitro against 74 E. coli strains isolated from urine samples of outpatients with acute cystitis. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the recommended method of serial drug dilution in Mueller-Hinton agar supplemented with glucose-6-phosphate (25 mg/L). The estimated MIC values were in the range of 1-32 mg/L. The prevalence of fosfomycin-sensitive strains was 45.9%, while that of fosfomycin-resistant strains – 54.1%. The time-kill assay was performed for a chosen clinical strain (MIC = 1 mg/L) in Mueller-Hinton broth also supplemented with glucose-6-phosphate in the presence of various concentrations of fosfomycin (0.5-64 mg/L). The bacterial population density was expressed as log CFU (colony forming units)/mL. The decrease of the bacterial population viability after 6h incubation was found with ∆log CFU/mL = 1.05-5.02, depending on fosfomycin concentration. However, bactericidal effect of this antibiotic (∆log CFU/mL >3) was observed only at the highest concentrations (32-64 mg/L). Moreover, after prolonged incubation (24 h), the re-growth of bacterial population revealed as the increase of its viability (∆log CFU/mL = 1.03-3.03) was observed at fosfomycin concentration in the range 0.5-32 mg/L, but not at 64 mg/L. This phenomenon may be due the presence of subpopulations of spontaneous mutants sensitive only to higher concentrations of this antibiotic comparing to MIC. The presented data confirm a need to monitor the sensitivity of uropathogenic E. coli strains to fosfomycin.
Potential predictive biomarker for diabetic peripheral neuropathy: serum neuron-specific enolase
Authors: Majeed Islam Fareed , Baban Rayah Sulaiman , Salman Isam Noori , AlRufaie Mohauman M.
Published: December 2023

The early stages of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) are symptomless. A reliable dependable and sensitive biomarker is needed for the purpose of early identification of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) as a biomarker for early identification of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Patient samples were collected from the National Diabetes Center, Mustansiriyah University; a case control study was done from April 2022 to November 2022, in Baghdad, Iraq. One hundred sixty individuals between 30 to 60 years-old were included. Participants were divided into three groups: group one included 40 type 2 diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy, group two consisted of 40 type 2 diabetic patients without peripheral neuropathy and group three included 80 apparently in good health as the control. Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Scoring System (TCSS) was used for clinical evaluation of peripheral neuropathy. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured by the CLOVER A1c system. In addition, serum NSE levels were measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique.

Age, sex, and other standard variables were used as a basis for comparisons between groups. Statistically, diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy demonstrated higher level of NSE (28.42±6.93 ng/ml) than did either diabetic patients without peripheral neuropathy (21.07±2.0 ng/ml) or controls (12.54±2.34 ng/ml) with a high degree of significance (p <0.001). In the context of Discrimination between DPN patients and diabetic patients without neuropathy, the area under curve for neuron-specific enolase was 0.812, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.716-0.909, p <0.001. Cut-off value of serum neuron-specific enolase was 22.53 ng/ml, sensitivity and specificity were 70% and 77%, respectively. In the context of discrimination between DPN and controls, the area under curve for neuron-specific enolase was 1.00, 95% confidence interval was 1.0-1.0, p <0.001. At a cut-off value of serum neuron-specific enolase = 18.3 ng/ml, both the sensitivity and specificity were 100%. Neuron-specific enolase could potentially be used as a biomarker to detect early diabetic peripheral neuropathy and prevent it from developing to an advanced state.
New perspectives on the use of glucagon-like peptide 1 in diseases of the central nervous system
Authors: Lupina Malgorzata , Listos Joanna
Published: December 2023

Glucagon-like peptide 1 is a neuromodulatory peptide that regulates the carbohydrate metabolism. It can cross the blood-brain barrier, and, indeed, while mostly produced in the distal small intestine and colon, it is also synthesized in the nucleus of the solitary tract of the brain stem. The wide distribution of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptors in the different areas of the brain is responsible for the pleiotropic effects of glucagon-like peptide 1 in the central nervous system. Notably, the peptide plays important roles in regulating food intake, in memory functioning, as well as in neuroprotective processes and emotions. This makes it an important tool in the treatment of many central nervous system related abnormalities, such as neurodegenerative diseases, addictions and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Temporal changes in small mammal (Eulipotyphla, Rodentia) assemblages in Košice Zoo (Slovakia)
Authors: Csanády Alexander , Stanko Michal
Published: December 2023

This study summarizes 17-year results of teriological research of small mammal fauna in Košice Zoo (near the village of Kavečany, 48°47’10.04”N, 21°12’3.26”E, 380 – 420 m a.s.l.). The small mammals evaluated in this study were obtained by trapping in three periods (1992 – 1994, 2000 – 2001, 2003 – 2004) and were the results of three diploma theses. In total, 688 small mammals belonging to 13 species of four families Soricidae, Gliridae, Cricetidae and Muridae were recorded by trapping during the study period. Rodents significantly dominated with 8 species, 583 ex. (84.7%) compared to insectivores represented by 5 species, 105 ex. (15.3%). A gradual diversity decline of small mammal fauna was recorded, with only four mammal species confirmed in 2003 – 2004. This marked difference over the last 17 years was probably the result of anthropic modifications of the Zoo area, mainly the cutting of trees and shrubs of the alluvium, technical modifications of the streambeds as well as the deratization of the building areas and animal enclosures. The assemblage’s structure of captured small mammals could also be influenced by other factors, such as the predominant type of traps used, or the number of exposed traps in the vegetation and non-vegetation periods of the year. The obtained results are also a suitable basis and source of information for comprehensive and long-term monitoring in this area, given the epidemiological importance of this group of animals and the possibility of contact with exotic animals.
Woodland Brown Lopinga achine (Nymphalidae, Satyrinae) still surviving in the Hlučín region?
Authors: Kuras Tomáš , Mazalová Monika
Published: December 2023

The study is focused on the distribution of the critically endangered Lopinga achine in the Hlučín region, near the border to Poland. Lopinga achine has been considered extinct there since the early 1970s. The paper provides data on the current distribution at several new localities in the vicinity of Vřesina near Opava, Píšt, Hať and Děhylov (Silesia). The population of L. achine is not abundant in the Hlučín region. Host plant of the larvae is the sedge Carex brizoides, which makes it different from most other European populations. Currently, two isolated populations of L. achine survive in the Czech Republic (i.e. populations in Silesia and southeastern Moravia). Both the populations are threatened with extinction due to changes in forest management.
Distribution and current status of mountain hawkweeds (Hieracium) populations in Mt. Králický Sněžník
Authors: Mlčoch Patrik , Trčálková Eliška
Published: December 2023

Central European mountains are important diversity centers of the genus Hieracium. Here, we provide an account of the genus in supramontane to subalpine zones of summit parts of Mt. Králický Sněžník, based on a detailed field inventory in 2021 and 2022. Ten species were recorded (H. chrysostyloides, H. moravicum, H. nigritum, H. nivimontis, H. obscuratum, H. schustleri, H. stygium, H. uechtritzianum, H. murorum, H. lachenalii), of which two (H. moravicum a H. obscuratum) were found here for the first time. New data about their ecology and habitat requirements are given and causes of their threat are discussed. The study also contains a summary of historical data relating to the locality.
A Comparative In Vitro Toxicological Screening of a Closed-End Heated Tobacco Product *
Authors: Niu Zhenyu , Zhang Qi , Nie Meng , Fu Lili , Luo Junjun , Li Xinduo , Zhou Jie , Liu Jiakai , Song Zheng , Liu Chuan , Zhang Ke , Liang Jingjing , Jiang Xingtao , Wu Zehong , Li Bin , Xu Te
Published: December 2023

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are a recent category of tobacco products, with their relative safety compared to cigarette smoking and potential to help smokers to quit being two reasons why regulators may consider their market approval. Designed to heat tobacco rather than to burn in order to produce aerosol, different heating techniques are applied to commercial HTPs, which may result in differing aerosol formation. Therefore, each product requires separate assessment. This work focuses on a closed-end HTP (coded as HTP-A), which is electrically heated and designed to allow puffing air flow to bypass its tobacco section, resulting in reduced oxygen concentration within the tobacco section during heating and aerosol forming. To provide a preliminary aerosol chemistry and in vitro toxicological screening, this study assessed HTP-A against a commercial electrically heated HTP (IQOSTM, coded as HTP-B) and a 3R4F reference cigarette. Under Health Canada Intense (HCI) smoking regime, the levels of 9 regulatory priority toxicants in the aerosol of HTP-A were either reduced or comparable to those in HTP-B on a per-stick basis. Additionally, both HTPs showed significant reduction (greater than 90%) in comparison to those measured in mainstream smoke of 3R4F cigarette for these toxicants. Using a set of standard in vitro toxicological assays (Ames, Micronucleus and Neutral Red Uptake), the two HTPs showed no observable responses while significant toxicity responses were recorded for 3R4F’s total particulate matter. Based on these preliminary results, the novel closed-end HTP-A design may provide similar toxicological profiles to the comparator HTP-B. Further toxicological and clinical assessments are warranted to evaluate HTP-A’s potential for exposure or disease risk reduction. [Contrib. Tob. Nicotine Res. 32 (2023) 146–156]
Effect of eco-friendly digital printing on the fastness properties of single jersey knitted fabrics
Authors: Kadem Füsun Doba , Özdemir Şehpal
Published: December 2023

In this study, single jersey knitted fabrics were produced from 100 % Ne 12/1 cotton, 100 % Ne 30/1 cotton, Ne 12/1 70% cotton + 30% hemp, Ne 30/1 50% modal + 50 % cotton, Ne 30/1 100 % viscose, and Ne 30/1 50 % viscose + 50 % cotton. The raw materials were bleached and singed, after which reactive pretreatment paste recipes were padded onto the fabrics, and then colored with digital printing. Fastness analyses and spectrophotometric color measurements were applied to the samples. When the results were determined, it was obviously seen that the washing, ironing, and rubbing fastness are of very high degrees because reactive dyestuffs make covalent bonds with the fibers. Thus, the increase in the amount of thickener also increased the bonding and provided better adhesion of the color.
Evaluation of Insulation against Contact Heat, Radiant Heat and Sensory Comfort of Basalt Fabric-Based Composites with Parylene C Coating
Authors: Tokarska Magdalena , Miśkiewicz Pamela , Puszkarz Adam K. , Nosal Andrzej
Published: December 2023

The article concerns research on using Parylene C coating on basalt fabric-based composites with potential use in protective clothing to improve their insulation against contact heat and radiant heat, as well as the sensory comfort of the user. The outcomes of the contact heat method showed that applying Parylene C coating improved the thermal insulation of all tested composites. Two of them achieved the first efficiency level of protection. The results of the radiant heat method presented that using the Parylene C coating did not cause changes in the thermal insulation against heat radiation of all tested materials; the radiant heat transfer index reached values in the range of 12.4 - 12.9 s. X-ray tomography (micro-CT) allowed for identifying breaks/snaps in basalt fibers irritating the user’s skin in direct contact with the composite. Micro-CT results also showed that using Parylene C coating eliminated the effect of skin irritation and increased the usability of basalt fabrics in clothing.
Preliminary geological work, based on remote sensing analysis, using artificially enhanced satellite data
Authors: Adamek Katarzyna , Lupa Michał , Leśniak Andrzej , Ryznar Jakub , Ochtyra Adrian , Marcinkowska-Ochtyra Adriana , Wyczałek-Jagiełło Michał
Published: December 2023

This study aims to identify areas that present similar spectral characteristics to collected rock samples through the use of satellite imagery and spectral analysis. The results indicate that pixels marked in the satellite images exhibit similarities to the spectral characteristics of the samples. Misclassified objects or areas may be included in the results due to mixed pixels and spatial resolution limitations. The similarities identified could result from the region’s mineral composition of building materials, bare land, or dry vegetation. The averaged spectral curve patterns of the samples show similarity overall, but they are not identical, as reflected by the tenth quantile of the similarity coefficient. This research provides a valuable support tool for preliminary geological assessment, and information relating to vast and challenging-to-access parts of prospective areas for further investigation.
Who Participates in Participatory Budgeting? Unravelling of Who Shows Up
Authors: Baláž Martina Benzoni , Gašparík Jozef
Published: December 2023

Participatory budgeting (PB) is often described as one of the most successful instruments for participation, engaging people in decision-making, and prioritising where to allocate public money. It has travelled in the form of comprehensive administrative reforms and politically neutral devices to improve governance, especially when arriving to Europe and the Central Eastern European region (CEE). Recently, it was brought to light that PB development in the CEE region was undoubtedly different from the original case; instead of resulting in radical changes to increase activities in favour of marginalised groups, it results only in small changes. This work presents a single case study of the Czech city Brno; information consisting of age, gender, education, economic activity, and preferences of all the PB participants was collated for five years, from its inception in 2017 till 2021. In this case, we observe and analyse the particularities of the participant group, not only in static terms of one year but also drafting a trend on how the participatory base developed throughout the five years. Both desk and field research were employed to gather data. The turnout at PB voting does not copy the general demographic composition of Brno’s residents. Results show that some segments are represented by PB voters with higher proportions, making them more involved in deciding which projects in the city are to be executed using PB. In this way, the description of data-gathering in Brno contributes to the methodology of quantitative data gathering, which might be expanded to other CEE cities in order to elaborate comparisons in the future.
Key Criteria Influencing Stakeholders’ Decision-making about PB Continuation: The Case of the Czech Republic
Authors: Kukučková Soňa , Bakoš Eduard
Published: December 2023

Participatory budgeting (PB) is a modern trend involving citizens in decisions on distributing public resources. Assuming that the identified drawbacks of PB are described as internal and external factors, simple criteria were developed to predict the fate of PB. These criteria reflect stakeholders’ decisions about PB continuation in the future. Using panel data between 2017-2022 from the Czech Republic, it appears that the selected criteria were evaluated as an upgrading process, signalling the continuation of PB. However, this does not mean abandoning the process in the case of downgrading. The results indicate a certain probability for upgrading PB to continue, while the fate of downgrading PB is indeterminate and could depend on other factors. In the case of new governance after an electoral change, using the criteria could help explain the actual situation regarding the interest of stakeholders in PB.
Reorganising Local Public Utilities: Where and Why We Can Argue for the Remunicipalization Trends?
Authors: Petkovšek Veronika , Hrovatin Nevenka , Pevcin Primož
Published: December 2023

The paper is based on the use of evidence to scrutinise the effect of the Public-Private Partnership Act on the local public utility providers, where the context of the water and wastewater sector in Slovenia serves as an example. The Act affected the legal status of public enterprises, where solely public ownership was prescribed, and therefore demanded the reorganisation of existing public enterprises. The paper aims to evaluate the reorganisation process and the trend of remunicipalisation, the motives of reorganisation (political, pragmatic or transformative) and the advantages and disadvantages of the reorganisation process. A detailed, structured online questionnaire was designed and pretested for primary data collection to reach these aims. The questionnaire was sent to the Slovenian local public utility providers in water and wastewater management. The data was collated from 2018 to 2020. It was used in the analysis to provide evidence about the outcomes of the reorganisation process. The results show that new legislation contributed to increased public ownership in local public utility provision. The results also reveal that pragmatic motivating factors contributed to increased municipal buying out of private investors from (public) enterprises. The reorganisation process led municipalities into remunicipalisation, meaning that full municipal ownership and control increased.
The Alleged Culprit of Poor Coordination of Integration of Health and Social Care Services for Very Ill Older Persons in Sweden, 2000-2022
Authors: Sobis Iwona
Published: December 2023

Despite numerous attempts to transform Swedish older adult care, similar problems regarding its coordination have persisted over the years. This literature review aims to identify which coordination mechanisms can be perceived as the alleged culprit of poor coordination of integrated health and social services for seriously ill older individuals in Sweden between 2000 and 2022. Classical and contemporary coordination theories are utilised to pinpoint these coordination mechanisms, and the analysis is based on the content of collected articles from this thematic area. This literature review reveals that the following coordination mechanisms are perceived as the primary cause of poor coordination in older adult care: (1) plans, programmes, rules, and standardised work processes. Research has confirmed that decentralisation, the autonomy of regional and local authorities, new regulations implemented in the spirit of NPM, and double principalship have hindered care integration for seriously ill older adults; (2) roles, standardisation of skills, and direct supervision. Neither organisational principal adequately addresses excess employee workloads and an insufficient number of employees providing care services, which generates stress, conflicts, and even occupational burnout among staff. They do not prioritise staff competency development; (3) proximity, feedback, and adjustments through mutual communication. Most studies have shown that communication among staff is crucial to achieving integration, but it could be more effective among staff members involved in providing care. Knowledge about “objects and representations” and “routines and standardisation of outcomes” is somewhat limited and deserves further research.
The Technical Efficiency of Slovak Water Companies: An Application of Network DEA
Authors: Zimková Emília , Sičová Kristína , Pintér Ľubomír , Lawson Colin
Published: December 2023

The technical efficiency of water companies plays a crucial role in ensuring the reliable and sustainable delivery of clean and safe drinking water. It also influences the effective management of water and wastewater services. Services of this kind, usually provided by a monopoly supplier, offer operators no market incentives to innovate, or improve their efficiency. So, the mission of the regulatory institutions is to simulate a competitive environment. The main aim of this contribution is to use Network Data Envelopment Analysis (N-DEA) to assess and benchmark the technical efficiency of 14 water and wastewater companies offering their services in Slovakia from 2019 - 2021. The methodology of N-DEA allows us to assess the activity’s cost and delivery efficiency, and its overall technical efficiency. We show that full cost efficiency was achieved by two small and one large water companies operating in different regions. Three of the largest suppliers of water and wastewater services and one small company achieved the efficient delivery of water services. Overall efficiency was achieved by one large company in 2021 and one small company in 2019 and 2020. The outcome of our empirical analysis demonstrates the excellent skills of managers in technically efficient companies, regardless of company size and region. That outcome may be of interest to regulatory institutions and the management of individual water companies.
Newborn screening program and advanced therapies as a chance for the youngest patients – based on spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
Authors: Śliwińska Martyna Agnieszka , Rakuś-Kwiatosz Anna
Published: December 2023

Introduction. Newborn screening programs, commonly conducted, are prophylactic procedures with the aim to detect serious, often lethal diseases in their presymptomatic stage. It should be emphasized that the costs of the program are lower than medical care and treatment costs for sick citizens without diagnosis of these disorders. Every step, starting from receiving the parental consent, taking a dried blood spot sample by the nurses and finally testing was fully prepared and is under the supervision of the Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw. In March 2022 screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) among all newborns was introduced. This disorder leads to progressive deterioration of motor skills and sometimes even to death. The breakthrough of the SMA therapy was Zolgensma, called the most expensive drug in the world. Currently, this treatment is fully funded for some patients under the national drug program.

Aim. The aim is to present issues related to the newborn screening program and advanced SMA therapies.

Material and methods. Analysis of scientific studies in the PubMed database and national newborn screening programs.

Conclusions. Early implementation of the appropriate treatment gives the chance to improve the quality of life, especially if the earliest detection is provided by newborn screening program.
Montessori activities for older adults in community nursing: comparative case study
Authors: Ljubič Andreja , Hozjan Dejan , Filej Bojana , Kolnik Tamara Štemberger
Published: December 2023

Aim. Montessori activities were implemented in nursing care of older adults in the home environment with the aim of creating meaningful, inclusive, and failure-free daily activities that improve their quality of life.

Material and methods. In-depth comparative case studies with exploratory methods were used based on structured interviews and observation of four purposely selected older adults with and without dementia in the home environment. The data was collected using the Montessori methodology, which was divided into five phases.

Results. Diff erent types of activities and roles were developed based on the individual’s abilities and interests. The participants felt more independent and self-confident in the performance of planned activities and satisfied that they are busy during the day and engaged in activities that contribute to their better mobility and health.

Conclusions. Implemented activities can facilitate the inclusion of older adults in the daily routine of family life, increase the quality of life and the possibility of self-care in the home environment.
Parametrization of subsegmental infarcts using high spatial resolution 2DSTE and synthetic ultrasonic data
Authors: Żmigrodzki Jakub , Cygan Szymon , Kałużyński Krzysztof
Published: December 2023

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess the performance of a set of parameters in characterizing simulated infarcts in left ventricular (LV) models with variations in size and transmural extent.

Material and methods: The deformation of the LV models with different infarct sizes was simulated using the Finite Element Method. These simulations provided meshes that were used to generate synthetic ultrasonic data within the FIELD II package. The strain components (longitudinal and circumferential) were then estimated over small subsegments of the of segments 7 and 12 (according to 17-segment left ventricle segmentation standard proposed by the American Heart Association - AHA17), using a hierarchical block matching method. The strain maps obtained were utilized to calculate the Strain Drop Factor (SDF) maps, which represent the percentage ratio of strain observed in the subsegments of the studied model to that observed in the healthy model. Infarct segmentation was performed using these maps, and various parameters were derived, including Infarct Cross-Section Area (ICSA), relative ICSA, Transmurality Ratio (TR), Mean Infarct Transmurality (MIT), strain drop factor in the infarcted region (SDFi), and Strain Contrast (SC).

Results: The estimates of ICSA, SC, MIT, and SDFI showed good repeatability and demonstrated the ability to provide a quantitative assessment of the size and transmural extent of the infarcts.

Conclusions: The study findings suggest that the evaluated parameters, including ICSA, SC, MIT, and SDFI, can be reliably used to assess the size and transmural extent of infarcts. These parameters offer a quantitative approach for characterizing infarcts based on strain analysis and have the potential to contribute to the diagnosis and evaluation of myocardial infarctions.
Impact of Climate Change on the Heating Demand of Buildings. A District Level Approach
Authors: Apostolopoulou Athanasia , Jimenez-Bescos Carlos , Cavazzi Stefano , Boyd Doreen
Published: December 2023

There is no doubt that during recent years, the developing countries are in urgent demand of energy, which means the energy generation and the carbon emissions increase accumulatively. The 40 % of the global energy consumption per year comes from the building stock. Considering the predictions regarding future climate due to climate change, a good understanding on the energy use due to future climate is required. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of future weather in the heating demand and carbon emissions for a group of buildings at district level, focusing on two areas of London in the United Kingdom. The methodological approach involved the use of geospatial data for the case study areas, processed with Python programming language through Anaconda and Jupyter notebook, generation of an archetype dataset with energy performance data from TABULA typology and the use of Python console in QGIS to calculate the heating demand in the reference weather data, 2050 and 2100 in accordance with RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. A validated model was used for the district level heating demand calculation. On the one hand, the results suggest that a mitigation of carbon emissions under the RCP4.5 scenario will generate a small decrease on the heating demand at district level, so slightly similar levels of heating generation must continue to be provided using sustainable alternatives. On the other hand, following the RCP 8.5 scenario of carbon emission carrying on business as usual will create a significant reduction of heating demand due to the rise on temperature but with the consequent overheating in summer, which will shift the energy generation problem. The results suggest that adaptation of the energy generation must start shifting to cope with higher temperatures and a different requirement of delivered energy from heating to cooling due to the effect of climate change.
The Devil’s Triangle: Empirical Evidence from Turkey on Growth, Current Account Deficit, and Inflation
Authors: Çiğdem Gülgün
Published: December 2023

Determining the existence of the relationship between economic growth, current account deficit, and inflation will guide the selection of policies to be implemented. The distortions that may be caused by the policies to be preferred can be minimized by the measures to be taken if the relations are known. From this point of view, this study is a metaphorical study emphasizing the Bermuda Triangle, which caused unexplained losses due to the name given to the study. In the study, to determine the existence and direction of the relations between the variables, Turkey’s annual growth, current account deficit, and inflation data for the 1974–2020 period were taken and subjected to various analyzes. In this study, carried out from this point of view, to determine the existence and direction of the relations between the variables, the annual growth, current account deficit, and inflation data of Turkey for the 1974–2020 period were taken and subjected to various analyzes. Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) (1979, 1981) and Philips-Perron (PP) Unit Root tests (1988) and Lee-Strazicich Unit Root Test (2003) were used for stationarity tests. Regression was used since the variables were determined to be stationary at the level and cointegration could not be obtained. The current account deficit changed by 0.181812 units in the negative direction as a result of a one-unit rise in growth, according to the regression analysis (GDP). Furthermore, it has been shown that if inflation increases by one unit, the current account deficit moves in the positive direction by 0.042096 units. Toda Yamamoto Causality Analysis (1995) was used to investigate short-term causality links, and as a consequence, a two-way relationship between GDP and inflation, one-way from GDP and inflation to current account deficit was discovered.
The Influence of Organizational Culture on Human Capital Development of Polish Army Officers in the Context of Post-Service Employment
Authors: Rzepecka Aleksandra
Published: December 2023

Organizational culture paves the way for employees, shows how one should function in a given organization – it aims to keep it together by adhering to similar values. Thanks to conditions prevailing there, specific rules employees know how they can perform their duties, properly cooperate with others and also how looks like the possibility of professional development, which is very important in the development of human capital. Human capital is people, their skills, creativity and qualifications. Development of capital through competence development has a positive impact on further functioning of the organization, but also on the satisfaction of employees themselves. In the case of retired officers of the Polish Army, who acquired specialized knowledge and valuable skills during their service, it is important to use their capital after the end of service. They can be supplemented with additional courses, training that will enrich their existing potential, and also enable them to find work in the civilian market. A survey was conducted among retired Army officers and employers/supervisors hiring retired officers from 2019 to 2021. The snowball method was used. A qualitative method was used – a survey questionnaire.
Effect of Process Parameters on the Solid Particle Erosion Resistance of Transparent Materials
Authors: Acar Dogan , Hussain Danesh Mohammad , Necati Cora Ömer
Published: December 2023

The solid particle erosion (SPE) performance of three different transparent materials, polycarbonate solid sheet, plexiglass (Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), and laminated glass was investigated. Erosion tests were performed under different impact angles (20°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°) and impinging velocities (75, 150, and 200 m/s). As erodent particles, alumina (Al2O3) with 52 µm average diameter and silicon carbide (SiC), particles with two different dimensions (71, and 348 µm in diameters) were used. The results showed that polycarbonate specimens outperformed the other tested samples regardless of impact velocity and impinging angle conditions. When the erosion resistance of samples at 90° and 75 m/s is taken into consideration, the polycarbonate sheet was found to be at least 14 times more erosion resistant compared to plexiglass, and 23 times more resistant than the laminated glass materials. In addition, polycarbonate exhibited an incubation behavior at lower impact velocity, and with SiC erodent.
Effective Strains Determination in Continuous Constrained Double Bending with Active Friction Forces
Authors: Kamburov Valentin , Nikolov Antonio
Published: December 2023

In this work, a new process for severe plastic deformation (SPD) with active friction forces - CCDB Conform R3D2, a variation of the so-called "active bending", which is a continuous two-stage bending in calibers with small relative bending radius, is analyzed. A mechanical scheme of a device for realization of the process with a bending roller is proposed, based on a developed 3D virtual tool for its realization. Using CAD/CAE software 3D simulation, two virtual solutions of the process were compared, differing in terms of the location of the bending roller relative to the axes of the feeding and output rolls. The distribution and magnitude of the effective strains in the volume of the deformed long workpiece in the two bending stages at small relative bending radiuses were analyzed. An analytical expression is developed to determine the effective strains achieved in the SPD operation by constrained continuous bending in calibers with grooved rolls. The strain calculation methodology is based on the results obtained by simulation modelling of the CCB Conform R3D2 process in trapezoidal calibers with a bending roller located above and below the rolls line.
Artificial Intelligence in Nuclear Medicine: Enhancing Efficiency and Patient Care
Authors: Shafiq Muhammad , Gillani Farkhanda , Imran Muhammad
Published: December 2023

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Navigating thyroid cancer: a theranostics odyssey "joining the dots to make a line"
Authors: Imran Muhammad , Rubab Nayyar
Published: December 2023

Over the past few decades, the incidence of thyroid cancer, which was once a relatively uncommon aspect of oncology, has significantly increased worldwide. This tendency makes opening of new horizons, and finding new modalities for both its diagnosis and therapy all the more crucial. The concept of theranostics in thyroid cancer has shown potential in individualizing treatments, tailoring therapies to the specific molecular characteristics of the patient\'s cancer.
„Mit einer Koalition der Willigen mehr Regionalität ermöglichen“
Authors:   AOK Nordost, Teichert Daniela , Stegmaier Peter ,   Monitor Versorgungsforschung
Published: December 2023

In the cover interview with ‚Monitor Versorgungsforschung‘, Daniela Teichert, CEO of AOK Nordost, not only dispels narratives such as the shortage of doctors and the death of hospitals. She also uses many examples to show what a large, responsible health insurance company can achieve in the interests and for the benefit of its policyholders in its respective region if it wants to. Her petition: ‚The DNA for more regionality should also be characterised by a focus on real care problems, on people, on patients at the centre of improvement efforts and on results orientation. If you focus primarily on costs, you will reduce quality - if you focus on quality, you will reduce costs.‘
Gaß: „Tiefer Eingriff in die Krankenhauslandschaft“
Authors:   Monitor Versorgungsforschung, Stegmaier Peter
Published: December 2023

Back in February of this year, the German Hospital Federation (DKG) submitted a comprehensive structural and financing proposal to the current debate on a major hospital reform in Germany. As Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and the government commission he had appointed had presented a comprehensive reform concept for hospitals in Germany, but neither the government commission nor the Federal Health Minister had presented a concrete impact analysis, the DKG commissioned the research institute Institute for Health Care Business (hcb) in cooperation with Vebeto to carry out such an analysis.
Wie Patient:innen Piloten ihrer Erkrankung werden
Authors:   Monitor Versorgungsforschung, Stegmaier Peter
Published: December 2023

‚Patients need to know what the data is for, what the data means for them personally and, of course, for other patients,‘ explained Prof. Tjalf Ziemssen, MD, Director of the Centre for Clinical Neurosciences and Deputy Clinic Director of the Clinic and Polyclinic for Neurology at the Centre for Clinical Neurosciences at the Neurological University Hospital Dresden at the Roche Pharma DKVF Symposium entitled ‚Data use as an end in itself or for the benefit of the patient?‘. According to Ziemssen, it has often been the case in the past that although attempts have been made to obtain more and more data from patients in order to conduct research and introduce innovations, this is usually done without the patient benefiting directly or being able to understand what the data means for them personally. As a negative example, Mr Ziemssen cited the electronic patient file, which would have no structure that the patient would not be able to deal with operationally. The concept of the ‚digital twin‘, which he propagates, is different (see interview page 22 ff).
Hager: „Die große Leerstelle in diesem Land“
Authors:   Monitor Versorgungsforschung, Stegmaier Peter
Published: December 2023

‚Better Evidence, better Decisions, better Health‘. This motto, which made the rounds on the first day of the 22nd German Congress for Health Services Research, was used by Prof Dr Lutz Hager, Chairman of the Board of the Bundesverband Managed Care e. V., at the beginning of his introduction to the BMC symposium ‚Evaluating health regions: Which quality indicators do we need to look at?‘ According to Hager, this trio is ‚exactly what brings us together at the link between theory and practice‘, as healthcare research also provides the basis for healthcare provision and its further development. This is also the ‚big topic at the BMC‘. Hager: ‚We are talking about a transformation, a comprehensive change in healthcare.‘ The large-scale transformation project in particular already shows that ‚health services research and health services science are not only involved, but also required‘.
Offene, kritische und konstruktive „Nachbesprechung“
Authors:   Monitor Versorgungsforschung, Stegmaier Peter
Published: December 2023

Over 600 researchers from various disciplines, including 40 from the field of health research, have co-signed a two-part open letter (1, 2) written by the recently founded ‚Pandemic Reappraisal Initiative‘ (3). This initiative is the brainchild of astrophysicist Prof Dr Bernhard Müller from Monash University (Australia), who is associated with the group of authors led by Prof Dr Matthias Schrappe (University of Cologne), which has critically examined corona management in Germany since the outbreak of the corona pandemic with eight thesis papers and four ad hoc statements (4) as well as a multi-professional commentary series (5) - all published in ‚Monitor Versorgungsforschung‘. In addition, Müller published a widely acclaimed controversial paper ‚Zur Modellierung der Coronapandemie‘ (6). While these scientific works were intended to show that scientific and diagnostic findings are indispensable in pandemics, but are not sufficient on their own to successfully overcome such a crisis, the Open Letters are now intended to support the call for a review of the corona pandemic and the establishment of a commission of enquiry on the one hand, and to facilitate the start of a necessary review process by means of a prioritisation and structuring catalogue on the other.
Versorgungsnahe Daten und agiles Projekt- management – was hat das miteinander zu tun?
Authors:   Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Amelung Volker , Hoffmann Wolfgang ,   Institut für Community Medicine, Abteilung Versorgungsepidemiologie und Community Health der Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Elter Thomas ,   Onqo Health GmbH, Klinkhammer-Schalke Monika -Schalke ,   Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Tumorzentren e. V.; Zentrum für Qualitätssicherung und Versorgungsforschung der Universität Regensburg, Marschall Ursula ,   BARMER Institut für Gesundheitssystemforschung, Schmalz Oliver ,   Klinik für Hämatologie, Onkologie und Palliativmedizin, Leiter des Onkologischen Zentrums des Helios Universitätsklinikums Wuppertal
Published: December 2023

Cochrane postulates that ‚the best available evidence‘ (www.cochrane.org) must be the basis for medical decisions and that the quality of the study design is therefore crucial. From this it can be concluded that, in addition to randomised controlled trials (RCTs), healthcare-related data can also be used. Questions relating to particularly rare diseases, which increasingly include ever smaller subgroups of common diseases (individualised therapies, e.g. based on certain genetic characteristics), as well as increasingly important endpoints such as Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) and Patient-Reported Experience Measures (PREMs) cannot be clarified in an RCT. Instead of a specific study design, the focus should be on the quality of studies. It is therefore by no means a question of weakening requirements, but rather of consistently increasing the quality of studies in which new data sources can also be included. The following text is a reflection on the workshop ‚RWE - Fit-for-purpose‘ at the MSD Health Forum 2023, on the one hand, and some thoughts on the undogmatic handling of data sources based on ideas from management theory, on the other.
Reform der Krankenhausfinanzierung: Erlösunabhängige Vorhaltepauschalen für akutstationäre Einrichtungen der Geburtshilfe
Authors:   Hochschule RheinMain, Wilbert Pauline , Vatteroth Hans-Christian ,   Hessische Krankenhausgesellschaft, Grün Christina ,   Hessische Krankenhausgesellschaft, Hartweg Hans-R. ,   Hochschule RheinMain
Published: December 2023

The patient classification system according to diagnosis related groups (DRGs) is highly related to performance, which was the reason for its national introduction in the early 2000s. Since 2003, hospital services have therefore been remunerated via the DRG system by means of flat rates per case. With few exceptions, all hospital services were remunerated via these flat rates per case until 2019. In 2020, the personnel costs for the nursing staff working in the hospital bed were then covered by the DRG-classified remuneration in order to relieve the enormous economic cost pressure on the nursing staff employed in German hospitals. This pressure is particularly evident in hospital wards with a low proportion of elective procedures (such as obstetrics). The economic management of such hospital wards is challenging. Now an even more far-reaching health policy proposal is being made. According to this proposal, hospitals should be financed for their maintenance costs. This is to be done by means of normatively determined budgets. In this way, a financial relief of the hospitals on the one hand and the promotion of the quality of service provision on the other hand should succeed. In the following paper, the challenges of acute inpatient obstetrics due to the current and planned financing system are examined. For this purpose, six selected experts, who belong to very different levels of care in the hospital sector, give an outlook on the introduction of the reserved financing.
Los libros vivos de Juan Bautista Monegro: textos impresos, lecturas, comentarios
Authors: Marías Fernando
Published: December 2023

Libraries belonging to private readers and artists in the kingdom of Spain around 1600 have been specially important; those belonging to architects have a privileged place, and among these the one owned by sculptor andarchitect Juan Bautista de Monegro deserves a minute study, not only because we have its inventory but because around 25 of his books have been preserved until today, filled with his annotations and sketched drawings.
Books that were also Exhibitions
Authors: Forero Parra Michael Andrés
Published: December 2023

Many of the books that have recorded the history of architecture in Colombia were also exhibitions. Between 1977 and 1992, when the study of the history of Colombian architecture reached great growth, architecture exhibitions and their accompanying publications were decisive actors in shaping Colombian architectural culture. In addition to documenting these ephemeral events, the publications fostered criticism, academic research, and heritage conservation. Although the enduring nature of books has ensured their significance, the history of architecture exhibitions has been forgotten. Through archival research and interviews, this article recovers the history of two architecture exhibitions from 1980 and 1985, a history that reveals the entanglement of the exhibition of architecture and its editorial dissemination.