bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacillus velezensis CL197: a zearalenone detoxifying strain isolated from wheat with potential to be used in animal production
Authors: Orso Paloma Bianca , Evangelista Alberto Gonçalves , de Melo Nazareth Tiago , Luz Carlos , Bordin Keliani , Meca Giuseppe , Luciano Fernando Bittencourt
Published: September 2024

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species, and cause contamination of food and feed, with impacts in animal production and in food production chain. Effective detoxifying methods, such as biodegradation, are therefore required. This study aimed to isolate microorganisms and screen ZEA detoxifying strains. As a result, 197 microorganisms were isolated, and six were initially selected after colorimetric screening. ZEA (1 µg/mL) was added to culture media, and after 24 h, all six microorganisms were able to degrade ZEA, without the formation of α-ZOL. One isolate eliminated ~ 99% of ZEA and was identified as Bacillus velezensis CL197. ZEA metabolites produced by the bacteria were evaluated, and no metabolites with greater or similar toxicity than ZEA were detected. This strain was applied to swine in vitro digestion, and up to 64% of ZEA was degraded. B. velezensis CL197 significantly degraded ZEA, demonstrating potential to be used as a detoxifying agent in the food production chain as a biocontrol agent.
Complacency in the quantification and reporting of climate impacts as carbon dioxide equivalent emissions
Authors: Ridoutt Bradley
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The choice of characterization model has the potential to profoundly influence LCA results and conclusions. It is therefore a requirement of ISO 14044:2006 that the selection of characterization model shall be both justified and consistent with goal and scope. The purpose of this article was to examine current practices regarding the characterization of GHG emissions and reporting as CO2 equivalent emissions.

Methods

A survey of practice was conducted across articles recently published in the International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. Each article was examined using seven predetermined questions covering reporting of CO2 equivalent emissions and justification of climate metric used, interpretation of results in relation to climate measures or goals, and the implications of choosing an alternative climate metric.

Results and discussion

Of the sample of 85 articles, more than half reported GHG emissions as CO2 equivalent emissions. Of these, 81% unambiguously reported the climate metric used. Most often, there was no justification for the choice of a characterization model. Where a justification was given, the most common reason was alignment with the requirements of a program or PCR document. In some cases, the choice of characterization model was determined by the choice of impact assessment method (e.g., CML, ReCiPe). In other cases, the choice of characterization model was based on the desire to compare results to other studies. It is noted that none of the abovementioned reasons is scientific justification related to a stated climate objective. Not surprisingly, most studies made no attempt to interpret results reported as CO2 equivalent emissions in relation to climate measures or goals, and most did not discuss the potential implications of alternative climate metrics. For almost half of the articles, the choice of climate metric was assessed as potentially having major implications for decision-making or comparison to alternative systems.

Conclusions

Based on this survey, it is evident that key aspects of ISO 14044:2006 are routinely not being followed. When GHG emissions are aggregated into a single impact category indicator result, there is a loss of transparency about climate impacts over time and the potential to unknowingly trade short-term climate benefits against the exacerbation of the difficulties of achieving long-term climate stabilization. As such, whenever GHG emissions are reported as CO2 equivalent emissions, it is imperative that the choice of characterization model is unambiguously reported and justified, that results are interpreted in relation to environmental outcomes, and that the potential implications of selecting alternative models are discussed.

Graphical Abstract
What are escapists made of, and what does it have to do with excessive gambling and gaming?
Authors: Jouhki Hannu , Savolainen Iina , Hagfors Heli , Vuorinen Ilkka , Oksanen Atte
Published: September 2024

Research shows that escapism and frustration of basic psychological needs are linked with gambling and gaming problems, but an effect of escapism combined with restricted autonomy, competence, and relatedness on excessive gambling and gaming remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to identify shared characteristics of people who engage in escapist behavior and analyze to what extent the interaction of escapism and basic psychological need frustration predicts excessive gambling and gaming. We conducted a five-wave longitudinal survey with Finnish residents aged 18–75 years (n = 1530, 50.33% male) from April 2021 (T1) to April–May 2023 (T5). Measures included the Problem Gambling Severity Index, the ten-item Internet Gaming Disorder Test, and three escapism-specific questions. We analyzed the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale, sociodemographic controls, and personality traits using multilevel regression models. We found that escapism was related to autonomy frustration, competence frustration, male gender, impulsivity, openness, and having a significant other who has experienced gambling problems. Escapism predicted excessive gambling, and competence frustration moderated this association. Escapism also predicted excessive gaming, and autonomy frustration and competence frustration moderated this association. Research on and treatment of excessive gambling and gaming should consider these underlying factors driving escapism.
Defining Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and Distinguishing it from Virtual Exchange
Authors: Hackett Simone , Dawson Mark , Janssen Jeroen , van Tartwijk Jan
Published: September 2024

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is often framed as an example of a broader practice known as Virtual Exchange (VE). The term Virtual Exchange has increasingly been used as an attempt to unify a fragmented field of Higher Education practice and is often used interchangeably with the term COIL. However, the design of COIL, with its strong focus on collaborative and intercultural learning, is often very different to other VE initiatives. Labelling all VE initiatives, including COIL, generally as VE, can lead to both educators and researchers having difficulty identifying and distinguishing COIL. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to provide a critical review of VE and define COIL and its key characteristics. This article also describes how theory can inform practice and explains why continued interchangeable use of the term COIL with the umbrella term Virtual Exchange is unhelpful for future research and practice.
Inklusion, Selbstbestimmung, Partizipation und Barrierefreiheit im Kontext psychotherapeutischer Versorgung von Menschen mit Lernschwierigkeiten
Authors: Sigot Marion
Published: September 2024

In diesem Artikel der Zeitschrift für Psychodrama und Soziometrie werden Inklusion, Partizipation, Selbstbestimmung und Barrierefreiheit im Zusammenhang mit der psychotherapeutischen Versorgung von Menschen mit Lernschwierigkeiten reflektiert. Im Zentrum des Beitrages stehen Erfahrungen von Frauen mit Lernschwierigkeiten, die im partizipativen Forschungsprojekt „Frauen mit Lernschwierigkeiten zwischen Selbst- und Fremdbestimmung“ (Sigot 2017) analysiert wurden. Dabei stehen Erfahrungen im Zusammenhang mit sexueller Gewalt im Zentrum, die häufig mit sekundärer Viktimisierung durch das Absprechen von Glaubwürdigkeit und dem Vorenthalten von bedarfsgerechter Unterstützung einhergehen. Die zentralen Ergebnisse aus der Forschung werden in diesem Beitrag hinsichtlich ihrer Relevanz für den psychotherapeutischen Kontext reflektiert und Überlegungen für die psychotherapeutische Praxis abgeleitet.
Biometric analysis of the cranial features of common voles
Authors: Baláž Ivan , Csákiová Žofia , Tulis Filip
Published: September 2024

Although cranial bones reliably identify the features of mammals, these traits can be affected by sex, population size and seasonality. This paper biometrically analyses the cranial features of the common vole. The research sample consisted of adult (n = 134), subadult (n = 57), of western Slovakia. Overall, software based on the highlighted marks measured 29 cranial features. Significant sexual dimorphism was observed for three features in adult individuals (width of the maxillary tooth row – right side “WMTRR”, maximum height of the mandibula excluding coronoid process “AMdm” and coronoid height of the mandibula “AMd”) and four features in subadults (length of the tooth row in the maxilla “LOSD”, “WMTRR”, length of the molar “LoM” and alveolar length of the lower molars “ALLM”). Results showed a significant positive relationship between body weight and cranial size in 18 of the 29 features. They also suggested a weak but significant positive effect of common vole abundance on cranium size (Chitty effect) likewise in 6 of the 29 features. In several cases, this effect affects, in addition to the abundance, the onset of sexual maturity of individuals.
m-Isometric Composition Operators on Discrete Spaces
Authors: Buchała Michał
Published: September 2024

In this paper we study composition operators on discrete spaces $$ L^{2}(\mu ) $$

L
2

(
μ
)

. We establish the classification of underlying graphs of such operators. We obtain the characterization of m-isometric composition operators such that the underlying graph has one cycle. The paper contains also the solution of the Cauchy dual subnormality problem in the class of such composition operators.
Between and within-city variations of PM2.5 oxidative potential in five cities in Colombia
Authors: Rojas Néstor Y. , Agudelo-Castañeda Dayana M. , Bustos Daniela , Godri Pollitt Krystal J. , Gao Dong , Rodriguez-Villamizar Laura A.
Published: September 2024

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been shown to cause oxidative stress, which has negative health consequences. The oxidative potential (OP) of PM2.5, a promising health exposure metric, was assessed in five Colombian cities using the synthetic respiratory tract lining fluid assay that tracks the depletions of glutathione and ascorbate. For this, a set of 91 integrated 2-week ambient PM2.5 samples were collected using Ultrasonic Personal Aerosol Samplers (UPAS) at background (5), traffic (37), industrial (12) and residential (37) sites. Across all site types, mean PM2.5 mass concentration was 20.20 ± 9.36 µg m− 3. The oxidative potential (OPAA for ascorbate and OPGSH for glutathione) varied widely across cities with an average of 2.67 ± 1.27 for AA and 2.93 ± 1.22 % depletion m− 3 for GSH. OP metrics among cities were not correlated with PM2.5 mass concentrations. Overall, industrial sites showed higher PM2.5 mass concentrations and OPAA. In contrast, OPGSH was not found to differ among industrial, traffic, or residential sites, but was lower for background sites. Our findings provide substantial evidence of variations in PM2.5 OP between cities and within the cities. Further research is needed to assess the association between OP and adverse health effects, as well as to attribute the sources that cause such variations.
Impact of Statin Therapy on Diabetes Incidence: Implications for Primary Prevention
Authors: Rikhi Rishi , Shapiro Michael D.
Published: September 2024

Purpose of Review

The present review aims to summarize current evidence, explore underlying mechanisms, and help guide clinicians regarding statin therapy and diabetes risk in primary prevention.

Recent Findings

The observational and genetic epidemiology, as well as evidence from randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses, illustrate a modest, dose-dependent increase in risk of diabetes from statin therapy.

Risk of new onset diabetes from statins appears to be greatest in those near the diagnostic threshold for diabetes or with diabetes risk factors prior to statin initiation. The risk of incident diabetes is vastly offset by the cardiovascular protection offered from statin therapy and should not deter guideline recommended statin initiation in primary prevention.
Pomalidomide in patients with multiple myeloma: potential impact on the reconstitution of a functional T-cell immunity
Authors: Shen Jiaxin , Senes Francesca , Wen Xiaofen , Monti Patrizia , Lin Shaoze , Pinna Claudia , Murtas Andrea , Podda Luigi , Muntone Giuseppina , Tidore Gianni , Arru Claudia , Sanna Luca , Contini Salvatore , Virdis Patrizia , Sechi Leonardo Antonio , Fozza Claudio
Published: September 2024

Background

Pomalidomide, a third-generation oral immunomodulatory drug, exhibits efficacy in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma or those refractory to bortezomib and lenalidomide (RRMM).

Methods

In this clinical context, we employed flow cytometry and CDR3 spectratyping to monitor the dynamics of the T-cell repertoire during Pomalidomide treatment, aiming to investigate its potential to reverse the immunological abnormalities characteristic of RRMM.

Results

By flow cytometry at baseline we found a significant decrease in CD4 + frequency in MM patients, while CD8 + frequency were significantly higher in patients when compared to controls. Most T cell populations remained stable across all time points, except for CD4 + frequency, which notably decreased from t1 to subsequent assessments. Our investigation revealed as most relevant finding the notable increase in CD4 + expansions and the growing prevalence of patients manifesting these expansions. This pattern is even more evident in patients receiving their treatment until t3 and therefore still responding to treatment with Pomalidomide. We also conducted a comparison of spectratyping data before and after treatment, substantially demonstrating a relatively stable pattern throughout the course of Pomalidomide treatment.

Conclusions

These observations imply that Pomalidomide treatment influences the T-cell repertoire, particularly in the CD4 + subpopulation during the later stages of treatment, raising speculation about the potential involvement of these lymphocyte expansions in mechanisms related to antitumor immunity.
Cancer stem cells in meningiomas: novel insights and therapeutic implications
Authors: Awuah Wireko Andrew , Ben-Jaafar Adam , Karkhanis Simran , Nkrumah-Boateng Princess Afia , Kong Jonathan Sing Huk , Mannan Krishitha Meenu , Shet Vallabh , Imran Shahzeb , Bone Matan , Boye Allswell Naa Adjeley , Ranganathan Sruthi , Shah Muhammad Hamza , Abdul-Rahman Toufik , Atallah Oday
Published: September 2024

Meningiomas (MGs), which arise from meningothelial cells of the dura mater, represent a significant proportion of primary tumours of the central nervous system (CNS). Despite advances in treatment, the management of malignant meningioma (MMG) remains challenging due to diagnostic, surgical, and resection limitations. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a subpopulation within tumours capable of self-renewal and differentiation, are highlighted as key markers of tumour growth, metastasis, and treatment resistance. Identifying additional CSC-related markers enhances the precision of malignancy evaluations, enabling advancements in personalised medicine. The review discusses key CSC biomarkers that are associated with high levels of expression, aggressive tumour behaviour, and poor outcomes. Recent molecular research has identified CSC-related biomarkers, including Oct-4, Sox2, NANOG, and CD133, which help maintain cellular renewal, proliferation, and drug resistance in MGs. This study highlights new therapeutic strategies that could improve patient prognosis with more durable tumour regression. The use of combination therapies, such as hydroxyurea alongside diltiazem, suggests more efficient and effective MG management compared to monotherapy. Signalling pathways such as NOTCH and hedgehog also offer additional avenues for therapeutic development. CRISPR/Cas9 technology has also been employed to create meningioma models, uncovering pathways related to cell growth and proliferation. Since the efficacy of traditional therapies is limited in most cases due to resistance mechanisms in CSCs, further studies on the biology of CSCs are warranted to develop therapeutic interventions that are likely to be effective in MG. Consequently, improved diagnostic approaches may lead to personalised treatment plans tailored to the specific needs of each patient.
The interplay of humor and creativity: shaping rationality and decision-making quality
Authors: Brender-Ilan Yael , Shertzer Yonatan
Published: September 2024

This study explores the relationship between humor, creativity, rationality, intuitiveness, and decision-making quality, all of which are vital in organizational management and success. Despite the importance attached to decision-making, prior research has not fully addressed how humor and creativity interact with rationality. Drawing from psychology, cognitive science, and management studies, we investigate how humor and creativity jointly influence cognitive reflection and decision quality. Using a sample of 998 participants and employing a mediating-moderation PROCESS model, our findings indicate that rational individuals tend to make higher-quality decisions, with affiliative humor mediating this relationship. Furthermore, we observed that employees’ creativity levels moderated this relationship, especially among rational employees with high creativity, who made higher-quality decisions. These findings highlight the interconnectedness of humor, creativity, and rationality in decision-making processes, offering practical implications for organizational behavior and management practices. Understanding this interplay can provide a nuanced approach to enhancing decision-making processes in management, emphasizing the value of humor in organizational contexts.
Quantification of the uncertainty of geoscientific maps relying on human sensory engagement
Authors: Asadi Jalil , Dietrich Peter , Paasche Hendrik
Published: September 2024

Uncertainty of a geoscientific map derived from data sampled by sensory engagement of human experts cannot be quantified from within the processing chain followed to produce the map due to subjective components in the underlying data. Nevertheless, quantified uncertainty associated with such maps would be essentially required for correct information retrieval from such maps. An approach mimicking an expert elicitation through digital agents in an information fusion procedure is suggested to quantify the trustworthiness of a partially subjective map (such as a soil map or any other geoscientific map inherently linked to partial subjectivity, e.g., a geological map). This procedure links a partially subjective map with collocated maps resulting from technical measurements provided with quantified uncertainty. Variation of methodology in this approach results in an ensemble of maps with variable degree of matching with the partially subjective map which allows for probabilistic statements about the trustworthiness of the partially subjective map. This enables including partially subjective maps in further data integration relying on numerical analysis, e.g., in the context of computational modeling or machine learning. By being able to assign a quantitative trustworthiness to a partially subjective map the risk of over-utilization of this map is reduced.
Small-scale fisheries in ecologically sensitive areas in Latin America and the Caribbean: Do marine protected areas benefit fisheries governance?
Authors: Cinti Ana , Ramirez Luisa , Castrejón Mauricio , Aburto Jaime A. , Loto Luciana , Fulton Stuart , Rueda Mario , Schiavetti Alexandre , Fernández-Rivera Melo Francisco J. , Bravo Manuel , Alarcon Daniela Trigueirinho , Araújo Valéria Penchel , Parma Ana M.
Published: September 2024

Many small-scale fisheries (SSFs) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) operate in ecologically sensitive areas, where balancing conservation and resource use is challenging. 'Multiple-use' marine protected areas (MPAs) have been implemented to accommodate SSFs (among other uses) within areas designated for conservation, creating opportunities and challenges for SSF governance. We analyzed eleven case studies from LAC to explore: (1) how different MPA institutional designs affect key aspects of SSF governance and (2) the links between these effects and the type of initiative that promoted MPA establishment (origin). Results indicate that the existence of an MPA benefited SSF governance in many ways, with more pronounced positive effects in MPAs with mixed to bottom-up origin supported by well-organized fishing groups. In addition, the presence of supportive MPA authorities that leveraged local capacities and initiatives and adopted flexible and collaborative governance systems made a difference in several cases. Lessons for integrating MPA and SSF governance are drawn.
Monitoring the gas metal arc additive manufacturing process using unsupervised machine learning
Authors: Mattera Giulio , Polden Joseph , Norrish John
Published: September 2024

The study aimed to assess the performance of several unsupervised machine learning (ML) techniques in online anomaly (The term “anomaly” is used here to indicate a departure from expected process behavior which may indicate a quality issue which requires further investigation. The term “defect detection” has often been used previously but the specific imperfection is often indirectly inferred.) detection during surface tension transfer (STT)-based wire arc additive manufacturing. Recent advancements in quality monitoring for wire arc manufacturing were reviewed, followed by a comparison of unsupervised ML techniques using welding current and welding voltage data collected during a defect-free deposition process. Both time domain and frequency domain feature extraction techniques were applied and compared. Three analysis methodologies were adopted: ML algorithms such as isolation forest, local outlier factor, and one-class support vector machine. The results highlight that incorporating frequency analysis, such as fast Fourier transform (FFT) and discrete wavelet transform (DWT), for feature extraction based on general frequency response and defined bandwidth frequency response, significantly improves performance, reflected in a 14% increase in F2 score, compared with time-domain features extraction. Additionally, a deep learning approach employing a convolutional autoencoder (CAE) demonstrated superior performance by processing time-frequency domain data stored as spectrograms obtained through short-time Fourier transform (STFT) analysis. The CAE method outperformed frequency domain analysis and traditional ML approaches, achieving an additional 5% improvement in F2-score. Notably, the F2-score (The F2 score is the weighted harmonic mean of the precision and recall (given a threshold value). Unlike the F1 score, which gives equal weight to precision and recall, the F2 score gives more weight to recall than to precision.) increased significantly from 0.78 in time domain analysis to 0.895 in time-frequency analysis. The study emphasizes the potential of utilizing low-cost sensors to develop anomaly detection modules with enhanced accuracy. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating advanced data processing techniques in wire arc additive manufacturing for improved quality control and process optimization.
Analysis, modelling, and optimization of force in ultra-precision hard turning of cold work hardened steel using the CBN tool
Authors: Elly Ogutu Isaya , Adizue Ugonna Loveday , Tura Amanuel Diriba , Farkas Balázs Zsolt , M.Takács
Published: September 2024

The machinability of high-performance materials such as superalloys, composites, and hardened steel has been a big challenge due to their mechanical, physical, and chemical properties, which give them inherent complex machining characteristics. Additionally, majority of machinability tests conducted on these materials have been carried out on conventional and less precise lathes based on Taguchi, composite, and other designs of experiments that do not exploit all the possible combinations of cutting parameters. This work reports an investigation on ultra-precision hard turning (UHT) of cold work hardened AISI D2 steel of HRC 62, based on the full factorial design of experiment, carried out on an ultra-precision lathe. A theoretical analysis of the force components generated is reported. Modelling of the process, based on the resultant force, is also reported through a machine learning model. The model was developed from the experimental data and statistically evaluated with validation data. Its average MAPE values of 1.47%, 4.81%, and 10.66% for training, testing, and validation, respectively, attest to its robustness. The excellent coefficient of determination values, R2, also justify the model’s robustness. Multi-objective optimization was also conducted to optimize material removal rate (MRR), resultant force, and vibration simultaneously. For sustainable and efficient UHT, optimal cutting velocity (158.8 m/min), feed (0.125 mm/rev), and depth of cut (0.074 mm) were proposed to generate optimal resultant force (224.8 N), MRR (2603.6 mm3/min), and vibration (0.03 m/s^2) simultaneously. These results can be beneficial in planning UHT processes for high-performance materials.
Discrete element method simulation of high-speed vehicle collisions with road barrier systems
Authors: Habtemariam Abinet K. , Brunnabend Luis , Fischer Kai , Stolz Alexander
Published: September 2024

The behavior of road or perimeter protection barriers under vehicle impact are usually investigated based on crash tests and finite element (FE) numerical approaches, which are ether expensive or time-consuming. Several studies have proposed to reduce the computation time of the numerical analysis by substituting the complex FE models of vehicles using simplified mass–spring–damper system models. However, these models have drawbacks since consideration of different vehicle impact angles is difficult and they are unable to correctly simulate the risk of high-speed vehicle collision running over the barrier. In this paper, a new approach is proposed to simulate the collision of vehicles with barriers based on the discrete element method (DEM). Here, to save computation time only a handful of 3D non-spherical particles are used to represent the barrier and vehicle. These particles are generated based on the super-quadric function, which is capable of generating a variety of shapes needed for the model. The contact detection and evaluation are carried out based on discrete function representation of the particles with uniform sampling. The bond between two discrete elements is defined using a nonlinear cohesive beam model since the distance between the elements is relatively large. The simulation results obtained based on this approach are more accurate and complete than the simplified mass–spring models and computationally more efficient than the FE model.
Current trends and perspectives of scoliosis research society travel fellows
Authors: Joshi Aditya , Kamali Arash , Helbing Jordan , Welborn Michelle C. , Hwang Steven W. , Jain Amit , Kebaish Khaled , Hassanzadeh Hamid
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study aims to measure the impact of the Scoliosis Research Society’s travel fellowship on a spinal surgeon’s career.

Methods

A non-incentivized survey was sent to 78 previous SRS junior travel fellows from 1993 to 2021. The questionnaire assessed fellowship influence on academic and administrative positions, professional society memberships, and commercial relationships. The trend of these quantitative measures was created according to a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) calculation of the reported values. The Scopus database was queried for all fellows’ publication counts and h-index before the fellowship, as well as 3 years, 5 years, and currently after the fellowship. A control cohort of matched surgeons who did not participate in travel fellowships was used to compare research productivity measures relative to travel fellows.

Results

This study had a 73% response rate. Over the periods of 3–5 years after the fellowship, and up to the present, the mean publication count increased by 31.0%, 31.6%, and 46.4%, respectively. Over the same interval, the mean h-index increased by 19.5%, 17.3%, and 11.3%, respectively. From the year of their respective fellowship to present day, the fellows observed a mean CAGR of + 3.2% in academic positions, + 6.7% in administrative positions, + 2.3% in society memberships, and + 4.7% in commercial relations. Previous fellows concurred the fellowship changed their clinical practice (42.1% Strongly Agree, 36.8% Agree), expanded their network (71.9% Strong Agree, 24.6% Agree), expanded their research (33.3% Strongly Agree, 54.4% Agree), and improved their surgical technique (33.3% Strongly Agree, 49.1% Agree).

Conclusion

Robust feedback from previous fellows suggests a traveling fellowship has a meaningful impact on a surgeon’s research productivity and career achievements.
Maslach Burnout Inventory versus Boyko’s Burnout Inventory: a comparative study and methodology
Authors: Kotova Marina B. , Kolesnikov Vadim N. , Kiseleva Marina V. , Kiselev Anton R. , Drapkina Oxana M.
Published: September 2024

Background

In Russia, the following two questionnaires are mainly used to study the burnout syndrome: Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Boyko’s Burnout Inventory (BBI). Despite the fact that the questionnaires are based on different theoretical models and composition of the scales, they evaluate essentially the same construct. A few published sources provide data on correlations between the results of measuring burnout using these methods. However, the presence of a correlation does not imply the comparability of the methods. The goal of our study was to compare the results of MBI and BBI as well as to develop a methodology for reciprocal recalculation of their burnout estimates.

Methods

MBI and BBI scales were employed to diagnose the burnout syndrome. Our study included 117 men aged 41–44 years. The total scores obtained by the two methods, as well as the subscale scores, were compared using the correlation analysis, the cross-comparative analysis, and the Bland–Altman plot method, while the associations between the results were estimated with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

The total scores (integral indicators based on summing the scores of all subscales and taking into account differences in the weights of scale scores) demonstrated a high similarity in measuring the severity of the burnout. All three dimensions of burnout sensu MBI correlated with the total BBI score.

Conclusion

The comparison (MBI vs. BBI) demonstrated the consistency of the results, which implied the possibility of comparing data yielded by the studies based on the two questionnaires (MBI and BBI).
Hausärztliches Telemonitoring bei akuten Erkrankungen am Beispiel von COVID-19 – qualitative Interviewstudie
Authors: Chabiera Peter Jan , Holtz Svea , Köhler Susanne Maria , Deutsch Kim , Oftring Zoe S. , Lawin Dennis , Vogelmeier Claus F. , Dauletbayev Nurlan , Niekrenz Lukas , Dreher Michael , Gloeckl Rainer , Koczulla Rembert , Rohde Gernot , Gerlach Ferdinand M. , Kuhn Sebastian , Müller Beate Sigrid
Published: September 2024

Hintergrund

Weltweit wurde in der COVID-19-Pandemie Telemonitoring zur Betreuung von COVID-19-Erkrankten eingesetzt. Im Projekt COVID-19@Home wurde ein Telemonitoringkonzept unter anderem im hausärztlichen Setting implementiert.

Ziel der Arbeit

In diesem Artikel werden Erfahrungen, Barrieren und förderliche Faktoren der Implementation des Telemonitoringkonzepts aus hausärztlicher Sicht dargestellt.

Material und Methoden

Patientenseitig wurde eine App mit bis zu 5 Messgeräten zur Bestimmung der Vitalparameter verwendet. Die Praxen erhielten Zugriff auf ein Webportal mit Einsicht in Messwerte und Symptome sowie Anbindung an eine Supportstruktur. Die ärztlichen Teilnehmenden wurden zu semistrukturierten Interviews eingeladen, die mittels qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse ausgewertet wurden.

Ergebnisse

Acht Praxen mit 51 Patientinnen und Patienten nahmen teil, 7 der 8 ärztlichen Teilnehmenden willigten in ein Interview ein. Eine telemedizinische Begleitung wurde insbesondere dann als Mehrwert empfunden, wenn sie die Arbeitsbelastung oder die eigene Unsicherheit im Kontakt mit Risikopatientinnen und -patienten verringerte. Zusätzliche Aufgaben durch das Telemonitoring wurden meist außerhalb der Sprechstunden vom ärztlichen Personal durchgeführt. Die Messwerte wurden mindestens täglich überprüft. Datenqualität und -zuverlässigkeit wurden überwiegend als gut wahrgenommen. Die Meinungen zur Anzahl der Messgeräte divergierten jedoch.

Diskussion

Eine Akzeptanz der Hausärzteschaft für Telemonitoring bei einer Akuterkrankung ist dann zu erwarten, wenn die Integration in den Arbeitsalltag gelingt und zielgruppenspezifische, begleitende Supportstrukturen vorhanden sind. Zur Optimierung der Aufwand-Nutzen-Relation sollten in zukünftigen Studien klare Einschlusskriterien für Patientengruppen, die von einer telemedizinischen Begleitung profitieren, definiert werden.
Subjective perceptions about benefit and cost levels in contingent valuation
Authors: Hwang Julian J.
Published: September 2024

This paper hypothesizes that respondents in contingent valuation surveys may form different benefit and cost levels that deviate from the levels specified by the researcher. The conceptual framework investigates potential biases based on the direction of deviations. Survey data on the restoration of wetlands in Tampa Bay show that a significant portion of the respondents deviate from the benefit and cost levels presented in the scenario. Empirical results indicate that willingness-to-pay (WTP) estimates are very sensitive to the perceived benefit and cost levels. Depending on the direction of the deviations, WTP estimates could fluctuate up to +61 percent and −82 percent, compared to the estimate from those who evaluate the scenario at the presented levels.
‘Economic constitutionalism in a turbulent world’: a critical review
Authors: Guazzarotti Andrea
Published: September 2024

The article analyses the book Economic Constitutionalism in a Turbulent World edited by Skordas, Halmai and Mardikian, criticising the assumptions of societal constitutionalism and ordoliberalism on which it is based. The book concurs with the view that the current crisis of global legal institutions cannot be tackled going back to Nation States. Such an assumption seems to be inspired by societal constitutionalism à la Teubner. In contrast to traditional constitutionalism, which hinges on the dichotomy between constituent and constituted power, societal constitutionalism assigns a central role to independent institutions, whose main function is to avoid any hegemony of one social sub-system over another, in particular of politics over economics. The limit of societal constitutionalism lays in its assumption that the economic sub-system has its own rationality that the political–constitutional system can only irritate, taking for granted that the paradigm of that economic rationality is the one established after 1989, thus implicitly adhering to the neo-ordoliberal vision and legitimising its absolute immanentism. Coming to the materiality of the issues underlying the book, most of the contributions conceive globalisation as an engine for the increase of global prosperity. This confidence rests in the Ricardian theory of comparative advantage. However, the latter is valid only under condition of restrictions on the movement of capital. Another assumption made by several contributions is the theory of the varieties of capitalism, according to which individual models of capitalism tend to stabilise around certain production regimes whose key actors are large firms and business associations. According to an alternative, neo-Kaleckian paradigm, there is no natural convergence of the actors of the economic system towards a mutually beneficial institutional set-up, and it is quite unlikely that, without the external intervention of politics, the system can return to equilibrium.
A cross-linguistic examination of young children’s everyday language experiences
Authors: Bunce John , Soderstrom Melanie , Bergelson Elika , Rosemberg Celia , Stein Alejandra , Alam Florencia , Migdalek Maia Julieta , Casillas Marisa
Published: September 2024

We present an exploratory cross-linguistic analysis of the quantity of target-child-directed speech and adult-directed speech in North American English (US & Canadian), United Kingdom English, Argentinian Spanish, Tseltal (Tenejapa, Mayan), and Yélî Dnye (Rossel Island, Papuan), using annotations from 69 children aged 2–36 months. Using a novel methodological approach, our cross-linguistic and cross-cultural findings support prior work suggesting that target-child-directed speech quantities are stable across early development, while adult-directed speech decreases. A preponderance of speech from women was found to a similar degree across groups, with less target-child-directed speech from men and children in the North American samples than elsewhere. Consistently across groups, children also heard more adult-directed than target-child-directed speech. Finally, the numbers of talkers present in any given clip strongly impacted children’s moment-to-moment input quantities. These findings illustrate how the structure of home life impacts patterns of early language exposure across diverse developmental contexts.
On the brink again: the critical role of annual releases in saving Spix’s Macaw Cyanopsitta spixii
Authors: Vercillo Ugo , Novaes Marisa , Marcuk Vladislav , Purchase Cromwell
Published: September 2024

Spix’s Macaw Cyanopsitta spixii, extinct in the wild since 2000, was successfully reintroduced in Brazil in 2022, leading to significant progress, including the hatching of wild chicks. However, recent restrictions on further releases by the Brazilian government have put the reintroduction programme into jeopardy. This study updates our 2023 population viability analysis (PVA) to assess the impact of these delayed releases on the wild population. Using six modelled scenarios, we confirm that without annual supplementation of captive-bred birds, the probability of extinction in the wild remains at 100%. Even a one-time release is insufficient to secure population stability. Our results highlight that those annual releases of at least 20 individuals are necessary to ensure long-term viability, with reduced but still essential growth achievable with 10 birds per year. Supplementation of the wild population does not compromise the long-term viability of the well-established captive population. We urge immediate action to resume the release programme in 2024 to prevent the species from once again facing extinction in the wild.
Quantifying Surface Shelf Water Export in the Southern Middle Atlantic Bight Using a Lagrangian Particle Tracking Approach
Authors: Mao Shun , Shropshire Taylor , He Ruoying
Published: September 2024

Shelf water is influenced by atmospheric forcing, river outflows, and the open ocean. Studying its variability is crucial for understanding anthropogenic impacts on coastal oceans and their transport to the open ocean. In the Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB), the interaction of the Gulf Stream with shelf/slope circulation leads to some of the complex exchanges between the shelf and open ocean along the U.S. East Coast. This study employs a Lagrangian particle tracking approach, grounded in a high‐resolution, data‐assimilative ocean reanalysis, to examine the export pathways of surface shelf water in the MAB. We analyzed over 700 daily images of simulated particle distributions using image clustering techniques. This revealed three distinct export patterns: abrupt entrainment to the Gulf Stream, gradual entrainment, and southern transport. Each pattern was observed roughly equally during the study period from January 2017 to December 2018. The observed export patterns are closely linked to the coastal circulation dynamics near Cape Hatteras. Understanding the timing and duration of these patterns is vital for assessing water quality and predicting the settlement of species that spawn in the region. Our study further underscores the influence of tropical cyclones, including Hurricanes Jose, Maria, and Chris, on these export patterns. These extreme weather events lead to significant shifts in coastal circulation near Cape Hatteras.
Thermochemistry of the Mantle Transition Zone Beneath the Western Pacific
Authors: Waszek Lauren , Anandawansha Rashni , Sexton Justin , Tauzin Benoit
Published: September 2024

The Earth's mantle transition zone has significant control on material flux between upper and lower mantle, thus constraining its properties is imperative to understand dynamic processes and circulation patterns. Global seismic data sets to study the transition zone typically display highly uneven spatial distribution. Therefore, complementary geometries are essential to improve knowledge of physical structures, thermochemistry, and impact on convection. Here, we present a new automated approach utilizing machine learning to analyze large seismic data sets, and derive high‐resolution maps of transition zone discontinuity properties. Seismic measurements from ScSScS precursors are integrated with mineralogical modeling to constrain thermochemistry of the western Pacific subduction zone. Our models map recent subduction patterns through the transition zone, indicating stagnation of slabs and accumulation of basalt at its base, and interaction between stagnant slabs and plumes. These results suggest that the thermochemical properties of upper mantle discontinuities can provide high‐resolution images of mantle circulation patterns.
Tectonic Quiescence in Actively Extending Back‐Arc Regions
Authors: Beniest A. , Dannowski A. , Schnabel M. , Kopp H. ,   the SO267 Scientist Party
Published: September 2024

We analyzed refraction and reflection seismic data covering the Central Lau Spreading Center (CLSC) and the Tonga volcanic arc at 18°S in the Pacific Ocean to investigate tectonic inactivity in actively extending back‐arc systems. Our P‐wave travel time tomography shows a characteristic 6–8 km thick back‐arc crust beneath and around the CLSC and a ∼13 km thick arc‐crust at the eastern end of our profile, which corresponds to the Tonga volcanic arc. Lower crustal velocities increase to 7.5 km/s toward the volcanic arc, marking the transition from back‐arc to arc crust. These high P‐wave velocities can be explained by a high pyroxene content in the lower crust originating from depleted melts. Our seismic reflection data show steep normal faults below the CLSC and volcanic structures closer to the volcanic arc, without a tectonically inactive zone (also knows as the “diffuse plate boundary”) in between. Based on our results, we suggest that the Niuafo'ou and Tonga microplates should be treated as one tectonic plate with local zones of intra‐plate deformation that are separated by zones that are tectonically quiet.
A modular chemigenetic calcium indicator for multiplexed in vivo functional imaging
Authors: Farrants Helen , Shuai Yichun , Lemon William C. , Monroy Hernandez Christian , Zhang Deng , Yang Shang , Patel Ronak , Qiao Guanda , Frei Michelle S. , Plutkis Sarah E. , Grimm Jonathan B. , Hanson Timothy L. , Tomaska Filip , Turner Glenn C. , Stringer Carsen , Keller Philipp J. , Beyene Abraham G. , Chen Yao , Liang Yajie , Lavis Luke D. , Schreiter Eric R.
Published: September 2024

Genetically encoded fluorescent calcium indicators allow cellular-resolution recording of physiology. However, bright, genetically targetable indicators that can be multiplexed with existing tools in vivo are needed for simultaneous imaging of multiple signals. Here we describe WHaloCaMP, a modular chemigenetic calcium indicator built from bright dye-ligands and protein sensor domains. Fluorescence change in WHaloCaMP results from reversible quenching of the bound dye via a strategically placed tryptophan. WHaloCaMP is compatible with rhodamine dye-ligands that fluoresce from green to near-infrared, including several that efficiently label the brain in animals. When bound to a near-infrared dye-ligand, WHaloCaMP shows a 7× increase in fluorescence intensity and a 2.1-ns increase in fluorescence lifetime upon calcium binding. We use WHaloCaMP1a to image Ca2+ responses in vivo in flies and mice, to perform three-color multiplexed functional imaging of hundreds of neurons and astrocytes in zebrafish larvae and to quantify Ca2+ concentration using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM).
Neural space–time model for dynamic multi-shot imaging
Authors: Cao Ruiming , Divekar Nikita S. , Nuñez James K. , Upadhyayula Srigokul , Waller Laura
Published: September 2024

Computational imaging reconstructions from multiple measurements that are captured sequentially often suffer from motion artifacts if the scene is dynamic. We propose a neural space–time model (NSTM) that jointly estimates the scene and its motion dynamics, without data priors or pre-training. Hence, we can both remove motion artifacts and resolve sample dynamics from the same set of raw measurements used for the conventional reconstruction. We demonstrate NSTM in three computational imaging systems: differential phase-contrast microscopy, three-dimensional structured illumination microscopy and rolling-shutter DiffuserCam. We show that NSTM can recover subcellular motion dynamics and thus reduce the misinterpretation of living systems caused by motion artifacts.
Neural precursor cells rescue symptoms of Rett syndrome by activation of the Interferon γ pathway
Authors: Frasca Angelisa , Miramondi Federica , Butti Erica , Indrigo Marzia , Balbontin Arenas Maria , Postogna Francesca M , Piffer Arianna , Bedogni Francesco , Pizzamiglio Lara , Cambria Clara , Borello Ugo , Antonucci Flavia , Martino Gianvito , Landsberger Nicoletta
Published: September 2024

The beneficial effects of Neural Precursor Cell (NPC) transplantation in several neurological disorders are well established and they are generally mediated by the secretion of immunomodulatory and neurotrophic molecules. We therefore investigated whether Rett syndrome (RTT), that represents the first cause of severe intellectual disability in girls, might benefit from NPC-based therapy. Using in vitro co-cultures, we demonstrate that, by sensing the pathological context, NPC-secreted factors induce the recovery of morphological and synaptic defects typical of Mecp2 deficient neurons. In vivo, we prove that intracerebral transplantation of NPCs in RTT mice significantly ameliorates neurological functions. To uncover the molecular mechanisms underpinning the mediated benefic effects, we analyzed the transcriptional profile of the cerebellum of transplanted animals, disclosing the possible involvement of the Interferon γ (IFNγ) pathway. Accordingly, we report the capacity of IFNγ to rescue synaptic defects, as well as motor and cognitive alterations in Mecp2 deficient models, thereby suggesting this molecular pathway as a potential therapeutic target for RTT.
An organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite material [Me3NCMe3]GaCl4 exhibits a two-step off–on–off SHG response with a large temperature interval
Authors: Yang Zhao , Zeng Yiyi , Chen Guoyong , Sun Xiao , Zhang Haina , Cai Hu , Wei Zhenhong
Published: September 2024

By modifying [Me4N] by replacing the methyl groups with tert-butyl groups, a new organic–inorganic hybrid compound [Me3NCMe3]GaCl4 (1) exhibiting true two-step SHG off–on–off switching with a rapid and large temperature interval was reported.
Selective 17O-labeling of silica
Authors: Agarwal Amil , Mais Marco , Perras Frédéric A.
Published: September 2024

Silanol groups on the surface of silica are labile and spontaneously exchange their oxygen atoms with water. This enables the synthesis of silica materials that are selectively labeled in 17O at either the silanol or siloxane positions.