bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability assessment of man‐machine systems subject to probabilistic common cause errors
Authors: Li Kehui , Guo Jianbin , Zeng Shengkui , Che Haiyang
Published: March 2024

The occurrence of probabilistic common cause errors (PCCEs) in man‐machine systems can lead to multiple human errors being affected by common causes and will contribute greatly to the reliability of the system. In this paper, A reliability modeling method based on event tree (ET)‐fault tree (FT) model for man‐machine systems subjected to PCCEs is proposed. Under the influence of PCCEs, risk factors in the system are not independent, and human errors affected by the same common cause will occur with different probabilities. To describe the dependencies among risk factors, a PCCE gate is proposed to extend FTs in the ET‐FT model. To analyze the impact of common causes on the human error probabilities and quantify the extended FT, an explicit method and an implicit method based on the Cognitive Reliability and Error Analysis Method are proposed. The proposed quantification methods consider the different relationships among multiple common causes in a single model. Finally, the proposed methods are validated in the reliability assessment of the emergency response system under malfunction of the solar wing mechanism.
A case report of Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome associated with severe airway obstruction in a 62‐year‐old female smoker
Authors: Uemasu Kiyoshi , Nyunoya Toru
Published: March 2024

Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome (BHD) typically does not manifest airway obstruction despite the presence of multiple lung cysts. However, the long‐term effects of cigarette smoking on lung function among individuals with BHD are unknown. We report a case of a smoking individual diagnosed with BHD syndrome complicated by spontaneous pneumothorax and severe airway obstruction. The patient presented with chronic dyspnea and productive cough. Further work‐up revealed severe obstructive airflow limitation, and multiple lung cysts in both lungs, accompanied centrilobular emphysematous changes. Genetic testing confirmed a heterozygous deletion of exons 6–8 in the folliculin gene, confirming the diagnosis of BHD.
High–Quality and Stable Quasi‐2D Perovskite Film Prepared by Introducing Alkali Metal Ion Additive
Authors: Gong Ying , Zhou Jinxiao , Qu Qianqian , Wang Jinxi , Liu Huijin , Wang Hanying , Xi Xiaoyan , Bi Shiqing
Published: March 2024

Due to the excellent stability, researchers have shown great interest in quasi two–dimensional (2D) perovskite in recent years. However, the poor film quality and low photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of 2D perovskite solar cells are still a major issue that restricts them from catching up with three–dimensional (3D) perovskite. Herein, we introduce sodium iodide as an additive to improve the surface coverage of 2D perovskite ((BA)2(MA)3Pb4I13) films and reduce the number of grain boundaries. Steady–state photoluminescence (PL) and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) indicate that non–radiative defects are suppressed and the band alignment is regulated. After modified by NaI, the film surface coverage enhances and the number of holes decreases. As a result, the PCE of device with NaI increases from 13.63 % to 16.40 % at optimal concentration, and the hysteresis effect is also suppressed. Besides, the humidity and thermal stability of perovskite are enhanced. The device with NaI modification can keep 80 % of initial efficiency, compared to 30 % for reference device after stored 30 days under ambient air condition. This work provides a simple method to improve the quality of quasi 2D perovskite films.
Synthesis of an Amine Moiety‐Based Fluorescent Probe and the Relationship Between the Amino Substitution Position and Formaldehyde Detection Performance
Authors: Tan Xi‐zhe , Hua Meng‐yao , Wang Si‐yi , Xu Lei , Zhang Guo‐fang , Gou Xing‐long
Published: March 2024

A novel amine moiety‐based fluorescent probe (BA) was prepared using diphenylacetylene as fluorophore and amino group as acceptor. The probe achieves detection of formaldehyde through fluorescence enhancement by inhibition the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) between diphenylacetylene and amino group. And the different formaldehyde detection performance of 2‐(phenylethynyl)aniline (BA‐1), 3‐(phenylethynyl)aniline (BA‐2) and 4‐(phenylethynyl)aniline (BA‐3) indicates that the position of amino recognition group on the benzene ring of diphenylacetylene has a significant impact on the detection ability of this type fluorescent probe. When the amino group is in the ortho‐position of the benzene ring, probe BA‐1 can rapidly enhance the fluorescence intensity within 20 min with limit of detection as low as 0.75 μM; When the amino group is located in meta‐position of benzene ring, the solution of BA‐2 also exhibited a certain degree of fluorescence enhancement, but it is weaker than BA‐1; When the amino group is at the para‐position of benzene ring, BA‐3 has almost no response to formaldehyde.
Proton Exchange Membranes from Sulfonated Lignin Nanocomposites for Redox Flow Battery Applications
Authors: dos Santos Fernanda Brito , McMichael Philip Spencer , Whitbeck Alex , Jalaee Adel , Gyenge Elod , Foster E. Johan
Published: March 2024

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are increasingly being considered for a wide range of energy storage applications, and such devices rely on proton exchange membranes (PEMs) to function. PEMs are high‐cost, petroleum‐derived polymers that often possess limited durability, variable electrochemical performance, and are linked to discharge of perfluorinated compounds. Alternative PEMs that utilize biobased materials, including lignin and sulfonated lignin (SL), low‐cost byproducts of the wood pulping process, have struggled to balance electrochemical performance with dimensional stability. Herein, SL nanoparticles are demonstrated for use as a nature‐derived, ion‐conducting PEM material. SL nanoparticles (NanoSLs) can be synthesized for increased surface area, uniformity, and miscibility compared with macrosized lignin, improving proton conductivity. After addition of polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) as a structural backbone, membranes with the highest NanoSL concentration demonstrated an ion exchange capacity of 1.26 meq g−1, above that of the commercial PEM Nafion 112 (0.98 meq g−1), along with a conductivity of 80.4 mS cm−1 in situ, above that of many biocomposite PEMs, and a coulombic efficiency (CE), energy efficiency (EE) and voltage efficiency (VE) of 91%, 68% and 78%, respectively at 20 mA cm−2. These nanocomposite PEMs demonstrate the potential for valorization of forest biomass waste streams for high value clean energy applications.
Unveiling and Overcoming Instabilities in Perovskite Solar Cells Induced by Atomic‐Layer‐Deposition Tin Oxide
Authors: Zheng Zhuo , Xue Zexu , Zhao Kai , Yang Yuanhang , Zhu Xueliang , Li Hao , Cheng Siyang , Li Sheng , Yan Ning , Wang Zhiping
Published: March 2024

Atomic layer deposition of tin oxide (ALD–SnOx) has emerged as a promising buffer/protection layer, often replacing bathocuproine (BCP) in applications such as semitransparent and tandem devices. However, the long‐term stability and underlying degradation mechanisms of perovskite solar cells (PSC) incorporating ALD–SnOx remain elusive. Herein, the long‐term stability of PSCs featuring an ALD–SnOx buffer layer is systematically investigated. Intriguingly, it is observed that cells with ALD–SnOx exhibit heightened susceptibility to severe degradation, surpassing even the degradation levels observed with BCP under humid conditions. Through an extensive analysis employing X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction, it is unveiled that ALD–SnOx triggers a phase transition in the perovskite when exposed to moisture, transitioning from the black cubic phase to the yellow delta phase, despite the presence of a thin layer of fullerene between the SnOx and the perovskite. Replacing ALD–SnOx with ALD–AlOx as a buffer layer emerges as a transformative strategy, effectively bolstering the humidity and thermal stability of the cells, without affecting device efficiency. The optimized ALD–AlOx‐buffered device exhibits a high efficiency of 24.61% and maintains 88% of its initial efficiency after maximum power point tracking under 1 sun illumination for 1350 h at 65 °C in ambient air when encapsulated.
The Role of Device Architecture and Interfacial Layer on Performance of Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Xiao Linge , Zhang Hong , Li Shilin , Cheng Qian , Zhang Yingyu , Li Yanxun , Zhang Yuan , Zhou Huiqiong
Published: March 2024

Semitransparent organic solar cells (ST‐OSCs) generally suffer from voltage loss in comparison to their opaque counterparts. Herein, ST‐OSCs constructed with conventional and inverted structures have been explored. The voltage losses of the inverted ST‐OSCs are lower than that of the conventional architectures when the thicknesses of the top transparent electrodes approach the percolation threshold, which is attributed to the larger surface energy of the bottom seeding layers, higher built‐in electric fields, and lower recombination losses. Moreover, ST‐OSCs with conventional architectures based on four commonly used electrode transporting layers (ETLs) PDINN, PDINO, PNDIT‐F3N, and PFN‐Br are employed to distinguish the Voc variation when capping with 10 nm top electrodes. It is revealed that ETL with larger surface energy and a stronger ability to reduce the cathode work function is more beneficial for reducing the voltage loss for ST‐OSCs. This work demonstrates the crucial role of device structure and interfacial layers in optimizing the ST‐OSC device performance.
Reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces cannot contain all continuous functions on a compact metric space
Authors: Steinwart Ingo
Published: March 2024

Given an uncountable, compact metric space X, we show that there exists no reproducing kernel Hilbert space that contains the space of all continuous functions on X.
Institutions and carbon emissions: an investigation employing STIRPAT and machine learning methods
Authors: Cooray Arusha , Özmen Ibrahim
Published: March 2024

We employ an extended Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence and Technology (STIRPAT) model combined with the environmental Kuznets curve and machine learning algorithms, including ridge and lasso regression, to investigate the impact of institutions on carbon emissions in a sample of 22 European Union countries over 2002 to 2020. Splitting the sample into two: those with weak and strong institutions, we find that the results differ between the two groups. Our results suggest that changes in institutional quality have a limited impact on carbon emissions. Government effectiveness leads to an increase in emissions in the European Union countries with stronger institutions, whereas voice and accountability lead to a fall in emissions. In the group with weaker institutions, political stability and the control of corruption reduce carbon emissions. Our findings indicate that variables such as population density, urbanization and energy consumption are more important determinants of carbon emissions in the European Union compared to institutional governance. The results suggest the need for coordinated and consistent policies that are aligned with climate targets for the European Union as a whole.
Optimal duration of medical expulsive therapy for lower ureteral stones: a critical evaluation
Authors: Erdoğan Erhan , Şimşek Gamze , Aşık Alper , Yaşar Hikmet , Şahin Cahit , Sarıca Kemal
Published: March 2024

To evaluate the optimal duration of Medical Expulsive Therapy (MET) application for distal ureteric stones on a time period based manner. 89 patients with 5–10 mm distal ureter stones received tamsulosin (0.4 mg) for MET and diclofenac sodium (75 mg) for analgesia. Patients were evaluated once a week for 4 weeks. Radiologic stone passage was evaluated by kidney ureter bladder (KUB) and ultasonography where non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) was also performed if needed. While 23 cases (28.4%) were SF after first week, 23 were SF (28.4%) after 2 weeks, 9 cases (11.1%) after 3 and lastly 7 cases (8.6%) became SF after four weeks. Nineteen (23.5%) cases were not SF after 4 weeks. A positive relationship was found between the time period elapsed for stone passage and ureteral wall thickness (UWT) along with the degree of hydronephrosis. In addition, mean number of renal colics and emergency department (ED) visits were found to be higher in patients passing stones in the 4th week along with the ones who could not despite MET. SFR for distal ureteric stones sizing 5–10 mm was higher within the first 3 weeks under MET application. Thus, waiting for a longer period of time may result in increased analgesic and unnecessary MET treatment with increased risk of emergency department visits and additional costs as well. We believe that other options could be considered in such cases who are not SF at the end of the first 3 weeks.
Homeostatic regulation of renewing tissue cell populations via crowding control: stability, robustness and quasi-dedifferentiation
Authors: Parigini Cristina , Greulich Philip
Published: March 2024

To maintain renewing epithelial tissues in a healthy, homeostatic state, cell divisions and differentiation need to be tightly regulated. Mechanisms of homeostatic regulation often rely on crowding feedback control: cells are able to sense the cell density in their environment, via various molecular and mechanosensing pathways, and respond by adjusting division, differentiation, and cell state transitions appropriately. Here, we determine, via a mathematically rigorous framework, which general conditions for the crowding feedback regulation (i) must be minimally met, and (ii) are sufficient, to allow the maintenance of homeostasis in renewing tissues. We show that those conditions naturally allow for a degree of robustness toward disruption of regulation. Furthermore, intrinsic to this feedback regulation is that stem cell identity is established collectively by the cell population, not by individual cells, which implies the possibility of ‘quasi-dedifferentiation’, in which cells committed to differentiation may reacquire stem cell properties upon depletion of the stem cell pool. These findings can guide future experimental campaigns to identify specific crowding feedback mechanisms.
Embryonic methionine triggers post-natal developmental programming in Japanese quail
Authors: Ndunguru Sawadi F. , Reda Gebrehaweria K. , Csernus Brigitta , Knop Renáta , Gulyás Gabriella , Szabó Csaba , Czeglédi Levente , Lendvai Ádám Z.
Published: March 2024

Embryonic development is one of the most sensitive and critical stages when maternal effects may influence the offspring’s phenotype. In birds and other oviparous species, embryonic development is confined to the eggs, therefore females must deposit resources into the eggs to prepare the offspring for the prevailing post-natal conditions. However, the mechanisms of such phenotypic adjustments remain poorly understood. We simulated a maternal nutritional transfer by injecting 1 mg of l-methionine solution into Japanese quail eggs before the onset of incubation. The increase in early methionine concentration in eggs activated the insulin/insulin-like signalling and mechanistic target of rapamycin (IIS/mTOR) signalling pathways and affected post-natal developmental trajectories. Chicks from methionine-supplemented eggs had higher expression of liver IGF1 and mTOR genes at hatching but were similar in size, and the phenotypic effects of increased growth became apparent only a week later and remained up to three weeks. Circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and expression of ribosomal protein serine 6 kinase 1 (RPS6K1), the mTOR downstream effector, were elevated only three weeks after hatching. These results show that specific nutritional cues may have phenotypic programming effects by sequentially activating specific nutrient-sensing pathways and achieving transgenerational phenotypic plasticity.
A Note on Internal Partitions: The 5-Regular Case and Beyond
Authors: Bärnkopf Pál , Nagy Zoltán Lóránt , Paulovics Zoltán
Published: March 2024

An internal or friendly partition of a graph is a partition of the vertex set into two nonempty sets so that every vertex has at least as many neighbours in its own class as in the other one. It has been shown that apart from finitely many counterexamples, every 3,  4 or 6-regular graph has an internal partition. In this note we focus on the 5-regular case and show that among the subgraphs of minimum degree at least 3 of 5-regular graphs, there are some which have small intersection. We also discuss the existence of internal partitions in some families of Cayley graphs, notably we determine all 5-regular Abelian Cayley graphs which do not have an internal partition.
Evaluation of night eating syndrome and food addiction in esports players
Authors: Arslan Sedat , Atan Ramazan Mert , Sahin Nursel , Ergul Yasemin
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Esports players’ training takes long periods and they sit for a long time during competitions, which increases their risk of obesity and urges them to develop inappropriate eating behaviors. In this study, we aimed to investigate the night-eating syndrome and food addiction in esports players.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 248 esports players who were members of a university’s esports community. The study data were collected using an online questionnaire consisting of the descriptive information form, Night Eating Questionnaire, and Yale Food Addiction Scale.

Results

The mean age of the sports players participating in the study was 22.19 ± 5.97 years. Of them, 55.6% had a normal body weight, 13.4% were obese, 54.4% played esports for 3 years or more, 13.3% experienced night eating syndrome, and 21.4% experienced food addiction. While the weekly duration of playing esports and skipping meals were associated with night eating syndrome, the weekly duration of playing esports and smoking were associated with food addiction (p < 0.05). Additionally, although there was no statistically significant difference, the risk of food addiction was 2.12 times higher in those with poor perceived sleep quality.

Conclusion

We observed that night eating syndrome was very common in esports players and that these individuals were at risk in terms of food addiction. Since esports has a more sedentary structure than traditional sports, we suggest that esports players should be evaluated in terms of their unhealthy eating behaviors and risk of eating disorders.
Early microvascular coronary endothelial dysfunction precedes pembrolizumab-induced cardiotoxicity. Preventive role of high dose of atorvastatin
Authors: Efentakis Panagiotis , Choustoulaki Angeliki , Kwiatkowski Grzegorz , Varela Aimilia , Kostopoulos Ioannis V. , Tsekenis George , Ntanasis-Stathopoulos Ioannis , Georgoulis Anastasios , Vorgias Constantinos E. , Gakiopoulou Harikleia , Briasoulis Alexandros , Davos Constantinos H. , Kostomitsopoulos Nikolaos , Tsitsilonis Ourania , Dimopoulos Meletios Athanasios , Terpos Evangelos , Chłopicki Stefan , Gavriatopoulou Maria , Andreadou Ioanna
Published: March 2024

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) exhibit remarkable antitumor activity and immune-related cardiotoxicity of unknown pathomechanism. The aim of the study was to investigate the ICI class-dependent cardiotoxicity in vitro and pembrolizumab’s (Pem’s) cardiotoxicity in vivo, seeking for translational prevention means. Cytotoxicity was investigated in primary cardiomyocytes and splenocytes, incubated with ipilimumab, Pem and avelumab. Pem’s cross-reactivity was assessed by circular dichroism (CD) on biotechnologically produced human and murine PD-1 and in silico. C57BL6/J male mice received IgG4 or Pem for 2 and 5 weeks. Echocardiography, histology, and molecular analyses were performed. Coronary blood flow velocity mapping and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were conducted at 2 weeks. Human EA.hy926 endothelial cells were incubated with Pem-conditioned media from human mononuclear cells, in presence and absence of statins and viability and molecular signaling were assessed. Atorvastatin (20 mg/kg, daily) was administered in vivo, as prophylaxis. Only Pem exerted immune-related cytotoxicity in vitro. Pem’s cross-reactivity with the murine PD-1 was confirmed by CD and docking. In vivo, Pem initiated coronary endothelial and diastolic dysfunction at 2 weeks and systolic dysfunction at 5 weeks. At 2 weeks, Pem induced ICAM-1 and iNOS expression and intracardiac leukocyte infiltration. At 5 weeks, Pem exacerbated endothelial activation and triggered cardiac inflammation. Pem led to immune-related cytotoxicity in EA.hy926 cells, which was prevented by atorvastatin. Atorvastatin mitigated functional deficits, by inhibiting endothelial dysfunction in vivo. We established for the first time an in vivo model of Pem-induced cardiotoxicity. Coronary endothelial dysfunction precedes Pem-induced cardiotoxicity, whereas atorvastatin emerges as a novel prophylactic therapy.
Temperature has an overriding role compared to photoperiod in regulating the seasonal timing of winter moth egg hatching
Authors: van Dis Natalie E. , Salis Lucia , Visser Marcel E.
Published: March 2024

To accurately predict species’ phenology under climate change, we need to gain a detailed mechanistic understanding of how different environmental cues interact to produce the seasonal timing response. In the winter moth (Operophtera brumata), seasonal timing of egg hatching is strongly affected by ambient temperature and has been under strong climate change-induced selection over the past 25 years. However, it is unclear whether photoperiod received at the egg stage also influences timing of egg hatching. Here, we investigated the relative contribution of photoperiod and temperature in regulating winter moth egg development using two split-brood experiments. We experimentally shifted the photoperiod eggs received by 2–4 weeks compared to the actual calendar date and measured the timing of egg hatching, both at a constant temperature and in combination with two naturally changing temperature treatments – mimicking a cold and a warm year. We found an eight-fold larger effect of temperature compared to photoperiod on egg development time. Moreover, the very small photoperiod effects we found were outweighed by both between- and within-clutch variation in egg development time. Thus, we conclude that photoperiod received at the egg stage does likely not play a substantial role in regulating the seasonal timing of egg hatching in the winter moth. These insights into the regulatory mechanism of seasonal timing could have important implications for predicting insect climate change adaptation, as we might expect different targets of selection depending on the relative contribution of different environmental cues.
Paradox? What paradox?
Authors: Willink R.
Published: March 2024

This article is a response to the preceding paper by Huang, who considers a recent result of Willink (Measurement: Sensors, 24:100416, 2022) and who describes the result as a paradox. The result implied that a set of information or a “state of knowledge” about a measurand cannot be identified with a unique probability distribution for the measurand, contrary to what seems suggested in the literature surrounding the revision of the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement. The result is restated and viewed in the context of CIPM Recommendation INC-1, which was foundational in the original development of the Guide. It is argued that the result is a proof, not a paradox, and that it will only appear paradoxical to those who have adopted an incorrect premise about probability. The idea of having “information” about the true value of a measurand is discussed and contrasted with the idea of having “belief” about it. The material supports the view that the analysis of measurement uncertainty is to be based on classical statistical principles.
P4HA2 involved in SLUG-associated EMT predicts poor prognosis of patients with KRAS-positive colorectal cancer
Authors: El-Deek Heba El-Deek Mohammed , El-Naggar Maha Salah , Morsy Aiat Morsy Mohamed , Sedik Mayada Fawzy , Osman Heba Ahmed , Ahmed Asmaa M.
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to examine the immunohistochemical expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition biomarkers: P4HA2 and SLUG in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) specimens, then to assess their relation to clinicopathological features including KRAS mutations and patients’ survival, and finally to study the correlation between them in CRC. The result of this study showed that SLUG and P4HA2 were significantly higher in association with adverse prognostic factors: presence of lympho-vascular invasion, perineural invasion, higher tumor budding, tumor stage, presence of lymph node metastasis, and presence of distant metastasis. CRC specimens with KRAS mutation were associated with significant higher SLUG and P4HA2 expression. High expression of both SLUG and P4HA2 was significantly unfavorable prognostic indicator as regards overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). In KRAS mutated cases, high P4HA2 expression was the only significant poor prognostic indicator as regarding DFS. In conclusions, our data highlight that both SLUG and P4HA2 expression may serve as potentially important poor prognostic biomarkers in CRC and targeting these molecules may be providing a novel therapeutic strategy. In KRAS mutation group, high P4HA2 expression is the only independent prognostic factor for tumor recurrence, so it can be suggested to be a novel target for therapy.
Incidence of groin hernia repairs in women and parity: a population-based cohort study among women born in Sweden between 1956 and 1983
Authors: Matovu A. , Löfgren J. , Wladis A. , Nordin P. , Sandblom G. , Pettersson H. J.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between parity and the incidence rate of groin hernia repair in women.

Method

This study was based on two Swedish national registers, the Medical Birth Register (MBR), and the Swedish Hernia Register (SHR). The cohort constituted of women born between 1956 and 1983. Data on vaginal and cesarean deliveries were retrieved from the MBR. The birth and hernia registers were cross matched to identify hernia repairs carried out after deliveries.

Results

A total of 1,535,379 women were born between 1956 and 1983. Among these, 1,417,237 (92.3%) were registered for at least one birth. The incidence rate for Inguinal Hernia Repair (IHR) and Femoral Hernia Repair (FHR) was 10.7 per 100,000 person-year and 2.6 per 100,000 person-year, respectively. Compared with women registered for one delivery, the incidence rate ratio for IHR was 1.31 (95% Confidence Interval: 1.23–1.40) among women registered for two deliveries, 1.70 (1.58–1.82) among women registered for ≥ 3 deliveries. Additionally, the incidence rate ratios were higher 1.30 (1.14–1.49) and 1.70 (1.49–1.95) for FHR among women with two and  ≥ 3 registered deliveries, respectively.

Conclusion

In the present cohort, higher parity was associated with a higher incidence of inguinal as well as FHRs.
Evaluating the effectiveness of machine learning models for performance forecasting in basketball: a comparative study
Authors: Papageorgiou George , Sarlis Vangelis , Tjortjis Christos
Published: March 2024

Sports analytics (SA) incorporate machine learning (ML) techniques and models for performance prediction. Researchers have previously evaluated ML models applied on a variety of basketball statistics. This paper aims to benchmark the forecasting performance of 14 ML models, based on 18 advanced basketball statistics and key performance indicators (KPIs). The models were applied on a filtered pool of 90 high-performance players. This study developed individual forecasting scenarios per player and experimented using all 14 models. The models’ performance ranking was developed using a bespoke evaluation metric, called weighted average percentage error (WAPE), formulated from the weighted mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) evaluation results of each forecasted statistic and model. Moreover, we employed a comprehensive forecasting approach to improve KPI's results. Results showed that Tree-based models, namely Extra Trees, Random Forest, and Decision Tree, are the best performers in most of the forecasted performance indicators, with the best performance achieved by Extra Trees with a WAPE of 34.14%. In conclusion, we achieved a 3.6% MAPE improvement for the selected KPI with our approach on unseen data.
Morphological, genetic and ecological divergence in near-cryptic bryophyte species widespread in the Holarctic: the Dicranum acutifolium complex (Dicranales) revisited in the Alps
Authors: Kiebacher Thomas , Szövényi Péter
Published: March 2024

There is mounting evidence that reproductively isolated, but morphologically weakly differentiated species (so-called cryptic species) represent a substantial part of biological diversity, especially in bryophytes. We assessed the evolutionary history and ecological differentiation of a species pair, Dicranum brevifolium and D. septentrionale, which have overlapping ranges in the Holarctic. Despite their morphological similarity, we found similar genetic differentiation as between morphologically well-differentiated Dicranum species. Moreover, we detected gene tree discordance between plastid and nuclear markers, but neither of the two datasets resolved the two as sister species. The signal in trnL–trnF better reflects the morphological and ecological affinities and indicates a close relationship while ITS sequence data resolved the two taxa as phylogenetically distantly related. The discordance is probably unrelated to the ecological differentiation of D. septentrionale to colonise subneutral to alkaline substrates (vs. acidic in D. brevifolium), because this ability is rare in the genus and shared with D. acutifolium. This taxon is the closest relative of D. septentrionale according to the trnL–trnF data and does not share the discordance in ITS. We furthermore demonstrate that beside D. acutifolium, both D. septentrionale and D. brevifolium occur in the Alps but D. brevifolium is most likely rarer. Based on morphological analyses including factor analysis for mixed data of 45 traits we suggest treating the latter two as near-cryptic species and we recommend verifying morphological determinations molecularly.
Prediction of Disruptive Behavior over Time from Changes in Patients’ Global Functioning in Acute Psychiatric Care
Authors: de Boer Tamar , Pietersma Marijn , Tiemens Bea
Published: March 2024

Disruptive behavior of patients in acute psychiatric care is a problem for both patients and staff. Preventing a patient’s impending disruption requires recognizing and understanding early signals. There are indications that a change in a patient’s global functioning may be such a signal. The global functioning of patients is a multidimensional view on their functioning. It captures a patient’s psychological symptoms, social skills, symptoms of violence, and activities in daily living. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the predictive value of global functioning on the risk of disruptive behavior of patients in acute psychiatric care. Also assessed was the time elapsed between the change in global functioning and a patient’s disruptive behavior, which is necessary to know for purposes of early intervention. In a longitudinal retrospective study, we used daily measurements with the Brøset Violence Checklist (BVC) and the Kennedy Axis V (K-As) of each patient admitted to two acute psychiatric units over a period of six years. Data from 931 patients for the first 28 days after their admission were used for survival analysis and cox regression analysis. Disruptive behavior was mostly observed during the first days of hospitalization. Global functioning predicted disruptive behavior from the very first day of hospitalization. A cut-off score of 48 or lower on the K-As on the first admission day predicted a higher risk of disruptive behavior. If functioning remained poor or deteriorated substantially over three days, this was an additional signal of increased risk of disruptive behavior. Improvement in global functioning was associated with a decreased risk of disruptive behavior. More attention is needed for early interventions on global functioning to prevent disruptive behavior.
Mediating Role of Cultural Values in the Impact of Ethical Ideologies on Chinese Consumers’ Ethical Judgments
Authors: Chan Ricky Y. K. , Sharma Piyush , Alqahtani Abdulaziz , Leung Tak Yan , Malik Ashish
Published: March 2024

This paper develops and tests a new conceptual model incorporating the indirect impact of two ethical ideologies (idealism and relativism) on Chinese consumers’ ethical judgments under four ethically problematic consumption situations (active benefit, passive benefit, deceptive practice, and no/indirect harm) through two cultural values (integration and moral discipline). Data from a large-scale online consumer survey in five major Chinese cities (N = 1046) support most hypotheses. The findings are consistent with the postulated global impact of ethical ideology on forming an individual’s beliefs and values and highlight the importance of a thorough understanding of the significant determinants of consumer ethics to promote ethically responsible consumption behaviors. This study also uses an emic approach to conceptualize and measure Chinese cultural values by using cultural constructs and measures that are designed explicitly in the Chinese context.
Detection of cardiac amyloidosis on routine bone scintigraphy: an important gatekeeper role for the nuclear medicine physician
Authors: Nebhwani Mohit , Chaibekava Karina , Achten Anouk , Oerlemans Marish I. F. J. , Michels Michelle , van der Meer Peter , Nienhuis Hans L. A. , Weerts Jerremy , van Empel Vanessa , Rocca Hans-Peter Brunner-La , Wijk Sandra Sanders-van , van der Pol Jochem , Knackstedt Christian
Published: March 2024

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA)—mostly transthyretin-related (ATTR-CA)—has recently gained interest in cardiology. Bone scintigraphy (BS) is one of the main screening tools for ATTR-CA but also used for various other reasons. The objective was to evaluate whether all CA cases are detected and what happens during follow-up. All routine BS performed at the Maastricht University Medical Center (May 2012–August 2020) were screened for the presence of CA. Scans performed for suspected CA were excluded. A Perugini stage ≥1 was classified as positive necessitating further examination. The electronic medical record system was evaluated for any contact with cardiology or other specialists until 2021. Of the 2738 BS evaluated, 40 scans (1.46%; median age 73.5 [IQR: 65.8–79.5], 82.5% male) were positive (Perugini grade 1: 31/77.5%, grade 2: 6/15%, grade 3: 3/7.5%); the potential diagnosis ATTR-CA was not seen in 38 patients (95%) by the nuclear medicine specialist. During follow-up, 19 out of those 40 patients (47.5%) underwent cardiac evaluation without diagnosing CA. Available echocardiograms of patients with a positive BS showed left ventricular hypertrophy, a preserved ejection fraction, and diastolic dysfunction ≥2 in 9/47%, 10/53%, and 4/21% of patients, respectively. Additionally, 20 (50%) patients presented to at least one specialty with symptoms indicative of cardiac amyloidosis. The prevalence of a positive BS indicating potential CA in an unselected population is low but substantial. The majority was not detected which asks for better awareness for CA of all involved specialists to ensure appropriate treatment and follow-up.

Graphical abstract
“Documentation is now so ingrained in me”: how students interpret and value documentation in creative learning domains
Authors: Li Yinmiao , Zhou Xiaoyang , Byrne Daragh , Louw Marti
Published: March 2024

Within creative domains in studio- and project-based education, documentation is often central to demonstrating outcomes, process, and progress. Despite much prior work into the instructional practices, technologies, and tools that support cultivating documentation practices, no prior work explores the student valuing and perception of documentation. To address this, we deploy a design probe to elicit and externalize conceptions of documentation with the same cohort of students in two semesters. Eleven participants engaged in higher education undergraduate programs completed the study. We focus our analysis on one activity — listing and ranking documentation’s perceived values. Through our analysis, we developed and validated a robust codebook for students’ values. We demonstrate the values of documentation to be coherent across background, time, and experience of the student participants. We also share insights on nine main roles documentation plays for students and discuss how documentation plays not only an important role in communicating creative work to diverse stakeholders but in building self-confidence, motivation, and affect for project-based and hands-on exploration.
Enhanced quantum transport in chiral quantum walks
Authors: Annoni Emilio , Frigerio Massimo , Paris Matteo G. A.
Published: March 2024

Quantum transport across discrete structures is a relevant topic that can be suitably studied in the context of continuous-time quantum walks. The addition of phase degrees of freedom, leading to chiral quantum walks, can also account for directional transport on graphs with loops. We discuss criteria for quantum transport and study the enhancement that can be achieved with chiral quantum walks on chain-like graphs, exploring different topologies for the chain units and optimizing over the phases. We select three candidate structures with optimal performances and we investigate their transport behaviour with Krylov reduction. While one of them can be reduced to a weighted line with minor couplings modulation, the other two are truly chiral quantum walks, with enhanced transport probability over long chain structures.
Is 80% satisfaction still the expectation in modern TKA mechanically aligned with robot assist? We think not
Authors: Selvanathan Nanchappan , Ayeni Femi E. , Sorial Rami
Published: March 2024

Several studies reported that20% of patients were unhappy with the outcome of their total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Having commenced robot assist TKA whilst maintaining the goal of implanting the prosthesis to a neutral mechanical axis, we reviewed our patients to find out if we also have a 20% rate of patients being unhappy with the outcome of their knee replacement surgery. We hypothesized that rate of patient satisfaction would be higher than 90% with robot-surgical assistant (ROSA) technique. The first 175 patients who underwent ROSA TKA were reviewed at a minimum of 1 year postoperatively. All TKAs were performed using ROSA technique with Persona cementless prosthesis aiming to restore neutral mechanical coronal alignment with flexion gap balancing. We investigated whether or not the patients were happy they had their knee replacement surgery and whether they were happy with the outcome. 165 (94%) of 175 patients, were contactable with 1 deceased and 9 uncontactable. From the 165 patients who participated in the study, 95% of patients were happy they had the surgery done and 93% were happy with the outcome of their knee replacement. A sub analysis showed that patients who had simultaneous bilateral TKA were significantly less likely to be happy than staged procedures (p < 0.05). Total knee replacement utilising robot technique with modern implants and aiming for mechanical coronal alignment of the implants to restore the mechanical axis with flexion gap balancing may result in > 90% of patients being happy with the outcome of their surgery.
‘I am not alone’: enabling factors for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PhD success
Authors: Holt Leanne , Cross Cara , Worrell Tamika , Henson Connie
Published: March 2024

Through yarning and storying led by Aboriginal researchers, this study explores the success factors for Indigenous PhD Graduates. Participants comprised 21 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people who had completed their PhDs within the last 7 years. Our thematic analysis uncovered themes associated with participants’ decision to enrol as a scholar and the factors and experiences that contributed to the successful completion of their PhD. We identified three overlapping yet distinct themes that represent why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people choose to pursue a PhD: Telling our story in our way, My Community needs me to do this, and Practicality rules. A strong sense of Connection and Reciprocity was a crucial factor for participants’ successful completion of the PhD. We present a model of our findings model that translates the three key success factors identified in this study as foundational to success for Indigenous scholars’ success in their PhD journey.
Counter-narrative as method: Researching immigrant teachers differently
Authors: Yan Dave , Bright David , Prosser Howard
Published: March 2024

This article addresses the ethical question concerning how educational research helps immigrant teachers gain authority and ownership over their self-understanding and self-becoming. By critically examining prior research and analysing the dominant discourse surrounding this specific group, we highlight the limitations and ethical implications of existing findings. We problematise current methodological approaches ito advocate for the necessity of counter-narratives. By empowering immigrant teachers to ‘author(w)rite’ their own accounts, this form of authorship broadens scholarly discourse, allowing them to pursue self-understanding and assert agency over their narratives. To illustrate our contention, we present our counter-narratives in the form of satirical poetry within boxed texts, highlighting the need to expand and complicate conventional research practices. Through subversive discourse, we emphasise more empowering methodologies in the ethical interpretation and representation of immigrant teacher participants. We suggest that counter-narratives offer an alternative lens through which to examine the lived realities and emotions of immigrant teachers, ultimately enriching scholarly discussions and fostering a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of their humanity.
Granulocytes in cerebrospinal fluid of adults suspected of a central nervous system infection: a prospective study of diagnostic accuracy
Authors: Staal Steven L. , Olie Sabine E. , ter Horst Liora , van Zeggeren Ingeborg E. , van de Beek Diederik , Brouwer Matthijs C. ,   I.-PACE Study Group
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) granulocytes are associated with bacterial meningitis, but information on its diagnostic value is limited and primarily based on retrospective studies. Therefore, we assessed the diagnostic accuracy of CSF granulocytes.

Methods

We analyzed CSF granulocytes (index test) from all consecutive patients in two prospective cohort studies in the Netherlands. Both studies included patients ≥ 16 years, suspected of a central nervous system (CNS) infection, who underwent a diagnostic lumbar puncture. All episodes with elevated CSF leukocytes (≥ 5 cells per mm3) were selected and categorized by clinical diagnosis (reference standard).

Results

Of 1261 episodes, 625 (50%) had elevated CSF leukocytes and 541 (87%) were included. 117 of 541 (22%) were diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, 144 (27%) with viral meningoencephalitis, 49 (9%) with other CNS infections, 76 (14%) with CNS autoimmune disorders, 93 (17%) with other neurological diseases and 62 (11%) with systemic diseases. The area under the curve to discriminate bacterial meningitis from other diagnoses was 0.97 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95–0.98) for CSF granulocyte count and 0.93 (95% CI 0.91–0.96) for CSF granulocyte percentage. CSF granulocyte predominance occurred in all diagnostic categories. A cutoff at 50% CSF granulocytes gave a sensitivity of 94% (95% CI 90–98), specificity of 80% (95% CI 76–84), negative predictive value of 98% (95% CI 97–99) and positive predictive value of 57% (95% CI 52–62).

Conclusion

CSF granulocytes have a high diagnostic accuracy for bacterial meningitis in patients suspected of a CNS infection. CSF granulocyte predominance occurred in all diagnostic categories, limiting its value in clinical practice.
Tuberculosis case fatality is higher in male than female patients in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pape Stephanie , Karki Sudip Jung , Heinsohn Torben , Brandes Iris , Dierks Marie-Luise , Lange Berit
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Epidemiological TB data indicate differences in infection prevalence, progression rates, and clinical disease incidence between sexes. In contrast, evidence on sex-specific differential (post) TB case fatality in Europe has not been synthesized systematically.

Methods

We searched electronic databases and grey literature up to December 2020 for studies reporting sex-stratified TB death data for Europe. The JBI critical appraisal tools served for bias risk assessment and subgroup analyses for studying heterogeneity. Random-effects models meta-analyses enabled estimating pooled relative risks of sex-associated TB fatality. Considering associations of comorbidities and risk factors on fatality differences, we applied relative risk meta-regression.

Results

Based on 17,400 records screened, 117 studies entered quantitative analyses. Seventy-five studies providing absolute participant data with moderate quality and limited sex stratification reported 33 to 235,000 TB cases and 7 to 27,108 deaths. The pooled male-to-female TB fatality risk ratio was 1.4 [1.3–1.5]. Heterogeneity was high between studies and subgroups. Study time, concurrent comorbidities (e.g., HIV, diabetes, cancers), and mean participant ages showed no effect modification. We identified higher male TB fatality in studies with higher homelessness (coefficient 3.18, 95% CI [-0.59 to 6.94], p-value 0.10) and lower migrants proportion (coefficient − 0.24, 95% CI [− 0.5 to 0.04], p-value 0.09).

Conclusion

We found 30–50% higher TB case fatality for males in Europe. Except for homelessness, migration, and a trend for some comorbidities, assessing effect modification could not reduce our meta-analysis’ high heterogeneity. Public health authorities should take heed of this higher risk of dying in male patients’ treatment services.
Hypercalcemia as a rare manifestation of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in a person living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) with disseminated nontuberculous mycobacteriosis
Authors: Webendoerfer Maximilian , Konik Margarethe , Zettler Markus , Wienker Johannes , Rawitzer Josefine , Esser Stefan , Kehrmann Jan , Herrmann Ken , Reinhardt Hans Christian , Witzke Oliver , Dolff Sebastian
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Granulomatosis due to immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) and disseminated Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (M. avium) infection may trigger hypercalcemia. Here, we report a rare case of hypercalcemia and acute kidney damage related to IRIS in a person living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Case presentation

A 39-year-old male person living with HIV presented with muscle weakness and unwanted weight loss of 8 kg within the last 2 weeks. Laboratory findings included serum hypercalcemia of 3.27 mmol/mL associated with elevated calcitriol and acute kidney damage. Since the first diagnosis of HIV and concomitant disseminated M. avium infection, the patient received antiretroviral therapy (ART), rifabutin, clarithromycin, and ethambutol. 18Fluoro-D-glucose positron emission computed tomography (18FDG-PET/CT) showed progressive multilocular lymphadenopathy. Biopsy specimen from the duodenum as well as retroperitoneal and mediastinal lymph nodes revealed granulomatous inflammation consistent with IRIS. Treatment with forced diuresis, bisphosphonates, and calcitonin normalized serum calcium and kidney function recovered.

Conclusion

Hypercalcemia due to IRIS is a rare differential diagnosis in persons living with HIV and may lead to acute kidney damage, despite sufficient ART and antimycobacterial treatment.