bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis, stage, and treatment of esophagogastric cancer
Authors: Doeve Benthe H. , Bakx Jeanne A. C. , Siersema Peter D. , Rosman Camiel , van Grieken Nicole C. T. , van Berge Henegouwen Mark I. , van Sandick Johanna W. , Verheij Marcel , Bijlsma Maarten F. , Verhoeven Rob H. A. , van Laarhoven Hanneke W. M.
Published: July 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entire global healthcare system, including oncological care. This study investigated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis, stage, and treatment of esophagogastric cancer in the Netherlands.

Methods

Patients diagnosed in 2020 were divided into 5 periods, based on the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands, and compared to patients diagnosed in the same period in the years 2017–2019. Patient characteristics and treatments were evaluated for esophageal cancer (EC) and gastric cancer (GC) separately.

Results

The number of esophagogastric cancer diagnoses decreased prominently during the first 2 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, a significantly higher percentage of GC patients was diagnosed with incurable disease (52.5% in 2017–2019 and 67.7% in 2020, p = 0.011). We observed a significant reduction in the percentage of patients with potentially curable EC treated with resection and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (from 35.0% in 2017–2019 to 27.3% in 2020, p < 0.001). Also, patients diagnosed with incurable GC were treated less frequently with a resection (from 4.6% in 2017–2019 to 1.5% in 2020, p = 0.009) in the second half of 2020.

Conclusions

Compared to previous years, the number of esophagogastric cancer diagnoses decreased in the first 2 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, while an increased percentage of patients was diagnosed with incurable disease. Both in the curative and palliative setting, patients were less likely to be treated with a surgical resection.
Perspectives on using ethanol as an internal standard for the quantification of volatile compounds in alcoholic products by headspace SPME–GC/FID without sample preparation
Authors: Korban Anton , Zavoralová Lucie , Čabala Radomír , Egorov Vladimir
Published: July 2023

For the first time, the beneficial “Ethanol as Internal Standard (IS)” method developed for the analysis of alcoholic products was tested in headspace mode of solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (SPME-GC/FID) and compared with the traditional IS method. The extraction and separation conditions were optimized for the analysis of 10 volatile congeners prescribed in European legislation: acetaldehyde, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methanol, butan-2-ol, propan-1-ol, 2-methylpropan-1-ol (isobutanol), butan-1-ol, 1,1-diethoxyethane (acetal), and 3-methylbutan-1-ol (isoamylol). To evaluate the accuracy of the compared methods, three real alcoholic product samples with ethanol content of 20%, 40%, and 80% v/v were spiked with gravimetrically prepared standard solutions to calculate recoveries. The obtained data indicates that the suggested method can be employed as a robust and accurate tool for SPME analysis of alcoholic products with low ethanol content, such as wines. It was also observed that an increase in ethanol content in the matrix affects the accuracy of the “Ethanol as IS” method, potentially due to non-linearity of analyte extraction. However, in the case of wine sample, the “Ethanol as IS” method showed significantly better results compared to the traditional approach. The precision of the suggested method, evaluated using relative standard deviations (RSD) of obtained concentrations was found to be comparable to that of the traditional method.

Graphical abstract
Immigrant assimilation in health care utilisation in Spain
Authors: Ferre Zuleika , Triunfo Patricia , Antón José-Ignacio
Published: July 2023

Abundant evidence has tracked the labour market and health assimilation of immigrants, including static analyses of differences in how foreign-born and native-born residents consume health care services. However, we know much less about how migrants’ patterns of healthcare usage evolve with time of residence, especially in countries providing universal or quasi-universal coverage. We investigate this process in Spain by combining all the available waves of the local health survey, which allows us to separately identify period, cohort, and assimilation effects. We find robust evidence of migrant assimilation in health care use, specifically in visits to general practitioners and emergency care and among foreign-born women. The differential effects of ageing on health care use between foreign-born and native-born populations contributes to the convergence of utilisation patterns in most health services after 15 years in Spain. Substantial heterogeneity by the time of arrival and by region of origin both suggest that studies modelling future welfare state finances would benefit from a more thorough assessment of migration.
Learning strategies, self-efficacy beliefs and academic achievement of first-year preservice teachers: a person-centred approach
Authors: Vilppu Henna , Laakkonen Eero , Laine Anu , Lähteenmäki Marko , Metsäpelto Riitta-Leena , Mikkilä-Erdmann Mirjamaija , Warinowski Anu
Published: July 2023

As teacher profession can be seen as a learning profession, it is crucial that teacher education equips future teachers with high-level skills to update and increase their proficiency and expertise throughout their career. In this aim, cognitive processing strategies and metacognitive regulation strategies as well as academic self-efficacy beliefs play a crucial role. This study examined Finnish first-year preservice teachers’ (N = 538) initial learning profiles in terms of their learning strategies and self-efficacy beliefs upon entry to teacher education. Furthermore, the association between the profiles and pre-entry factors (age, written entrance exam) as well as first-year achievement was studied. The data were gathered via questionnaire from four universities and their student registers. The person-centred approach utilising a latent profile analysis was applied to identify learning profiles among preservice teachers. Three distinct learning profiles were identified: unregulated students with low self-efficacy (37.5%), average strategists with low self-efficacy (33.1%) and self-regulated and deep learners with high self-efficacy (29.4%). The first profile performed worst in the first-year studies, whereas the last profile was characterised by the oldest students and best performers in the written entrance exam. The findings expand our understanding of the initial learning profiles of preservice teachers and thus offer valuable information for teacher educators to support teaching practices and curriculum design. Practical implications of the results are discussed.
Positive externalities of the EU cohesion policy: Toward more synchronised CEE countries?
Authors: Dicharry Benoit , Stiblarova Lubica
Published: July 2023

The aim of this paper is to examine the role of the payments from the European Cohesion Policy (ECP) in the business cycle synchronisation of the EU–28 countries in the time period 2000–2016. The emphasis is especially placed on the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, given their status as the biggest ECP recipients; we investigate whether the ECP can serve as an instrument to promote their synchronisation which presents one of the prerequisites for the adoption of common monetary policy in the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). By applying a panel instrumental variables estimation, our results suggest that the ECP provides a positive externality regarding increased synchronicity in the EMU, suggesting that the ECP should be further strengthened to foster business synchronicity in the Euro Area. Further analysis reveals that the systematically identified driving forces are the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund (CF). The current European recovery plan ‘Next Generation EU’ could, therefore, have a promoting effect on the EMU’s monetary policy if it is designed as an additional structural investment fund promoting financial and trade integration.
Lifestyle changes during the economic crisis: a Sri Lankans survey
Authors: Sooriyaarachchi Piumika , Jayawardena Ranil
Published: July 2023

Aim

The economic crisis in Sri Lanka has caused millions of people to descend into poverty, compromising their rights to health, education and standard of living. This study aimed to examine how the economic crisis has affected Sri Lankans’ lifestyles.

Subject and methods

An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in July 2022, using an e-questionnaire based on Google Forms. The questionnaire assessed respondents’ socio-demographics and lifestyle-related behaviours before and during the economic crisis. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used.

Results

A total of 1214 respondents, aged ≥ 18 years were included in this survey. During the crisis, there was a nearly 80% and 60% decline in alcohol consumption and smoking, respectively. Although many respondents (57.6%) used private vehicles as their primary mode of transportation before the crisis, this has decreased significantly (18.2%) during the crisis. Furthermore, 65.3% reported that their walking time has increased during this time. Respondents who lived in Colombo were significantly more likely to report increased walking time compared to people from other districts (OR 1.540; 95% CI, 1.081–2.193; P = 0.017). Also, those with the lowest monthly incomes reported a twofold increase in walking time during the crisis as those with the highest monthly incomes (OR = 2.224, 95% CI = 1.329–3.723, P = 0.002). Cooking methods used before and after the economic crisis differ significantly, with many respondents relying on gas (pre 92.8%; post 15.5%) as their primary cooking fuel before the crisis and now moving to firewood (pre 3.7%; post 46.5%). More than two-thirds (75.2%) of respondents were thinking of migrating to another country alone or with their families because of the country’s current situation.

Conclusion

The everyday activities of Sri Lankans have been significantly affected by the country’s economic crisis.
The Impact of Drought on HIV Care in Rural South Africa: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis
Authors: Iwuji Collins C. , Baisley Kathy , Maoyi Molulaqhooa Linda , Orievulu Kingsley , Mazibuko Lusanda , Ayeb-Karlsson Sonja , Yapa H. Manisha , Hanekom Willem , Herbst Kobus , Kniveton Dominic
Published: July 2023

This analysis investigates the relationship between drought and antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence and retention in HIV care in the Hlabisa sub-district, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Data on drought and ART adherence and retention were collated for the study period 2010–2019. Drought was quantified using the 3-month Standard Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) from station data. Adherence, proxied by the Medication Possession Ratio (MPR), and retention data were obtained from the public ART programme database. MPR and retention were calculated from individuals aged 15–59 years who initiated ART between January 2010 and December 2018 and visited clinic through February 2019. Between 01 January 2010 and 31 December 2018, 40,714 individuals started ART in the sub-district and made 1,022,760 ART visits. The SPI showed that 2014–2016 were dry years, with partial recovery after 2016 in the wet years. In the period from 2010 to 2012, mean 6-month MPR increased from 0.85 in July 2010 to a high of 0.92 in December 2012. MPR then decreased steadily through 2013 and 2014 to 0.78 by December 2014. The mean proportion retained in care 6 months after starting ART showed similar trends to MPR, increasing from 86.9% in July 2010 to 91.4% in December 2012. Retention then decreased through 2013, with evidence of a pronounced drop in January 2014 when the odds of retention decreased by 30% (OR = 0.70, CI = 0.53–0.92, P = 0.01) relative to the end of 2013. Adherence and retention in care decreased during the drought years.
Finite basis physics-informed neural networks (FBPINNs): a scalable domain decomposition approach for solving differential equations
Authors: Moseley Ben , Markham Andrew , Nissen-Meyer Tarje
Published: July 2023

Recently, physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) have offered a powerful new paradigm for solving problems relating to differential equations. Compared to classical numerical methods, PINNs have several advantages, for example their ability to provide mesh-free solutions of differential equations and their ability to carry out forward and inverse modelling within the same optimisation problem. Whilst promising, a key limitation to date is that PINNs have struggled to accurately and efficiently solve problems with large domains and/or multi-scale solutions, which is crucial for their real-world application. Multiple significant and related factors contribute to this issue, including the increasing complexity of the underlying PINN optimisation problem as the problem size grows and the spectral bias of neural networks. In this work, we propose a new, scalable approach for solving large problems relating to differential equations called finite basis physics-informed neural networks (FBPINNs). FBPINNs are inspired by classical finite element methods, where the solution of the differential equation is expressed as the sum of a finite set of basis functions with compact support. In FBPINNs, neural networks are used to learn these basis functions, which are defined over small, overlapping subdomains. FBINNs are designed to address the spectral bias of neural networks by using separate input normalisation over each subdomain and reduce the complexity of the underlying optimisation problem by using many smaller neural networks in a parallel divide-and-conquer approach. Our numerical experiments show that FBPINNs are effective in solving both small and larger, multi-scale problems, outperforming standard PINNs in both accuracy and computational resources required, potentially paving the way to the application of PINNs on large, real-world problems.
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Linkage to HIV Care Interventions in the United States, Canada, and Ukraine (2010–2021)
Authors: Levison Julie H. , Del Cueto Paola , Mendoza Jaime Vladimir , Ashour Dina , Lydston Melis , Freedberg Kenneth A. , Shebl Fatma M.
Published: July 2023

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions targeting linkage to HIV care in the US, Canada, and Europe. We searched six databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CINAHL). Inclusion criteria were English language studies in adults in the US, Canada, or Europe, published January 1, 2010 to January 1, 2021. We synthesized interventions by type and linkage to care outcome. The outcome was cumulative incidence of 3-month linkage. We estimated cumulative incidence ratios of linkage with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We screened 945 studies; 13 met selection criteria (n = 1 from Canada, n = 1 from Ukraine, n = 11 from the US) and were included after full text review (total 37,549 individuals). The cumulative incidence of 3-month linkage in the intervention group was 0.82 (95% CI 0.68–0.94) and control group 0.71 (95% CI 0.50–0.90); cIR of linkage for intervention versus control was 1.30 (95% CI 1.13, 1.49). Interventions to improve linkage to care after HIV diagnosis warrant further attention.
Theoretical analysis of surface waves in piezoelectric medium with periodic shunting circuits
Authors: Zhang Youqi , Xia Rongyu , Xu Jie , Huang Kefu , Li Zheng
Published: July 2023

The investigations of surface waves in the piezoelectric medium bring out great possibility in designing smart surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices. It is important to study the dispersion properties and manipulation mechanism of surface waves in the semi-infinite piezoelectric medium connected with periodic arrangement of shunting circuits. In this study, the extended Stroh formalism is developed to theoretically analyze the dispersion relations of surface waves under different external circuits. The band structures of both the Rayleigh wave and the Bleustein-Gulyaev (BG) wave can be determined and manipulated with proper electrical boundary conditions. Furthermore, the electromechanical coupling effects on the band structures of surface waves are discussed to figure out the manipulation mechanism of adjusting electric circuit. The results indicate that the proposed method can explain the propagation behaviors of surface waves under the periodic electrical boundary conditions, and can provide an important theoretical guidance for designing novel SAW devices and exploring extensive applications in practice.
The Forms of Self-Criticising & Self-Reassuring Scale - Short Form for Adolescents: Psychometric Properties in Clinical and Non-Clinical Portuguese Samples
Authors: Cunha Marina , Xavier Ana , Salvador Maria Céu , Castilho Paula
Published: July 2023

Background

Self-criticism is a psychological process largely studied as a vulnerability factor for several psychological difficulties in the adult population and, to a lower extent, in adolescent samples. Thus, the availability of instruments to effectively capture this construct is important, especially for younger populations.

Objective

This study examined the factor structure, measurement invariance to group samples, and psychometric properties of the short version of the Forms of Self-criticism and Self-reassuring Scale (FSCRS-SF) in Portuguese adolescents in non-clinical and clinical samples.

Methods

Two non-clinical samples (N = 1224 and N = 140) and a clinical sample (N = 103) were used. Participants’ ages ranged between 12 and 18 years old for both genders. Participants voluntarily completed a set of self-report questionnaires in the classroom. 418 adolescents completed the FSCRS 6-weeks after the first administration.

Results

Confirmatory factor analyses showed that the factor structure of the FSCRS-SF was similar to the one found in the adults’ version, with three factors (inadequate self, hated self, and reassured self). The measurement invariance was established for both samples. The FSCRS-SF revealed adequate to good construct validity, reliability, and temporal stability. Gender differences were found for the three subscales. Similarly, adolescents from the clinical sample reported higher levels of inadequate self and hated self and lower levels of reassured self in comparison with the non-clinical sample, as expected.

Conclusions

The FSCRS-SF was revealed to be a valid and reliable measure of self-criticism and self-reassurance for adolescents and seems to be a useful tool for research and clinical purposes.
Experimental Study of the Charring of I-Joists and Recession of Combustible Insulation in Light Timber Frame Assemblies with Comparison to Eurocode 5
Authors: Bøe Andreas Sæter , Mäger Katrin Nele , Friquin Kathinka Leikanger , Just Alar
Published: July 2023

Design models are commonly used in fire safety design of light timber frame assemblies. Parameters for use in the models are available for rectangular members with mineral wool, wood fibre or cellulose insulation and for assemblies with I-joists and mineral wool. For assemblies where I-joists and combustible insulations are combined, design parameters are missing. Five fire experiments with two I-joist types and four combustible insulation products have been conducted. The aim was to study charring of I-joist flanges and recession rates of combustible insulations and in addition, to compare their behaviour to the new and existing models of Eurocode 5. Charring rates for the flanges were 0.40–0.76 mm/min and 0.54–1.72 mm/min for the protected and post-protected phase, respectively. Rates decreased with increasing flange size. Charring rates for flanges of solid wood and LVL were comparable. The results show that lateral charring of I-joist flanges can be significant in the protected phase. The tested insulation products showed a lower recession rate than values reported for glass wool insulation, with a more pronounced difference for wood fibre and cellulose insulations. The low recession rates compared to previously reported generic values can possibly be explained by better product-specific properties, negligible shrinking and slightly different test set-up. The insulation stayed well in place after gypsum board fall-off and best-practice for keeping the insulation in place is given. The results, completed with future loaded full-scale tests, can give basis for further development of design models for assemblies with I-joists and combustible insulations.
Soils potentially vulnerable to phosphorus losses: speciation of inorganic and organic phosphorus and estimation of leaching losses
Authors: Djodjic Faruk , Bergström Lars , Schmieder Frank , Sandström Corine , Agback Peter , Hu Yongfeng
Published: July 2023

Eutrophication is an important threat to aquatic ecosystems world-wide, and reliable identification of areas vulnerable to phosphorus (P) losses from diffuse sources is essential for high efficiency of mitigation measures. In this three-step study we investigated (i) relationships between the agronomic (Olsen-P and P-AL) and environmental soil P tests (P-CaCl2) with molecular techniques (31P NMR and XANES) followed by (ii) rainfall simulation experiment on topsoil lysimeters and (iii) comparison to long-term field measurements of water quality. Soil samples were collected from seven sites indicated to be vulnerable to nutrient losses due to underlying geology. High P release correlated to standard agronomic P tests (Olsen P, r = 0.67; and P-AL, r = 0.74) and low P sorption capacity (r = − 0.5). High content of iron-bound P compounds indicated more labile P and higher release of dissolved P (r = 0.67). The leaching experiment showed that three out of four soils with high initial soil P status had both higher P leaching concentrations before fertilization (0.83–7.7 mg P l−1) compared to soil with low initial soil P status (0.007–0.23 mg P l−1), and higher increase in P concentrations after fertilization. Higher soil P sorption capacity reduced P leaching losses. Finally, long-term monitoring data show no significant trends in P losses in a field with low initial P content and moderate P fertilization rates whereas high and over time increasing P losses were recorded in a field with high initial soil P content and repetitively high P fertilization rates.
Web of attributes: analysing residents’ appreciation of a Dutch neighbourhood from a new heritage perspective
Authors: Spoormans Lidwine , Pereira Roders Ana , Czischke Darinka , de Jonge Wessel
Published: July 2023

In the last century, the concept of what can be heritage has expanded in definition, opening to everyday architecture and living environments. More recently, the group of stakeholders to be involved in heritage assessment and management has slowly grown, with authorities acknowledging that heritage significance lies in the representation and identification for people and that people could help define it. Studying the significance of everyday residential neighbourhoods and the inclusion of individual responses creates a demand for new methods. Although in heritage studies these methods remain undefined, studies on housing preferences offer starting points for new approaches. This paper presents a significance assessment of an everyday living environment by its residents, from a new heritage perspective. By analysing individual responses, this research discusses more inclusive methods of assessing significance. A neighbourhood in the Dutch town Almere, is used as a case study. Based on a survey in diary format, residents’ appreciation of their living environment is analysed using values-attributes and means-end theory. Results show that assessments of individual residents consist of chains of tangible and intangible attributes. The paper proposes a new analytical model, the ‘Web of Attributes’, which visualizes residents’ responses and reveals the diversity and relations between the attributes best appreciated in a specific living environment. The Web of Attributes can serve as visual reporting in statements of significance, for listed and non-listed neighbourhoods. By combining theories from housing preferences and heritage significance assessment, this novel research explores narrow the gap between the assessments of heritage and everyday neighbourhoods.
The impact of the creative industries and digitalization on regional resilience and productive entrepreneurship
Authors: Khlystova Olena , Kalyuzhnova Yelena
Published: July 2023

This study investigates the impact of the creative industries on regional resilience and productive entrepreneurship. We control for the localized effects of digitalization in this relationship. We do so by linking the regional resilience theory with the literature on the creative industries, digitalization and productive entrepreneurship. The unit of our analysis is the European Union’s regions (from the 2008 Great Recession crisis to the 2015 recovery period). We empirically tested our framework in the context of the European Union with datasets from Eurostat Regional Statistics and the European Social Survey (ESS). Our analysis is focused on the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) 3 regions, which includes 1397 industry performance observations from 314 NUTS-3 regions and 11 European countries (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, and Slovakia) for the period 2008–2015. Our findings demonstrate that regions with a higher share of employment in the creative industries are more likely to withstand a short-term economic shock than regions with a lower share of employment in the creative industries. Our results also indicate the importance of digitalization in the period of recovery from crises, and demonstrate that the creative industries play an important part in this process. This study offers a number of policy implications.
Molecular mechanisms underlying cyclophosphamide-induced cognitive impairment and strategies for neuroprotection in preclinical models
Authors: Ibrahim Kamilia M. , Darwish Samar F. , Mantawy Eman M. , El-demerdash Ebtehal
Published: July 2023

Cyclophosphamide has drastically enhanced the expectancy and quality of life of cancer patients. However, it is accompanied by diverse neurological complications which are considered a dose-limiting adverse effect. Neurotoxicity caused by cyclophosphamide can manifest in numerous manners including anxiety, depression, motor dysfunction and cognitive deficits. This review article offers an overview on cyclophosphamide-induced neurotoxicity, providing a unified point of view on the possible underlying molecular mechanisms including oxidative brain damage, neuroinflammation, apoptotic neuronal cell death as well as disruption of the balance of brain neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors. Besides, this review sheds light on the promising protective agents that have been investigated using preclinical animal models as well as their biological targets and protection mechanisms. Despite promising results in experimental models, none of these agents has been studied in clinical trials. Thus, there is lack of evidence to advocate the use of any neuroprotective agent in the clinical setting. Furthermore, none of the protective agents has been evaluated for its effect on the anticancer activity of cyclophosphamide in tumor-bearing animals. Therefore, there is a great necessity for adequate well-designed clinical studies for evaluation of the therapeutic values of these candidates. Conclusively, this review summarizes the molecular mechanisms accounting for cyclophosphamide-induced neurotoxicity together with the potential protective strategies seeking for downgrading this neurological complication, thus enhancing the quality of life and well-being of cancer patients treated with cyclophosphamide.

Graphical abstract
Molecular classification of urothelial bladder carcinoma
Authors: Schwarzova Lucia , Varchulova Novakova Zuzana , Danisovic Lubos , Ziaran Stanislav
Published: July 2023

Urothelial bladder carcinoma (UC) ranks among the top ten most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide on an annual basis. The standardized classification system for urothelial bladder tumors is the Tumor, Node, Metastasis classification, which reflects differences between non-muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma (MIBC) and it depends on the extent to which tumor has infiltrated the bladder wall and other tissues and organs. NMIBC and MIBC exhibit great intrinsic heterogeneity regarding different prognoses, survival, progression, and treatment outcomes. In recent years, studies based on mRNA expression profiling revealed the existence of biologically relevant molecular subtypes of UC, which show variant molecular features that can provide more precise stratification of UC patients. Here, we present a complex classification of UC based on mRNA expression studies and molecular subtypes of NMIBC and MIBC in detail with regard to different mRNA expression profiles, mutational signatures, and infiltration by non-tumor cells. The possible impact of molecular subtyping on treatment decisions and patients’ outcomes is outlined, too.
The Geochemical Legacy of Low-Temperature, Percolation-Driven Core Formation in Planetesimals
Authors: Bromiley Geoffrey David
Published: July 2023

Mechanisms for core formation in differentiated bodies in the early solar system are poorly constrained. At temperatures below those required to extensively melt planetesimals, core formation could have proceeded via percolation of metallic liquids. Although there is some geochemical data to support such ‘low-temperature’ segregation, experimental studies and simulations suggest that percolation-driven segregation might have only contributed to core formation in a proportion of fully-differentiated bodies. Here, the effects low-temperature core-formation on elemental compositions of planetesimal cores and mantles are explored. Immiscibility of Fe-rich and FeS-rich liquids will occur in all core-formation models, including those involving large fraction silicate melting. Light element content of cores (Si, O, C, P, S) depends on conditions under which Fe-rich and FeS-rich liquids segregated, especially pressure and oxygen fugacity. The S contents of FeS-rich liquids significantly exceed eutectic compositions in Fe–Ni–S systems and cannot be reconciled with S-contents of parent bodies to magmatic iron meteorites. Furthermore, there is limited data on trace element partitioning between FeS-rich and Fe-rich phases, and solid/melt partitioning models cannot be readily applied to FeS-rich liquids. Interaction of metallic liquids with minor phases stable up to low fraction silicate melting could provide a means for determining the extent of silicate melting prior to initiation of core-formation. However, element partitioning in most core-formation models remains poorly constrained, and it is likely that conditions under which segregation of metallic liquid occurred, especially oxygen fugacity and pressure, had as significant a control on planetesimal composition as segregation mechanisms and extent of silicate melting.
Estimating the disutility of relapse in relapsing–remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis using the EQ-5D-5L, AQoL-8D, EQ-5D-5L-psychosocial, and SF-6D: implications for health economic evaluation models
Authors: Ahmad Hasnat , Campbell Julie A. , van der Mei Ingrid , Taylor Bruce V. , Xia Qing , Zhao Ting , Palmer Andrew J.
Published: July 2023

Background and aims

Relapses are an important clinical feature of multiple sclerosis (MS) that result in temporary negative changes in quality of life (QoL), measured by health state utilities (HSUs) (disutilities). We aimed to quantify disutilities of relapse in relapsing remitting MS (RRMS), secondary progressive MS (SPMS), and relapse onset MS [ROMS (including both RRMS and SPMS)] and examine these values by disability severity using four multi-attribute utility instruments (MAUIs).

Methods

We estimated (crude and adjusted and stratified by disability severity) disutilities (representing the mean difference in HSUs of ‘relapse’ and ‘no relapse’ groups as well as ‘unsure’ and ‘no relapse’ groups) in RRMS (n = 1056), SPMS (n = 239), and ROMS (n = 1295) cohorts from the Australian MS Longitudinal Study’s 2020 QoL survey, using the EQ-5D-5L, AQoL-8D, EQ-5D-5L-Psychosocial, and SF-6D MAUIs.

Results

Adjusted mean overall disutilities of relapse in RMSS/SPMS/ROMS were − 0.101/− 0.149/− 0.129 (EQ-5D-5L), − 0.092/− 0.167/− 0.113 (AQoL-8D), − 0.080/− 0.139/− 0.097 (EQ-5D-5L-Psychosocial), and − 0.116/− 0.161/− 0.130 (SF-6D), approximately 1.5 times higher in SPMS than in RRMS, in all MAUI. All estimates were statistically significant and/or clinically meaningful. Adjusted disutilities of RRMS and ROMS demonstrated a U-shaped relationship between relapse disutilities and disability severity. Relapse disutilities were higher in ‘severe’ disability than ‘mild’ and ‘moderate’ in the SPMS cohort.

Conclusion

MS-related relapses are associated with substantial utility decrements. As the type and severity of MS influence disutility of relapse, the use of disability severity and MS-type-specific disutility inputs is recommended in future health economic evaluations of MS. Our study supports relapse management and prevention as major mechanisms to improve QoL in people with MS.
Design Space Exploration for Partitioning Dataflow Program on CPU-GPU Heterogeneous System
Authors: Bloch Aurelien , Casale-Brunet Simone , Mattavelli Marco
Published: July 2023

Dataflow programming is a methodology that enables the development of high-level, parametric programs that are independent of the underlying platform. This approach is particularly useful for heterogeneous platforms, as it eliminates the need to rewrite application software for each configuration. Instead, it only requires new low-level implementation code, which is typically automatically generated through code generation tools. The performance of programs running on heterogeneous parallel platforms is highly dependent on the partitioning and mapping of computation to different processing units. This is determined by parameters that govern the partitioning, mapping, scheduling, and allocation of data exchanges among the processing elements of the platform. Determining the appropriate parameters for a specific application and set of architectures is a complex task and is an active area of research. This paper presents a novel methodology for partitioning and mapping dataflow programs onto heterogeneous systems composed of both CPUs and GPUs. The objective is to identify the program configuration that provides the most efficient way to process a typical dataflow program by exploring its design space. This is an NP-complete problem that we have addressed by utilizing a design space exploration approach that leverages a Tabu search meta-heuristic optimization algorithm driven by analysis of the execution trace graph of the program. The heuristic algorithm effectively identifies a solution that maps actors to processing units while improving overall performance. The parameters of the heuristic algorithm, such as the time limit and the proportion of neighboring solutions explored during each iteration, can be fine-tuned for optimal results. Additionally, the proposed approach allows for the exploration of solutions that do not utilize all hardware resources if it results in better performance. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated through experimental results on dataflow programs.
Time-resolved triggering and runout analysis of rainfall-induced shallow landslides
Authors: La Porta G. , Leonardi A. , Pirulli M. , Cafaro F. , Castelli F.
Published: July 2023

Rainfall-induced shallow landslides often turn into flows. These phenomena occur worldwide and pose severe hazard to infrastructure and human lives on mountainous areas. Risk assessment, and the design of mitigation measures, can both be informed by back-analysis of previous events. However, shallow instabilities are frequently spread over a large area, with the generated flows occurring in sequences, or surges. Conventionally, back-analysis exercises tackle the problem by simulating runout as a single event, with all surges happening simultaneously. This simplification has repercussions that have not been explored in the literature so far, and whose impact in hazard assessment practice is unclear. Therefore, a novel time-resolving procedure is proposed in this paper, which can for the first time be applied to resolve instability sequences of arbitrary duration. The methodology discretizes the event, detecting instabilities at equally spaced time intervals as a function of rainfall. Thanks to this, the post-failure behaviour of each surge can be tracked by a runout model, with a separate simulation performed every time a new instability is detected. The methodology robustness is tested on two documented case studies. The results reveal that, under some conditions, the time-resolving procedure can lead to significantly different results in terms of runout path, flooded area, and flow heights. This leads to criticism on how back-analysis is conventionally applied, prompting for a review of historical cases.
A Comprehensive Survey of Silicon Thin-film Solar Cell: Challenges and Novel Trends
Authors: ElKhamisy Khalil , Abdelhamid Hamdy , El-Rabaie El-Sayed M. , Abdel-Salam Nariman
Published: July 2023

Solar cells are commonly recognized as one of the most promising devices that can be utilized to produce energy from renewable sources. As a result of their low production costs, little material consumption, and projected increasing trajectory in terms of efficiency, thin-film solar cells have emerged as the technology of choice in the solar industry at present. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of silicon thin-film solar cells, beginning with their inception and progressing up to the most cutting-edge module made in a laboratory setting. There is a review of the fantastic development of each technology, as well as its cell configuration, restrictions, equivalent circuit model, cell performance, and global market share. The dependability and availability of cell materials, in addition to the comparison of numerous characteristics, are both areas of research that are conducted concurrently for each of the distinct technologies. New advances in solar cells are also highlighted; these hold the potential to be significant variables and solutions in the process of the future's development. This abbreviated and brief version of the comprehensive analysis is provided to readers in the hope that it will aid them in evaluating potential research avenues about the proper applications and production of solar cells.
Säkularität im Schwimmbad. Einstellungen zu eigenen und fremden Körperpraktiken
Authors: Michalowski Ines
Published: July 2023

Die Studie untersucht die Aushandlung von Säkularität in öffentlichen Organisationen anhand des Beispiels von Körperpraktiken im Schwimmbad. Gefragt wird, inwiefern es durch das Aufkommen des Burkinis zu einer Neuaushandlung der Rolle von Religion im eigentlich als komplett säkular wahrgenommenen Schwimmbad kommt. Analysiert werden 101 kurze Interviews mit Badegästen im Schwimmbad. Die Datenanalyse zeigt, dass eigene Körperpraktiken vor allem mit Verweis auf Einhaltung der Mehrheitsnorm legitimiert werden. Bei Abweichung von der Norm kommen funktionale und teils wertebezogene Argumente zum Tragen. Die Befürwortung fremder Körperpraktiken, die sich wie beispielsweise der Burkini von den eigenen unterscheiden, wird aber anders, nämlich unter Bezug auf höhere Werte wie Diversität oder Selbstbestimmung legitimiert. Ein mit eigenen Erfahrungen verbundenes Nachempfinden religiös motivierter Körperscham konnte unter den hier befragten nichtmuslimischen Personen nicht beobachtet werden. Theoretisch liefert der Aufsatz einen Beitrag zu der Literatur über das Verhältnis zwischen säkularem und religiösem Körper, indem er verdeutlicht, dass die wahrgenommene Irrationalität religiös genormter Körperpraktiken nicht durch Verständnis, sondern durch wertebasierte Toleranz bearbeitet wird. Die Studie diskutiert zudem die Rolle von Organisationsregeln für die Ermöglichung religiöser Körperpraktiken sowohl hinsichtlich ihrer Fähigkeiten als auch Grenzen, die vor allem in den Reaktionen der Nutzerschaft begründet liegen.
Characteristics of Clostridioides difficile isolates circulating in the Slovak hospitals
Authors: Toporová Annamária , Čurová Katarína , Novotný Martin , Lovayová Viera , Nagyová Mária , Siegfried Leonard , Takáčová Viktória , Lišková Anna , Longauerová Andrea , Vukušičová Uhrinová Michaela , Dzugasová Barbora
Published: July 2023

Clostridioides difficile is a frequent cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea associated with antibiotics. Hypervirulent strains of Clostridioides difficile are associated with a severe course of Clostridioides difficile infection and a higher mortality. We have confirmed 322 non-duplicate Clostridioides difficile isolates in stool samples of patients hospitalized in three Slovak hospitals providing primary health care between January and December 2021 and determined genes encoding toxins, ribotypes and susceptibility to antimicrobials. 93.7% of them were toxigenic and co-occurrence of genes tcdA, tcdB, cdtA, cdtB, which encode toxins, was detected in 71.4% isolates. Nosocomially associated ribotypes 176, 001, and 027 were confirmed in 61.1%, 10.2%, and 5.2% of isolates, respectively, and found to be the most frequent. Although ribotype 176 predominated in all three hospitals, the highest incidence was recorded in Košice (73.5%). Results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed 65.8% resistance rate for rifampicin, 5.2% for vancomycin, 1.5% for metronidazole, 1.2% for teicoplanin and 0.6% for doxycycline. The correlation of frequent ribotypes and results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing points to the predominance of rifampicin resistance in isolates belonging to ribotypes 176 and 027. The above results reflect the problematic situation in our hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, that was related to the misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics and impossibility to follow epidemiological measures to prevent the spread of hypervilulent isolates.
Thinking magically or thinking scientifically: Cognitive and belief predictors of complementary and alternative medicine use in women with and without cancer diagnosis
Authors: Čavojová Vladimíra , Kaššaiová Zuzana , Šrol Jakub , Ballová Mikušková Eva
Published: July 2023

This paper examines the predictors of belief in the efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and its use, including cognitive factors (scientific reasoning, health literacy, locus of control), beliefs (holistic and magical health beliefs pseudoscientific beliefs, and trust in doctors), sociodemographic factors, and cancer diagnosis. The sample consisted of 177 women (41.8% with a cancer diagnosis; Mage = 38.81, SD = 11.43). Beliefs in efficacy and use of CAM were the main outcome measures; preference for CAM over conventional treatment was a secondary outcome measure. Pseudoscientific/magical beliefs and external locus of control were the strongest predictors of positive attitudes toward CAM and its higher use, as well as preference for CAM instead of conventional treatment. Cancer diagnosis predicted only higher CAM use, but not more positive attitudes to CAM, nor preference for CAM instead of conventional medicine. Women with cancer had significantly more pseudoscientific beliefs than women without cancer and had a higher external locus of control over their health. Women with pseudoscientific/magical beliefs favor CAM treatments independently of the cancer diagnosis, although the diagnosis of cancer also contributes to their higher use of CAM. In other words, it seems improbable that women would turn toward CAM treatment only after being diagnosed with cancer.
Women’s avoidant attachment, conflict solving, and relationship satisfaction through individualism and masculinity
Authors: Bretaña Ione , Alonso-Arbiol Itziar , Lavy Shiri , Zhang Fang
Published: July 2023

The utilization of specific strategies to manage couple conflict has a differential impact on women’s relationship satisfaction. However, considering that women’s role within couple relationship is shaped by societal norms, such association should be examined by embracing a cross-cultural perspective. Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze the effect of individualism/collectivism and masculinity/femininity cultural values on avoidant attachment, perceived conflict solving, and relationship satisfaction. The sample consisted of 334 women from Israel, USA, Türkiye, and Spain. An unconstrained general model elucidates the connections among relationship satisfaction, avoidant attachment, and conflict solving strategies across all countries; yet, the strength of certain associations varies based on the dimensions of masculinity and individualism. In individualistic countries, avoidant attachment predicts lower relationship satisfaction in women. The prediction of own withdrawal by avoidant attachment remains similar among women, regardless of the individualism dimension. Nevertheless, in feminine (i.e., role egalitarian) countries, the link between female’s avoidant attachment and their partner’s use of positive conflict solving strategies is stronger. Additionally, the withdrawal strategy predicts partner demand to a greater extent in women from feminine countries. These findings will assist professionals from different countries in developing culturally sensitive and tailored prevention and intervention tools.
Space-time dynamics of cargo theft: evidence from São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Aransiola Temidayo James , Justus Marcelo , Ceccato Vania
Published: July 2023

The objective of this study is to contribute to the growing literature on cargo theft by empirically testing four specific hypotheses of its causes – the space-time dynamics hypothesis, the economic attractiveness hypothesis, the social structure hypothesis, and the deterrence hypothesis. This study investigates the case of the economic core of one of the most severe regions regarding cargo theft worldwide – São Paulo state. As novelty in crime studies, we estimate Autorrregressive Distributed Lag models (ARDL). We found that the number of cargo thefts of a geographic area can be predicted by itself and that of neigbouring areas. This is an unprescendeted empirical evidence that cargo theft time series are autoregressive and cointegrated. Regarding economic attractiveness and social structure, the results are inconclusive. However, police activity reduces cargo theft in the large metropolitan area and inland municipalities of São Paulo state.