bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adjunctive use of mindfulness-based mobile application in depression: randomized controlled study
Authors: Sarlon Jan , Schneider Else , Brühl Annette B. , Ulrich Sarah , Liwinski Timur , Doll Jessica P. , Muehlauser Markus , Lang Undine E.
Published: September 2024

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) are effective in relapse prevention in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Internet-based interventions have been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of MDD. Consequently, the integration of MBI through mobile applications emerges as a promising supplementary intervention for MDD, contributing to the augmentation of mental health services, particularly within ambulatory care contexts. The current randomized controlled study is designed to evaluate the efficacy of adjunctive MBI delivered via a mobile app in mitigating symptom severity and stress levels. This assessment involves a comparison with standard treatment practices in an ambulatory setting among individuals diagnosed with MDD. A total of 83 patients diagnosed with MDD (depressive episode, recurrent depression or depressive phase of bipolar disorder) were randomly allocated to the intervention (41 patients) or control condition (42 patients). The intervention consisted of the daily use of the mindfulness mobile application “Headspace” for thirty days. The control condition was treatment as usual (TAU) only. The symptom severity has been assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) as well as the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17). Blood pressure and resting heart rate have been assessed as secondary outcome. Upon hospital discharge, the mean scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) signaled partial remission of MDD in both treatment arms. In both groups, a subsequent decrease in both self-reported and expert-rated scores was evident after a 30-day period. However, the decrease in depression severity as measured by HDRS was significantly higher in the MBI group compared to the control group after 30 days. For secondary outcomes, systolic blood pressure was lower in the intervention group compared to control group. The total drop-out rate was 29%. Short term mindfulness intervention via mobile application (30 days) can be beneficial as adjunctive therapy to treatment as usual in patients with MDD.
Generative user-experience research for developing domain-specific natural language processing applications
Authors: Zhukova Anastasia , von Sperl Lukas , Matt Christian E. , Gipp Bela
Published: September 2024

User experience (UX) is a part of human–computer interaction research and focuses on increasing intuitiveness, transparency, simplicity, and trust for the system users. Most UX research for machine learning or natural language processing (NLP) focuses on a data-driven methodology. It engages domain users mainly for usability evaluation. Moreover, more typical UX methods tailor the systems toward user usability, unlike learning about the user needs first. This paper proposes a new methodology for integrating generative UX research into developing domain NLP applications. Generative UX research employs domain users at the initial stages of prototype development, i.e., ideation and concept evaluation, and the last stage for evaluating system usefulness and user utility. The methodology emerged from and is evaluated on a case study about the full-cycle prototype development of a domain-specific semantic search for daily operations in the process industry. A key finding of our case study is that involving domain experts increases their interest and trust in the final NLP application. The combined UX+NLP research of the proposed method efficiently considers data- and user-driven opportunities and constraints, which can be crucial for developing NLP applications.
Does complexity of conspecific song influence reproductive decisions and investment in European Common Reed Warblers: an experimental playback approach?
Authors: Krištofík Ján , Darolová Alžbeta , Rubáčová Lucia , Hoi Herbert
Published: September 2024

The beginning of reproduction is usually accompanied by a series of decisions including where to establish a territory, attract a mate, to lay eggs or give birth. These decisions might be influenced by the quality of potential partners but also conspecific neighbours. In birds, the quality of an individual can be signaled by song features, like song complexity. Besides choosing the right location for reproduction and mate attraction, we propose here that song may also influence the reproductive investment, in particular early maternal investment, which is known to be a sensitive determinant reflecting different allocation of females in relation to male quality and attractiveness. Here, we examined whether song quality of conspecific neighbours can stimulate various reproductive parameters in European Common Reed Warblers (Acrocephalus scirpaceus). Therefore, we performed field playback experiments advertising song of high and low complexity and examined their influence on settlement decisions, early maternal investment, and breeding success. The number of nests and start of egg laying did not differ between the two playback types but nests were significantly closer to high complex song playbacks. Furthermore, in the high complex song group, a significantly higher proportion of eggs was fully dark pigmented than in the low complex playback group. Nests near high complex playbacks were significantly more successful and significantly more offspring were produced. The results are discussed in relation to whether males use song to stimulate female investment and whether establishing a breeding location near a high-quality neighbour may be an additional aspect in settlement decisions.
How to establish a new medical school? A scoping review of the key considerations
Authors: Kirubakaran Sneha , Kumar Koshila , Worley Paul , Pimlott Joanne , Greenhill Jennene
Published: September 2024

Establishing new medical schools in medically under-served regions is suggested as part of the solution to the problem of doctor shortages and maldistributions. Establishing a new medical school is, however, a complex undertaking with high financial and political stakes. Critically, the evidence-base for this significant activity has not previously been elucidated. This paper presents the first scoping review on this vitally important, yet under-researched aspect of medical education and health workforce planning. To better understand the process of new medical school establishment, this review posed two research questions: (1) What is the nature of the available literature on establishing a new medical school?; (2) What are the key factors to be considered when establishing a new medical school? Five databases and grey literature were searched in 2015 and 2021 for English-language articles, using search terms related to new medical schools and their establishment. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were based on relevance and suitability in answering the research questions. Seventy-eight articles were analysed both structurally and thematically to understand the nature of the literature and the key considerations involved. Structurally, most articles were descriptive pieces outlining personal and institutional experiences and did not make use of research methodologies nor theory. Thematically, thirteen key considerations were identified including reasons for establishment; location choices; leadership and governance; costs and funding; partnerships; staffing; student numbers; student recruitment; curriculum design and implementation; clinical training sites; buildings and facilities; information and technology resources; and accreditation. Significant gaps in the literature included how to obtain the initial permission from governing authorities and the personal costs and burnout experienced by founding leaders and staff. Although, the literature on new medical school establishment is empirically and theoretically under-developed, it is still useful and reveals a number of important considerations that could assist founding leaders and teams to maximise the outcomes and impact of their establishment efforts. Critically, the evidence-base underpinning this complex undertaking needs to be better informed by theory and research.

Graphical abstract
Sourcing the Early Colonial Knight’s Black “Marble” Tombstone at Jamestown, Virginia, USA
Authors: Key Marcus M. , Rossi Rebecca K.
Published: September 2024

The goal of this project was to determine the source of Jamestown’s black “marble” knight’s tombstone. From 1627, it is the oldest such tombstone in the Chesapeake Bay region. We used the fossils contained in archived fragments from the stone to identify its microfossils which included six species of foraminiferans. These co-occurred in what is now Belgium and Ireland during the Viséan Age, Middle Mississippian Epoch, Carboniferous Period. They did not co-occur in North America. Therefore, the knight’s tombstone had to be imported from Europe. Historical evidence suggests Belgium, from where it was transshipped in London and on to Jamestown.
Absorptive capacity for science-based innovation propensity: an empirical analysis using Japanese National Innovation Survey
Authors: Motohashi Kazuyuki , Ikeuchi Kenta , Yamaguchi Akira
Published: September 2024

It is found that private firms are withdrawing from basic research, as evidenced by the decline in the number of scientific papers written by authors who are inside of firms. On the other hand, scientific knowledge is becoming increasingly important in the industrial innovation process, so that accessing external scientific knowledge for science based innovation becomes critical to radical innovation at firm. This study conducts an empirical analysis of absorptive capacity required to realize radical innovations based on scientific knowledge. Specifically, by connecting bibliographic information of academic papers and patents with firm data from the Japanese National Innovation Survey, we analyze the type of absorptive capacity by the way to obtain external knowledge. The results show that internal R&D is important both for with and without collaboration with university, while human capital with experiences of scientific research in university is important, particularly for successful innovation through university collaboration.
Split coordination with adjectives in Italian
Authors: Adamson Luke James
Published: September 2024

This work investigates the morphosyntax of nominal expressions in Standard Italian that have multiple adjectives in “split coordination,” which permits a plural noun to be modified by singular adjectives, for example le mani destra e sinistra (the hand.pl left.sg and right.sg). The proposal is (i) that these expressions are built from multidominant structures, with a constituent shared by the conjuncts, and (ii) that plural marking on the noun reflects “summative” feature resolution on the nP comparable to coordination resolution. This proposal captures various properties of split-coordinated expressions, including the availability of adjective stacking and of feature-mismatched conjuncts, as well as agreement with a class of nouns that “switch” gender in the plural. Taking agreement with resolving features to be a form of semantic agreement, which has been argued to be possible only in certain syntactic configurations (Smith 2015, 2017, 2021), the account captures prenominal-postnominal adjective asymmetries in split coordination. The work offers a coherent account of coordination and semantic agreement in the nominal domain, connects split coordination to related phenomena such as nominal right node raising and adjectival hydras, and, more broadly, evinces the unity of nominal and verbal agreement, pace analyses of nominal concord (Norris 2014).
A qualitative, theory-based exploration of facilitators and barriers for implementation of pharmacist prescribing in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Al Raiisi Fatma , Cunningham Scott , Stewart Derek
Published: September 2024

Background

While there is an accumulation of evidence that pharmacist prescribing is safe and effective, there is a lack of research on processes of implementation into practice, particularly for patients with complex clinical conditions such as chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Aim

The aim was to explore the facilitators and barriers to the implementation of pharmacist prescribing for patients with CKD in the United Kingdom (UK).

Method

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with UK Renal Pharmacy Group members who were independent prescribers. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) underpinned the interview schedule. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and independently coded by two researchers. A thematic approach was used for analysis, with data generation continuing until saturation of themes. Ethical approval was granted.

Results

Data saturation was achieved following 14 interviews. Most interviewees were female (n = 11), all had secondary care as their main practice setting, and were highly experienced prescribers with 8 having 11 or more years of prescribing practice. Interviewees were positive regarding the development of their prescribing practice. Facilitators and barriers emerged across all 5 of the CFIR domains. Key facilitators were aspects of inner setting (e.g., organisational support and communication) while key barriers were also related to inner setting, specifically the need for adequate structural and financial resources.

Conclusion

This theory-based study has illuminated the facilitators and barriers for the implementation of pharmacist prescribing in CKD. There is a need to consider the resources required for implementation of prescribing practice at an early stage of planning and development.
Intentional summer flooding of an Avicennia germinans mangrove forest has a more direct effect on ammonia-oxidizing Betaproteobacteria than on Thaumarchaea
Authors: Laanbroek H. J. , Hefting M. M. , Costa O. Y. A. , Kuramae E. E.
Published: September 2024

Aims

Rotational Impoundment Management (RIM) involves summer inundation of impounded mangrove forests for mosquito management. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of RIM on communities of aerobic ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms in Avicennia germinans dominated mangrove forest soils.

Methods

Soil samples were collected annually in a managed and an adjacent, non-managed impoundment before and after the start of RIM at three elevation levels with their characteristic mangrove habitats, i.e., dwarf (highest elevation), sparse and dense (lowest elevation). The ammonia-oxidizing communities were studied by qPCR and amplicon analyses based on thaumarchaeal and betaproteobacterial amoA genes.

Results

Temporal variations in copy numbers and assemblies of amoA gene amplicons were limited. Thaumarchaeal amoA genes increased in the dwarf and sparse habitat in the non-managed impoundment, and betaproteobacterial amoA genes increased in the dwarf habitat in the RIM impoundment. No copies of the amoA gene of Nitrospirota (comammox bacteria) were detected in either impoundment. Whereas there were no significant effects of RIM on the composition of thaumarchaeal communities, RIM affected the composition of betaproteobacterial amoA assemblies in all habitats in the RIM impoundment.

Conclusions

Direct consequences of RIM were reflected in changes in the composition of assemblies of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) of ammonia-oxidizing Betaproteobacteria in all mangrove habitats of the RIM impoundment. Significant temporal changes at higher elevations in the non-managed impoundment were likely due to groundwater exchange between the impoundments.
Engaging Refugee Volunteers in Co-creation: The Role of Non-profit Leadership
Authors: Krasniqi Egzon
Published: September 2024

Engagement of vulnerable groups in co-creation has attracted growing scholarly and policy interest. Most research, however, focuses on the public sector, and less is known about the factors that support co-creation with these groups in the third sector. This study explores the role of non-profit leadership in engaging refugees in co-creation through volunteering. It draws on evidence from Veiviser—an NGO-initiated project in Bergen (Norway)—where refugees co-create their integration services by volunteering alongside established immigrants and Norwegian-born volunteers. The findings suggest that engaging vulnerable groups in co-creation in the third sector may be easier because of its voluntary nature and the gatekeeping role of non-profit leaders in a selection process that favors people who are more motivated to participate and capable of doing so. The findings also reveal that creating an environment conducive to participation is critical, requiring leadership commitment to building trust, creating a safe space for participation, fostering equality, and empowering refugee participation. Several leadership tactics for achieving these goals are identified, and implications for practice and theory are discussed.
Neural Tube Organoids: A Novel System to Study Developmental Timing
Authors: Rabeling Alexa , van der Hoven Amy , Andersen Nathalie , Goolam Mubeen
Published: September 2024

The neural tube (NT) is a transient structure formed during embryogenesis which develops into the brain and spinal cord. While mouse models have been commonly used in place of human embryos to study NT development, species-specific differences limit their applicability. One major difference is developmental timing, with NT formation from the neural plate in 16 days in humans compared to 4 days in mice, as well as differences in the time taken to form neuronal subtypes and complete neurogenesis. Neural tube organoids (NTOs) represent a new way to study NT development in vitro. While mouse and human NTOs have been shown to recapitulate the major developmental events of NT formation; it is unknown whether species-specific developmental timing, also termed allochrony, is also recapitulated. This review summarises current research using both mouse and human NTOs and compares developmental timing events in order to assess if allochrony is maintained in organoids.

Graphical Abstract
Microscale analysis of the fish Knightia eocaena taphonomy: Implication of a preserved microbial community
Authors: Rogers Garrett A. , Pittinger Dakota R. , Simpson Edward L. , Friehauf Kurt
Published: September 2024

Microbial communities are important components controlling the fidelity of fossil fish preservation. The Eocene Green River Formation lagerstätten, exceptionally preserved fossil deposits, provides an opportunity to examine the role of microbial communities and their metabolic byproducts, such as chemical precipitated in this spectacularly preserved fish deposit, famous throughout the world. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy system (EDS) examination of a well-preserved Knightia eocaena from the Eocene Green River Formation documents the presence of bacteriomorphs. Bacteriomorphs in a sample from the Fossil Butte Member of the Green River Formation consists of spherical structures, coccoid-type bacteria, fibres from two-sized populations of filamentous bacteria, probable filamentous cyanobacteria, capsule-shaped, and bacilliform bacteria, all associated with framboidal iron hydroxide.

Bacteriomorphs consist of external molds composed of nanometer-scale calcium carbonate spheres. Fe-oxide framboids have an amorphous exterior and a sieve-like internal structure. The sieve-like structure consists of nanometer-scale pores, probable sites of bacterial cells with walls composed of 100-nanometer-scale spheres. Fe-oxides are consistent with bacterially mediated precipitation of pyrite followed by an oxidation event. Preserved bacteriomorphs are consistent with degradation of soft tissue, limiting the preservation of soft tissue and leaving bone and scales with no appreciable soft tissue. The microfossils are restricted to the skeleton and are not found in the surrounding rock matrix, suggesting larger microbial mats may not have been present and possibly did not have a significant impact on the preservation of this specimen.
Comparative study of free amino acids at metabolite and gene expression levels in Triticeae during cold acclimation
Authors: Singh Kalpita , Gulyás Zsolt , Athmer Benedikt , Kovács Bettina , Mednyánszky Zsuzsanna , Galiba Gábor , Stein Nils , Simon-Sarkadi Lívia , Kocsy Gábor
Published: September 2024

This study investigates the freezing tolerance and cold-induced changes in amino acid metabolism in three Triticeae species (rye, wheat, and barley) with varying levels of freezing tolerance. Freezing tests confirmed that rye exhibited the highest tolerance, while barley showed the highest sensitivity. Cold acclimation significantly increased total free amino acid levels, with wheat and barley showing nearly twice the accumulation compared to rye. The glutamate family of amino acids, particularly proline (Pro), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamine (Gln), displayed substantial increase during cold treatment. Pro levels were notably higher in freezing-tolerant wheat and barley genotypes, suggesting its role in osmotic stress mitigation. However, this correlation was absent in rye. Gene expression analysis revealed that cold-induced proline accumulation is likely regulated at the post-transcriptional level, particularly involving the P5CS gene. These findings highlight the species-specific metabolic adjustments and regulatory mechanisms underlying freezing tolerance in Triticeae species, emphasizing the central role of proline and glutamate family amino acids in cold acclimation.
Enhancing trustworthiness in ML-based network intrusion detection with uncertainty quantification
Authors: Talpini Jacopo , Sartori Fabio , Savi Marco
Published: September 2024

A crucial role in the security of modern networks is played by Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs), security devices designed to identify and mitigate attacks to networks structure. Data-driven approaches based on Machine Learning (ML) have gained more and more popularity for executing the classification tasks required by signature-based IDSs. However, typical ML models adopted for this purpose do not properly take into account the uncertainty associated with their prediction. This poses significant challenges, as they tend to produce misleadingly high classification scores for both misclassified inputs and inputs belonging to unknown classes (e.g. novel attacks), limiting the trustworthiness of existing ML-based solutions. In this paper, we argue that ML-based IDSs should always provide accurate uncertainty quantification to avoid overconfident predictions. In fact, an uncertainty-aware classification would be beneficial to enhance closed-set classification performance, would make it possible to carry out Active Learning, and would help recognize inputs of unknown classes as truly unknowns, unlocking open-set classification capabilities and Out-of-Distribution (OoD) detection. To verify it, we compare various ML-based methods for uncertainty quantification and open-set classification, either specifically designed for or tailored to the domain of network intrusion detection. Moreover, we develop a custom model based on Bayesian Neural Networks that stands out for its OoD detection capabilities and robustness, with a lower variance in the results over different scenarios, compared to other baselines, thus showing how proper uncertainty quantification can be exploited to significantly enhance the trustworthiness of ML-based IDSs.
Promoting University Students’ Well-being and Resilience by Means of a Game-Approach Basic Psychological Need Intervention: a Case Study
Authors: Kiltz Lisa , Fokkens-Bruinsma Marjon , Jansen Ellen P. W. A.
Published: September 2024

Compromised university students’ well-being remains a pressing issue that may be addressed with interventions. This case study evaluates a positive psychology intervention aimed to raise awareness regarding how students’ basic psychological needs can promote their well-being (a), provide a shared responsibility for students and teachers to co-create their course (b), and satisfy their needs throughout this process (c). We hypothesised that students in an intervention condition would demonstrate greater need satisfaction than a control condition over time and that greater need satisfaction relates to improved well-being and resilience. In addition, we aimed to understand how the participants perceived the intervention. We compared an intervention course (n = 56) with a control course (n = 25). We tested the intervention with a mixed-method pre-post design and used quantitative survey as well as qualitative observational and interview data. We found mixed findings regarding the intervention’s impact on students, with qualitative data providing a more nuanced picture. Although their needs remain unaffected by the intervention, they qualitatively reported that it satisfied their autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Of the three needs, only competence related to students’ well-being and resilience, but qualitatively, they stressed autonomy and relatedness as essential as well. When asked how they experienced the intervention, participants noted issues, such as social hesitance when playing with strangers, though they also reported various benefits regarding the content and social aspects. Therefore, we see potential in such game-based systemic interventions to create a healthy academic learning environment.
Topography of textured surfaces using an abrasive-water jet technology
Authors: Szada-Borzyszkowska Monika , Kacalak Wojciech , Szada-Borzyszkowski Wiesław , Borkowski Przemysław J. , Laskowska Dorota , Szafraniec Filip
Published: September 2024

Surface texturing is a technique that allows for the shaping of surface topography to meet various mechanical and tribological requirements. Abrasive-water jet (AWJ) technology is a promising approach to surface texturing, offering minimal heat impact, flexibility, and compatibility with complex surface geometries. High-pressure abrasive-water jet (AWJ) technology, as an innovative and versatile approach, significantly expands the possibilities of surface texturing for materials. Its advantages, such as precision, minimal thermal impact, sustainability, and a wide range of industrial applications, make it an attractive solution across various sectors. With continuous development and integration with modern digital technologies, AWJ is becoming an increasingly practical and cutting-edge tool in surface processing. The abrasive-water jet texturing process also affects surface geometry during the mating of components, which may be significant in reducing wear. The aim of the research was to determine the feasibility of obtaining specific structures on the surface of 304/1.4301 steel using abrasive-water jet technology. Results show that the highest load-bearing ratio of Smrk1 peaks, approximately 25%, was achieved at a texturing speed of 0.803 m/min. Conversely, the lowest load-bearing ratio of Smrk1 peaks, below 10%, was achieved at a texturing speed of 1.948 m/min. Grinding the surface after texturing increases its load-bearing capacity, leading to a twofold increase in the ability to maintain an oil layer. The obtained results may find application in various fields where controlling surface geometry is essential for improving material functionality and efficiency.
Epidemiology of Q Fever in Southeast Europe for a 20-Year Period (2002–2021)
Authors: Pustahija Tatjana , Medić Snežana , Vuković Vladimir , Lozanov-Crvenković Zagorka , Patić Aleksandra , Štrbac Mirjana , Jovanović Verica , Dimitrijević Dragana , Milinković Milunka , Kosanović Mirjana Lana , Maltezou Helena C. , Mellou Kassiani , Musa Sanjin , Bakić Marijan , Medenica Sanja , Sokolovska Nikolina , Rodić Nina Vukmir , Devrnja Milica , Ristić Mioljub , Petrović Vladimir
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to assess epidemiological trends of Q fever in six countries of Southeast Europe by analysing surveillance data for 2002–2021 period. In this descriptive analysis, we collected and analysed data on confirmed human Q fever cases, obtained from the national Public Health Institutes of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Overall, 2714 Q fever cases were registered during the 20-year period. The crude average annual notification rate was 0.82 (± 2.06) (95% CI: 0.47–1.16) per 100,000 inhabitants, ranged from 0.06 (± 0.04) (95% CI: 0.04–0.08) /100,000 in Greece to 2.78 (± 4.80) (95% CI: 0.53–5.02) /100,000 in the Republic of Srpska (entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina). Significant declining trends of Q fever age standardized rates were registered in Croatia, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia, with an average annual change of -30.15%; -17.13%; -28.33% and − 24.77%, respectively. An unequal spatial distribution was observed. The highest average age-specific notification rate was reported in the 20–59 age group (0.84 (± 0.40) (95% CI: 0.65–1.02) /100,000). Most cases (53.69%) were reported during the spring. Q fever remains a significant public health threat in this part of Europe. The findings of this study revealed the endemic maintenance of this disease in the including countries, with large regional and subnational disparities in notification rates. A downward trend was found in Q fever notification rates across the study countries with the average notification rate higher than in the EU/EEA, during the same period.
Cerebral perfusion software: comparative evaluation
Authors: Fagotti Cristina , Colarieti Filippo , Cella Marco , Catalucci Alessia , Anselmi Monica , Arrigoni Francesco , Palumbo Pierpaolo , Bruno Federico , Barile Antonio , Di Cesare Ernesto , Splendiani Alessandra
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Perfusion CT (CTP) is crucial in defining the best treatment strategy for patients with acute ischemic stroke. Several software is available for assessing cerebral perfusion maps, which may show some variability in results. We aim to investigate the agreement between CT perfusion values in acute ischemic stroke of 2 different software (Syngo.via and Icobrain) in estimating ischemic core, ischemic penumbra, and mismatch ratio.

Methods

17 patients (10 women, mean age = 79.5 years) with acute stroke with large vessel occlusion (LVO) were enrolled in our study between August 2022 and March 2023. All patients underwent a CTP scan to determine the best treatment approach: endovascular treatment or systemic fibrinolysis according to DAWN/DEFUSE-3 criteria. All CTP examinations were analyzed using 2 different dedicated software (Syngo.via, Icobrain) and the perfusion values obtained (core, penumbra, mismatch ratio) were compared with each other. A basal CT scan 24 h after treatment was acquired to assess the final infarct volume (FIV) and possible hemorrhagic infarction. Then we compared the true FIV, manually assessed, with the predicted FIV calculated by the two software.

Results

The values obtained showed that the mean core volumes calculated by Syngo.via and Icobrain did not exhibit any statistically significant differences with a p-value of 0.09. There is no statistically significant difference between the mean penumbra volumes calculated by the two software (p-value = 0.29). There is no statistically significant difference between the mean values of core and penumbra calculated by both software. Furthermore, both Icobrain and Syngo.via gave the same therapeutic indication. Correlation analysis indicated a slightly stronger correlation between the core volume calculated by Icobrain and the FIV (r = 0.98 vs r = 0.94). Both correlations were statistically significant (p =  < 0.001).

Conclusion

The evaluation of perfusion indices by automated systems may present a certain degree of variability between different software, although they agree on the final therapeutic stratification.
Exploring Concurrent Approach for Respiratory Epidemiological Surveillance and Symptom Screening (CARES): a new strategy for preventing respiratory infection outbreaks in long-term care facilities
Authors: Takayama Naoki , Sakaki Haruyo , Nishioka Midori , Aminaka Mayumi , Shirai Masahiro , Toyoda Atsushi , Endo Eiko
Published: September 2024

Objective:

The Concurrent Approach for Respiratory Epidemiological Surveillance and Symptom Screening (CARES) combines symptom screening to prevent external respiratory infections by managing staff and visitor health and surveillance to monitor the infection rates within the facility and take timely decisions on activity programs based on outbreak prevalence. This study examines the efficacy of the CARES strategy in preventing respiratory infection outbreaks in long-term care facilities.

Design:

Prospective cohort study utilizing historical controls including an intervention and control group.

Setting:

This study was conducted in two long-term care facility wards (total: 110 beds) in Japan.

Patients:

We enrolled patients aged 1–72 years from the target ward with severe intellectual and physical disabilities from October 1, 2018, to March 31, 2019, and from October 1, 2017, to March 31, 2018, for the intervention (n = 104) and control (n = 98) groups, respectively. The study included all admitted patients and excluded those hospitalized or discharged during the study period.

Intervention:

The total number of days that activity programs, new admissions, and visitations were cancelled in the two groups was compared before and after the introduction of CARES.

Results:

CARES reduced the duration of new admission cancellations and visitation cancellations by 16 and 23 days, respectively (α = 0.1, P value < 0.001). Additionally, the maximum duration of activity program cancellations was reduced by 2 days. Furthermore, five cases of presenteeism were prevented.

Conclusions:

CARES improves patients’ quality of life by continuation of activity programs, new patient admission, and ongoing visitations.
Use of virtual reality in bipolar disorder: a systematic review
Authors: Salazar de Pablo Gonzalo , Ríos Hernández Omar , Gómez Vallejo Sandra , Young Allan H. , Cella Matteo , Valmaggia Lucia
Published: September 2024

Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that allows to interact with recreated digital environments and situations with enhanced realism. VR has shown good acceptability and promise in different mental health conditions. No systematic review has evaluated the use of VR in Bipolar Disorder (BD). This PRISMA-compliant systematic review searched PubMed and Web of Science databases (PROSPERO: CRD42023467737) to identify studies conducted in individuals with BD in which VR was used. Results were systematically synthesized around four categories (cognitive and functional evaluation, clinical assessment, response to VR and safety/acceptability). Eleven studies were included (267 individuals, mean age = 36.6 years, 60.7% females). Six studies using VR to carry out a cognitive evaluation detected impairments in neuropsychological performance and delayed reaction times. VR was used to assess emotional regulation. No differences in well-being between VR-based and physical calm rooms were found. A VR-based stress management program reduced subjective stress, depression, and anxiety levels. VR-based cognitive remediation improved cognition, depressive symptoms, and emotional awareness. 48.7% of the individuals with BD considered VR-based cognitive remediation ‘excellent’, whereas 28.2% considered it ‘great’. 87.2% of individuals did not report any side effects. 81.8% of studies received a global quality rating of moderate. Emerging data point towards a promising use of VR in BD as an acceptable assessment/intervention tool. However, multiple unstudied domains as comorbidity, relapse and prodromal symptoms should be investigated. Research on children and adolescents is also recommended. Further research and replication of findings are required to disentangle which VR-interventions for which populations and outcomes are effective.
Executive functions in psychopathy: a meta-analysis of inhibition, planning, shifting, and working memory performance
Authors: Burghart Matthias , Schmidt Sergej , Mier Daniela
Published: September 2024

Much research has focused on executive function (EF) impairments in psychopathy, a severe personality disorder characterized by a lack of empathy, antisocial behavior, and a disregard for social norms and moral values. However, it is still unclear to what extent EF deficits are present across psychopathy factors and, more importantly, which EF domains are impaired. The current meta-analysis answers these questions by synthesizing the results of 50 studies involving 5,694 participants from 12 different countries. Using multilevel random-effects models, we pooled effect sizes (Cohen's d) for five different EF domains: overall EF, inhibition, planning, shifting, and working memory. Moreover, differences between psychopathy factors were evaluated. Our analyses revealed small deficits in overall EF, inhibition, and planning performance. However, a closer inspection of psychopathy factors indicated that EF deficits were specific to lifestyle/antisocial traits, such as disinhibition. Conversely, interpersonal/affective traits, such as boldness, showed no deficits and in some cases even improved EF performance. These findings suggest that EF deficits are not a key feature of psychopathy per se, but rather are related to antisociality and disinhibitory traits. Potential brain correlates of these findings as well as implications for future research and treatment are discussed.
Development of an multicriteria decision analysis framework for rare disease reimbursement prioritization in Malaysia
Authors: Ku Abd Rahim Ku N. , Muhammad Lattepi Nurkhodrulnada , Sarimin Roza , Foo Sze Shir , Akmal Syaqirah , Lee Sit Wai , Mohamed Ghazali Izzuna Mudla
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Rare diseases (RD)-related policies have received significant attention due to the pressing medical requirements associated with these medical conditions and the substantial impact and treatments they may have on healthcare budgets. Nevertheless, policymakers frequently encounter difficulties in managing issues concerning resource allocation and prioritization within this population. Realizing the need to address such problems, this study was conducted to develop a framework based on the multicriteria decision analysis to improve RD reimbursement prioritization in Malaysia.

Methods

Primarily, a scoping review was performed to identify the methods and criteria used for the reimbursement of RD treatment, followed by strategic stakeholder engagement and a deliberative process on determining the best approach for the framework, including criteria identification, elicitation of weights, and a pilot assessment using the framework.

Results

The findings reflected the priorities and perspectives of the stakeholders, which identified eight key criteria and their associated weights, namely effectiveness (19.6 percent), disease severity (15.6 percent), safety (14.2 percent), access to treatment (12.6 percent), economic consideration (12.2 percent), type of therapeutic treatment (11.5 percent), availability of alternatives (8.3 percent), and population group (6 percent).

Conclusions

In summary, the developed framework was well-accepted by the Rare Disease Committee, which will be applied as part of the committee deliberation for transparent and equitable decision making on fund allocation and reimbursement of orphan and RD treatment in Malaysia.
The Moment-SOS hierarchy: Applications and related topics
Authors: Lasserre Jean B.
Published: September 2024

The Moment-SOS hierarchy, first introduced in optimization in 2000, is based on the theory of the S-moment problem and its dual counterpart: polynomials that are positive on S. It turns out that this methodology can also be used to solve problems with positivity constraints ‘f(x) ≥ 0 for all
$\mathbf{x}\in S$
’ or linear constraints on Borel measures. Such problems can be viewed as specific instances of the generalized moment problem (GMP), whose list of important applications in various domains of science and engineering is almost endless. We describe this methodology in optimization and also in two other applications for illustration. Finally we also introduce the Christoffel function and reveal its links with the Moment-SOS hierarchy and positive polynomials.
Trapdoor Viscous Remanent Magnetization
Authors: Fabian Karl
Published: September 2024

Viscous remanent magnetization (VRM) in multidomain (MD) particles has many puzzling properties that deviate from the current VRM theory, based on Néel's single‐domain model of magnetic particles with an almost symmetric double‐well potential. In larger magnetic particles experimental evidence indicates that more complex magnetization structures preferentially change from high‐energy states to low‐energy states with large energy differences, such that VRM is preferentially acquired by directed magnetization changes in strongly asymmetric double‐well potentials. Here, a statistical model based on this ’trapdoor’ VRM (tdVRM) naturally explains the experimental observations of initial‐state dependence, time‐lag variation, non‐linear dependence, and acquisition‐decay asymmetry for MD VRM. It is discussed how tdVRM can be experimentally distinguished from single‐domain VRM and how the new theory can help to improve age determination by VRM analysis.
A NASA GISTEMPv4 Observational Uncertainty Ensemble
Authors: Lenssen Nathan , Schmidt Gavin A. , Hendrickson Michael , Jacobs Peter , Menne Matthew J. , Ruedy Reto
Published: September 2024

The historical global temperature record is an essential data product for quantifying the variability and change of the Earth system. In recent years, better characterization of observational uncertainty in global and hemispheric trends has become available, but the methodologies are not necessarily applicable to analyses at smaller regional areas, or monthly or seasonal means, where station sparsity and other systematic issues contribute to greater uncertainty. This study presents a gridded uncertainty ensemble of historical surface temperature anomalies from the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) Surface Temperature (GISTEMP) product. This ensemble characterizes the complex spatial and temporal correlation structure of uncertainty, enabling better uncertainty propagation for climate and applied science in applications of historical temperature products at spatial scales from global to regional and temporal scales from centennial to monthly. This work details the methodology for generating the uncertainty ensemble, presents key statistics of the uncertainty evolution over space and time, and provides best practices for using the uncertainty ensemble in future studies. Summary statistics from the uncertainty ensemble agree well with the previous GISTEMP global uncertainty assessment, providing confidence in both.
Scientists Present Europe’s New Greenhouse Gas Budget
Authors: Sidder Aaron
Published: September 2024

The greenhouse gas budget developed for Europe highlights carbon sources and sinks across the continent and will serve as a baseline for years to come.
Rapid Inundation Mapping Using the US National Water Model, Satellite Observations, and a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Frame Jonathan M. , Nair Tanya , Sunkara Veda , Popien Philip , Chakrabarti Subit , Anderson Tyler , Leach Nicholas R. , Doyle Colin , Thomas Mitchell , Tellman Beth
Published: September 2024

Rapid and accurate maps of floods across large domains, with high temporal resolution capturing event peaks, have applications for flood forecasting and resilience, damage assessment, and parametric insurance. Satellite imagery produces incomplete observations spatially and temporally, and hydrodynamic models require tradeoffs between computational efficiency and accuracy. We address these challenges with a novel flood model which predicts surface water area from the U.S. National Water Model using a convolutional neural network (NWM‐CNN). We trained NWM‐CNN on 780 flood events, at a 250 m resolution with an RMSE of 4.58% on held out validation geographies. We demonstrate NWM‐CNN across California during the 2023 atmospheric rivers, comparing predictions against Sentinel‐1 mapped flood observations. We compared historical predictions from 1979 to 2023 to flood damage reports in Sacramento County, California. Results show that NWM‐CNN captures inundation extent better than the Height Above Nearest Drainage (HAND) approach (25%–36% RMSE, respectively).
Wind Shear Effects in Convection–Permitting Models Influence MCS Rainfall and Forcing of Tropical Circulation
Authors: Maybee Ben , Marsham John H. , Klein Cornelia M. , Parker Douglas J. , Barton Emma J. , Taylor Christopher M. , Lewis Huw , Sanchez Claudio , Jones Richard W. , Warner James
Published: September 2024

Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCSs) play a critical role in tropical rainfall patterns and circulations. To reduce persistent biases and improve understanding of the climate system, international groups have called for unprecedented investment in global convection–permitting (CP) climate models. It is essential such models accurately represent MCSs, and in particular environmental interactions such as dynamical control by wind shear. We show that in representative current generation CP simulations, MCS updraft entrainment decreases with shear, leading to a realistic increase of extreme rainfall. We find the control of environmental shear extends to mean storm rainfall and anvil heights. The simulation of these effects depends strongly on model physics in both CP and parameterized models. We show that in West Africa, MCS shear response influences the zonal distribution of storm diabatic heating, modifying upscale impacts of convection. Our results demonstrate key tests for focused process–based assessment of CP model fidelity.
A Physics‐Enhanced Neural Network for Estimating Longitudinal Dispersion Coefficient and Average Solute Transport Velocity in Porous Media
Authors: Meng Yinquan , Jiang Jianguo , Wu Jichun , Wang Dong
Published: September 2024

Dispersion coefficients and the average solute transport velocity are pivotal for groundwater solute transport modeling. Accurately and efficiently determining these parameters is challenging due to difficulties in directly correlating them with pore‐space structure. To address this issue, we introduced the Physics‐enhanced Convolutional Neural Network‐Transformer (PhysenCT‐Net), an innovative model designed to concurrently estimate the longitudinal dispersion coefficient and average solute transport velocity in three‐dimensional porous media. PhysenCT‐Net exhibited excellent predictive performance on unseen testing datasets and significantly reduced computational demands. Comprehensive evaluations confirmed its robust generalization across various flow conditions and pore structures. Notably, the longitudinal dispersion coefficient predictions closely align with established empirical relationships involving Péclet number, affirming the model's physical interpretability and potential to aid in simulating transport phenomena in porous media.