bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interaktionen mit soziotechnischen Systemen lernen
Authors: Schramek Renate , Engler Stefanie
Published: January 2024

Hintergrund

Der Ansatz soziotechnischer Systeme (STS) für ein gelingendes Leben im Alter richtet den Fokus auf die Verbindung technischer und soziokultureller Faktoren in einem. Technologische Systeme sind längst nicht mehr auf einfache Funktionen beschränkt; vielmehr ermöglichen sie individualisierbare Einsätze sowie interaktive Nutzung, verbunden mit komplexen Kommunikations- und Handlungssträngen. Die verbundenen Interaktionen mit dem technischen System legen die Perspektive auf Wechselwirkungen und die Beziehung nahe.

Ziel des Beitrags

Forschungsergebnisse zeigen, dass individualisierbare Funktionen sozialtechnischer Systeme, bezogen auf Akzeptanz und Nutzung, von Älteren positiv bewertet werden. Aus geragogischer Perspektive stellen sich Fragen zur Aneignung der Älteren und zur Gestaltung der Lernprozesse (soziotechnischer Lernarrangements).

Material und Methoden

Entwickelt wird eine relationale Sicht auf Lern- und Bildungsprozesse rund um Aneignung und Handlungskompetenzerwerb zur Gestaltung mit und zur Nutzung von STS in realweltlichen Situationen, basierend auf einem formativ angelegten qualitativen Forschungsdesign des Projekts „RUBYDemenz“. Speziell werden Daten/Ergebnisse aus Interviews mit freiwillig tätigen Lernbegleitenden, professionell tätigen Praxisbegleitenden, Fokusgruppen und Forschungswerkstätten herangezogen.

Ergebnisse und Diskussion

Von der Empirie lassen sich Ansatzpunkte für Bildungs- und Lernprozesse zur Kompetenzerweiterung im Kontext von Techniknutzung entwickeln. Ansätze zu Aus‑, Fort- und Weiterbildung schließen an, ebenso wie die Frage, ob der Forschungs‑/Entwicklungsprozess selbst als Lernprozess angelegt sein muss, in den alle Beteiligten als Lernende involviert sind, mit dem Ziel, eine bestmögliche Passung der technischen Lösungen mit den avisierten Einsatzbereichen in realweltlichen Situationen zu erreichen.
Can a new national system policy for science and technology promote industrial restructuring in China’s national innovation center cities?
Authors: Song Zhendong , Xu Geni , Jiao Bing
Published: January 2024

We establish two types of difference-in-difference (DID) models to study the effects of the policy shocks of the new national system of science and technology on the rationalization and advancedization of industrial structure of national innovation center (NIC) cities. Meanwhile, considering the differences in resource endowment between NIC cities and general cities, we use propensity matching analysis (PSM) to establish matching data on the basis of benchmark data to empirically demonstrate the effect of this policy shock on the industrial structure of NIC cities. The study shows that the policy shock has a promoting effect on the level of industrial structure rationalization in the NIC cities, but not significant effect on the industrial structure advancedization, the improvement of the financing environment can promote the development of industrial structure advancement, the growth of personal wealth has a promoting effect on the industrial structure rationalization, and the increase of the government investment is not conducive to the advancement of industrial structure, although it can promote the rationalization of the industrial structure in China’s NIC cities. Compared with the eastern NIC cities, this policy shock has a greater effect on the rationalization of industrial structure in the Central-western NIC cities of China. In addition, the financing environment and per capita income of NIC cities have a moderating effect on the rationalization of industrial structure under the policy shock. Therefore, NIC cities should actively promote the promotion effect of this policy on the rationalization of industrial structure.
Lower Jurassic (Pliensbachian–Toarcian) marine paleoenvironment in Western Europe: sedimentology, geochemistry and organic petrology of the wells Mainzholzen and Wickensen, Hils Syncline, Lower Saxony Basin
Authors: Burnaz Linda , Littke Ralf , Grohmann Sebastian , Erbacher Jochen , Strauss Harald , Amann Florian
Published: January 2024

Over the past few decades, Toarcian (Early Jurassic) black shale deposits of NW Europe have been extensively studied, and the possible global and regional mechanisms for their regional variation have been discussed. In this context, the black shales of the Northwest German Basin are still sparsely studied with regard to their palaeo-depositional history. This study aims to understand the connection between regional and global influences on the widespread Early Toarcian oceanic anoxic event by examining two wells covering the Upper Pliensbachian to Upper Toarcian sediments in the Northwestern German Basin. The core intervals were analysed using a multidisciplinary approach, including geochemistry, biostratigraphy and organic petrography. Marine palaeoenvironmental changes were reconstructed, and sediment sequences were stratigraphically classified to allow a supra-regional stratigraphic correlation. The results reveal complex interactions between sea level changes, climate warming, basin confinement, and Tethys–Arctic connectivity resulting in the Toarcian black shale deposition. Upper Pliensbachian sediments were deposited under terrigenous influence, shallow water depths, and predominantly oxic bottom water conditions. The deposition of black shale is characterized by algal organic material input and anoxic bottom water conditions. Strong correlations between water stratification, anoxia, and bioproductivity suggest that global warming and intensification of monsoonal rainfall, continental weathering, and increasing freshwater and nutrient inputs were the main factors controlling the formation of black shales. Prolonged deposition of OM-rich sediments in the NWGB may be related to intensified monsoonal precipitation in northern Europe and enhanced Tethys–Arctic connectivity at the serpentinum–bifrons transition.

Graphical Abstract
Quality of life in patients after vestibular schwannoma surgery
Authors: Lazak Jan , Betka Jan , Zverina Eduard , Vlasak Ales , Bonaventurova Marketa , Balatkova Zuzana , Kana Martin , Fik Zdenek
Published: January 2024

Aim

To evaluate the most important factors of quality of life in patients after vestibular schwannoma surgery.

Materials and methods

Patients with unilateral sporadic occurrence of vestibular schwannoma who underwent surgery via suboccipital-retrosigmoid approach were included in the prospective study (2018–2021). Patients after previous Leksell gamma knife irradiation (or other methods of stereotactic radiosurgery) were excluded. Quality of life was assessed using 10 validated questionnaires that were distributed preoperatively, 3 months and 1 year after the surgery.

Results

A total of 76 patients were included in the study, complete data were analysed in 43 of them (response rate 57%). Grade III and IV represented up to 70% of all tumors. Patients with larger tumors had a significantly higher risk of postoperative facial nerve paresis, liquorrhea and lower probability of hearing preservation. Patients with smaller tumors and those, who suffered from headaches before surgery had more frequent and severe headaches after surgery. Postoperative headaches were associated with higher incidence of anxiety and tinnitus. More frequent anxiety was also identified in patients with preoperative serviceable hearing who became deaf after surgery. Nevertheless, tinnitus and hearing impairment appeared to have less impact on overall quality of life compared to headaches and facial nerve function.

Conclusion

According to our results, tumor size, postoperative function of the facial nerve and occurrence of postoperative headaches had the greatest influence on the overall postoperative quality of life in patients after vestibular schwannoma surgery.
Only anti-GM4 antibody positivity in a Chinese girl with overlapping MFS/GBS: a case report
Authors: Chen Jing , Tian Maoqiang , Shu XiaoMei
Published: January 2024

Background

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), as the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis worldwide, is considered a part of a clinical spectrum in which discrete, complete, or incomplete forms of GBS and overlapping syndromes lie on the basis of their clinical features. The term overlapping Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS)/GBS is used when patients with MFS also suffer from progressive motor weakness of the limbs. Anti-ganglioside GQ1b has been specifically associated with MFS and ophthalmoplegia.

Case description

Here, we report a Chinese girl who was diagnosed with overlapping MFS/GBS showing acute flaccid paralysis of all four limbs, sensory symptoms, cranial nerve dysfunction, autonomic involvement, ophthalmoplegia, and ataxia. She had high serum and cerebrospinal fluid titres of monospecific anti-GM4 IgG antibody instead of anti-GQ1b antibody in the acute phase.

Conclusion

Anti-GM4 antibodies usually coexist with other antiganglioside antibodies, leading to missed diagnoses. The findings of the present study show that antibodies to ganglioside GM4 may in overlapping MFS/GBS as the lone immunological factors.
White stork Ciconia ciconia nests as an attractant to birds and bats
Authors: Tryjanowski Piotr , Jankowiak Łukasz , Myczko Łukasz , Mikula Peter , Łuczak Andrzej
Published: January 2024

White storks (Ciconia ciconia), an emblematic bird of high conservation interest, build massive nests which are also important breeding sites for other birds. However, their role as a potential source of food for foraging birds and bats is unexplored. In this study, we counted insectivorous aerially foraging birds (swallows, martins, and swifts), sparrows, and bats foraging around 51 pairs of white storks’ nest and control sites in Poland. The number of birds was significantly higher near active white stork nests than control sites, but this effect was invisible for bats. White storks provide important benefits to the conservation of co-occurring species.
International monopoly union coordination under the presence of externalities and costs
Authors: Perez-Sanz Ruben
Published: January 2024

Despite the advantages of holding monopoly power, unions rarely coordinate their wage demands across countries. In this paper, I argue that the costs of coordination and externalities can explain such behaviour. In the model, monopolistic unions set the wage in each country, and the firm keeps the right-to-manage. If the domestic union raised its wage, the firm would substitute production of the domestic good for the foreign one, reducing employment. The union would be worse off and it would have no incentives to deviate. Upon coordination, unions can raise the wage, share the loss of employment, and be better off. Two extensions are provided: right-to-manage model and differentiated costs of coordination.
Energy in the backseat? Investigating decarbonization dialogue in supply chain tweets during and after COVID-19
Authors: Shahzad Umer , Sengupta Tuhin , Rao Amar , Sharma Gagan Deep
Published: January 2024

While we move into the seventh year of the signing of Paris agreement, research scholars and supply chain firms have paid a lot of emphasis on environmental sustainability with the aim of achieving net zero targets by 2050. However, the global pandemic has somewhat disturbed the focus from environment to resilience due to severe economic implications of COVID-19. In this paper, we contribute to the very scant discussion on Twitter Analytics by analysing supply chain tweets with COVID-19 at the backdrop. Our approach involves analysing how decarbonization related discussions have evolved by capturing the tweets across three timelines: pre pandemic, pandemic and post pandemic. By integrating descriptive analytics, content analytics and machine learning algorithm in topic modelling, we extract textual intelligence related to emissions and pollution from leading firms involving supply chain management. We find that although decarbonization related discussions are at bare minimum in terms of the proportion of discussions within the supply chain context, the overall emotion of tweets indicate fear across all three timelines. Moreover, it was surprising to note that although pollution levels came down due to low economic activity during pandemic, we found more discussions during COVID in comparison to pre-COVID times. Pollution and waste caused by plastics, fuel consumption, reduction in greenhouse gas emission are some of the key topics that emerged during pandemic times. Our paper makes a modest contribution on the role of social media analytics within supply chain context around COVID-19.
A blending ensemble learning model for crude oil price forecasting
Authors: Hasan Mahmudul , Abedin Mohammad Zoynul , Hajek Petr , Coussement Kristof , Sultan Md. Nahid , Lucey Brian
Published: January 2024

To efficiently capture diverse fluctuation profiles in forecasting crude oil prices, we here propose to combine heterogenous predictors for forecasting the prices of crude oil. Specifically, a forecasting model is developed using blended ensemble learning that combines various machine learning methods, including k-nearest neighbor regression, regression trees, linear regression, ridge regression, and support vector regression. Data for Brent and WTI crude oil prices at various time series frequencies are used to validate the proposed blending ensemble learning approach. To show the validity of the proposed model, its performance is further benchmarked against existing individual and ensemble learning methods used for predicting crude oil price, such as lasso regression, bagging lasso regression, boosting, random forest, and support vector regression. We demonstrate that our proposed blending-based model dominates the existing forecasting models in terms of forecasting errors for both short- and medium-term horizons.
Information and communication technology and labour productivity growth: a production‐frontier approach
Authors: Fulgenzi Rossana , Gitto Simone , Mancuso Paolo
Published: January 2024

This work provides evidence of the positive impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the labour productivity growth of 24 countries, members of the OECD, from 1995 to 2019. Using a non-parametric production‐frontier approach, we decompose labour productivity growth into components attributable to technological change (shifts in the world production frontier), efficiency change (movements toward or away from the frontier), physical (non-ICT) capital change and ICT capital change (movements along the frontier). We find that, on average, the most significant improvement in worldwide labour productivity is attributable to technological change, non-ICT, and ICT capital change over 1995–2019. In addition, we confirm the role of ICT as a general-purpose technology that needs to implement complementary changes in business organisations to exploit its growth opportunities fully. Finally, we conclude that ICT capital contributes to convergence.
The indirect effect of nectar-inhabiting yeasts on olfactory responses and longevity of two stink bug egg parasitoids
Authors: Ermio Jay Darryl L. , Peri Ezio , Bella Patrizia , Rostás Michael , Sobhy Islam S. , Wenseleers Tom , Colazza Stefano , Lievens Bart , Cusumano Antonino
Published: January 2024

Adult parasitoids are well known to feed on sugar-rich resources such as floral nectar. Recently, an increasing body of evidence has shown that nectar is ubiquitously colonized by microorganisms and, as a consequence, microbial metabolic activity can affect several traits of floral nectar. Yet, how the fermentation of nectar by yeasts impacts the olfactory responses and performance of parasitoids is largely understudied, especially in the case of egg parasitoids. In this study, we investigated whether fermentation by the nectar yeasts Metschnikowia gruessii and M. reukaufii affects the olfactory responses of Trissolcus basalis and Ooencyrtus telenomicida, two egg parasitoid species associated with the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula. We also investigated how yeast fermentation affects the longevity and survival of the egg parasitoids. Results of static four-chamber olfactometer tests showed that nectar fermented by M. gruessii (but not by M. reukaufii) was attractive to both egg parasitoid species, whereas no significant yeast-mediated effects were found in terms of wasp longevity. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed a clear separation of the volatile profiles among M. gruessii, M. reukaufii and non-fermented control nectar supporting the results of the insect bioassays. The results of our study highlight the need to consider the role of microbes when studying interactions between flower nectar and egg parasitoids and could have implications from a conservation biological control perspective.
Is the CTS5 a helpful decision-making tool in the extended adjuvant therapy setting?
Authors: Wimmer Kerstin , Hlauschek Dominik , Balic Marija , Pfeiler Georg , Greil Richard , Singer Christian F. , Halper Stefan , Steger Günther , Suppan Christoph , Gampenrieder Simon P. , Helfgott Ruth , Egle Daniel , Filipits Martin , Jakesz Raimund , Sölkner Lidija , Fesl Christian , Gnant Michael , Fitzal Florian
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The Clinical Treatment Score post-5 years (CTS5) is an easy-to-use tool estimating the late distant recurrence (LDR) risk in patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer after 5 years of endocrine therapy (ET). Apart from evaluating the prognostic value and calibration accuracy of CTS5, the aim of this study is to clarify if this score is able to identify patients at higher risk for LDR who will benefit from extended ET.

Methods

Prognostic power, calibration, and predictive value of the CTS5 was tested in patients of the prospective ABCSG-06 and -06a trials (n = 1254 and 860 patients, respectively). Time to LDR was analyzed with Cox regression models.

Results

Higher rates of LDR in the years five to ten were observed in high- and intermediate-risk patients compared to low-risk patients (HR 4.02, 95%CI 2.26–7.15, p < 0.001 and HR 1.93, 95%CI 1.05–3.56, p = 0.035). An increasing continuous CTS5 was associated with increasing LDR risk (HR 2.23, 95% CI 1.74–2.85, p < 0.001). Miscalibration of CTS5 in high-risk patients could be observed. Although not reaching significance, high-risk patients benefitted the most from prolonged ET with an absolute reduction of the estimated 5-year LDR of − 6.1% (95%CI − 14.4 to 2.3).

Conclusion

The CTS5 is a reliable prognostic tool that is well calibrated in the lower and intermediate risk groups with a substantial difference of expected versus observed LDR rates in high-risk patients. While a numerical trend in favoring prolonged ET for patients with a higher CTS5 was found, a significantly predictive value for the score could not be confirmed.

Clinical trial registration

ABCSG-06 trial (NCT00309491), ABCSG-06A7 1033AU/0001 (NCT00300508).
LOXL1 promotes tumor cell malignancy and restricts CD8 + T cell infiltration in colorectal cancer
Authors: Li Chenxi , Chen Siqi , Fang Xiaona , Du Yaqing , Guan Xin-Yuan , Lin Runhua , Xu Liang , Lan Ping , Yan Qian
Published: January 2024

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality globally. Lymph node metastasis and immunosuppression are main factors of poor prognosis in CRC patients. Lysyl oxidase like 1 (LOXL1), part of the lysyl oxidase (LOX) family, plays a yet unclear role in CRC. This study aimed to identify effective biomarkers predictive of prognosis and efficacy of immunotherapy in CRC patients, and to elucidate the prognostic value, clinical relevance, functional and molecular features, and immunotherapy predictive role of LOXL1 in CRC and pan-cancer.

Methods

Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to explore gene modules related to tumor metastasis and CD8 + T cell infiltration. LOXL1 emerged as a hub gene through differential gene expression and survival analysis. The molecular signatures, functional roles, and immunological characteristics affected by LOXL1 were analyzed in multiple CRC cohorts, cell lines and clinical specimens. Additionally, LOXL1's potential as an immunotherapy response indicator was assessed, along with its role in pan-cancer.

Results

Turquoise module in WGCNA analysis was identified as the hub module associated with lymph node metastasis and CD8 + T cell infiltration. Aberrant elevated LOXL1 expression was observed in CRC and correlated with poorer differentiation status and prognosis. Molecular and immunological characterization found that LOXL1 might mediate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and immunosuppressive phenotypes of CRC. Functional study found that LOXL1 enhanced tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Moreover, high LOXL1 levels corresponded to reduced CD8 + T cell infiltration and predicted poor clinical outcomes of immunotherapy. Similar trends were also observed at the pan-cancer level.

Conclusions

Our findings underscore the critical role of LOXL1 in modulating both malignancy and immunosuppression in CRC. This positions LOXL1 as a promising biomarker for predicting prognosis and the response to immunotherapy in CRC patients.

Graphical Abstract
When Moral Talk Becomes Profitable
Authors: Juarez-Garcia Mario I.
Published: January 2024

Should businesses engage in moral talk when it becomes profitable? Due to their particular position of visibility, it is reasonable to acknowledge that businesses have specific moral duties. Some might argue that companies ought to help abandon morally repugnant norms by providing examples of alternative behaviors through advertisements. However, the moral talk of businesses might unexpectedly reinforce repugnant norms and increase social tensions in a polarized society. Then, the duty of the companies is not fulfilled when they engage in moral talk. In polarized societies, the positional duty of businesses implies decreasing the risk of social conflict. It is not clear how to do that, yet I argue that if businesses use moral talk with mass marketing strategies, they would strive to shape impartial moral messages aiming to find points of moral convergence among polarized moral positions, which might mitigate social polarization. I call this duty the imperative of doux commerce.
Integrated procurement and reprocessing planning for reusable medical devices with a limited shelf life
Authors: Rickers Steffen , Sahling Florian
Published: January 2024

We present a new model formulation for a multiproduct dynamic order quantity problem with product returns and a reprocessing option. The optimization considers the limited shelf life of sterile medical devices as well as the capacity constraints of reprocessing and sterilization resources. The time-varying demand is known in advance and must be satisfied by purchasing new medical devices or by reprocessing used and expired devices. The objective is to determine a feasible procurement and reprocessing plan that minimizes the incurred costs. The problem is solved in a heuristic manner in two steps. First, we use a Dantzig-Wolfe reformulation of the underlying problem, and a column generation approach is applied to tighten the lower bound. In the next step, the obtained lower bound is transformed into a feasible solution using CPLEX. Our numerical results illustrate the high solution quality of this approach. The comparison with a simulation based on the first-come-first-served principle shows the advantage of integrated planning.
Trends in Bullying Victimization and Social Unsafety for Sexually and Gender Diverse Students
Authors: Kiekens W. J. , Van der Ploeg R. , Fish J. N. , Salway T. , Kaufman T. M. L. , Baams L.
Published: January 2024

Research has documented trends in bullying victimization for sexually diverse adolescents in the US, but trends regarding school social unsafety are understudied and there is a dearth of research examining these trends for gender diverse adolescents. This study aimed to identify disparities in bullying victimization and feelings of social unsafety in schools for sexually and gender diverse adolescents. Data stem from the 2014 (N = 15,800; M age = 14.17, SD = 1.50), 2016 (N = 22,310; M age = 14.17, SD = 1.49), and 2018 (N = 10,493; M age = 14.02, SD = 1.52) survey cycles of the Social Safety Monitor, a Dutch cross-sectional school-based study. Findings indicate that sexual orientation disparities remained relatively small, but stable over time, while gender diverse adolescents remained more likely to be victimized and feel unsafe in school, with larger disparities overall. Monitoring these trends is highly relevant, especially considering recent negative developments regarding societal acceptance of sexual and gender diversity.
Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in companion animals from owners who tested positive for COVID-19 in the Valley of Mexico
Authors: Fernández-Figueroa Edith A. , Espinosa-Martínez Deborah V. , Miranda-Ortiz Haydee , Ruiz-García Erika , Figueroa-Esquivel Juan M. , Becerril-Moctezuma Miriam L. , Muñoz-Rivas Anallely , Ríos-Muñoz César A.
Published: January 2024

Background

Little is known about the companion animals which tested positive in Mexico for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Due to this, it is that we have documented the infection of companion animals, via an exploratory approach in two localities of the Valley of Mexico, in which the companion animal owners tested positive for COVID-19.

Methods

Oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 21 companion animals. Also, a Reverse-Transcription Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction was used to test five probes in three SARS-CoV-2 genes. More than one-third (5/14) of these samples were positive for SARS CoV-2 corresponding to dogs.

Results

This research translates into the first available report on companion animals with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the most populated area of Mexico. Samples were added chronologically to previous reports prepared in other areas of the country, from February through November 2022.

Conclusion

Although SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs is not as common as in other animals, our results suggest that it can be transmitted to dogs by their owners to a greater extent than previously reported.
Towards a general user model to develop intelligent user interfaces
Authors: Gaspar Alberto , Gil Miriam , Panach José Ignacio , Romero Verónica
Published: January 2024

The way end-users interact with a system plays a crucial role in the high acceptance of software. Related to this, the concept of Intelligent User Interfaces has emerged as a solution to learn from user interactions with the system and adapt interfaces to the user’s characteristics and preferences. However, existing approaches to designing intelligent user interfaces are limited by their user models, which are not capable of representing each and every user characteristic valid for any context. This work aims to address this limitation by presenting a user model that can abstractly represent a wide set of user characteristics in any context of interaction. The model is based on a synthesis of previous works that have proposed specific user models. After the analysis of these works, a more sophisticated user model has been defined, including some required characteristics not existing in previous works. This model has been validated with 62 real end-users who have expressed the users’ characteristics that they consider as relevant to adapt the interaction. The results show that most of these characteristics can be represented by the proposed user model. This user model is the first step towards creating intelligent user interfaces that can adapt interactions to users with similar characteristics and preferences in similar contexts.
How do referees integrate evaluation criteria into their overall judgment? Evidence from grant peer review
Authors: Hug Sven E.
Published: January 2024

Little is known whether peer reviewers use the same evaluation criteria and how they integrate the criteria into their overall judgment. This study therefore proposed two assessment styles based on theoretical perspectives and normative positions. According to the case-by-case style, referees use many and different criteria, weight criteria on a case-by-case basis, and integrate criteria in a complex, non-mechanical way into their overall judgment. According to the uniform style, referees use a small fraction of the available criteria, apply the same criteria, weight the criteria in the same way, and integrate the criteria based on simple rules (i.e., fast-and-frugal heuristics). These two styles were examined using a unique dataset from a career funding scheme that contained a comparatively large number of evaluation criteria. A heuristic (fast-and-frugal trees) and a complex procedure (logistic regression) were employed to describe how referees integrate the criteria into their overall judgment. The logistic regression predicted the referees’ overall assessment with high accuracy and slightly more accurately than the fast-and-frugal trees. Overall, the results of this study support the uniform style but also indicate that the uniform style needs to be revised as follows: referees use many criteria and integrate the criteria using complex rules. However, and most importantly, the revised style could describe most—but not all—of the referees’ judgments. Future studies should therefore examine how referees’ judgments can be characterized in those cases where the uniform style failed. Moreover, the evaluation process of referees should be studied in more empirical and theoretical detail.
Probabilifying reflective equilibrium
Authors: Dellsén Finnur
Published: January 2024

This paper aims to flesh out the celebrated notion of reflective equilibrium within a probabilistic framework for epistemic rationality. On the account developed here, an agent’s attitudes are in reflective equilibrium when there is a certain sort of harmony between the agent’s credences, on the one hand, and what the agent accepts, on the other hand. Somewhat more precisely, reflective equilibrium is taken to consist in the agent accepting, or being prepared to accept, all and only claims that follow from a maximally comprehensive theory that is more probable than any other such theory. Drawing on previous work, the paper shows that when an agent is in reflective equilibrium in this sense, the set of claims they accept or are prepared to accept is bound to be logically consistent and closed under logical implication. The paper also argues that this account can explain various features of philosophical argumentation in which the notion of reflective equilibrium features centrally, such as the emphasis on evaluating philosophical theories holistically rather than in a piecemeal fashion.
More tree growth reduction due to consecutive drought and its legacy effect for a semiarid larch plantation in Northwest China
Authors: Wan Yanfang , Yu Pengtao , Wang Yanhui , Li Jiamei , Bai Yushi , Yu Yipeng , Liu Bingbing , Wei Xiaocha
Published: January 2024

Extreme climate has increasingly led to negative impacts on forest ecosystems globally, especially in semiarid areas where forest ecosystems are more vulnerable. However, it is poorly understood how tree growth is affected by different drought events. In 2006–2009, the larch plantations in the semiarid areas of Northwest China were negatively affected by four consecutive dry years, which was a very rare phenomenon that may occur frequently under future climate warming. In this study, we analyzed the effect of these consecutive dry years on tree growth based on the data of the tree rings in the dominant layer of the forest canopy on a larch plantation. We found that the tree-ring width index (RWI) in dry years was lower than that in normal years, and it experienced a rapidly decreasing trend from 2006 to 2009 (slope =  − 0.139 year−1, r =  − 0.94) due to water supply deficits in those dry years. Drought induced legacy effects of tree growth reduction, and consecutive dry years corresponded with greater growth reductions and legacy effects. Growth reductions and legacy effects were significantly stronger in the third and fourth consecutive dry years than that of single dry year (p < 0.05), which might have been due to the cumulative stress caused by consecutive dry years. Our results showed that larch trees experienced greater tree growth reduction due to consecutive dry years and their legacy effect, and the trees had lower recovery rates after consecutive dry years. Our results highlight that consecutive dry years pose a new threat to plantations under climate warming, and thus, the effect of climate extremes on tree growth should be considered in growth models in semiarid areas.
Dysregulation of micro-RNA 143-3p as a Biomarker of Carotid Atherosclerosis and the Associated Immune Reactions During Disease Progression
Authors: González-López Paula , Yu Yinda , Lin Shiying , Escribano Óscar , Gómez-Hernández Almudena , Gisterå Anton
Published: January 2024

Atherosclerosis commonly remains undiagnosed until disease manifestations occur. The disease is associated with dysregulated micro(mi)RNAs, but how this is linked to atherosclerosis-related immune reactions is largely unknown. A mouse model of carotid atherosclerosis, human APOB100-transgenic Ldlr−/− (HuBL), was used to study the spatiotemporal dysregulation of a set of miRNAs. Middle-aged HuBL mice with established atherosclerosis had decreased levels of miR-143-3p in their carotid arteries. In young HuBL mice, early atherosclerosis was observed in the carotid bifurcation, which had lower levels of miR-15a-5p, miR-143-3p, and miR-199a-3p, and higher levels of miR-155-5p. The dysregulation of these miRNAs was reflected by specific immune responses during atheroprogression. Finally, levels of miR-143-3p were 70.6% lower in extracellular vesicles isolated from the plasma of patients with carotid stenosis compared to healthy controls. Since miR-143-3p levels progressively decrease when transitioning between early and late experimental carotid atherosclerosis, we propose it as a biomarker for atherosclerosis.

Graphical Abstract

Low levels of miR-143-3p in plasma extracellular vesicles can serve as a biomarker for atherosclerosis, and dysregulation of microRNAs is linked to the immune reactions associated with disease progression
Op welke manier kan datagedreven werken bijdragen aan meer doelmatigheid en kwaliteit in de langdurige zorg?
Authors: van den Berg Bellis , Lukkien Dirk , de Charro Felice , Snellen Margriet , Beelen Arjan , Bouwens Maartje
Published: January 2024

Samenvatting

Het systematisch gebruik van data-inzichten voor het verbeteren en onderbouwd beslissen, kan bijdragen aan het vergroten van de doelmatigheid en kwaliteit van zorg en leven. In de langdurige zorg staat datagedreven werken echter nog in de kinderschoenen. Ondanks succesvolle voorbeelden is het gebruik van data-inzichten nog niet structureel ingebed in werk- en besluitvormingsprocessen. Om hierin stappen te zetten is het nodig dat datagedreven werken niet wordt beschouwd als een (technisch) project, maar wordt het gezien als een veranderkundige opgave. Hiervoor is een gedegen visie op de betekenis van data in de organisatie van belang. Daarnaast dient aandacht te worden besteed aan verschillende samenhangende elementen, waarbij de drieslag richten, inrichten en verrichten helpend kan zijn.
Clinical presentation and antimicrobial resistance of invasive Escherichia coli disease in hospitalized older adults: a prospective multinational observational study
Authors: Doua Joachim , Rodríguez-Baño Jesús , Froget Rachel , Puranam Padma , Go Oscar , Geurtsen Jeroen , van Rooij Sanne , Vilken Tuba , Minoru Inage , Yasumori Izumi , Spiessens Bart , Tacconelli Evelina , Biehl Lena M. , Thaden Joshua T. , Sarnecki Michal , Goossens Herman , Poolman Jan , Bonten Marc , Ekkelenkamp Miquel ,   on behalf of the COMBACTE-NET Consortium/EXPECT Study Group, Violette Madison , Munshi Sonal , Aitabi Moussa , Lammens Christine , Van Mieghem Sofie , Van Puyvelde Sandra , Xavier Basil Britto , Azzini Anna Maria , Righi Elda , Salerno Nicola Duccio , Lo Giuliana , Cremonini Cascio Eleonora , Pascual Álvaro , Espíndola Reinaldo , Palomo Virginia , Walker Sarah , Ruffin Felicia , Dagher Michael , Varjačić Andreja
Published: January 2024

Background

Clinical data characterizing invasive Escherichia coli disease (IED) are limited. We assessed the clinical presentation of IED and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns of causative E. coli isolates in older adults.

Methods

EXPECT-2 (NCT04117113) was a prospective, observational, multinational, hospital-based study conducted in patients with IED aged ≥ 60 years. IED was determined by the microbiological confirmation of E. coli from blood; or by the microbiological confirmation of E. coli from urine or an otherwise sterile body site in the presence of requisite criteria of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), or quick SOFA (qSOFA). The primary outcomes were the clinical presentation of IED and AMR rates of E. coli isolates to clinically relevant antibiotics. Complications and in-hospital mortality were assessed through 28 days following IED diagnosis.

Results

Of 240 enrolled patients, 80.4% had bacteremic and 19.6% had non-bacteremic IED. One-half of infections (50.4%) were community-acquired. The most common source of infection was the urinary tract (62.9%). Of 240 patients, 65.8% fulfilled ≥ 2 SIRS criteria, and 60.4% had a total SOFA score of ≥ 2. Investigator-diagnosed sepsis and septic shock were reported in 72.1% and 10.0% of patients, respectively. The most common complication was kidney dysfunction (12.9%). The overall in-hospital mortality was 4.6%. Of 299 E. coli isolates tested, the resistance rates were: 30.4% for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 24.1% for ciprofloxacin, 22.1% for levofloxacin, 16.4% for ceftriaxone, 5.7% for cefepime, and 4.3% for ceftazidime.

Conclusions

The clinical profile of identified IED cases was characterized by high rates of sepsis. IED was associated with high rates of AMR to clinically relevant antibiotics. The identification of IED can be optimized by using a combination of clinical criteria (SIRS, SOFA, or qSOFA) and culture results.
Prospects of equitable and sustainable seaweed aquaculture: a case study of changing gender and socio-economic relations in Maullín, Chile
Authors: Fernández Gloria L. Gallardo , Avila Marcela , Saunders Fred , Riquelme Ricardo , Rodriguez Daniel , Aroca Gesica , Gutierrez Juan
Published: January 2024

This article examines the development of marine tenure in the Maullín River, Chile. It starts with the emergence of artisanal red algae (Gracilaria chilensis) gathering and the changes resulting from the governmental ad hoc allocation of small-scale aquaculture concessions. We aim to track this transition, its drivers, effects on the work organization, gender relations, market relations and the sustainability/equity challenges currently confronting the community. We use a feminist political ecology approach to direct our multi-method data collection strategy and to analyse the empirical material. The State by enabling local tenure for the development of marine aquaculture concessions played an influential role in Maullín community attaining de facto territorial tenure. This led to the establishment of residential aquaculture communities while facilitating the integration of women in aquaculture activities. We see both steps as positive economic and social development opportunities in Maullín. While marine tenure has provided livelihood chances, low prices caused by the producers’ disadvantaged market position and the lack of supportive alliance building pose ongoing problems. We conclude that these factors are serious challenges to the sustainability of aquacultural livelihoods at Maullín River. While the case depicts aspects of women’s empowerment such as their engagement in developing potential post-production innovation ideas, entrepreneurial abilities to conduct market transactions as well as their better competence in literacy, math and financial expertise, there is still a long way to reach gender equality in the male-dominated aquacultural sector.
Stress relaxation cracking susceptibility evaluation in 347H stainless steel welds
Authors: Pickle Timothy , Hong Yu , Vidal Judith , Augustine Chad , Yu Zhenzhen
Published: January 2024

Stress relaxation cracking (SRC) has been reported as a dominant failure mechanism for 347H stainless steel welds at elevated service temperatures, occurring in either the heat-affected zone (HAZ) or fusion zone (FZ). In this study, SRC susceptibility of physically simulated HAZ and cross-welded E347-347H stainless steel welds was studied using a four-step accelerated SRC test with a thermomechanical physical simulator. The stress and temperature range studied represents weld-induced residual stress at 150–600 MPa and post-weld heat treatment temperatures between 800 and 1050 °C. For all temperature conditions, the cross-welded samples failed at a lower critical stress threshold than the simulated HAZ. A finite element model of a 50.8-mm-thick single-V groove weld was used to generate the residual stress maps induced by a 40-pass welding procedure, which in combination with the experimental threshold stress map predicted potential SRC failure locations. Postmortem microstructural evaluations were performed to identify contributing characteristics to SRC. It was found that HAZ samples exhibited a combination of creep void development, secondary cracks with intergranular fracture near grain boundary carbides, and eutectic phases. FZ samples showed brittle fracture with cracks propagating along straight, non-tortuous interdendritic grain boundaries.
The Effectiveness of Dance Interventions on Psychological and Cognitive Health Outcomes Compared with Other Forms of Physical Activity: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis
Authors: Fong Yan Alycia , Nicholson Leslie L. , Ward Rachel E. , Hiller Claire E. , Dovey Kathryn , Parker Helen M. , Low Lee-Fay , Moyle Gene , Chan Cliffton
Published: January 2024

Background

Physical activity is known to improve psychological and cognitive outcomes. Learning dance sequences may challenge cognition, partnered or group dance may benefit social interactions, and the artistic aspect may improve psychological wellbeing. Dance is an equally effective form of physical activity compared with other structured physical activities to improve physical health, but it is unclear how effective dance could be for psychological and cognitive outcome measures.

Objective

To systematically review the literature on the effectiveness of structured dance interventions, compared with structured exercise programmes, on psychological and cognitive outcomes across the lifespan.

Methods

Eight databases were searched from earliest records to July 2022. Studies investigating a dance intervention lasting ≥ 4 weeks, including psychological and/or cognitive health outcomes, and having a structured exercise comparison group were included. Screening and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers at all stages. All reviewer disagreements were resolved by the primary author. Where appropriate, meta-analysis was performed, or an effect size estimate generated.

Results

Of 21,737 records identified, 27 studies met the inclusion criteria. Total sample size of included studies was 1392 (944 females, 418 males, 30 unreported). Dance was equally as effective as other physical activity interventions in improving quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease [mean difference 3.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) − 2.13 to 8.30; p = 0.25], reducing anxiety (standardised mean difference 2.26; 95% CI − 2.37 to 6.90; p = 0.34), and improving depressive symptoms (standardised mean difference 0.78; 95% CI − 0.92 to 2.48; p = 0.37). Preliminary evidence found dance to be superior to other physical activity interventions to improve motivation, aspects of memory, and social cognition and to reduce distress. Preliminary evidence found dance to be inferior to other physical activity interventions to improve stress, self-efficacy and language fluency.

Conclusion

Undertaking structured dance of any genre is generally equally and occasionally more effective than other types of structured exercise for improving a range of psychological and cognitive outcomes.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO: CRD42018099637.
Measuring Mental Health Service Accessibility for Indigenous Populations: a Systematic Review
Authors: Zhang Lihong , Hou Xiang-Yu , Liu Yan
Published: January 2024

Indigenous populations have experienced inequality of accessing mental health services compared with their non-Indigenous counterparts, although the way of measuring mental health service accessibility for Indigenous populations is unclear. This systematic review examines measures of mental health service accessibility for Indigenous people, including the diversity of mental health services that are available to them and the barriers to accessing mental healthcare. Using a systematic search procedure, we identified 27 studies that explored Indigenous populations’ mental health service access. Our review shows that 18 studies used interview-based methods to explore how Indigenous people use mental health services, and only nine studies used quantitative methods to measure the uptake of mental health services. While advanced methods for quantifying geographical access to healthcare services are widely available, these methods have not been applied in the current literature to explore the potential access to mental health services by Indigenous populations. This is partially due to limited understanding of how Indigenous populations seek mental healthcare, barriers that prevent Indigenous people from accessing diverse types of mental health services, and scarcity of data that are available to researchers. Future research could focus on developing methods to support spatially explicit measuring of accessibility to mental health services for Indigenous populations.