bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrogen Titanate H2TiO3 Nanowires Derived from K2TiO3 as Potential Materials for Solar Cell Applications: A Theoretical Study
Authors: Esteves Martín , Fernández‐Werner Luciana , Bechthold Pablo , Faccio Ricardo , Mombrú Álvaro W.
Published: August 2022

One‐dimensional systems of titanium dioxide and titanates are interesting for the fundamental study of physical and chemical properties at the nanoscale. In this work we present the electronic structure, mechanical and optical properties of angstrom scale titanate derived nanowires (ASW) by means of density functional theory (DFT) and Density Functional based Tight Binding (DFTB). This one‐dimensional H2TiO3 nanostructure is an interesting real material that could serve for understanding, at a fundamental level, the physical properties of TiO5 concatenated polyhedrons derived from hydrogen titanates. The proposed structural model demonstrates to be locally stable according to phonon analysis, and it can be inferred that the one‐dimension structure is essentially preserved. The mechanical properties put this nanowire as a flexible material, that could be used in flexible substrates maintaining its electronic properties. Also, the capacity of this system to be sensitized with a catechol dye was explored. For this porpoise, the adsorption of the catechol molecule was tested showing that the most stable interaction corresponds to a dissociative chelate configuration. Finally, it was possible to verify the capability of the sensitized system for injecting electrons from the catechol dye to the nanowire under visible light exposure. Thus, we present these extreme one‐dimensional nanostructured materials as candidates for solar cell applications.
Stretching your data with taffy filters
Authors: Apple Jim
Published: August 2022

Popular approximate membership query structures such as Bloom filters and cuckoo filters are widely used in databases, security, and networking. These structures represent sets approximately, and support at least two operations—insert and lookup; lookup always returns true on elements in the structure; it also returns true with some probability on elements not in the structure. These latter elements are called false positives. Compensatory for these false positives, filters can be much smaller than hash tables that represent the same set. However, unlike hash tables, cuckoo filters, and Bloom filters must be initialized with the intended number of maximum entries, and cannot grow larger—inserts beyond this number fail or significantly increase the false positive probability. This article presents designs and implementations of filters than can grow without inserts failing and without meaningfully increasing the false positive probability, even if the filters are created with a small initial size. The resulting code is available on GitHub under a permissive open source license.
Gap junction intercellular communication mediates cadmium‐induced apoptosis in hepatocytes via the Fas/FasL pathway
Authors: Yu Fan , Yan Lianqi , Sun Jian , Zhao Yumeng , Yuan Yan , Gu Jianhong , Bian Jianchun , Zou Hui , Liu Zongping
Published: August 2022

As a common environmental pollutant, cadmium (Cd) causes damage to many organs of the body. Gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) represents one of the most important routes of rapid signaling between cells. However, the mechanisms underlying GJIC's role in hepatotoxicity induced by Cd remain unknown. We established a Cd poisoning model in vitro by co‐culturing Cd‐exposed and unexposed hepatocytes and found that 18β‐glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a GJIC inhibitor, can effectively reduce the apoptosis rate of healthy cells co‐cultured with apoptotic cells treated with Cd. We also found that anti‐FasL antibody had the same effect. However, in mono‐cultured cells, GA treatment in combination with Cd was found to aggravate the damage induced by Cd exposure, increase the level of oxidative stress and protein expression of HO‐1, decrease the mitochondrial membrane potential, incur more serious morphological damage to mitochondria than Cd treatment alone. Moreover, compared with Cd‐only exposure, GA and Cd co‐treatment further increased the expression levels of the apoptosis‐related proteins Fas, FasL, FADD and the ratio of Bax/Bcl‐2, inhibited the protein expression of ASK1 and Daxx. We also found that the protein expression of Daxx in siFADD + Cd hepatocytes was significantly higher than in Cd‐treated cells. Thus, our study suggests that gap junction inhibition may play a dual role in Cd‐induced cell damage by inhibiting the transmission of death signals from damaged cells to healthy cells but also aggravating the transmission of death signals between damaged cells, and that the Fas/FasL‐mediated death receptor pathway may play an important role in this process.
A comparative study on mica waste‐filled natural rubber foam composites made out of creamed and centrifuged latex
Authors: Dananjaya Seekku Arachchige Vimukthi , Priyanka Uhanowita Marage Shirani , Somarathna Yashoda Ramyajith , Karunanayake Laleen , Siriwardena Susantha
Published: August 2022

A comparative study on processed mica waste (PMW) filled natural rubber latex foams (NRLF) made out of centrifuged latex and creamed latex was conducted. The morphological, mechanical, and degradability properties of the composites were studied. The PMW was incorporated at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 phr loading. Morphological studies revealed that both types of composites possess open‐cell structures. However, creamed latex based foam rubber composites showed foam structures with much larger cell sizes. PMW loading showed similar influences on the properties of the foam composites, irrespective of the latex type used. Increasing filler loading increases tensile strength, modulus at 100% elongation, tear strength, compression set, shrinkage, biodegradability, and antibacterial properties and reduces elongation at break and extractable protein content while offering a slightly dark color to the composites. It was also found that the creamed latex based foam rubber exhibits lesser extractable protein content and slightly inferior properties in tensile strength, shrinkage properties and color compared to centrifuged latex based foam rubber. However, it was shown that type of latex does not influence biodegradability, antibacterial properties, and color retention. Thermogravimetric analysis results confirmed the thermal resistance and reinforcing ability of mica in both NRLF composites.
On Computational Procedures for Optimising an Omni-Channel Inventory Control Model
Authors: Goedhart Joost , Hendrix Eligius M. T.
Published: August 2022

Dynamic programming (DP) and specifically Markov Decision Problems (MDP) are often seen in inventory control as a theoretical path towards optimal policies, which are (often) not tractable due to the curse of dimensionality. A careful bounding of decision and state space and use of resources may provide the optimal policy for realistic instances despite the dimensionality of the problem. We will illustrate this process for an omni-channel inventory control model where the first dimension problem is to keep track of the outstanding ordered quantities and the second dimension is to keep track of items sold online that can be returned.
Open-closed correspondence of K-theory and cobordism
Authors: Blumenhagen Ralph , Cribiori Niccolò
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Non-trivial K-theory groups and non-trivial cobordism groups can lead to global symmetries which are conjectured to be absent in quantum gravity. Inspired by open-closed string duality, we propose a correspondence between the two groups, which can be considered as the physical manifestation of a generalisation of the classic Conner-Floyd isomorphism. The picture is exemplified by the relations between KO-groups and Spin-cobordisms and between K-groups and Spinc-cobordisms. We suggest that global symmetries related by such an isomorphism are generically gauged. Indeed, by combining non-torsion K-theory and cobordism groups, we recover tadpole cancellation conditions well known from type I string theory and F-theory. For torsion charges, another possibility opens up.
Die zeitlich-räumliche Verteilung von COVID-19 in Köln und beeinflussende soziale Faktoren im Zeitraum Februar 2020 bis Oktober 2021
Authors: Neuhann Florian , Ginzel Sebastian , Buess Michael , Wolff Anna , Kugler Sabine , Schlanstedt Günter , Kossow Annelene , Nießen Johannes , Rüping Stefan
Published: August 2022

Hintergrund und Ziele

Schon in der frühen Phase der global sehr verschieden verlaufenden COVID-19-Pandemie zeigten sich Hinweise auf den Einfluss sozioökonomischer Faktoren auf die Ausbreitungsdynamik der Erkrankung, die vor allem ab der zweiten Phase (September 2020) Menschen mit geringerem sozioökonomischen Status stärker betraf. Solche Effekte können sich auch innerhalb einer Großstadt zeigen. Die vorliegende Studie visualisiert und untersucht die zeitlich-räumliche Verbreitung aller in Köln gemeldeten COVID-19-Fälle (Februar 2020–Oktober 2021) auf Stadtteilebene und deren mögliche Assoziation mit sozioökonomischen Faktoren.

Methoden

Pseudonymisierte Daten aller in Köln gemeldeten COVID-19-Fälle wurden geocodiert, deren Verteilung altersstandardisiert auf Stadtteilebene über 4 Zeiträume kartiert und mit der Verteilung von sozialen Faktoren verglichen. Der mögliche Einfluss der ausgewählten Faktoren wird zudem in einer Regressionsanalyse in einem Modell mit Fallzuwachsraten betrachtet.

Ergebnisse

Das kleinräumige lokale Infektionsgeschehen ändert sich im Pandemieverlauf. Stadtteile mit schwächeren sozioökonomischen Indizes weisen über einen großen Teil des pandemischen Verlaufs höhere Inzidenzzahlen auf, wobei eine positive Korrelation zwischen den Armutsrisikofaktoren und der altersstandardisierten Inzidenz besteht. Die Stärke dieser Korrelation ändert sich im zeitlichen Verlauf.

Schlussfolgerung

Die zeitnahe Beobachtung und Analyse der lokalen Ausbreitungsdynamik lassen auch auf der Ebene einer Großstadt die positive Korrelation von nachteiligen sozioökonomischen Faktoren auf die Inzidenzrate von COVID-19 erkennen und können dazu beitragen, lokale Eindämmungsmaßnahmen zielgerecht zu steuern.
Effectiveness of prophylactic doses of tranexamic acid in reducing hemorrhagic events in sleeve gastrectomy
Authors: Lech Paweł , Michalik Maciej , Waczyński Kamil , Osowiecka Karolina , Dowgiałło-Gornowicz Natalia
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is currently the most common bariatric surgery in the world. Although it appears to be a safe treatment for obesity, it is still at risk of complications. The latest literature shows that postoperative bleeding occurs in 2–4% of cases, and up to 3% of cases requires reoperation for hemostasis. The aim of the study is to assess the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA) on hemorrhagic events and the reoperation rate in patients undergoing LSG.

Methods

The study was designed as a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing LSG. We investigate the patients 6 months before and 6 months after introducing the prophylaxis doses of TXA into our bariatric protocol (non-TXA group vs TXA group).

Results

Three hundred fourteen patients underwent LSG in a high-volume center from 2016 to 2017. After introducing TXA, a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of hemorrhage during surgery was observed (22.3% vs 10.8%, p = 0.006). There was a statistically significant reduction in the need for the staple line oversewing (10.2% vs 1.9%, p = 0.002). The mean operating time and the mean length of hospital stay were significantly higher in the non-TXA group than TXA group (63.1 vs 53.7 min, p < 000.1; 2.3 vs 2.1, p = 0.02). In both groups of patients, no venous thromboembolism or other complications occurred within 6 months after the surgery.

Conclusions

The prophylactic doses of TXA may be useful in reducing the hemorrhagic events during LSG. It may also shorten the length of hospital stay and the operating time.
An origami paper-based electrochemical biosensing platform for quality control of agri-food waste in the valorization strategy
Authors: Colozza Noemi , Di Meo Erika , Mucaria Angelica , Moscone Danila , Arduini Fabiana
Published: August 2022

The increasing demand for food and the need for a sustainability vision in the agri-food sector have boosted novel approaches for food management, enhancing the valorization of wastes and by-products belonging to the food industry. Herein, we present a novel paper-based origami device to assess the amount of both glucosinolate and glucose in a food waste product belonging to Brassicaceae plants, to evaluate the quality value and the correct management of waste samples. The device has been designed as an origami paper-based platform constituted of two paper-based biosensors to work synergistically in a multiplexed detection. In detail, a monoenzymatic biosensor and a bienzymatic biosensor were configured for the detection of glucose and glucosinolates, respectively, using filter paper pads preloaded with glucose oxidase and/or myrosinase. To complete the paper-based platform, the enzyme-preloaded pads were combined with office paper-based electrodes modified with Carbon black/Prussian Blue nanoparticles for the measurement of enzymatic by-product at a low applied potential (i.e., 0 V versus Ag/AgCl). Overall, this paper-based platform measured glucose and glucosinolate (i.e., sinigrin) with a linear range up to 2.5 and 1.5 mM, and detection limits of 0.05 and 0.07 mM, respectively. The repeatability corresponded to an RSD% equal to 5% by testing 10 mM of glucose, and 10% by testing 1 mM of sinigrin. The accuracy of the developed multiplex device was evaluated by recovery studies at two different levels of sinigrin, i.e., 0.25 and 0.5 mM, obtaining recoveries values equal to (111 ± 3) % and (86 ± 1) %, respectively. The multiplex detection of both glucose and glucosinolate in Brassicaceae samples evaluates the quality values of the waste sample, ensuring the quality of the re-used food product waste by using an eco-designed analytical tool. The combination of paper-based devices for quality control of food waste with the re-use of these food products represents a sustainable approach that perfectly matches sustainable agrifood practices as well as the overall approach of the circular economy.

Graphical abstract
Evaluating the impact of increasing temperatures on changes in Soil Organic Carbon stocks: sensitivity analysis and non-standard discrete approximation
Authors: Diele Fasma , Luiso Ilenia , Marangi Carmela , Martiradonna Angela , Woźniak Edyta
Published: August 2022

The SOC change index, defined as the normalized difference between the actual Soil Organic Carbon and the value assumed at an initial reference year, is here tailored to the RothC carbon model dynamics. It assumes as a baseline the value of the SOC equilibrium under constant environmental conditions. A sensitivity analysis is performed to evaluate the response of the model to changes in temperature, Net Primary Production (NPP), and land use soil class (forest, grassland, arable). A non-standard monthly time-stepping procedure has been proposed to approximate the SOC change index in the Alta Murgia National Park, a protected area in the Italian Apulia region, selected as a test site. The SOC change index exhibits negative trends for all the land use considered without fertilizers. The negative trend in the arable class can be inverted by a suitable organic fertilization program here proposed.
Intra-Couple Wealth Inequality: What’s Socio-Demographics Got to Do with it?
Authors: Rehm Miriam , Schneebaum Alyssa , Schuster Barbara
Published: August 2022

Existing literature shows that on average and across countries, men have higher levels of wealth than women. However, very little is known about the gender-specific wealth gap within couples. This paper studies this phenomenon for the first time in Austria. The particular focus of the paper is on the relationship between the socio-demographic characteristics of the couple and the couple’s gender wealth gap. We focus on how age, education, marital status, fertility, migratory background, and the gender of the respondent are related to the wealth gap within a couple. In both bivariate and multivariate analyses, we find evidence in support of the hypothesis that bargaining power plays an important role in the intra-couple gender wealth gap in Austria. Immigrant women living in a couple with native men, and, among natives, couples in which the man is much older on average, have larger gender wealth gaps. Furthermore, couples in which the woman is the “financially most knowledgeable person” in the household have consistently lower gender wealth gaps.
The measurement of binding affinities by NMR chemical shift perturbation
Authors: Hobbs Billy , Drant Jack , Williamson Mike P.
Published: August 2022

We have carried out chemical shift perturbation titrations on three contrasting proteins. The resulting chemical shifts have been analysed to determine the best way to fit the data, and it is concluded that a simultaneous fitting of all raw shift data to a single dissociation constant is both the most accurate and the most precise method. It is shown that the optimal weighting of 15N chemical shifts to 1H chemical shifts is protein dependent, but is around the consensus value of 0.14. We show that chemical shift changes of individual residues can be fit to give residue-specific affinities. Residues with affinities significantly stronger than average are found in close contact with the ligand and are suggested to form a rigid contact surface, but only when the binding involves little conformational change. This observation may be of value in analysing binding and conformational change.
Technological relatedness and industrial transformation:
Authors: Amoroso Sara , Diodato Dario , Hall Bronwyn H. , Moncada-Paternò-Castello Pietro
Published: August 2022

This article introduces eleven research articles that connect concepts of technological relatedness and diffusion with the transformation of industrial and innovation systems. These studies focus on the role of knowledge spillovers, regional variations in innovation and performance, and the evolution of new technologies, such as green and digital technologies. Regional capabilities and ability to diversify are key in accelerating the transformation process of existing industries

Taken all together, these studies suggest that industrial transformation hinge on firms capability to absorb domestic or foreign knowledge, regions capabilities, development trajectories, and their ability to network. In particular, regions capacity to diversify and leverage existing related knowledge are key in accelerating the green and digital transformation process of existing industries.
Astrocytes and the Psychiatric Sequelae of COVID-19: What We Learned from the Pandemic
Authors: Steardo Luca , Steardo Luca , Scuderi Caterina
Published: August 2022

COVID-19, initially regarded as specific lung disease, exhibits an extremely broad spectrum of symptoms. Extrapulmonary manifestations of the disease also include important neuropsychiatric symptoms with atypical characteristics. Are these disturbances linked to stress accompanying every systemic infection, or are due to specific neurobiological changes associated with COVID-19? Evidence accumulated so far indicates that the pathophysiology of COVID-19 is characterized by systemic inflammation, hypoxia resulting from respiratory failure, and neuroinflammation (either due to viral neurotropism or in response to cytokine storm), all affecting the brain. It is reasonable to hypothesize that all these events may initiate or worsen psychiatric and cognitive disorders. Damage to the brain triggers a specific type of reactive response mounted by neuroglia cells, in particular by astrocytes which are the homeostatic cell par excellence. Astrocytes undergo complex morphological, biochemical, and functional remodeling aimed at mobilizing the regenerative potential of the central nervous system. If the brain is not directly damaged, resolution of systemic pathology usually results in restoration of the physiological homeostatic status of neuroglial cells. The completeness and dynamics of this process in pathological conditions remain largely unknown. In a subset of patients, glial cells could fail to recover after infection thus promoting the onset and progression of COVID-19-related neuropsychiatric diseases. There is evidence from post-mortem examinations of the brains of COVID-19 patients of alterations in both astrocytes and microglia. In conclusion, COVID-19 activates a huge reactive response of glial cells, that physiologically act as the main controller of the inflammatory, protective and regenerative events. However, in some patients the restoration of glial physiological state does not occur, thus compromising glial function and ultimately resulting in homeostatic failure underlying a set of specific neuropsychiatric symptoms related to COVID-19.
An enhancement of instruments for solution of general transmission line equations with method of lines, impedance-/admittance and field transformation in combination with finite differences
Authors: Spiller Waldemar
Published: August 2022

The Method of Lines in combination with impedance/admittance and field transformation is used to analyze electromagnetic waves. The used cases are waveguiding structures in microwave technology and optics. The core of the theory is the solution of generalized transmission line equations (GTL). In the case of complex structures, a combination with finite differences (FD) can be used. The quality of this solution essentially depends on the effectiveness of the used interpolation of the differences. The individual steps of the FD are permanently linked to the steps of the fully vectorial impedance/admittance and field transformation, so standard libraries cannot be used. Two approaches based on the linear and quadratic interpolation were built into the impedance/admittance and field transformation in the past. However, the degree of improvement due to one or another kind of interpolation depends on the concrete behavior of the solution sought. In the case of complex structures, choosing the appropriate type of interpolation should be an effective aid. In this paper, an extension of the family of built-in methods is proposed—with the possibility of being able to build any known numerical method from the class of one-step or multi-step methods into the GTL solution. These can be higher-order methods, including fast explicit methods, or particularly stable implicit methods. The transmission matrices for the impedance/admittance and field transformation serve as the building site. To illustrate the procedure, some different methods are integrated into the GTL solution. The efficiency of the solutions is tested on some test structures and compared with each other and with existing solutions. The relevant waveguide specifics were discussed. Initial systematics and recommendations for users were derived.
Silicon-based flat-topped wavelength filter for low crosstalk, high fabrication tolerance and wideband operating range for CWDM applications
Authors: Jeong Seok-Hwan
Published: August 2022

A flat-topped wavelength filter with low crosstalk and high productivity is proposed and theoretically analyzed. The proposed filter scheme is composed of multiple cascade-connected delayed interferometers with several multimode interference couplers with 50:50 and 28:72 split ratios and a directional coupler with a 92:8 split ratio. Theoretical results based on analytic and numerical simulations exhibit flatband spectra over a wavelength range of > 100 nm and low crosstalk of < −20 [dB] with potentially better production yield for fabrication imperfections.
Phytoextraction of arsenic, nickel, selenium and zinc from sewage sludge: from laboratory to pilot scale
Authors: Salinitro Mirko , Montanari Sofia , Simoni Andrea , Ciavatta Claudio , Tassoni Annalisa
Published: August 2022

Aims

The present study aimed at: (i) verifying the suitability of pure sewage sludge (SS) as growing medium for the hyperaccumulator species (Pteris vittata, Odontarrhena chalcidica, Astragalus bisulcatus and Noccaea caerulescens); (ii) evaluating the removal of As, Ni, Se and Zn operated by the chosen species; (iii) estimating the potential metal yields (bio-ore production) and connected monetary rewards in a small-scale field experiment.

Methods

Hyperaccumulator plants were first tested under controlled conditions, on three different SS (P1, P2, P3) characterized by the presence of one or more contaminants among As, Ni, Se and Zn. P1 sludge was then chosen for a small-scale field experiment. Hyperaccumulator seedlings were transferred on SS and cultivated for 16 weeks before harvesting.

Results

All hyperaccumulator species grew healthy on P1 SS, with A. bisulcatus and O. chalcidica reaching an average biomass of 40.2 and 21.5 g DW/plant. Trace metal concentrations in aerial parts were: As (P. vittata) 380 mg/kg DW, Ni (O. chalcidica) 683 mg/kg DW, Se (A. bisulcatus) 165 mg/kg DW, Zn (N. caerulescens) 461 mg/kg DW. The total removal of As, Ni, Se and Zn from SS due to phytoextraction was 5.8, 19, 18, 29% respectively.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that phytoextraction can be applied to SS for the removal contaminants while recovering valuable metals. Se and As were identified as the most promising target element, while Ni and Zn removal was poorly efficient under the present experimental conditions.
The late origins of the glottonym “русский язык”
Authors: Moser Michael
Published: August 2022

There is no evidence for the use of the glottonym “русский язык” as a name of the Slavic dialects of medieval Rus´ in medieval texts until the mid-13th century. In its beginnings, the term obviously referred to a Scandinavian language: the language of the Varangians.
Benatar’s Anti-Natalism: Philosophically Flawed, Morally Dubious
Authors: Piller Christian
Published: August 2022

In the first part of the paper, I discuss Benatar’s asymmetry argument for the claim that it would have been better for each of us to have never lived at all. In contrast to other commentators, I will argue that there is a way of interpreting the premises of his argument which makes all of them come out true. (This will require one departure from Benatar’s own presentation.) Once we see why the premises are true, we will, however, also realise that the argument trades on an ambiguity that renders it invalid. In the second part of the paper, I consider whether discussions of how best to implement the anti-natalist conclusion crosses a moral barrier. I ask whether we can, independently of any philosophical argument, raise a legitimate moral objection to discussions of how best to end all life on earth. I discuss three views concerning the role of our pre-philosophical views and attitudes in philosophical debates: the external view according to which these attitudes set moral barriers to the content of philosophical debate whilst themselves standing outside this debate; the internal view according to which our intuitions are part of the material for philosophical reflection and play no further role; and the intermediate view according to which our pre-reflective views and attitudes, without themselves requiring philosophical validation, can play an important role when it comes to issues regarding the implementation of philosophical claims.
Trends in osteoporotic fracture and related in-hospital complications during the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, Canada
Authors: Oliveira T. , Kendler D. L. , Schneider P. , Juby A. G. , Wani R. J. , Packalen M. , Avcil S. , Li S. , Waters-Banker C. , Graves E. , McMullen S. , Brown J.
Published: August 2022

Fragility fractures (i.e., low-energy fractures) account for most fractures among older Canadians and are associated with significant increases in morbidity and mortality. Study results suggest that low-energy fracture rates (associated with surgical intervention and outcomes) declined slightly, but largely remained stable in the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose/introduction

This study describes rates of low-energy fractures, time-to-surgery, complications, and deaths post-surgery in patients with fractures during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Alberta, Canada, compared to the three years prior.

Methods

A repeated cross-sectional study was conducted using provincial-level administrative health data. Outcomes were assessed in 3-month periods in the 3 years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic and in the first two 3-month periods after restrictions were implemented. Patterns of fracture- and hospital-related outcomes over the control years (2017–2019) and COVID-19 restrictions periods (2020) were calculated.

Results

Relative to the average from the control periods, there was a slight decrease in the absolute number of low-energy fractures (n = 4733 versus n = 4308) during the first COVID-19 period, followed by a slight rise in the second COVID-19 period (n = 4520 versus n = 4831). While the absolute number of patients with low-energy fractures receiving surgery within the same episode of care decreased slightly during the COVID-19 periods, the proportion receiving surgery and the proportion receiving surgery within 24 h of admission remained stable. Across all periods, hip fractures accounted for the majority of patients with low-energy fractures receiving surgery (range: 58.9–64.2%). Patients with complications following surgery and in-hospital deaths following fracture repair decreased slightly during the COVID-19 periods.

Conclusions

These results suggest that low-energy fracture rates, associated surgeries, and surgical outcomes declined slightly, but largely remained stable in the first few months of the pandemic. Further investigation is warranted to explore patterns during subsequent COVID-19 waves when the healthcare system experienced severe strain.
Education and household decision-making in Spanish mining communities, 1877–1924
Authors: Palacios-Mateo Adrian
Published: August 2022

In this paper, I use a unique micro-database of 254,000 individuals distributed in 12 Spanish mining municipalities to explore the households’ decision-making processes regarding their children’s education. This database covers individuals living in municipalities in Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country, Huelva, Almería, and Murcia from 1877 to 1924. Focusing on around 42,000 children between eight and 18 years old, the findings show that living standards were a key component of human capital formation. Children in working-class families had considerably lower literacy levels than the offspring of upper- and middle-class families. Moreover, the analysis shows that there was a significantly greater gender gap among mining families working in open-pit mines than among other working-class families or those of underground miners. This difference lowered the wages of open-pit mining families which translated into a higher burden for daughters, hampering their human capital formation.
Contextual Exceptionalism After Death: An Information Ethics Approach to Post-Mortem Privacy in Health Data Research
Authors: Bak Marieke A. R. , Willems Dick L.
Published: August 2022

In this article, we use the theory of Information Ethics to argue that deceased people have a prima facie moral right to privacy in the context of health data research, and that this should be reflected in regulation and guidelines. After death, people are no longer biological subjects but continue to exist as informational entities which can still be harmed/damaged. We find that while the instrumental value of recognising post-mortem privacy lies in the preservation of the social contract for health research, its intrinsic value is grounded in respect for the dignity of the post-mortem informational entity. However, existing guidance on post-mortem data protection is available only in the context of genetic studies. In comparing the characteristics of genetic data and other health-related data, we identify two features of DNA often given as arguments for this genetic exceptionalism: relationality and embodiment. We use these concepts to show that at the appropriate Level of Abstraction, there is no morally relevant distinction between posthumous genetic and other health data. Thus, genetic data should not automatically receive special moral status after death. Instead we make a plea for ‘contextual exceptionalism’. Our analysis concludes by reflecting on a real-world case and providing suggestions for contextual factors that researchers and oversight bodies should take into account when designing and evaluating research projects with health data from deceased subjects.
The Challenge of Global Aflatoxins Legislation with a Focus on Peanuts and Peanut Products: A Systematic Review
Authors: Meneely Julie P. , Kolawole Oluwatobi , Haughey Simon A. , Miller Sarah J. , Krska Rudolf , Elliott Christopher T.
Published: August 2022

Globally, of all mycotoxins, aflatoxins present a significant threat to human and animal health and has resulted in the introduction of strict food regulatory limits to protect public health. A systematic review, was performed to elucidate the rationale applied in establishing aflatoxin standards and evaluate the economic impacts of these. The focus was peanuts, a principal trading commodity susceptible to aflatoxin contamination. Results revealed that although regulations are established in many countries, there is huge disparity in the maximum limits applied due to different methodologies used when considering exposure assessment. Moreover, in countries most affected by aflatoxin contamination in peanuts, few, if any standards exist. In the case of risk assessments, knowledge gaps identified include the impact of climate change on peanut aflatoxin contamination, the role of aflatoxins in child stunting, Kwashiorkor and immunomodulation and a lack of occurrence and exposure data in many developing countries from contaminated peanuts. Few quantitative studies evaluating the impact of aflatoxin regulations on trade exist and evidence is lacking in terms of what happens to exports that do not meet regulatory requirements. Evidence does suggest a lack of knowledge of the extent of the aflatoxin problem, associated health risks and mitigation strategies in developing countries. A hugely important factor that needs to be highlighted is that while there is a fundamental right for sufficient, safe, nutritious food, in many cases in low-income and lower middle-income countries there exists an incredibly difficult and complex trade-off between food security and food safety.
Left bundle branch pacing as an alternative to biventricular pacing for cardiac resynchronisation therapy
Authors: Rademakers L. M. , van den Broek J. L. P. M. , Bracke F. A.
Published: August 2022

Background

Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) is a novel physiological pacing technique which may serve as an alternative to biventricular pacing (BVP) for the delivery of cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT). This study assessed the feasibility and outcomes of LBBP in comparison to BVP.

Methods

LBBP was attempted in 40 consecutive patients as the first-line method for delivering CRT. To evaluate LBBP versus BVP, 40 patients with identical inclusion criteria who received BVP were compared with the LBBP group. Acute success rate, complications, functional and echocardiographic outcomes as well as hospitalisation for heart failure and all-cause mortality 6 months after implantation were evaluated.

Results

LBBP was successfully performed in 31 (78%) patients and resulted in significant QRS narrowing (from 166 ± 16 to 123 ± 18 ms,p < 0.001), improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; from 28 ± 8 to 43 ± 12%,p < 0.001) and New York Heart Association functional class (from 2.8 ± 0.5 to 1.6 ± 0.6,p < 0.001) at 6 months. No LBBP-related complications occurred. Compared to BVP, LBBP resulted in a greater reduction in QRS duration (44 ± 17 vs 15 ± 26 ms,p < 0.001) with comparable absolute improvement in LVEF (15.2 ± 11.7 vs 9.6 ± 12.1%,p = 0.088). Hospitalisation for heart failure and all-cause mortality were similar in the two groups.

Conclusions

LBBP is feasible and was safe in 78% of patients with favourable electrical resynchronisation and functional improvement and may serve as an alternative to BVP.
Mathematische Mindestanforderungen für ein MINT-Studium: Was können Hochschulen fordern, was sollten Schulen leisten?
Authors: Weber Birke-Johanna , Schumacher Mareike , Rolfes Tobias , Neumann Irene , Abshagen Maike , Heinze Aiso
Published: August 2022

Die Problematik des Übergangs Schule-Hochschule im MINT-Bereich ist in den vergangenen Jahren zunehmend zum Gegenstand wissenschaftlicher Forschung geworden. Dabei wird insbesondere den mathematischen Lernvoraussetzungen der Erstsemesterstudierenden eine große Bedeutung zugeschrieben. Von Schulen und Hochschulen wird diese Übergangsproblematik jedoch vornehmlich aus der eigenen institutionellen Perspektive betrachtet. Gemeinsame Lösungsansätze werden dadurch erschwert, dass Schulen nicht genau wissen, was Hochschulen fordern, und Hochschulen nicht im Detail wissen, was auf Basis aktueller Lehrpläne erwartet werden kann. Eine Abstimmung hierüber findet bisher nur in Ausnahmefällen statt. Wir stellen ein Design-Based-Research-Projekt vor, welches dieses Problem in einem Bundesland adressiert. Ziel dieses Beitrags ist es, Wissen über Charakteristika eines erfolgreichen Lösungsansatzes des Problems mangelnder Abstimmung zwischen Schule und Hochschule zu generieren, sodass dieser Ansatz bei Abstimmungsproblemen in anderen Bundesländern oder Regionen adaptiert werden kann. Im vorgestellten Projekt wurden dazu Abstimmungsprozesse zwischen Mathematiklehrkräften und Hochschullehrenden in Schleswig-Holstein initiiert, um einen Konsens über mathematische Mindestvoraussetzungen für ein MINT-Studium in Schleswig-Holstein zu erzielen. Zentrales Mittel für die Initiierung der Abstimmungsprozesse war die gemeinsame Erarbeitung eines Aufgabenkatalogs, der am Ende den Konsens über die Mindestvoraussetzungen illustrierte. Die Initiierung der Abstimmungsprozesse und die Ergebnisse wurden evaluiert. Als wichtige Voraussetzungen für eine gelingende Abstimmung zwischen Schulen und Hochschulen ergaben sich u. a. die explizite Benennung des schulamtlichen Referenzrahmens, in dem die diskutierten mathematischen Lernvoraussetzungen an Schulen erworben werden, sowie formelle und informelle Gelegenheiten für Kommunikationsprozesse anhand konkreter Aufgaben. Die Ergebnisse des Projekts liefern Ansatzpunkte für weitere Bundesländer oder Regionen, um eine Abstimmung zwischen Schulen und Hochschulen voranzubringen.
Can the Integrated Information Theory Explain Consciousness from Consciousness Itself?
Authors: Negro Niccolò
Published: August 2022

In consciousness science, theories often differ not only in the account of consciousness they arrive at, but also with respect to how they understand their starting point. Some approaches begin with experimentally gathered data, whereas others begin with phenomenologically gathered data. In this paper, I analyse how the most influential phenomenology-first approach, namely the Integrated Information Theory (IIT) of consciousness, fits its phenomenologically gathered data with explanatory hypotheses. First, I show that experimentally driven approaches hit an explanatory roadblock, since we cannot tell, at the present stage, which model of consciousness is best. Then, I show that IIT’s phenomenology-first approach implies a self-evidencing explanation according to which consciousness can be explained by starting from consciousness itself. I claim that IIT can take advantage of the virtuous circularity of this reasoning, but it also faces a data-fitting issue that is somehow similar to that faced by experiment-driven approaches: we are not given enough information to decide whether the explanatory hypotheses IIT employs to explain its phenomenological data are in fact best. I call this problem “the self-evidencing problem” for IIT, and after introducing it, I propose a possible way for IIT to solve it.
The importance of coupling aerodynamic and cost analysis in aircraft design
Authors: Di Pasquale Davide , Savill Mark
Published: August 2022

Companies are increasingly required to improve their quality, flexibility and innovation while maintaining or reducing their costs. However, engineering and finance are often handled by different staff groups at different times in the manufacturing process, and by uncoupling engineering and finance, a company runs the risk of overlooking important interactions between the two. A design system that performs engineering and financial analysis simultaneously may, therefore, improve upon the efficiency and effectiveness of the traditional methods, as the existing practice of designing aircraft from a technical perspective without simultaneously considering the impact on overall program value is not optimal in a business sense. A coupled performance/financial framework enables an integrated approach to technical design and programmatic decisions. This work thus seeks to couple aero performance and financial design. Specifically, a multi-objective trade study is conducted to see the impact on the direct operating cost (DOC) and manufacturing cost of parametrically varying aircraft wing thickness to chord ratio along the wing span. While the present process is only partially automated, the purpose is to establish a useful foundation for further developments and to gain insight into the interactions between technical and program design.
Aging hampers neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) efficacy
Authors: Sabbatini Maurizio , Bona Elisa , Novello Giorgia , Migliario Mario , Renò Filippo
Published: August 2022

Background

NETosis is a neutrophil-mediated defense mechanism during which DNA and enzymes are extruded forming a network (NETs) trapping and killing different pathogens. NETosis is reduced in both mice and humans during aging.

Aims

We explored the difference in the efficacy of NETs released in elderly (> 65 years) versus adults (20–50 years) subjects in inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus growth and activating the growth of keratinocytes.

Methods

Neutrophil granulocytes, obtained from venous blood both in healthy elderly and adult subjects, were stimulated by LPS (0–250 µg/ml) to induce the formation of NET. NETs were quantified by SYBR Green staining and growth inhibition of S. aureus was evaluated by disk diffusion test. Furthermore, NETs (0–500 ng/ml) were added to immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells), and their proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay after 24 h. Finally, the DNA size of NETs was evaluated by flow cytometry after SYBR Green staining.

Results

Greater production of NETs was observed in elderly subjects than in adults, but these NETs showed reduced bactericidal capacity and HaCaT cells’ proliferation stimulation. The activities of the NETs are related to the size of the extruded DNA threads, and when NETs size was analyzed, DNA from elderly showed a higher size compared to that obtained by adults.

Discussion

Unexpected results showed aging-related NETs structural modification resulting in both a lower antimicrobial activity and keratinocyte proliferation stimulation compared to NETs obtained from adults.

Conclusions

The NETs DNA size observed in elderly subjects has not been previously reported and could be part of other pathogenic mechanisms observed in aging.
Dual-Mode Teaching in the Language Classroom: Reconciling the Pandemic, Equity, and the Future of Quality Language Teaching Pedagogy
Authors: Olsen-Reeder Vincent Ieni
Published: August 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic sent New Zealand universities into crisis, and as a key crisis response measure, classes were mostly moved online. While navigating national public health settings, educators simultaneously had to innovate quickly: to keep our courses in operation, students learning, and quality pedagogy present. The author has been navigating a faculty-wide ‘dual-mode’ teaching policy at their home institution, to teach the Māori language. Dual-mode refers to teaching both in-person and online. Although dual-mode teaching has brought a significant amount of learning flexibility and innovation to the classroom, it also has disadvantages. This article attempts to document some of the positive and negative characteristics noted over two years of dual-mode teaching, from the position of intermediate Māori language classes. It concludes that although this kind of teaching is flexible and equitable, it is not of high quality, and contributes to poor proficiency outcomes for students. Teaching in this way could, however, be of a much higher quality, with support, resourcing and time. As we look to keep these more accessible teaching methods in the future, those additional aspects will be critical in designing classes that are not only equitable, dynamic, and in line with contemporary technological learning styles, but also of a standard that maintains quality language proficiency-building within our learners.
Changes in College Students Mental Health and Lifestyle During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies
Authors: Buizza Chiara , Bazzoli Luciano , Ghilardi Alberto
Published: August 2022

College students have poorer mental health than their peers. Their poorer health conditions seem to be caused by the greater number of stressors to which they are exposed, which can increase the risk of the onset of mental disorders. The pandemic has been an additional stressor that may have further compromised the mental health of college students and changed their lifestyles with important consequences for their well-being. Although research has recognized the impact of COVID-19 on college students, only longitudinal studies can improve knowledge on this topic. This review summarizes the data from 17 longitudinal studies examining changes in mental health and lifestyle among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to improve understanding of the effects of the outbreak on this population. Following PRISMA statements, the following databases were searched PubMed, EBSCO, SCOPUS and Web of Science. The overall sample included 20,108 students. The results show an increase in anxiety, mood disorders, alcohol use, sedentary behavior, and Internet use and a decrease in physical activity. Female students and sexual and gender minority youth reported poorer mental health conditions. Further research is needed to clarify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable subgroups of college students.
Developing the Workforce of the Digital Future: Leveraging Technology to Train Community-Based Mobile Mental Health Specialists
Authors: Buck Benjamin , Kopelovich Sarah L. , Tauscher Justin S. , Chwastiak Lydia , Ben-Zeev Dror
Published: August 2022

Challenges in training, dissemination, and implementation have impeded the ability of providers to integrate promising digital health tools in real-world services. There is a need for generalizable strategies to rapidly train real-world providers at scale to support the adoption of digital health. This study describes the development of principles guiding rapid training of community-based clinicians in the support of digital health. This training approach was developed in the context of an ongoing trial examining implementation strategies for FOCUS, a mobile mental health intervention designed for people with serious mental illness. The SAIL (Simple, Accessible, Inverted, Live) model introduces how digital tools can be leveraged to facilitate rapid training of community agency-based personnel to serve as digital mental health champions, promoters, and providers. This model emphasizes simple and flexible principles of intervention delivery, accessible materials in a virtual learning environment, inverted or “flipped” live training structure, and live consultation calls for ongoing support. These initial insights lay the groundwork for future work to test and replicate generalizable training strategies focused on real-world delivery of digital mental health services. These strategies have the potential to remove key obstacles to the implementation and dissemination of digital health interventions for mental health.