bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elderly aortic stenosis patients' perspectives on treatment goals in transcatheter aortic valvular replacement
Authors: Sugiura Kohei , Kohno Takashi , Hayashida Kentaro , Fujisawa Daisuke , Kitakata Hiroki , Nakano Naomi , Saito Tetsuya , Hase Hiromu , Yoshijima Nobuhiro , Tsuruta Hikaru , Itabashi Yuji , Kohsaka Shun , Fukuda Keiichi
Published: June 2022

Aims

Transcatheter aortic valvular replacement (TAVR) is increasingly being performed for elderly patients with aortic stenosis (AS), and current guidelines acknowledge the importance of shared decision‐making in their management. This study aimed to evaluate elderly symptomatic severe AS patients' perspectives on their treatment goals and identify factors that influence their treatment choice.

Methods and Results

We performed a pre‐procedural cross‐sectional survey using a questionnaire at a single university hospital. The questionnaire included three primary domains: (i) symptom burden, (ii) goals and important factors related to treatment, and (iii) preferred place of residence after treatment. We investigated 98 symptomatic severe AS patients who underwent TAVR (median age 86 years, 26% men). None of the patients died during hospitalization, and most of them (94%) were discharged home. Prior to TAVR, the three most common symptom burdens were poor mobility (52%), shortness of breath (52%), and weakness (44%). The reported preferred treatment goals were symptom burden reduction (78%), independence maintenance (68%), ability to perform a specific activity/hobby (62%), and improvement in prognosis (58%). In total, 54% of the patients rated ‘in alignment with my values’ as the factor that affected their decision to undergo TAVR. Nearly all patients (95%) stated that they preferred to live at home after TAVR.

Conclusions

Among elderly AS patients with varying symptoms who underwent TAVR, symptom burden reduction was the most cited patient‐reported goal. Nearly all the patients preferred to live at home after the procedure. Encouraging patients to define their specific goals may improve the quality of shared decision‐making in such settings.
Multi‐channel attack detection based on lightweight message authentication code access control using Internet of Things design
Authors: Kumar Ravula Arun , Vinuthna Kambalapally
Published: June 2022

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of interconnected, Internet‐connected items that can gather and transmit data without the need for human interaction through a wireless network. Cryptography is a way of using codes to safeguard information and communications so that only those who are supposed to read and process it may do so. Existing system shows privacy and replication issues caused during cipher text attribute set based encryption. The technical issues in achieving secured authentication is removed by using multi‐channel attack detection based on lightweight message authentication code (LMAC) access control using IoT design in which collision attack can be removed by using secure hash algorithm based Merkle tree and to control sinkhole attacks agent navigation algorithm is proposed and long short‐term memory (LSTM) recurrent neural network (RNN) is proposed to provide the conformity of the user login password. Moreover, to identify attackers on the transmitter side by ensuring authentication, multichannel detection method is proposed. Finally, the security and privacy is improved by using LMAC and user revocation. Thus the multi‐channel attack detection based on LMAC using IoT design can be outperforming the other existing model with higher throughput and low execution time.
Central bank information and private‐sector expectations
Authors: Güntner Jochen
Published: June 2022

Recent advances in the literature allow disentangling the pure information component from the interest rate component of US monetary policy surprises. This article quantifies the information revealed around FOMC announcements using forecast revisions from Blue Chip Economic Indicators. Following a typical central bank information shock, survey participants revise their now‐ and short‐term forecasts of both real GDP growth and the GDP deflator upwards, consistent with a shift of the aggregate demand curve along the aggregate supply curve. While now‐ and forecast revisions in real GDP growth are driven by negative central bank information shocks, those in the GDP deflator respond broadly symmetrically to good and bad news.
A generalized two‐factor square‐root framework for modeling occurrences of natural catastrophes
Authors: Orlando Giuseppe , Bufalo Michele
Published: June 2022

This work aims to forecast (over 1, 5, and 15 years) the extremes, the expected value, and the volatility of natural disasters occurrences. To achieve this objective, we adopt a generalized two‐factor square‐root model linking together occurrences and volatility through stochastic correlation (Brownian motion). We use a generalized Pareto distribution (GPD) to forecast the maximum number of occurrences as a measure of value at risk (VaR). The results are checked in terms of accuracy, compared versus some baseline models (i.e., the Poisson process and the extreme value model) and backtested.
Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the head and neck with HEY1::NCOA2 fusion: A clinicopathologic and molecular study of 13 cases with emphasis on diagnostic pitfalls
Authors: Xu Bin , Rooper Lisa M. , Dermawan Josephine K. , Zhang Yanming , Suurmeijer Albert J. H. , Dickson Brendan C. , Demicco Elizabeth G. , Antonescu Cristina R.
Published: June 2022

Background

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (MCS) is a rare translocation‐associated sarcoma, driven by a canonical HEY1::NCOA2 fusion. The tumors typically have a biphasic phenotype of primitive small blue round cells intermixed with hyaline cartilage. The head and neck (HN) region is a common site for MCS, accounting for 12–45% of all cases reported.

Aims

We assembled a relatively large cohort of 13 molecularly confirmed HN MCS for a detailed clinicopathologic analysis. The underlying fusion events were determined using fluorescence in situ hybridization and/or targeted RNA sequencing.

Results

The median age of presentation was 19 years. Five MCSs (39%) had an intraosseous presentation (skull, maxilla, palate, and mandible), while the remaining eight cases occurred in the brain/meninges, orbit, and nasal cavity. Microscopically, HN MCSs were characterized by primitive round cells arranged in a distinctive nested architecture and a rich staghorn vasculature. A cartilaginous component of hyaline cartilage islands and/or single chondrocytes were present in 69% cases. A combined immunoprofile of CD99(+)/SATB2(+)/CD34(−)/STAT6(−) was typically noted. As this immunoprofile is non‐specific, the referral diagnoses in cases lacking a cartilaginous component included Ewing sarcoma family and osteosarcoma. Among the seven patients with follow‐up data, three developed distant metastasis and one died of disease.

Conclusion

HN MCS may arise at intra‐ or extra‐osseous sites. The HN MCS appears to have a more prolonged survival compared other MCS sites. Testing for HEY1::NCOA2 fusion is recommended in HN tumors with nested round cell morphology and staghorn vasculature that lack a distinctive cartilaginous component.
Covariate distribution balance via propensity scores
Authors: Sant'Anna Pedro H. C. , Song Xiaojun , Xu Qi
Published: June 2022

This paper proposes new estimators for the propensity score that aim to maximize the covariate distribution balance among different treatment groups. Heuristically, our proposed procedure attempts to estimate a propensity score model by making the underlying covariate distribution of different treatment groups as close to each other as possible. Our estimators are data‐driven and can be used to estimate different treatment effect parameters under different identifying assumptions, including unconfoundedness and local treatment effects. We derive the asymptotic properties of inverse probability weighted estimators for the average, distributional, and quantile treatment effects based on the proposed propensity score estimator and illustrate their finite sample performance via Monte Carlo simulations and an empirical application.
Quantitative assessment of left atrial functions by speckle tracking echocardiography in hypertensive patients with and without retinopathy
Authors: Celik Mehmet , Izci Servet , Kivrak Ulviye , Kup Ayhan , Kahyaoglu Muzaffer , Yilmaz Yusuf , Uslu Abdulkadir , Yilmaz Ahmet Seyda , Celik Fatma Betul , Avci Anil , Cakmak Ender Ozgun , Candan Ozkan , Kanal Yucel , Gecmen Cetin
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The association between hypertensive retinopathy and left atrial (LA) impairment is unknown. Accordingly, it was aimed to investigate the possible relationship between hypertensive retinopathy and LA phasic functions by means of two‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiography (2D‐STE).

Methods

A total of 124 hypertensive patients and 27 control subjects were included in the study. LA reservoir strain (LAS‐S), LA conduit strain (LAS‐E), and LA booster strain (LAS‐A) parameters were used to evaluate LA myocardial functions.

Results

Hypertensive patients (with and without retinopathy) displayed an obvious reduction in the LA reservoir strain (LAS‐S), and LA conduit strain (LAS‐E). Moreover, further impairment in LA reservoir and conduit strain was found in patients with hypertensive retinopathy than in the isolated hypertensive patients. There were no significant differences in LA booster strain (LAS‐A) among the three groups. Impaired LAS‐S (OR: 0.764, CI: 0.657–0.888, and p < 0.001), LAS‐E (OR: 0.754, CI: 0.634–0.897, and p = 0.001), and hypertension (HT) duration (OR: 2.345, CI: 1.568–3.507, and p < 0.001) were shown to be independent predictors of hypertensive retinopathy.

Conclusion

Impaired LA reservoir and conduit strain may be used to predict hypertensive patients at higher risk of developing hypertensive retinopathy, and to determine which patients should be followed more closely for hypertensive retinopathy.
An ambiguity of laser‐induced degradation in LiFePO4 and advantages of single‐particle approach to Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Ryabin Alexander A. , Pelegov Dmitry V.
Published: June 2022

Laser‐induced degradation is a common issue for the Raman spectroscopy study of lithium battery materials. In this work, the combination of single‐particle Raman measurements with scanning electron microscope imaging helped us reveal the variation of the decomposition pathways and products. For the first time, we observed possible laser‐induced melting of the LiFePO4 particles and an unidentified decomposition product, an alternative to previously reported α‐Fe2O3 and γ‐Li3Fe2(PO4)3. These results and analysis of the time series of Raman measurements raise doubts about laser‐induced heating. We suppose non‐thermal amorphization and melting processes due to electronic system excitation by intraband transitions with the following covalent bond destabilization. The role of defects in laser‐induced decomposition is discussed. We hope that this article could help develop a non‐destructive tool for quality control and the study of the electrochemical or thermal degradation of LiFePO4.
Periphyton as a key diet source of essential fatty acids for macroinvertebrates across a nutrient and dissolved organic carbon gradient in boreal lakes
Authors: Vesterinen Jussi , Strandberg Ursula , Taipale Sami J. , Kainz Martin J. , Kankaala Paula
Published: June 2022

We studied how physiologically important long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in benthic macroinvertebrates (Asellus aquaticus, Chironomidae, and Oligochaeta) were related to those in periphyton and terrestrial organic matter (tree leaves), collected from littoral areas of 17 boreal lakes that differed in their dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nutrient (phosphorus and nitrogen) concentrations. We also analyzed fatty acid (FA)‐specific stable carbon isotopes (δ13CFA) to investigate the dietary origin (periphyton vs. terrestrial organic matter) of PUFA in the consumers. In contrast to periphyton, terrestrial organic matter was deprived of long‐chain PUFA, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), but rich in short‐chain PUFA. The FA composition of macroinvertebrates was primarily taxon‐specific despite the large differences in DOC and nutrient concentrations of the lakes. An increase in DOC concentration had a negative impact on the EPA content of Asellus, chironomids, and oligochaetes as well as the total FA content of chironomids and oligochaetes. However, the FA content of macroinvertebrates was not related to lake total phosphorus concentrations, although the total FA and EPA content of periphyton increased with the trophic status of the study lakes. The δ13CPUFA values of macroinvertebrates were positively related with the δ13CPUFA of periphyton and weakly with δ13CPUFA of terrestrial leaf material. The results indicate that EPA in the studied macroinvertebrate taxa was mainly derived from an algal‐based diet and not via biosynthesis from allochthonous precursor FA. Thus, macroinvertebrate production in lakes may be limited by the available algae‐based food sources.
Stretchable Optical Diffuser Constructed by Alternate Procedure of Interfacial Complexation and Thermal Crosslinking
Authors: Lin Feng , Huang Hao , Xue Bing , Yang Shuguang
Published: June 2022

Stretchable optical diffuser is an indispensable photon management element in wearable display devices. Herein, a novel optical diffuser constructed by interfacial hydrogen bonding complexation of methylcellulose (MC), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), and polymer complex nanoparticles (PCNP) on transparent polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate is proposed. The introduction of PEO can toughen the complex film and endow the coating with stretchability. With proper thermal treatment, the polymer complex can be crosslinked through esterification which shows an improved optical diffusion performance and durability. The optimized film exhibits 92% of transmittance (T), 93% of haze (H), and 73% of elongation. It also presents a desirable optical diffusion effect about 88% of T and 93% of H in the stretching state. Moreover, the resulting complex film shows excellent anti‐fatigue capacity which maintains 90% of T and 90% of H after 10 000 stretching cycles. The reported polymer complex film broadens the application of interfacial complexation and demonstrates potential to apply in the integrated wearable optical devices.
Extinction and positive recurrence of a regime‐switching HIV/AIDS model with treatment and standard incidence
Authors: Gao Miaomiao , Jiang Daqing , Hayat Tasawar , Alsaedi Ahmed
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we investigate the dynamics of a high‐dimensional human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) model with treatment and standard incidence, which is perturbed by telegraph noise. The switching is formulated by a continuous time Markov chain. Firstly, we show the existence and uniqueness of the global positive solution. Then, conditions for extinction of the disease are established. Moreover, through constructing suitable Lyapunov functions, we derive sufficient conditions for the existence of positive recurrence of the solutions. Positive recurrence implies all the individuals can coexist and persist in the long term. Finally, numerical experiments are performed for supporting the theoretical results.
Prepare your institution to support displaced students
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: June 2022

PORTLAND, Ore. — When natural disasters or wars strike students’ home countries, support from their college or university and the surrounding community is critical.
Say what you mean, mean what you say: The importance of language in the treatment of obesity
Authors: Fearon Naomi , Sudlow Alexis , le Roux Carel W. , Pournaras Dimitri J. , Welbourn Richard
Published: June 2022

Objective

Obesity is a highly stigmatized disease, and despite the understanding of the processes involved, negative language reinforcing outdated views of obesity persists within the scientific literature. This is the first study, to the authors' knowledge, to determine how widespread stigmatizing language is within publications on obesity and examine its impact on patients.

Methods

Two standard terms within obesity publications were identified, and a literature search was carried out to determine their prevalence. A parallel qualitative analysis was conducted with patients with obesity to determine perceptions of these terms.

Results

Of the 3,020 papers screened, 2.4% included the term fail, and 16.8% contained morbid used in conjunction with obesity. Sixteen patients participated in the qualitative analysis. They felt that negative language, particularly failure, implied a personal responsibility for lack of weight loss. Clinically meaningful terminology fostered a more constructive relationship with health care providers.

Conclusions

Although most journals object to overtly stigmatizing language, using phrases or words that carry negative connotations is less clearly discouraged. It is important to recognize that language that implies a moral responsibility for weight loss or the development of obesity contradicts the well‐established evidence base that obesity results from complex biological processes.
Liquid PEG4‐PLLA copolymers: Effect of chirality and molecular weight on mechanical properties
Authors: Galperin Leonid , Eylon Bat‐hen , Mizrahi Boaz
Published: June 2022

The mechanical properties of polylactic acid (PLA), largely determined by its molecular weight and tacticity, can be modified by copolymerization and multi‐armed structure, among other things. A series of liquid PEG4‐PLA copolymers bearing various PDLLA or PLLA of increasing molecular weights was synthesized and characterized. The glass transition temperature and viscosity gradually increased with the molecular weight and the optical purity of the copolymer's PLA segment. The release profiles of two model drugs, bupivacaine HCl and bovine serum albumin were comparable, and controlled by the molecular weight and dissolution of the polymeric carrier. These findings can help in the development of new applications in biomedicine in which viscosity plays a significant role.
Improved interfacial bonding strength of silicone rubber/carbon fiber modified by dopamine
Authors: Gu Bo , Pu Guohong , Ding Bonan , Zhang Kai , He Ren , Fan Jinghui , Xing Tao , Wu Juying , Yang Wenbin
Published: June 2022

A kind of silicone rubber (SR)/carbon fiber (CF)@polydopamine (PDA) flexible composites were prepared in this work. CF was modified by oxidative self‐polymerization of dopamine (DA), and the effect of DA concentration on properties of SR/CF@PDA composites was researched. The transverse fiber bundle tests have shown that SR/CF@PDA‐1.5 has the best interfacial bonding performance. Compared with SR/CF, tensile strength and elongation at break of SR/CF@PDA‐1.5 were increased by 61.7% and 68.4%, respectively. Results indicate that the interfacial bonding of SR/CF@PDA composites was effectively improved due to the adhesion properties of PDA. Moreover, the rough surface of CF@PDA also enhanced the interface interaction through physical “interlocking.” When being compared to other surface modification process, dopamine‐modified carbon fiber is cost effective, “green” and highly efficient. SR/CF@PDA with an excellent interfacial bonding and flexibility is a kind of wrapping material for protection of special precision instruments.
Crosslinked polyethylene: A review on the crosslinking techniques, manufacturing methods, applications, and recycling
Authors: Ahmad Hibal , Rodrigue Denis
Published: June 2022

One of the most used resins in the plastics industry is polyethylene (PE). Although PE has good impact resistance and ductility, its low maximum use temperature and mechanical strength limit some commercial development, especially for load‐bearing applications. To get better overall performances, crosslinking is performed to improve the chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of PE. Although PE can be crosslinked by using various chemical and physical methods, this makes the resulting polymers more difficult to recycle since a three‐dimensional (3D) network is created. In this review, we first describe the different crosslinking techniques for PE to manufacture crosslinked PE (XLPE) parts. Then, as more than half of the XLPE‐based products are disposed directly after use, we present several options to reuse and recycle these products to overcome this environmental issue and find a sustainable solution. A focus is made on mechanical recycling and de‐crosslinking techniques for XLPE to generate recycled‐XLPE (r‐XLPE). Finally, a conclusion is presented on the current situation and research gaps that must be filled by future works.
Registration of ‘S16‐3747GT’: A high‐yielding determinate maturity group V soybean cultivar with broad biotic and abiotic stressors tolerance
Authors: Chen Pengyin , Shannon J. Grover , Canella Vieira Caio , Nascimento Emanuel Ferrari do , Ali M. Liakat , Lee Dongho , Scaboo Andrew , Crisel Melissa , Smothers Scotty , Clubb Michael , Selves Stewart , Nguyen Henry , Li Zenglu , Mitchum Melissa Goellner , Bond Jason P. , Meinhardt Clinton G. , Usovsky Mariola , Li Shuxian , Gillen Anne M. , Smith James R. , Mengistu Alemu , Zhang Bo , Mozzoni Leandro Angel , Robbins Robert T. , Moseley David
Published: June 2022

Given the magnitude of production losses caused by biotic and abiotic stressors in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], breeding programs have devoted great efforts to developing high‐yielding soybean cultivars with enhanced genetic resistance to multiple biotic and abiotic stressors. In this context, the University of Missouri–Fisher Delta Research, Extension, and Education Center developed and released the soybean cultivar ‘S16‐3747GT’ (Reg. no. CV‐552, PI 700001). It is a determinate maturity group 5 early (relative maturity 5.0) Roundup Ready 2 (glyphosate‐tolerant) soybean that combines high‐yielding potential with resistance to soybean cyst nematode, southern root‐knot nematode, stem canker, and Phytophthora root rot and with tolerance to salt stress. S16‐3747GT was evaluated in 155 environments across 13 states from 2017 to 2020 and yielded numerically and/or significantly higher than the commercial checks’ average in 9 of 13 states in the southern United States. The broad adaptability and competitiveness across multiple states combined with resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors make S16‐3747GT a compelling cultivar choice for growers in this region as well as an option for public and private soybean breeding programs to incorporate this genetic background into their breeding pipeline.
Psychological factors associated with clinical fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer patients in the early survivorship period
Authors: Waroquier Pauline , Delevallez France , Razavi Darius , Merckaert Isabelle
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Clinical fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is highly prevalent among breast cancer patients and appears early in the disease trajectory. A better understanding of psychological factors associated with clinical FCR is essential to guide screening and intervention development. This cross‐sectional study aimed to assess the contribution of attentional bias, intrusive thoughts, metacognitive beliefs, intolerance of uncertainty, thought suppression, and worry to clinical FCR in breast cancer patients in the early survivorship period.

Methods

Seventy‐four patients treated for non‐metastatic breast cancer were enrolled at the end of their treatment. The FCR Inventory‐Short Form (FCRI‐SF) was used to discriminate between the patients with clinical versus nonclinical FCR. Attentional bias to negative and positive cancer‐related and non‐cancer‐related emotional words was assessed with a dot‐probe task. Words were presented for 17, 500, and 1500 ms. Intrusive thoughts and thought suppression were assessed with the White Bear Suppression Inventory, metacognitive beliefs with the Metacognitions Questionnaire‐30, intolerance of uncertainty with the Intolerance of Uncertainty Inventory‐Part A, and worry with the Penn State Worry Questionnaire.

Results

According to univariate analyses, the patients with clinical FCR (FCRI‐SF ≥13) significantly differed from those with nonclinical FCR in terms of intrusive thoughts (p = 0.002), metacognitive beliefs (p = 0.029), intolerance of uncertainty (p < 0.001), and worry (p < 0.001). Intolerance of uncertainty (odds ratio, OR = 1.06; p = 0.040) and worry (OR = 1.09; p = 0.013) remained in the final logistic regression models. All the patients showed vigilance to cancer‐related words, whether with negative or positive valence, at automatic stages of processing (17 ms).

Conclusions

Intolerance of uncertainty and worry were the two psychological factors contributing directly to clinical FCR in our cross‐sectional study. In addition, attentional bias did not differentiate breast cancer patients with clinical versus nonclinical FCR. Treatment approaches for clinical FCR in early survivorship care may need to integrate uncertainty and worry management intervention strategies.
Endotracheal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour: A rare cause of central airway occlusion in adults
Authors: Lourdesamy Anthony Albert Iruthiaraj , Satnam Singh Taranjit Kaur , Ng Khai Lip , Abdul Rahaman Jamalul Azizi
Published: June 2022

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT) is an unusual myofibroblastic spindle cell neoplasm that is rarely discovered in the airway of adults. Previously, it was regarded as a reactive lesion and was infamously known as inflammatory pseudotumour before recent insights revealed that significant majority of cases harboured neoplastic genes. Diagnosis is difficult as clinical presentation and imaging findings are non‐specific. Diagnosis and a favourable prognosis require the complete resection of the tumour. Detection of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase expression via immunohistochemistry expedites diagnosis. We report a young adult with an endotracheal mass occluding the central airway. The patient successfully underwent bronchoscopic resection using interventional techniques. IMT was diagnosed. No recurrence was seen after a year of surveillance. Due to the rarity of the disease, the recurrence rates for large airway disease is unknown. Recurrence rates for pulmonary lesions is reported to be lower compared to extrapulmonary IMTs and recurrence is unlikely if compete surgical excision is achieved.
Scientific argumentation and responsive teaching: Using dialog to teach science in three middle‐school classrooms
Authors: Felton Mark , Levin Daniel M. , De La Paz Susan , Butler Cameron
Published: June 2022

Despite broad consensus on the value of classroom dialog for promoting scientific argumentation, tensions have emerged in the literature regarding the degree to which teachers should guide the dialogic process (dialogic stance). We use the lens of responsive teaching to examine how one teacher adjusts his instruction to foster dialog in three middle‐school science classrooms. Applying grounded theory to classroom dialogs and teacher interview data, we examine the dynamic interplay of the teacher's overarching goal and moment‐to‐moment pedagogical aims to understand shifts in his dialogic stance. Our findings illustrate the value of foregrounding responsiveness to students' disciplinary thinking when offering guidance to teachers about when and how to support students in peer‐based argumentative dialog.
Do open innovation practices in firms promote sustainability?
Authors: Milana Evita , Ulrich Frank
Published: June 2022

Innovative technologies hold the promise of a sustainable future. There is tremendous need for innovations that not only create new technologies, but also solve grand challenges this planet faces. The urgent demand for technologies spilling over sustainable values requires innovation that is open and collaborative. However, uncertainty remains whether open innovation actually promotes sustainability. We thus examine a novel perspective on the relationship between open innovation and sustainable value creation at a firm level. We ask whether inbound innovation practices such as university–industry collaboration and intellectual property in‐licensing in alignment with firm internal R&D foster sustainability.By applying a multilinear regression model on a sample of Danish firms, we found a positive effect on sustainability when firms innovate based on in‐license IP from other firms. But we did not find any correlation between university–industry collaboration and sustainability; however, it turned into a significant negative moderation effect when the firm size was added. Therefore, we conclude that smaller firms are more prompt to develop sustainable technologies, and university entrepreneurship could be a very important impetus for sustainable innovations. We also proved that firm internal R&D activities and development of radical innovations are significant predictors for sustainability. Thus, we conclude that inbound open innovation practices only partly contribute to sustainable value creation. Therefore, we suggest that combination of internal R&D with IP in‐licensing and streaming for radical innovation, whether internally developed or in‐licensed, should become embedded in the firms'' efforts for sustainability.
Can non‐developers learn a simplified modeling notation quickly?
Authors: Cervantes‐Ojeda Jorge , Gómez‐Fuentes María , Chacón‐Acosta Guillermo
Published: June 2022

The User Interface Transition Diagram (UITD) is a simplified modeling notation to describe the transitions between the UIs of a software system. It is designed to be used for customer‐developer s improving the models. This study investigates (i) which concepts of the UITD language are easy to understand and which ones require more effort to be understood and (ii) to what extent UITD comprehensibility depends on the user's programming skill level. A questionnaire was applied to a group of 334 non‐developers after they received a very brief explanation of the UITD concepts. The results were analyzed using statistical methods. The overall average score of the group was 70.42%, which is quite acceptable considering the briefness of the explanation. We observed a very low correlation between the subjects' programming skill level and their scores. This suggests that, even for people who have little or no programming skills, the entirety of the UITD symbols and concepts should quickly be understood with little further training.
Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry in assessment of road run‐off sediment quality parameters
Authors: Koljančić Nemanja , Samelak Ivan , Balaban Milica , Špánik Ivan
Published: June 2022

Surface sediment samples were collected in the Banja Luka city area, near heavy traffic roads and the Vrbas river basin, in order to determine the origin of the organic substance. For this purpose, soluble organic substances were extracted by the Soxhlet method, and extracts were fractionated by the method of column chromatography into a group of saturated hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, and polar compounds. The total amount of soluble organic substance was in the range of 1185–3050 μg/kg. Fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry method using a non‐polar HP‐5 ms stationary phase with a He 99.999% flow rate of 1 ml/min. Based on the chromatograms characteristic for n‐alkanes m/z 71, steranes m/z 217, and terpenes m/z 191, the specific n‐alkanes range was determined (n‐C14–n‐C39). n‐Alkanes domination of odd/even C‐number and carbon preference index values ranged from 1.12–2.48. The calculated parameters showed that the organic substance in the samples is of sedimentary origin with a significant anthropogenic input. In addition, based on the analysis of aromatic fractions and the detected unresolved complex mixture, the microbiological degradation of organic substance was determined.
Does housing policy impact income sorting near urban amenities? Evidence from Vienna, Austria
Authors: Morawetz Ulrich B. , Klaiber H. Allen
Published: June 2022

Local amenities capitalize into housing values and form the foundation for income and preference-based sorting of residents into communities. Ellickson’s single-crossing property establishes how household sorting leads to correlation between income and preferences for amenities. For amenities including urban green, metro stations and centrality, income-based sorting describes the process by which higher-income residents choose to locate in close proximity to higher levels of amenities. Using Vienna as an example, we empirically investigate the role housing policies have on this expected pattern of sorting. We find that the provision of municipality housing and capped rents reduces income gradients between block groups adjacent to amenities and those further away while we do not find a significant effect associated with limited-profit housing. For policymakers, this suggests that policy design plays a critical role in ensuring availability of local amenities across income groups while simultaneously confirming the single-crossing result holds despite the existence of significant market regulations.
Geschlechts-, alters- und störungsgruppenbezogene Messinvarianz bei Bindungsinstrumenten
Authors: Altmann Uwe , Flemming Eva , Lübke Laura , Spitzer Carsten , Petrowski Katja , Strauß Bernhard
Published: June 2022

Geschlechtsunterschiede in Bindungsmerkmalen wurden bislang wenig explizit berücksichtigt. Die vorliegende Studie widmet sich dieser Thematik, einschließlich der Vergleiche von unterschiedlichen Altersgruppen sowie von klinischen und nichtklinischen Teilstichproben. Es handelt sich um die Reanalyse von 4 Datensätzen – jeweils einer Repräsentativstichprobe, einer methodenorientierten klinischen Bindungsstudie, den Stichproben des SOPHO-Net-Projekts und einer klinischen Stichprobe des Fachklinikum Tiefenbrunn –, die mithilfe der 8‑Item-Version des Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire (ECR-RD8) erhoben wurden. Neben den Gruppenvergleichen sollen die Daten zur Prüfung der Messsinvarianz (konfigural, metrisch, skalar) für Alter, Geschlecht und Gruppenzugehörigkeit dienen. Die Analysen zeigen, dass für Geschlecht und Alter eine komplette Messinvarianz feststellbar war, bezüglich des Patientenstatus allerdings nur eine metrische Messinvarianz. In Übereinstimmung mit einer vorliegenden Metaanalyse äußerten Frauen mehr Bindungsangst als Männer, Altersunterschiede deuten auf weniger Bindungsangst im höheren Lebensalter hin, speziell die jüngeren Personen (14 bis 24 Jahre) waren bindungsvermeidender.
The immunology of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Zhu Biqing , Yin Dominic , Zhao Hongyu , Zhang Le
Published: June 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder which affects 6.1 million people worldwide. The neuropathological hallmarks include the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, the presence of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites caused by α-synuclein aggregation, and neuroinflammation in the brain. The prodromal phase happens years before the onset of PD during which time many patients show gastro-intestinal symptoms. These symptoms are in support of Braak’s theory and model where pathological α‐synuclein propagates from the gut to the brain. Importantly, immune responses play a determinant role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. The innate immune responses triggered by microglia can cause neuronal death and disease progression. In addition, T cells infiltrate into the brains of PD patients and become involved in the adaptive immune responses. Interestingly, α‐synuclein is associated with both innate and adaptive immune responses by directly interacting with microglia and T cells. Here, we give a detailed review of the immunobiology of Parkinson’s disease, focusing on the role α-synuclein in the gut-brain axis hypothesis, the innate and adaptive immune responses involved in the disease, and current treatments.
Endothelial ACKR3 drives atherosclerosis by promoting immune cell adhesion to vascular endothelium
Authors: Gencer Selin , Döring Yvonne , Jansen Yvonne , Bayasgalan Soyolmaa , Yan Yi , Bianchini Mariaelvy , Cimen Ismail , Müller Madeleine , Peters Linsey J. F. , Megens Remco T. A. , von Hundelshausen Philipp , Duchene Johan , Lemnitzer Patricia , Soehnlein Oliver , Weber Christian , van der Vorst Emiel P. C.
Published: June 2022

Atherosclerosis is the foundation of potentially fatal cardiovascular diseases and it is characterized by plaque formation in large arteries. Current treatments aimed at reducing atherosclerotic risk factors still allow room for a large residual risk; therefore, novel therapeutic candidates targeting inflammation are needed. The endothelium is the starting point of vascular inflammation underlying atherosclerosis and we could previously demonstrate that the chemokine axis CXCL12–CXCR4 plays an important role in disease development. However, the role of ACKR3, the alternative and higher affinity receptor for CXCL12 remained to be elucidated. We studied the role of arterial ACKR3 in atherosclerosis using western diet-fed Apoe−/− mice lacking Ackr3 in arterial endothelial as well as smooth muscle cells. We show for the first time that arterial endothelial deficiency of ACKR3 attenuates atherosclerosis as a result of diminished arterial adhesion as well as invasion of immune cells. ACKR3 silencing in inflamed human coronary artery endothelial cells decreased adhesion molecule expression, establishing an initial human validation of ACKR3’s role in endothelial adhesion. Concomitantly, ACKR3 silencing downregulated key mediators in the MAPK pathway, such as ERK1/2, as well as the phosphorylation of the NF-kB p65 subunit. Endothelial cells in atherosclerotic lesions also revealed decreased phospho-NF-kB p65 expression in ACKR3-deficient mice. Lack of smooth muscle cell-specific as well as hematopoietic ACKR3 did not impact atherosclerosis in mice. Collectively, our findings indicate that arterial endothelial ACKR3 fuels atherosclerosis by mediating endothelium-immune cell adhesion, most likely through inflammatory MAPK and NF-kB pathways.
Retrospective analysis of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction outcomes in a tertiary referral center
Authors: Told Reinhard , Pichler Anja , Lackner Birgit , Kuchar Andreas , Schmidt-Erfurth Ursula , Dunavölgyi Roman
Published: June 2022

Background

The aim of this study was to profile patients with simple and complex congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) and to determine the success rates of interventions at a third-level referral center.

Methods

In this retrospective and comparative study, medical records of patients with CNLDO were reviewed. Demographic data, types of CNLDO, surgical approach, type of silicone intubation, as well as outcome were recorded up to 3 months after the intervention. Obstruction location was identified by probing and irrigation following the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) approach. Success rates were calculated for treatment approach and age group.

Results

Based on the outcome of 130 eyes with CNLDO, the overall success rate was 96%. The mean age of patients was 2.5 ± 2.2 months; 73% of cases were simple and 27% were complex CNLDO. Five children had to undergo reoperation; consequently, there was a lower success rate in the complex CNLDO (91%) than in the simple CNLDO subgroup (97%). There was a male predominance (61.5%), which was also present in the simple and complex CNLDO subgroups. The most frequent type of CNLDO was complete nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO, 55.4%), followed by partial (17.7%) and bony NLDO (11.5%). In 87% of eyes, initial probing was performed followed by dacryocystorhinostomy (10%). Mono- or bi-canalicular lacrimal drainage system intubation was used in 86% of eyes.

Conclusion

The AAO-based diagnostic approach followed by an individualized treatment regimen yielded excellent success rates of 96% in unselected patients with CNLDO. These success rates were independent of patient age or gender.
Microbiota analysis of peri-implant mucositis in patients with periodontitis history
Authors: Zhou Na , Huang Haohao , Liu Hui , Li Qiang , Yang Guangwen , Zhang Yu , Ding Meng , Dong Heng , Mou Yongbin
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To investigate the bacterial diversity in peri-implant plaques and the effect of periodontitis history on the occurrence of peri-implant mucositis.

Materials and methods

Three groups of subgingival plaques were collected from peri-implant sulci in the first molar area. The three groups included healthy implants in patients without periodontitis (NH implant), healthy implants in patients with periodontitis history (PH implant), and peri-implant mucositis implants in patients with periodontitis history (PM implant). Subgingival plaques in periodontal pockets of contralateral natural first molars were also collected. Bacterial DNA was extracted and the V4 region of the 16S rDNA sequence was amplified and sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq platform. The operational taxonomic units obtained from amplicon sequencing were used to analyze the prevalence and identity of bacteria based on public databases and advanced techniques.

Results

Analysis of similarities indicated a significant difference in bacterial structures between the NH implant and PM implant groups. Additionally, a significantly higher relative abundance of the generaActinomycesandStreptococcuswas found in the samples of the NH implant group. The generaFusobacteriumandPrevotellacould be considered as potential biomarkers for peri-implant mucositis. Moreover, more gram-negative anaerobic bacteria (PorphyromonasandPrevotella) were detected in the samples from patients with periodontitis history.

Conclusions

The increased accumulation ofFusobacteriumandPrevotellais associated with a higher risk of peri-implant mucositis. In addition, patients with periodontal history may be more likely to develop peri-implant mucositis.

Clinical relevance

The increase in periodontal pathogens and the decrease in health-associated bacteria in patients with periodontitis history may be more likely to develop peri-implant mucositis. These results provide a bacteriological basis for the prevention and treatment of peri-implant mucositis in patients with periodontitis history.
Sex influences clinical phenotype in frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Pengo Marta , Alberici Antonella , Libri Ilenia , Benussi Alberto , Gadola Yasmine , Ashton Nicholas J. , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Borroni Barbara
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) encompasses a wide spectrum of genetic, clinical, and histological findings. Sex is emerging as a potential biological variable influencing FTD heterogeneity; however, only a few studies explored this issue with nonconclusive results.

Objective

To estimate the role of sex in a single-center large cohort of FTD patients.

Methods

Five hundred thirty-one FTD patients were consecutively enrolled. Demographic, clinical, and neuropsychological features, survival rate, and serum neurofilament light (NfL) concentration were determined and compared between sex.

Results

The behavioral variant of FTD was more common in men, whereas primary progressive aphasia was overrepresented in women (p < 0.001). While global cognitive impairment was comparable, females had a more severe cognitive impairment, namely in Trail Making Test parts A and B (p = 0.003), semantic fluency (p = 0.03), Short Story Recall Test (p = 0.003), and the copy of Rey Complex Figure (p = 0.005). On the other hand, men exhibited more personality/behavioral symptoms (Frontal Behavior Inventory [FBI] AB, p = 0.003), displaying higher scores in positive FBI subscales (FBI B, p < 0.001). In particular, apathy (p = 0.02), irritability (p = 0.006), poor judgment (p = 0.033), aggressivity (p = 0.008), and hypersexuality (p = 0.006) were more common in men, after correction for disease severity. NfL concentration and survival were not statistically different between men and women (p = 0.167 and p = 0.645, respectively).

Discussion

The present study demonstrated that sex is a potential factor in determining FTD phenotype, while it does not influence survival. Although the pathophysiological contribution of sex in neurodegeneration is not well characterized yet, our findings highlight its role as deserving biological variable in FTD.
Developing professional expertise for safety: a learning design framework
Authors: Holdsworth Sarah , Hayes Jan , Sandri Orana , Maslen Sarah
Published: June 2022

Continuing professional development recognises that changes in the contemporary world demand that engineering professionals continuously learn. Today’s professional landscape requires the provision for ongoing learning relevant to evolving workplace requirements. This is particularly the case for engineers working in hazardous industries who make decisions every day with significant consequences. Despite this, the safety literature has paid little attention to best practice in professional learning. There is a large literature regarding lessons to be learned from accidents. Other published studies focus on training methods such as simulation. Educator-focused approaches such as these separate learning from real day-to-day workplace contexts and the learning needs of professionals. It is increasingly recognised that professionals learn, in a way that shapes their practice, from a diverse range of activities. Learning must therefore be active, social, and situated within the sphere of professional responsibilities, contexts, and groups. This paper presents a learner-centred framework that can be used to develop professional learning for safety that is grounded in day-to-day work practices and professional context needs. The framework aims to move away from the limitations that have been found with the current professional development approaches to enhance learner-centred professional learning. The framework was developed and used in the context of engineering practices regarding safety, but, because the framework encourages learning to be designed based on workplace contexts, it is applicable across a range of training needs and professions.
Holomorphic isometric embeddings of the complex two-plane Grassmannian into quadrics
Authors: Macia Oscar , Nagatomo Yasuyuki
Published: June 2022

The present article studies holomorphic isometric embeddings of the complex two-plane Grassmannian into quadrics. We discuss the moduli space of these embeddings up to gauge and image equivalence using a generalisation of do Carmo–Wallach theory.
Empirical analysis of the tool support for software product lines
Authors: Horcas José Miguel , Pinto Mónica , Fuentes Lidia
Published: June 2022

For the last ten years, software product line (SPL) tool developers have been facing the implementation of different variability requirements and the support of SPL engineering activities demanded by emergent domains. Despite systematic literature reviews identifying the main characteristics of existing tools and the SPL activities they support, these reviews do not always help to understand if such tools provide what complex variability projects demand. This paper presents an empirical research in which we evaluate the degree of maturity of existing SPL tools focusing on their support of variability modeling characteristics and SPL engineering activities required by current application domains. We first identify the characteristics and activities that are essential for the development of SPLs by analyzing a selected sample of case studies chosen from application domains with high variability. Second, we conduct an exploratory study to analyze whether the existing tools support those characteristics and activities. We conclude that, with the current tool support, it is possible to develop a basic SPL approach. But we have also found out that these tools present several limitations when dealing with complex variability requirements demanded by emergent application domains, such as non-Boolean features or large configuration spaces. Additionally, we identify the necessity for an integrated approach with appropriate tool support to completely cover all the activities and phases of SPL engineering. To mitigate this problem, we propose different road map using the existing tools to partially or entirely support SPL engineering activities, from variability modeling to product derivation.