bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On corporate total factor productivity: public procurement
Authors: Cheng Lei , Wang Xiaohong , Zhang Shaopeng , Zhao Meilin
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study attempts to uncover the nonlinear relationship between public procurement and corporate total factor productivity (CTFP), and investigates the mediating roles of R&D investment and rent-seeking cost. Additionally, it conducts a heterogeneity analysis for firms with varying levels of political connections and corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Design/methodology/approach

Employing Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Olley-Pakes (OP) methods, the authors gauge CTFP and manually identify government customers to quantify public procurement. Leveraging panel data from Chinese listed companies, this study explores the relationship between public procurement and CTFP.

Findings

This study unveils a U-shaped relationship between public procurement and CTFP, highlighting R&D investment and rent-seeking costs as potential mechanisms. Furthermore, it identifies heterogeneous effects among companies with varying levels of political connections and CSR on the relationship between public procurement and CTFP, including their mediating effects.

Practical implications

This research enhances understanding of demand-side policies and provides crucial insights for the government to further improve public procurement policies.

Originality/value

By offering empirical evidence of how public procurement impacts CTFP, this paper enriches the literature on the behavioral repercussions of public procurement and the determinants of CTFP. It also overcomes the “black box” of the mechanism between public procurement and CTFP, based on the government’s dual role as a pathfinder and customer of enterprises. It broadens the application scenarios of institutional theory and principal-agent theory. Additionally, the heterogeneity analysis of firms with varying political connections and CSR extends the frontiers of related research.
Resource availability alters breeding strategies in a small mammal community
Authors: Stephens Ryan B. , Willems Joshua S. , Yamasaki Mariko , Costello Christine A. , Rowe Rebecca J.
Published: July 2024

Following a resource pulse, animals may finance reproduction by consuming concurrently available resources (income breeding) or by storing resources for future reproduction (capital breeding). Understanding how these reproductive strategies are used is important for determining the ecological mechanisms that structure timing of reproduction and that drive interannual population fluctuations in animals.

We gathered a reproductive dataset for five small mammal species over a 12‐year period in Northeastern USA during which six masting events of American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) occurred. Masting created alternate years where seeds were either available late (masting year) or early (cached from the previous year) in the breeding season. The small mammal species differed in reliance on seeds and overwintering strategies. We quantified the diet using stable isotopes and recorded reproduction timing, proportion breeding and litter size in females and testes size in males.

Timing of seed availability minimally affected litter size but strongly affected proportion breeding and timing of reproduction. During masting years (late seed availability), a higher proportion of females reproduced, with breeding taking place later in the season (lactation timed with peak seed availability), although the delay was restricted in Napaeozapus insignis, an obligate hibernator. After a fall mast, cached seeds were used as capital in the following spring (early seed availability) to support a litter that, depending on the species, occurred 24–79 days sooner than a mast year. No late‐season reproduction occurred in years with early seed availability except for Myodes gapperi which produced a second litter, likely financed by fungal consumption. Males also showed strong responses to seed availability, mirroring female reproduction with testes size staying constant in years with late seed availability and sharply decreasing over the breeding season in years with early seed availability.

Our results highlight that although photoperiod and temperature broadly set bounds of the breeding season in temperate environments, resource availability influences the reproductive strategies that species use, which in turn alters reproductive timing and can drive large inter‐annual population fluctuations. Differences in overwintering strategies and diet may further modulate reproductive timing and output relative to resource pulses.
Phenotype and gene signature of testicular tumors in 129.MOLF‐Chr19 mice resemble human teratomas
Authors: Gayer Fabian A. , Klaus Lucas , Reichardt Sybille D. , Fichtner Alexander , Reichardt Holger M.
Published: July 2024

Background

Testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) is the most common type of tumor in young men. Type II germ cell tumors including postpubertal‐type teratomas are derived from the germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS), whereas prepubertal‐type teratomas arise independently of the GCNIS. The consomic mouse strain 129.MOLF‐Chr19 (M19) is a suitable murine model of such tumors, but its characterization remains incomplete.

Objective

Here, we interrogated the suitability of testicular tumors in M19 mice as a model of human TGCT by analyzing their histological features and gene expression signature.

Material and methods

Testes collected from M19 mice of different ages were categorized by macroscopic appearance based on size and the degree of suspected tumorigenesis. Histological sections from selected tumors were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, and expression of genes associated with tumorigenesis was determined in frozen tissue samples from a large range of tumors of different subclasses using RT‐qPCR and Fluidigm Dynamic Arrays.

Results

Macroscopically, testicular specimens appeared very heterogeneous concerning size and signs indicating the presence of a tumor. Histological analysis confirmed the development of teratomas with areas of cells corresponding to all three germ cell layers. Gene expression analyses indicated upregulation of markers related to proliferation, vascular invasive potential and pluripotency, and revealed a strong correlation of gene expression with tumor size and a significant intercorrelation of individual genes.

Discussion and conclusion

TGCT in M19 mice is reminiscent of human testicular teratomas presenting with areas of cells derived from all germ layers and showing a typical gene signature. We thus confirm that these mice can serve as a suitable murine model of pure teratomas for preclinical research.
Quality performance indicators for oesophageal and gastric cancer: ANZ expert Delphi consensus
Authors: Kulasegaran Suheelan , Woodhouse Braden , Wang Yijiao , Siddaiah‐Subramanya Manjunath , Merrett Neil , Smithers Bernard Mark , Watson David , MacCormick Andrew , Srinivasa Sanket , Koea Jonathan
Published: July 2024

Background

Quality performance indicators for the management of oesophagogastric cancer can be used to objectively measure and compare the performance of individual units and capture key elements of patient care to improve patient outcomes.

Methods

Two systematic reviews were completed to identify evidence‐based quality performance indicators for the surgical management of oesophagogastric cancer. Based on the indicators identified, a two‐round modified Delphi process with invitations was sent to all members of the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Gastric and Oesophageal Surgery Association. The expert working group discussed each suggested indicator and either removed, added, or adjusted the list of indicators of oesophagogastric cancer.

Results

The final list of both OG cancer indicators included Specialized Multi‐disciplinary team discussion, Endoscopy documentation, Staging Contrast CT Chest/Abdomen and Pelvis, Neoadjuvant or Adjuvant chemo/radiotherapy administered in accordance with the Local multi‐disciplinary team, Pathological margin clearance (R0 Resection), Lymphadenectomy retrieving 15 or more nodes, Formal review of pathological findings and documentation, Postoperative complications, 30‐day and 90‐day postoperative mortality, clinical surveillance and Specialized Dietetic guidance. Indicators specific to gastric cancer included Preoperative biopsy for pathological diagnosis and Staging Laparoscopy.

Indicators specific to oesophageal cancer include positron emission tomography scan if CT negative for metastasis, Perioperative Oesophagectomy Care Pathway, length of stay of 21 days or more, and Unplanned readmission within 30 days.

Conclusions

The results of this study present a core set of indicators for the surgical management of oesophagogastric cancer that can be used to measure quality and compare performance between different units.
The costs and benefits of publicising species discoveries
Authors: Ryan Gerard Edward , Nicholson Emily , Baker Christopher M. , McCarthy Michael A.
Published: July 2024

Information about species’ locations can influence what happens to them—from supporting habitat protection to exposing poaching targets. Debate about releasing locations when new species are found highlights the trade‐off between the risk of loss and the benefits of funding and public support. No research so far has collected data on how such decisions are made, and no decision tools easily compare a range of decision‐making scenarios. Here, we present a method to compare the costs and benefits of decisions about the disclosure of information about newly discovered species and populations. We implement our method for seven species where information is completely or partially secret. We ask decision‐makers to estimate the costs and benefits associated with these case studies and apply our method. Results show a range of implications from choices that are always better, to others that depend on risk attitude, and demonstrate that the process of decision‐making can be transparent and easily communicated.
Treatment and clinical outcomes of patients with acute myeloid leukemia in Finland 2010–2020: A retrospective analysis of electronic health records
Authors: Ranti Juha , Pudas Hanna , Ranta Martta , Tuominen Samuli , Uusi‐Rauva Kristiina , Lammela Johanna
Published: July 2024

Our retrospective study (2010–2020) examined treatment patterns, outcomes, and healthcare resource utilization in Finnish acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Data covered 153 patients diagnosed at Hospital District of Southwest Finland (HDSF) and 107 from other districts who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation (aSCT) at HDSF. Of the 153 patients, 56.2% received intensive chemotherapy (IC), while 43.8% deemed ineligible for IC received low‐intensity therapies or best supportive care (BSC). Median overall survival for IC patients was 31.2 months, compared to 5.3 months for those under azacytidine and 1.2 months on BSC. Majority (57.5%) of patients over 60 with intermediate/high European leukemia network risk had poor outcomes with IC and couldn't proceed to aSCT. These patients carried the highest costs and hospital resource use per patient month. Most common reasons for transplant ineligibility after IC were refractory disease and infection. Our data provides a comprehensive view on AML treatment landscape from a period when the latest treatment advancements were not yet accessible. The data describes patient groups with poor prognosis and increased healthcare burden, emphasizing the need to improve treatment practices and identify better ways to get more patients to transplant, in a rapidly evolving treatment landscape.
Oral health in home care: Perspectives and experiences of dentists in a Brazilian region
Authors: Genaro Luis Eduardo , Marconato José Victor , Tagliaferro Elaine Pereira da Silva , Pinotti Felipe Eduardo , Júnior Aylton Valsecki , Saliba Tânia Adas , Rosell Fernanda Lopez
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Home care provided by dentists is crucial for ensuring adequate oral care. However, oral health professionals face challenges in delivering treatment at patients' residences due to a lack of resources. Our objective was to explore dentists' perspectives and experiences of dental home care and potential challenges for its implementation.

Methods

The study took a qualitative approach. Guided by a semi‐structured interview schedule, data were gathered using recorded interviews with 22 dental professionals. After transcription, data were analysed thematically using the Discourse of the Collective Subject (DCS) method, using Qualiquantisoft.

Results

The majority of participants were female (n = 20), aged between 30 and 40 years old, and predominantly specialising in primary care (n = 6) or endodontics (n = 6). All participants provided home care, performing general dental procedures, normally responding to requests from the work team (n = 13) or family (n = 7). Six main categories on to the topic emerged: importance and access to home care, procedures performed during home visits, discussions about post‐home care, professional competence and patient‐centred care, positive aspects of home care, and negative aspects and challenges faced in this type of care.

Conclusion

This study highlights the fundamental, yet complex, role of home care in dentistry. Continuity of treatment through adaptability and a patient‐centred approach are important.
Ecologising Invited and Uninvited Patient Participation in Russia
Authors: Nikulkin Vlas , Vlasov Yan , Zvonareva Olga
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Public participation can be both supported and limited by decision‐makers. Therefore, citizens either participate in top‐down approved formats or have to turn towards subversion. These different participation practices, called invited and uninvited, are often treated by researchers as mutually exclusive. In this article, we present the case of patient organisations' involvement in various state‐controlled deliberation bodies in Russia, which does not fit into a smooth binary distinction of the patient participation practice. Instead, identified patient participation practices combine interaction approved by gatekeepers with interaction, which are subversive and grassroots‐initiated. Conceptually, it means that invited and uninvited participation can be better understood as intertwined ecologies.

Methods

The article is based on a qualitative ethnographic study, which includes participatory observations of the meetings of state‐controlled public participation bodies, such as public councils, 51 semi‐structured interviews with members of these bodies and an analysis of the relevant policy and methodological documents. Informed consent to record and transcribe all interviews was obtained. Thematic analysis has been used to produce the results.

Results

Russian patient organisations often work informally and independently of state‐approved practices expected from them. Some subversive practices happen outside official meetings, others become widely used best practices and others remain everyday mundane interactions, which contribute to the maintenance of the independence of patient organisations against otherwise dominating and nondemocratic state actors.

Conclusion

The ecologising approach to patient participation, which interprets invited and uninvited practices as interconnected, has better explanatory power for cases in which citizens maintain independence despite all limitations associated with authoritarian settings. Conceptualising invited and uninvited practices as situations, or separate time‐ and space‐bound events, is a helpful theoretical framework for understanding diverse and seemingly contradictory public participation practices.

Patient or Public Contribution

Research participants communicated amendments to the initial research framework to incorporate their needs. Repeated interviews allowed triangulation of preliminary findings with research participants. The article is co‐authored with the patient organisation representative, who has contributed directly to data analysis and presentation.
General practitioner and practice nurses perspectives on implementation of the 75+ health assessment: Implications for dementia care and well‐being
Authors: White Jennifer , Norton Grace , Pond Dimity , Khaing Kay , Dolja‐Gore Xenia , Byles Julie , Carey Mariko
Published: July 2024

Background

The uptake of the health assessment for persons aged 75 years and older (75 + HA) remains low. Repeat assessments provide an opportunity to identify areas of change in cognitive function which may mark the onset of dementia. We aimed to explore general practitioner (GP) and practice nurse experiences of implementing the 75 + HA with a focus on clinical considerations for dementia care.

Methods

An interpretative qualitative study involving interviews with 15 GPs (female = 11, male = 4) and 5 practice nurses (all female). Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach.

Results

The majority of GPs (n = 11) worked in metropolitan settings and four GPs worked in regional settings across NSW. All participants worked in separate clinics, except for two GPs and one practice nurse who worked within the same metropolitan clinic. Distinct themes emerged regarding participants experiences of implementing the 75 + HA for patients with dementia: (1) negotiating aged care is complex and facilitated by a comprehensive assessment; (2) implementing work practices that support the 75 + HA in patients with cognitive decline; and (3) variations in follow up of findings and implications for care.

Discussion

The 75 + HA provides an opportunity for monitoring and acting on emergent physical and cognitive health changes. Increased engagement and support towards implementing the 75 + HA, particularly in the context of dementia, may facilitate the instigation of interventions. While some participants in this study were confident with identifying and managing cognitive decline, the majority relied on geriatricians to confirm dementia diagnosis and refer to community support services. We suggest the need for greater initiatives and clinical guidelines to assist GPs in the identification and management of cognitive decline.

Implications for the Profession

From a nursing perspective, this study highlights the valuable role of nurses towards assessment and management of issues raised in the health assessment for persons aged 75 years and older. However, more resources are needed to enable nurse time for adequate follow‐up care.
Multi‐gene panel analysis in BRCA1/2‐negative patients suspected of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome: Real‐world data from a single institution
Authors: Nakahara Mariko , Ushiama Mineko , Tanabe Noriko , Gotoh Masahiro , Sakamoto Hiromi , Yoshida Teruhiko , Hirata Makoto
Published: July 2024

Aim

Although BRCA1/2 is most frequently associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC), many other related genes have been implicated. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of non‐BRCA1/2 genes associated with hereditary cancer predisposition in BRCA1/2‐negative patients from the Department of Genetic Medicine and Services with breast and ovarian cancer using a multi‐gene panel (MGP) analysis.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective MGP analysis (National Cancer Center Onco‐Panel for Familial Cancer; NOP_FC) in BRCA1/2‐negative patients with breast, ovarian, and overlapping breast/ovarian cancers who visited our genetic counseling between April 2004 and October 2022.

Results

NOP_FC was performed in 128 of the 390 BRCA test‐negative cases (117 breast cancer, 9 ovarian cancer, and 2 overlapping breast/ovarian cancer cases). Among the BRCA1/2‐negative patients, nine (7.7%) with breast cancer and one (11%) with ovarian cancer had pathogenic variants (PVs) in non‐BRCA1/2 genes associated with breast and ovarian cancers, respectively. Five patients had PVs in RAD51D, two in PALB2, one in BARD1, one in ATM, and one in RAD51C.

Conclusions

Additional MGP testing of germline genes associated with hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome in BRCA1/2‐negative breast and ovarian cancer patients revealed PVs in non‐BRCA1/2 breast cancer‐ and ovarian cancer‐related genes in 7.7% of breast cancer and 11% of ovarian cancer. Therefore, additional testing may provide useful information for subsequent risk‐reducing surgery and surveillance in BRCA1/2‐negative patients.
Can legislative majorities shape budgets? A comparative analysis of presidential systems in Latin America
Authors: Schibber Constanza F.
Published: July 2024

In separation of powers systems, in theory, legislative and executive branches must concur for policies to be enacted. However, empirical research, especially on Latin American cases, suggests that rather than reaching a compromise, it is common for the executive to make unilateral decisions, leaving the legislature marginalized in the policymaking process. Contrary to this trend, I argue that understanding important policy choices, including the national budget, requires considering the formal powers assigned to the president and the assembly, in interaction with their ideological divergence. Examining 12 presidential democracies for the past 20 years, I investigate the legislative majority's success in determining government expenditures under various policymaking institutions. I identify a number of institutional scenarios where legislative majorities are highly likely to succeed, while in other configurations, their success depends on their ideological divergence from the president.
Building a strong public health nursing workforce in Canada: A continuing education solution
Authors: Schofield Ruth , Chircop Andrea , Currie Genevieve , Annamunthodo Marcia , Cusack Cheryl , Groulx David , Houston Jann , Humphreys James , Tam Susan
Published: July 2024

Building a strong public health nursing (PHN) work‐force capable of advancing population health and reducing inequities is critical. Though undergraduate nursing education is expected to provide introductory knowledge and practice of PHN in Canada, this is not always sufficient to adequately prepare nursing graduates for the complexity of PHN practice. To be practice ready for the full scope of PHN roles and interventions, new baccalaureate nurses and new registered nurses in public health are required to apply PHN competencies, theory, and knowledge of nursing and public health sciences, and to practice within the mandates of provincial and territorial public health legislation. To advance practice readiness a formal continuing education program is essential to foster these critical roles in PHN. This article describes the development of a postgraduate continuing education program for preparation to practice in PHN.
Macroinvertebrate community development and resilience to channel dredging following flow restoration using effluent in an urban desert river
Authors: Bogan Michael , Hamdhani Hamdhani , Eppehimer Drew , Hollien Kelsey , Gill Brian
Published: July 2024

Freshwater species face numerous threats across the globe, including urbanization. Within cities in regions with drier climates, dewatering and channelization of rivers commonly occur and reduce or eliminate freshwater biodiversity. The discharge of effluent (treated wastewater) has been used to restore flow in some of these rivers, but our knowledge is negligible about how ecological communities develop and change in these unique but increasingly common ecosystems. In this study, we quantified aquatic macroinvertebrate community development in the Santa Cruz River (Arizona, U.S.A.), where effluent‐restored flow more than 100 years after the river dried up. We tracked community development over a 2‐year period in reaches where flow had been restored and compared those findings with data from a reference reach. Our study period also encompassed a massive disturbance where effluent releases temporarily ceased and sediment was dredged from the channel, allowing us to quantify the impacts of urban channel maintenance activities on recovering communities. Macroinvertebrate colonization was rapid following the initial flow restoration and channel dredging, with density and species richness values reaching or exceeding those of the reference reach within a few months, but community composition remained quite distinct after 2 years. Flow duration and the number of dry days in the month prior to sampling were the most influential factors in macroinvertebrate metrics. Simply adding effluent to dewatered urban rivers has the potential to restore diverse aquatic fauna, but targeted reintroductions may be needed for sensitive or dispersal‐limited taxa.
Elementary students' argumentative and explanatory mathematical writing about fractions
Authors: Colonnese Madelyn W. , Cardetti Fabiana , Casa Tutita
Published: July 2024

Mathematical writing (MW) is an important yet underutilized form of mathematics discourse. Given the lack of attention to MW, there are few resources to support the implementation and assessment of MW. This study responds to the lack of resources by describing a MW unit focused on fractions that was implemented during a summer school program to support rising fourth grade students with explanatory and argumentative writing. Findings from the study revealed that students used different forms of reasoning about fractions to compose their mathematical argument and explanation. We also identified five categories that captured how students communicated a mathematical argument and explanation: writing organization, precise mathematical vocabulary, mathematics content, mathematical representation, and characteristics specific to a mathematical argument/explanation. The five categories led to the development of an analytic rubric for argumentative and explanatory writing.
Exploring Cognitive Engagement in Extreme e-Service Learning for Multimedia Creative Course During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Marcus Valerie Bukas , Atan Noor Azean , Mohd Yusof Sanitah , Tahir Lokman
Published: July 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a global shift towards online learning, necessitated by restrictions on physical interaction. Consequently, Multimedia Creative Courses incorporating Service Learning were transformed into Extreme e-Service Learning (Xe-SL), conducted entirely online. In the realm of online e-Service Learning, ensuring student engagement and knowledge retention are crucial to successful course completion. While behavioural engagement can be easily observed, assessing cognitive engagement presents a challenge. Cognitive engagement involves the learner's psychological investment in the learning process, their willingness to comprehend the material, and their drive to attain the highest levels of understanding.This study explores the cognitive engagement of students in Extreme e-Service Learning (Xe-SL), an online learning approach implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. A case study was conducted involving 27 undergraduate students undertaking a Multimedia Creative project within Xe-SL. Thematic analysis of collected reflections revealed distinct patterns of cognitive engagement across different phases. Prior to Xe-SL, students demonstrated cognitive engagement through understanding concepts, problem solving, critical thinking, self-reflection, and self-improvement. During Xe-SL, cognitive engagement was evident in the acquisition of new skills and tools, overcoming challenges, reflection, and recognizing the impact and benefits of their work. Post-Xe-SL, students exhibited increased skills and knowledge, engaged in teaching and mentorship, fostered collaboration and teamwork, applied problem-solving skills, and retained and applied their knowledge.These findings provide insights into the cognitive engagement processes within Xe-SL and offer practical guidance for designing effective online learning activities. Furthermore, the study highlights the enduring impact of Xe-SL on students' skills, collaboration abilities, problem-solving proficiency, and knowledge application. This research contributes to the understanding of effective online pedagogy and underscores the benefits of Xe-SL. Educators, instructional designers, and policymakers can leverage these findings to enhance student engagement and promote meaningful learning experiences in online service learning environments.
INFLUENCE FACTORS OF WIND TURBINE APPLICATION IN EXISTING BUILDING SITE
Authors: ABIDIN NUR IZIE ADIANA
Published: July 2024

Oil and gas are common fossil fuels consumed as a source of power, causing irreparable damage such as acid rain, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental pollution and climate change. The importance of preserving the environment and the nature of fossil fuels have drawn much attention from many to implement renewable sources. With that, wind turbine implementation has shown a competitive advantage because they are a reliable source of energy, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. However, the wind turbines implementation potentially poses challenges in services, cost, and others. This paper establishes an influencing factor in wind turbine implementation at the existing building site in ensuring the project's success and minimizing the risk. This paper uses the questionnaire survey directly distributed to the green building certified facilitators, and government and private organisations experts in renewable energy implementation. Factor Analysis has been conducted as an analysis method of data reduction based on Principal Component Analysis with Varimax Rotation. The prioritization of factors was summarized based on the factor loading threshold 0.50 and above. The Factor Analysis results revealed that the Management, Environmental, Economic, Design and Site Assessment Factor achieved a significant loading value. This paper provides information about the influencing factors that require consideration when implementing the wind turbine to achieve an optimal strategy.
ASSESSING THE TRIBOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF POLYALPHAOLEFIN UNDER ELECTRICAL CURRENT CONDITIONS
Authors: Mohamed Ariffin Nur Aisya Affrina , Chong William Woei Fong
Published: July 2024

Polyalphaolefin (PAO) lubricants have long been a staple in the aviation industry, prized for their exceptional friction-reduction properties in high-temperature environments. However, as the industry embraces electrification to decarbonise passenger planes, the demand for suitable lubricants to accommodate the extreme working conditions of electric motors has surged. Understanding how these lubricants perform under electrical conditions becomes crucial, particularly by delving into the frictional characteristics when exposed to electrical current. This study explores the frictional behaviour of PAO4, a specific type of PAO lubricant when subjected to electrical working conditions. It is to conclude that the frictional performance of PAO4 decreases subject to electrical current discharge, with the friction increasing around 30% with an additional temperature increment of 15%. Thus, the investigation aims to understand the interplay between friction and electrical current within the evolving aviation industry.
Evolution of magma compositions and phosphorus availability in early Earth’s crust: New constraints from zircon-melt partitioning experiments
Authors: Shang Sheng , Lin Yanhao , van Westrenen Wim , Brouwer Fraukje M.
Published: July 2024

Zircons are the oldest remaining witnesses of Earth’s near-surface processes, and conditions in the Hadean and Archaean crust are derived predominantly from their trace element and isotopic compositions. However, quantitative assessment of element and isotope partitioning between zircon and melt remains incomplete. We experimentally determined the effect of phosphorus (P) abundance on zircon-melt partition coefficients of Al (DAl), Li (DLi), and P (DP). Results indicate that P content has opposite effects on DAl and DLi, whereas the partitioning of P itself and other trace elements is independent of P abundance. Parametrization of our results yields new assessments of the aluminum saturation index (ASI) and P and Li contents of Hadean magmas. Magma ASI values are ~0.5 lower than previously thought and consistently remain below 1 during the first ~1 Ga of Earth evolution, suggesting involvement of only igneous protoliths. First peraluminous (ASI > 1) melts do not appear until ca. 3.6 Ga, supporting the hypothesis that a transition from a tectonic style dominated by vertical motion to horizontal tectonics accompanied by partial melting of sediments did not occur before that time. New calculated magma Li concentrations for young zircons are in much better agreement with the continental crust Li abundance. Average calculated Archaean and Hadean magma Li concentrations are unrealistically large (>1000 ppm), suggesting that Li in zircons formed before 2 Ga is not primary. Calculated magma P abundances are uniform (~1900 ± 400 ppm) throughout Earth history, suggesting sufficient crustal P was available throughout the Hadean to support the origin of life.
Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome in middle-aged individuals is strongly associated with the development of hip osteoarthritis within 10-year follow-up: a prospective cohort study (CHECK)
Authors: Agricola Rintje , van Buuren Michiel M A , Kemp Joanne L , Weinans Harrie , Runhaar Jos , Bierma-Zeinstra Sita M A
Published: July 2024

Objective

The objective is to determine the association and absolute risk of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) for the development of radiographic hip osteoarthritis (RHOA).

Methods

This is a nationwide, multicentre prospective cohort study (Cohort Hip and Cohort Knee) with 1002 individuals aged between 45 and 65 years. Hips without definitive RHOA (Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade≤1) at baseline and with anteroposterior pelvic radiographs at baseline and 10-year follow-up available (n=1386 hips) were included. FAIS was defined by the baseline presence of a painful hip, limited internal hip rotation≤25° and cam morphology defined by an alpha angle>60°. The outcomes were incident RHOA (KL grade≥2 or total hip replacement (THR)) and incident end-stage RHOA (KL≥3 or THR) within 10 years.

Results

Of the 1386 included hips (80% women; mean age 55.7±5.2 years), 21 hips fulfilled criteria for FAIS and 563 hips did not fulfil any of the FAIS criteria (reference group; no symptoms, no signs, no cam morphology). Within 10-year follow-up, 221 hips (38%) developed incident RHOA and 15 hips (3%) developed end-stage RHOA (including 9 hips with THR). Adjusted for sex, age and body mass index, FAIS with cam morphology resulted in an OR of 6.85 (95% CI 2.10 to 22.35) for incident RHOA and 47.82 (95% CI 12.51 to 182.76) for incident end-stage RHOA, compared with hips not having any FAIS criteria. The absolute risk of FAIS was 81% for incident RHOA and 33% for incident end-stage RHOA.

Conclusion

FAIS was strongly associated with the development of RHOA within 10 years. Although the baseline prevalence of FAIS was low, the high absolute risk of FAIS for RHOA warrants further studies to determine preventive strategies.
External validation of the preHEART score and comparison with current clinical risk scores for prehospital risk assessment in patients with suspected NSTE-ACS
Authors: Demandt Jesse P A , Koks Arjan , Sagel Dennis , Haest Rutger , Heijmen Eric , Thijssen Eric , el Farissi Mohamed , Eerdekens Rob , van der Harst Pim , van ’t Veer Marcel , Dekker Lukas , Tonino Pim , Vlaar Pieter J
Published: July 2024

Background

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) studies have shown that prehospital risk stratification and triage decisions in patients with suspected non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) can be improved using clinical risk scores with point-of-care (POC) troponin. In current EMS studies, three different clinical risk scores are used in patients suspected of NSTE-ACS: the prehospital History, ECG, Age, Risk and Troponin (preHEART) score, History, ECG, Age, Risk and Troponin (HEART) score and Troponin-only Manchester Acute Coronary Syndromes (T-MACS). The preHEART score lacks external validation and there exists no prospective comparative analysis of the different risk scores within the prehospital setting. The aim of this analysis is to externally validate the preHEART score and compare the diagnostic performance of the these three clinical risk scores and POC-troponin.

Methods

Prespecified analysis from a prospective, multicentre, cohort study in patients with suspected NSTE-ACS who were transported to an ED between April 2021 and December 2022 in the Netherlands. Risk stratification is performed by EMS personnel using preHEART, HEART, T-MACS and POC-troponin. The primary end point was the hospital diagnosis of NSTE-ACS. The diagnostic performance was expressed as area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC), sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV).

Results

A total of 823 patients were included for external validation of the preHEART score, final hospital diagnosis of NSTE-ACS was made in 29% (n=235). The preHEART score classified 27% as low risk, with a sensitivity of 92.8% (95% CI 88.7 to 95.7) and NPV of 92.3% (95% CI 88.3 to 95.1). The preHEART classified 9% of the patients as high risk, with a specificity of 98.5% (95% CI 97.1 to 99.3) and PPV of 87.7% (95% CI 78.3 to 93.4). Data for comparing clinical risk scores and POC-troponin were available in 316 patients. No difference was found between the preHEART score and HEART score (AUROC 0.83 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.87) vs AUROC 0.80 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.85), p=0.19), and both were superior compared with T-MACS (AUROC 0.72 (95% CI 0.66 to 0.79), p≤0.001 and p=0.03, respectively) and POC-troponin measurement alone (AUROC 0.71 (95% CI 0.64 to 0.78), p<0.001 and p=0.01, respectively).

Conclusion

On external validation, the preHEART demonstrates good overall diagnostic performance as a prehospital risk stratification tool. Both the preHEART and HEART scores have better overall diagnostic performance compared with T-MACS and sole POC-troponin measurement. These data support the implementation of clinical risk scores in prehospital clinical pathways.

Trial registration number

NCT05243485.
Molecular modeling of B24O24 scaffolds for the electrochemical sensing and detection of nitrosourea and hydroxyurea drugs: Insight from DFT calculations
Authors: Idrees Munazza , Usman Khan Muhammad , Yaqoob Junaid , Liaqat Maria , Ishtiaq Minahil , Anwar Abida , Ul Hassan Abrar , Alshehri Saad M.
Published: July 2024

Hydroxyurea (HU) and nitrosourea (NU) are well-known chemotherapeutic medications. Still, their efficiency is limited due to the possibility of their misuse and the emission of small quantities of unmetabolized drugs into the environment. Many side effects might occur from taking these drugs. Nanomaterials for drug detection are crucial in pharmaceutical research, especially in cancer therapy applications like HU and NU. This work aimed to examine the sensitivity of [Formula: see text] nanocage for detecting HU and NU drugs by using density functional theory (DFT). We studied the interactions between HU/NU drugs and the [Formula: see text] nanocage using optimized geometries, adsorption energies, FMO, NCI, NBO and QTAIM analyses by employing DFT and TD-DFT at the B3LYP-D3/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. Specifically, the adsorption energy estimates of [Formula: see text]32.06[Formula: see text]kcal/mol for the NU@[Formula: see text]-1∗ complex and [Formula: see text]28.79[Formula: see text]kcal/mol for the HU@[Formula: see text]-5 complex show that the HU/NU drugs are firmly adsorbed onto [Formula: see text] and that the process is exothermic. Through NCI and QTAIM analyses, noncovalent interactions, mainly the van der Waals forces, have been observed between [Formula: see text] and the HU/NU drugs. When HU/NU interacts with the surface of [Formula: see text], new energy levels are formed in the [Formula: see text] PDOS. After analyzing the [Formula: see text] value, sensitivity and recovery time as indicators of the [Formula: see text] nanocage sensing capability, it was found that the NU@[Formula: see text]-2∗ complex exhibited the best conductivity ([Formula: see text]S/m), fine sensitivity ([Formula: see text]) and most minor stability due to its small energy gap value of 3.47[Formula: see text]eV. However, the most stable complex is HU@[Formula: see text]-3, which has an energy gap of 5.08[Formula: see text]eV. At a value of [Formula: see text]s, the complex NU@[Formula: see text]-4∗ has the quickest recovery time. As a result of its rapid recovery time, the [Formula: see text] nanocage is highly desirable for its potential application as an HU/NU drug sensor. This proves that HU/NU drugs can be effectively detected by the [Formula: see text] nanocage. Our results suggest that the [Formula: see text] nanocage has the potential to improve drug detection (HU/NU), suggesting potential avenues for further progress.
How Much Data Is Sufficient to Learn High-Performing Algorithms?
Authors: Balcan Maria-Florina , Deblasio Dan , Dick Travis , Kingsford Carl , Sandholm Tuomas , Vitercik Ellen
Published: July 2024

Algorithms often have tunable parameters that impact performance metrics such as runtime and solution quality. For many algorithms used in practice, no parameter settings admit meaningful worst-case bounds, so the parameters are made available for the user to tune. Alternatively, parameters may be tuned implicitly within the proof of a worst-case approximation ratio or runtime bound. Worst-case instances, however, may be rare or nonexistent in practice. A growing body of research has demonstrated that a data-driven approach to parameter tuning can lead to significant improvements in performance. This approach uses a
training set
of problem instances sampled from an unknown, application-specific distribution and returns a parameter setting with strong average performance on the training set.

We provide techniques for deriving
generalization guarantees
that bound the difference between the algorithm’s average performance over the training set and its expected performance on the unknown distribution. Our results apply no matter how the parameters are tuned, be it via an automated or manual approach. The challenge is that for many types of algorithms, performance is a volatile function of the parameters: slightly perturbing the parameters can cause a large change in behavior. Prior research [e.g.,
12
,
16
,
20
,
62
] has proved generalization bounds by employing case-by-case analyses of greedy algorithms, clustering algorithms, integer programming algorithms, and selling mechanisms. We streamline these analyses with a general theorem that applies whenever an algorithm’s performance is a piecewise-constant, piecewise-linear, or—more generally—
piecewise-structured
function of its parameters. Our results, which are tight up to logarithmic factors in the worst case, also imply novel bounds for configuring dynamic programming algorithms from computational biology.
“Hey Genie, You Got Me Thinking about My Menu Choices!” Impact of Proactive Feedback on User Perception and Reflection in Decision-making Tasks
Authors: Dubiel Mateusz , Leiva Luis A. , Bongard-Blanchy Kerstin , Sergeeva Anastasia
Published: July 2024

Conversational agents (CAs) that deliver proactive interventions can benefit users by reducing their cognitive workload and improving performance. However, little is known regarding how such interventions would impact users’ reflection on choices in voice-only decision-making tasks. We conducted a within-subjects experiment to evaluate the effect of CA’s feedback delivery strategy at three levels (no feedback, unsolicited and solicited feedback) and the impact on users’ likelihood of changing their choices in an interactive food ordering scenario. We discovered that in both feedback conditions the CA was perceived to be significantly more persuasive than in the baseline condition, while being perceived as significantly less confident. Interestingly, while unsolicited feedback was perceived as less appropriate than the baseline, both types of proactive feedback led participants to relisten and reconsider menu options significantly more often. Our results provide insights regarding the impact of proactive feedback on CA perception and user’s reflection in decision-making tasks, thereby paving a new way for designing proactive CAs.
Active Material Lithiation in Gr/SiOx Blend Anodes at Increased C-Rates
Authors: Knorr Julian , Li Jiahao , Schamel Maximilian , Kufner Thomas , Adam Alexander , Danzer Michael A.
Published: July 2024

The energy density of lithium-ion batteries can be improved by adding silicon as a secondary active anode material alongside graphite. However, accurate state estimation of batteries with blend electrodes requires detailed knowledge of the interplay between the active materials during lithiation. Challenges arise from the current split between the active materials and the overlap of their working potentials. This study examines the lithiation behavior of blend anodes using a setup consisting of a pure graphite and a pure SiOx half-cell connected in parallel. The setup allows for current measurements of both active materials, the determination of the state of lithiation throughout the entire charging process and measurements of balancing effects between the active materials during relaxation periods. Analysis of the behavior at increased charge rates results in greater SiOx lithiation after similar charge throughput indicating better kinetics for SiOx compared to graphite. A Doyle-Fuller-Newman model of a blend anode is used to further investigate the experimental findings on the lithiation behavior and transfer them to blend electrodes. Simulation-based variations of the silicon content show that an increased SiOx content in blend anodes leads to improved rate capability.
Constant False Alarm Detection Algorithm Based on KL Scattering
Authors: Lv Chao , Li Guozheng , Huang Xun , Liu Dongqi
Published: July 2024

With the continuous development of the radar field, millimeter‐wave radar target detection, as a major tool, faces important challenges in improving detection performance. Especially in some application scenarios, due to multitarget interference and other reasons, the detection performance of the traditional variability index (VI) constant false alarm rate (CFAR) (VI‐CFAR) algorithm decreases significantly in the case where both side windows contain interfering targets. To solve this problem, this paper introduces an innovative algorithm, Kullback–Leibler Divergence and Otsu’s Method Enhanced VI‐CFAR (KLOVI‐CFAR), to better adapt to the multitarget background environment. By combining the KL scattering and Otsu method, we realize the adaptive rejection of outliers in the reference window and further automatically select the detection algorithm adapted to the processed background environment. The results of simulation experiments verify the excellent detection performance of KLOVI‐CFAR in multitarget environments with interfering targets in both side windows. The algorithm not only effectively improves the detection capability and antijamming but also shows good detection performance in homogeneous environment and clutter edge cases. The research results in this paper provide a useful reference for improving the radar target detection algorithm.