bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Existence and exponential decay for a nonlinear wave equation with nonlocal boundary conditions of 2N‐point type
Authors: Anh Triet Nguyen , Thi Phuong Ngoc Le , Pham Alain , Thanh Long Nguyen
Published: March 2021

This note presents corrections to our paper.
Computational aspects of line graph of boron triangular nanotubes
Authors: Amer Aamna , Irfan Muhammad , Rehman Hamood Ur
Published: March 2021

A topological index in chemical graph theory, is a numerical value that provides the facts about the entire structure of chemical graphs, particularly for the very useful indices like degree‐based topological indices. The carbon nanotubes are now replaced by boron triangular nanotubes due to their recent discovery and magnificent features. The topological indices in QSAR/QSPR study are used to correspond the physico‐chemical and biological‐activity of chemical alloys. In this work, we derived the edge version of the fourth atom bond connectivityABC4index and the fifth geometric‐arithmeticGA5index for Boron triangular nanotubes.
A cross‐sectional study of readiness for discharge, chronic illness resources and postdischarge outcomes in patients with diabetic foot ulcer
Authors: Wang Mingzhu , Lv Lixue , Yu Zhaohong , Gao Limei , Lu Qiaocong , Ou Jiefen , Luo Shaozhuang
Published: March 2021

Aim

To investigate the correlation of readiness for hospital discharge, the chronic illness resources, and postdischarge outcomes of diabetic foot ulcer patients, which can be help for discharged patient rehabilitation.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

One hundred and seventy‐nine patients were recruited from the Endocrinology units of two tertiary hospitals between November 2018–September 2019, in Guangdong, China. The methods used were Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale, The Chronic Illness Resources Survey and one‐on‐one telephone interviews.

Results

Pearson correlation coefficients indicated moderate correlation between the readiness for discharge and resource availability for chronic illnesses (r = .446, p < .001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that Chronic Illness Resources Survey, self‐care ability, methods of wound treatments after discharge, and living alone were the main predictors of readiness for hospital discharge among diabetic foot ulcer patients (F = 12.272, p < .001, R2 = .621,  = .571). The study was limited by location, patient's recall bias and lack of BADL scale, which can be further improved in subsequent studies by developing multi‐centre clinical study and adopting more objective assessment tools.
Publication Bias in Gastrointestinal Oncology Trials Performed over the Past Decade
Authors: Peters Gabrielle W. , Tao Weiwei , Wei Wei , Miccio Joseph A. , Jethwa Krishan R. , Cecchini Michael , Johung Kimberly L.
Published: March 2021

Background

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for evidence-based practice, but their development and implementation is resource intensive. We aimed to describe modern RCTs in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer and identify predictors of successful accrual and publication.

Materials and Methods

ClinicalTrials.gov was queried for phase III GI cancer RCTs opened between 2010 and 2019 and divided into two cohorts: past and recruiting. Past trials were analyzed for predictors of successful accrual and the subset with ≥3 years follow-up were analyzed for predictors of publication. Univariate and multivariable (MVA) logistic regression were used to identify covariates associated with complete accrual and publication status.

Results

A total of 533 GI RCTs were opened from 2010 to 2019, 244 of which are still recruiting. In the “past” trials cohort (235/533) MVA, Asian continent of enrollment was a predictor for successful accrual, whereas trials with prolonged enrollment (duration longer than median of 960 days) trended to failed accrual. Predictors for publication on MVA included international enrollment and accrual completion. Sponsorship was not associated with accrual or publication. Notably, 33% of past trials remain unpublished, and 60% of trials that were closed early remain unpublished.

Conclusion

Accrual rate and the primary continent of enrollment drive both trial completion and publication in GI oncology. Accrual must be streamlined to enhance the impact of RCTs on clinical management. A large portion of trials remain unpublished, underscoring the need to encourage dissemination of all trials to, at a minimum, inform future trial design.

Implications for Practice

Two-thirds of gastrointestinal (GI) oncology phase III randomized controlled trials successfully accrue; however, one third of these trials are unpublished and more than half of trials that close early are unpublished. The strongest predictors for publication are successful accrual and international collaborations. Initiatives to optimize the trial enrollment process need to be explored to maximize the potential for trials to engender progress in clinical practice. Moreover, this study identified a significant publication bias in the realm of GI oncology, and the field should promote reporting of all trials in order to better inform future trial questions and design.
Impacts of cultural behavior of civil servants on citizens' satisfaction: A survey on licensing services of Indonesian local government agencies
Authors: Pribadi Ulung , Kim Hyung‐Jun
Published: March 2021

A low‐level of citizens' satisfaction with public services is one of the central issues in developing countries, including Indonesia. Attempts have been made to investigate factors influencing the quality of public services and citizens' satisfaction, as have been explored by scholars with such concepts as “customer orientation” and “customer satisfaction.” What has received relatively less attention in this pursuit of customer satisfaction is a cultural dimension, namely how cultural traits of service providers and receivers impact on the mode of interactions and the degree of satisfaction. This study aims to explore whether local culture has positive impacts on the ways public services are evaluated and received by citizens or not. The type of the study is quantitative research. The total sample numbered is 381 from those who obtained public services. This study applied the correlation and linear regression analysis. The findings of the research undertaken in Indonesia, demonstrate that the cultural behavior of civil servants brings positive impacts on citizens' satisfaction. It is proposed that the reform programs for enhancing the quality of civil servants should pay attention to cultural aspects, which are crucial in determining how government services are perceived and appraised.
The Effect of Title IX on Gender Disparity in Graduate Education
Authors: Rim Nayoung
Published: March 2021

This paper examines whether Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which banned sex discrimination in admissions, was successful in reducing gender disparity in graduate education. Using school‐level survey data and a national survey of college degree‐holders, I find that female enrollment at graduate schools increased by an average of 18.7 percent following Title IX's passage. This phenomenon was mainly driven by schools that had greater incentive to comply with the new law. I also find evidence that Title IX reduced gender disparities across degree fields; the female‐male gap in traditionally male fields closed by 3.2 to 8.5 percentage points after Title IX. These results are robust to alternative explanations, such as the end of the Vietnam War draft, law changes related to fertility, and other events that occurred between the late 1960s and early 1970s that may also have affected female educational decisions.
Polymer‐based chromogenic sensors for the detection of compounds of environmental interest
Authors: Urbano Bruno F , Bustamante Saúl , Palacio Daniel A , Vera Myleidi , Rivas Bernabé L
Published: March 2021

The applications of functional polymers to different research fields have been increasing. An especially important application is the use of polymer‐based sensors for the chromogenic detection of compounds of environmental interest in water. Polymer matrix supports have been developed to improve the sensing capacity and performance of chromogenic sensors. Therefore, research in the area of sensor design and manufacturing for pollutant detection is increasingly interesting to many scientific communities ranging from biological and chemical sciences to engineering. This subject of this review is colorimetric sensors that enable the rapid and quantitative detection of different analytes within a laboratory setup. The applications of different types of polymer‐based sensors used in the chromogenic detection of compounds of environmental interest are reviewed and analysed. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Capture rates of comorbidity measures at inpatient rehabilitation facilities after a stroke or brain injury
Authors: Robbins Gregory T. , Goldstein Richard , Siddiqui Sameer , Huang Donna S. , Zafonte Ross , Schneider Jeffrey C.
Published: March 2021

Background

Comorbidity indices have been used to represent the overall medical complexity of patient populations in clinical research; however, it is not known how well they capture the comorbidities of patients with a stroke or brain injury admitted to inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs).

Objective

To determine how well commonly used comorbidity indices capture the comorbidities of patients admitted to IRFs after a stroke or brain injury.

Design

Cross‐sectional, retrospective study.

Setting

IRFs nationwide.

Participants

Adults from four impairment groups: (1) hemorrhagic stroke, (2) ischemic stroke, (3) nontraumatic brain injury (NTBI), and (4) traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Main Outcome Measures

International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD‐10‐CM) codes were extracted from the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation (UDSMR) for IRF discharges from October 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017. The percentage of discharges captured by Deyo‐Charlson, Elixhauser, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) tiers was determined, as was the percentage of comorbidities captured. These measures were also compared with respect to their ability to capture chronic medical complexity by examining the percentage of codes captured after removal of codes deemed to represent hospital complications or sequela of the admission diagnosis.

Results

The percentage of discharges without at least one ICD‐10‐CM code captured by any index ranged from 0.3%‐3.8%. The percentage of comorbidities with a prevalence exceeding 1% captured by at least one index ranged from 37.1%‐43.6%. Chronic comorbidities were most likely to be captured by Elixhauser (40.7%‐44.4%), followed by Deyo‐Charlson (7.8%‐9.6%), then CMS tiers (4.5%‐6.9%). Existing comorbidity measures capture most IRF discharges related to a brain injury or stroke, whereas most medical comorbidities escape representation. Several common, functionally relevant diagnoses were not captured.

Conclusion

The use of comorbidity indices in the IRF neurologic injury population should account for the fact that these measures miss several common, important comorbidities.
Meconium stained amniotic fluid exposure and long‐term respiratory morbidity in the offspring
Authors: Rodavsky Gal , Sheiner Eyal , Walfisch Asnat , Gutvirtz Gil , Hermon Narkis , Landau Daniella , Wainstock Tamar
Published: March 2021

Objective

Meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) is a well‐established risk factor for neonatal short‐term respiratory complications. Little is known regarding the long‐term morbidity. We investigated the possible association between MSAF and offspring respiratory morbidity.

Methods

A population‐based, cohort study of singleton deliveries occurring between 1991 and 2014 at a sole regional tertiary medical center was performed. Incidence of offspring respiratory related hospitalizations up to the age of 18 years were evaluated and compared to unexposed offspring. A Kaplan–Meier survival curve was used to compare cumulative respiratory morbidity incidence, and a Cox proportional hazards model was used to control for confounders.

Results

During the study period 242,342 deliveries met the inclusion criteria. Of them, 14.7% (n = 35,609) were complicated with MSAF. Incidence of respiratory‐related hospitalizations was significantly lower in children exposed to MSAF as compared to the unexposed group (4.5% vs. 4.9%, respectively; p < .01). Specifically, hospitalizations involving pneumonitis were significantly less common among the MSAF group (odds ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.13–0.96; p = .03). The Kaplan–Meier survival curve demonstrated significantly lower total cumulative respiratory morbidity rates in the MSAF exposed group (log rank p < .01). In the Cox model, controlled for clinically relevant confounders, MSAF exhibited an independent and significant protective effect on long‐term childhood respiratory morbidity (aHR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.86–0.96; p < .01).

Conclusions

Fetal exposure to MSAF during labor appears to be associated with lower rates of long‐term respiratory related hospitalizations in the offspring. Changes in offspring microbiome, as well as functional and anatomical modulations possibly resulting from MSAF exposure, might offer a plausible explanation of our findings.
Systematic Variation of Material Characteristics with Chemical Composition in Antimony Sulfide Selenide Thin Films and Its Relevance to Solar Cell Performance
Authors: De Bray-Sánchez Fabiola , Nair M. T. Santhamma , Nair P. Karunakaran
Published: March 2021

Antimony sulfide (Sb2S3) and antimony selenide (Sb2Se3), with optical bandgaps (Eg) of 1.88 and 1.1 eV, respectively, both crystallize in the orthorhombic structure and can produce Sb2SxSe3–x of intermediate Eg for solar cells. Herein, powder sources of Sb2S3 and Sb2Se3 in different mass ratios in vacuum thermal evaporation are used to produce Sb2SxSe3–x thin films of thickness 455 nm. These films show a systematic variation in their characteristics with x—A, Sb2S2.05Se0.95 (Eg, 1.51 eV); B, Sb2S1.71Se1.29 (1.44 eV); C, Sb2S1.24Se1.76 (1.40 eV); D, Sb2S0.64Se2.36 (1.32 eV); and E, Sb2S0.44Se2.56 (1.29 eV)—in the light‐generated current density, and in their photoconductivity. Solar cells of SnO2:F/CdS(100 nm)/Sb2SxSe3–x(455 nm)/C‐Ag with Sb2SxSe3–x films of compositions A–E show open circuit voltages (Voc) of 0.566–0.418 V; short circuit current densities of 9.65–31.5 mA cm−2; fill factors of 0.38–0.52; and conversion efficiencies (η) of 2.1–6.8%. Seven series‐connected solar cells of E 7 cm2 in area produce 34.2 mW with Voc of 2.83 V and η 4.88%. In view of their operational stability and the material perspectives of Sb2SxSe3–x, considerations considerations to improve these solar cells are discussed.
Effect of Nigella sativa in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Tang Gang , Zhang Linyu , Tao Jie , Wei Zhengqiang
Published: March 2021

The effectiveness of Nigella sativa (NS) treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains controversial. This systematic review, and meta‐analysis, was conducted to evaluate potential benefits of NS for NAFLD. Up to June 11, 2020, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating NS for the treatment of NAFLD were searched and included from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of science. Mean differences (MD) or risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Six articles from five trails with a total of 358 participants were included. Although NS has no beneficial effect on the levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), triglyceride (TG), insulin, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), its supplementation did improve the levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), fasting blood sugar (FBS), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), high‐sensitivity C reactive protein (hs‐CRP), and grade of fatty liver compared with placebo. In summary, this study showed that NS supplementation was effective in the treatment of NAFLD and could improve the levels of ALT, AST, FBS, HDL, and hs‐CRP in patients with NAFLD, as well as the severity of NAFLD. High‐quality large sample RCTs are necessary to confirm the benefit of NS supplementation for NAFLD.
The resistance law for stably stratified atmospheric planetary boundary layers
Authors: Kadantsev Evgeny , Mortikov Evgeny , Zilitinkevich Sergej
Published: March 2021

The resistance law for stably and neutrally stratified atmospheric planetary boundary layers (PBL) entered textbooks on boundary‐layer meteorology but, until now, remains practically unused in modelling applications. This is not surprising. The law has been formulated and validated only for idealised cases, such as truly neutral PBL – implying neutral stratification across the entire atmosphere, nocturnal stable PBL – stably stratified near the surface but developed against the neutrally stratified free flow, and (more recently) conventionally neutral PBLs – neutrally stratified near the surface but developed against stable stratification in the free flow. We derive and validate the general formulation of the resistance law accounting for the integral effect on PBL of stable stratifications at the surface and in the free atmosphere. Such long‐lived stable PBLs, typical of wintertime at high latitudes, were until recently overlooked in boundary‐layer meteorology, not to mention weather and climate models. The proposed general formulation of the resistance law covers long‐lived stable PBLs and opens up prospects for their improved modelling.
Hyperbranched Poly(amidoamine)‐Grafted Graphene Oxide as a Multifunctional Curing Agent for Epoxy‐Terminated Polyurethane Composites
Authors: Izadi Mohammadreza , Mardani Hanieh , Roghani‐Mamaqani Hossein , Salami‐Kalajahi Mehdi , Khezri Khezrollah
Published: March 2021

Graphene oxide (GO) modified with hyperbranched poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) structure (GOD) was used as a multifunctional curing agent in the preparation of thermally stable composites from epoxy‐terminated polyurethanes. The multifunctional GOD sample was prepared through a divergent approach by using (3‐Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES)‐functionalized GO as the core for grafting PAMAM dendrimer by sequential addition of methyl acrylate and ethylenediamine (EDA). Epoxy‐terminated polyurethanes with two different chain extenders of 1,4‐butanediol (BD) and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) were prepared from the reaction of poly(ethylene glycol), hexamethylene diisocyanate, and chain extenders, and subsequent end group transformation of the isocyanate to epoxy functionalities. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) proved successful preparation of GOD. TGA indicated improvement in char content and thermal stabilities of the composites with increasing GOD content and using the PMDA chain extender in comparison with the BD. Weight percentages of APTES, methyl acrylate, and EDA in the modified graphene samples were 15.8, 2.2, and 2.2 wt %, respectively, in each of the successive modification process of GO. Structural study of the graphitic and hybrid samples was accomplished with X‐ray diffraction and electron microscopies. A broad peak at about 21° in the patterns of hybrid composites originates from the amorphous structure of polyurethane.
Recent Developments in Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Regioselective Functionalization of Imidazo[1, 2‐a]pyridine
Authors: Konwar Dipika , Bora Utpal
Published: March 2021

Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine is an important nitrogen‐containing heterocycle from biological as well as pharmaceutical point of view. In recent years, regioselective functionalization of C−H bond of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine is extensively carried out using various transition metal‐based catalysts. Alkenylation, arylation, dual dehydrogenative annulations, formylation, thiolation, aminomethylation, dicarbonylation, phosphonylation along with other significant reactions are the progress in the field of functionalization of imidazopyridine. Most of these functionalizations are done at the C‐3 position of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine scaffold and in addition to that development towards C‐5 regioselectivity is also available. In this review, our aim is to present the recent advances for the functionalization of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine employing transition metal catalysts under significant reaction conditions.
Synthesis of P‐Chirogenic Diphosphinotriazoles and Their Use in Asymmetric Catalysis
Authors: Bayardon Jérôme , Rousselin Yoann , Malacea‐Kabbara Raluca
Published: March 2021

The stereoselective synthesis of P‐chirogenic diphosphinotriazoles using ephedrine methodology was described. The coordination behavior of these compounds as P,P‐ligands has been demonstrated by the preparation as well as the spectroscopic and X‐ray crystallographic analyses of a palladium complex. The efficiency of these new P‐chirogenic diphosphines in the palladium‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution reaction was also evaluated.
In Situ Construction of Direct Z‐Scheme CsxWO3/CsPbBr3 Heterojunctions via Cosharing Cs Atom
Authors: Li Jun-Yan , Chen Hong-Yan , Jiang Yong , Kuang Dai-Bin
Published: March 2021

To make full use of solar energy and achieve effective separation of photogenerated carriers, semiconductor heterojunction engineering is becoming increasingly significant nowadays. Herein, CsxWO3/CsPbBr3 heterojunctions via cosharing the Cs atom are synthesized by a facile acid solution method, which involves the in situ growth of CsPbBr3 nanoparticles on the surface of CsxWO3 nanorods. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) tests confirm that a high‐quality interface with strong interaction between CsxWO3 and CsPbBr3 is constructed successfully. Thus, a direct Z‐scheme charge transfer pathway is built in such close‐contact heterojunctions, which can not only effectively prevent the recombination of photogenerated carriers, but also preserve the carriers with higher redox abilities, as confirmed by electron spin resonance (ESR) as well as Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). As a proof of concept, the photocatalytic hydrogen production performance of CsxWO3/CsPbBr3 is evaluated in ethyl acetate, and a 17‐fold enhancement in hydrogen production rate as compared with pristine CsxWO3 is obtained, verifying the effective charge separation in such heterojunctions. Herein, a new idea for in situ synthesis of high‐quality perovskite‐based heterojunctions is provided, which will broaden their optoelectrical applications.
A Gelation‐Stabilized Strategy toward Photothermal Architecture Design for Highly Efficient Solar Water Evaporation
Authors: Zhang Wei , Chang Qing , Xue Chaorui , Yang Jinlong , Hu Shengliang
Published: March 2021

Constructing a solar‐driven interfacial evaporation system with effective energy confinement and conversion abilities is highly desired for seawater desalination and wastewater purification without the need of a complex and costly infrastructure. Herein, a powerful universal approach for the bottom‐up design of the photothermal conversion system using 0D nanoparticles is reported. That is, the integration of nanoparticles with cotton fibers (CFs) is first formed by surface adsorption and then reinforced by in situ cross‐linked polyvinyl alcohol chains. The developed photothermal architecture exhibits a superior water evaporation performance, excellent durability, and high adaptability in various environments. By this approach, the resulting system of carbon dots assembled on the surface of CFs is able to evaporate water with a rate of 2.32 kg m−2 h−1 and a solar‐to‐vapor efficiency of 93.6% under 1 sun irradiation, remarkably superior to the evaporators made by other black photothermal sheets. Thereby, the presented method enables potentially low‐cost, abundant, and tunable 0D nanomaterials for rationally designing ideal solar conversion structures.
Multivesicular Vesicles: Preparation and Applications
Authors: Giuliano Camila Betterelli , Cvjetan Nemanja , Ayache Jessica , Walde Peter
Published: March 2021

The front cover artwork was prepared by Louise Mari Bautista, associate consultant. The image depicts a multivesicular vesicle and the different methods that can be used to guide their assembly along with the possible applications of this type of multicompartment system in drug delivery or as artificial cell‐like systems. It may well be that vesicles, including multivesicular vesicles, formed in prebiotic times as protocellular structures before the first living cells emerged from non‐living forms of matter, at the origin of life. The use of vesicles as protocell models is one of the research approaches within the Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska‐Curie Actions Innovative Training Network (MSCA‐ITN) ProtoMet (members of this consortium are shown in the 16 images above; the consortium is coordinated by Sheref S. Mansy). The review on this subject published in this issue is the result of a cooperation within the ProtoMet consortium between two groups whose encounter would not likely have happened without the research network (the four review authors are shown in the photographs above and denoted with a * symbol). Read the full text of the Review at 10.1002/syst.202000049.
Twelve Years of High Frequency Absolute Gravity Measurements at the UK’s Space Geodesy Facility: Systematic Signals and Comparison with SLR Heights
Authors: Smith Victoria Anne , Appleby Graham , Ziebart Marek , Rodriguez Jose
Published: March 2021

Absolute gravity measurements taken on a near-weekly basis at a single location is a rarity. Twelve years of data at the UK’s Space Geodesy Facility (SGF) provides evidence to show that the application of results from international comparisons of absolute gravimeters should be applied to data and are critical to the interpretation of theSGF gravity time series of data from 2007 to 2019. Though residual biases in the data are seen. The SGF time series comprises near weekly data, with exceptions for manufacturer services and participation in international instrument comparisons. Each data set comprises hourly data taken over 1 day, with between 100 and 200 drops per hour. Environmental modelling indicates that the annual groundwater variation at SGF of some 2 m influences the gravity data by 3.1 μGal, based upon some measured and estimated soil parameters. The soil parameters were also used in the calculation of the effect of an additional telescope dome, built above the gravity laboratory, and have been shown to be realistic. Sited in close proximity to the long-established satellite laser ranging (SLR) system and the global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) the absolute gravimetry (AG) measurements provide a complimentary geodetic technique, which is non space-based. The SLR-derived height time series provides an independent measurement of vertical motion at the site which may be used to assess the AG results, which are impacted by ground motion as well as mass changes above and below the instruments.
About Identification of Instrument Error Parameters for a Gravity Gradiometer
Authors: Golovan A. A. , Gorushkina E. V. , Papusha I. A.
Published: March 2021

The article presents the description of two algorithms used for processing of the raw data of a gravity gradiometer. These algorithms are intended for estimation of some instrument errors. The first algorithm is applicable for the instrument operation in its stationary mode, the second proposes the use of a special test bench. Rotary gravity gradiometer of the accelerometric type was taken as a prototype for relevant mathematical models. Nowadays this type of gradiometer is brought to the stage of practical implementation and serial production.
The Doctor Turned into an Instrument
Authors: Dopchie Catherine
Published: March 2021

I have been working as a cancer specialist since 1984, and I have witnessed an explosion of therapeutic possibilities. In caring for my fellow human beings, I have learned to recognize the effectiveness and the extent of my treatments, but also their limits, which are closely connected to the reality of the human condition that is so rich but naturally limited. As he strives for the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being of the sick person who seeks his help, the doctor stands at the patient’s side to combat pain and suffering with determination, perseverance, humility, and patience.
When Conscience Wavers. Some Reflections on the Normalization of Euthanasia in Belgium
Authors: Lemmens Willem
Published: March 2021

In this chapter, I evaluate from a philosophical perspective the ongoing discussions in the Belgian civil society triggered by the euthanasia law and its implementation in end-of-life care since 2002. I challenge the idea that the so-called normalization of euthanasia is an established fact and I contend that the ongoing discussions on the possible abuses of the law and the practice of euthanasia are unavoidable. I see three reasons for this. First, in contrast with what some think, euthanasia can never become a “normal” therapeutic option, that could be integrated in standard medical practice. Euthanasia is, by its very nature, a transgression of a fundamental moral taboo and will thus always, however liberal the law might be, challenge the conscience of some physicians. Secondly, because of its transgressive meaning, every act of euthanasia can always be contested by family members or the larger society. This is the case when euthanasia is given to patients who are not terminally ill (such as psychiatric patients), but also when a physician performs euthanasia in an undignified and negligent way. Thirdly, the very existence of the law puts pressure not only on patients and physicians but also the larger society. By making euthanasia into a symbol of the good death, a whole society loses its sensitivity for the intrinsic transgressive nature of euthanasia and creates all sorts of strategies to mask the wavering of conscience that results from this collective negligence. There is no way, so I conclude, to avoid this. The wavering of conscience will continue to haunt the end-of-life care in Belgium as long as the law on euthanasia remains as it is.
Euthanasia for Unbearable Psychological Suffering
Authors: Haekens An
Published: March 2021

In this chapter, we focus on the problem of euthanasia because of unbearable psychological suffering. We explain that there are fundamental problems with euthanasia for psychological suffering and that the criteria for euthanasia in the current Belgian legislation are open to much interpretation and (thus) not suitable for euthanasia for psychological suffering. In addition, there are many concerns about the functioning of the Belgian Committee for the evaluation and monitoring of euthanasias carried out.
Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Stahl Bernd Carsten
Published: March 2021

A discussion of the ethics of artificial intelligence hinges on the definition of the term. In this chapter I propose three interrelated but distinct concepts of AI, which raise different types of ethical issues. The first concept of AI is that of machine learning, which is often seen as an example of “narrow” AI. The second concept is that of artificial general intelligence standing for the attempt to replicate human capabilities. Finally, I suggest that the term AI is often used to denote converging socio-technical systems. Each of these three concepts of AI has different properties and characteristics that give rise to different types of ethical concerns.
Concepts of Ethics and Their Application to AI
Authors: Stahl Bernd Carsten
Published: March 2021

Any discussion of the ethics of AI needs to be based on a sound understanding of the concept of ethics. This chapter therefore provides a brief overview of some of the key approaches to ethics with a particular emphasis on virtue ethics and the idea of human flourishing. The chapter reviews the purposes for which AI can be used, as these have a bearing on an ethical evaluation. Three main purposes are distinguished: AI forefficiency, optimisation and profit maximisation, AI forsocial control and AI for human flourishing. Given the focus on human flourishing in this book, several theoretical positions are introduced that provide insights into different aspects and ways of promoting human flourishing. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the currently widespread principle-based approach to AI ethics.
AI Ecosystems for Human Flourishing: The Background
Authors: Stahl Bernd Carsten
Published: March 2021

This chapter analyses the concept of AI ecosystems with a view to identifying how the ecosystem metaphor can help deal with ethical questions. The first step is to introduce in more detail the concept of ecosystems, drawing specifically on the literature on innovation ecosystems. This allows the identification of characteristics of ecosystems such as their openness, the co-evolution and mutual learning of their members, and the interdependence and complex relationship between those members. These characteristics underlie the challenges that an ethics-driven approach to ecosystems must consider.
Correction to: #ItsNotInYourHead: A Social Media Campaign to Disseminate Information on Provoked Vestibulodynia
Authors: Brotto Lori A. , Nelson Melissa , Barry Lana , Maher Ciana
Published: March 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-01970-5
Child Abuse Potential in Young German Parents: Predictors, Associations with Self-reported Maltreatment and Intervention Use
Authors: Lang Katrin , Liel Christoph , Lux Ulrike , Kindler Heinz , Vierhaus Marc , Eickhorst Andreas
Published: March 2021

Since child maltreatment has highly negative effects on child adjustment, early identification of at-risk families is important. This study focuses on longitudinal risk factors for child maltreatment and associations between abuse risk and occurrence. It also examines whether abuse risk and involvement in early childhood intervention are associated. The sample comprises 197 German caregivers with children under 3 years of age. Data was collected in two waves. The Brief Child Abuse Potential Inventory assessed abuse risk. Socio-demographic, parent, child and family-related risk factors were measured using screening tools. The analysis revealed that parental characteristics (psychopathology, own maltreatment experiences etc.) were associated with concurrent abuse risk. Longitudinal changes in abuse risk were linked to caregiver education and child-related factors. Cumulative risk did not explain more variance than specific risk factors. Significant associations with caregiver-reported abuse were found, and data suggest that some burdened families cannot be reached by early childhood intervention.
Crowdfunding in higher education: evidence from UK Universities
Authors: Horta Hugo , Meoli Michele , Vismara Silvio
Published: March 2021

In contemporary higher education systems, funding is increasingly associated with performativity, assessment, and competition, and universities are seeking different forms of financing their activities. One of these new forms is crowdfunding, a tool enabled by the digitalization of finance. Based on data from the UK higher education system and two crowdfunding platforms, our study adds to previous crowdfunding research in academic settings that have, thus far, focused on research projects, and assesses who is participating, their level of engagement and the resources they have gathered from crowdfunding. Our findings show that crowdfunding is used more by universities that have fewer resources. These universities are more teaching-oriented, less prestigious, and have a student body largely derived from lower socio-economic sectors of society. The popularity of crowdfunding in this type of university suggests that crowdfunding may enhance the democratization of higher education funding. However, as optimal crowdfunding participation and engagement requires high academic-to-student ratios and total-staff-to-academic-staff ratios, universities facing a greater financial precarity may be disadvantaged in their access to and engagement with crowdfunding. Differentials between part-time and full-time student ratios may exacerbate this disadvantage. Our study suggests that crowdfunding is a viable means of obtaining additional financing for learning activities complementing the fundings from other sources, but raises concerns about the use of crowdfunding as a burden to academics and students to find resources to meet learning experiences that ought to be provided by universities in the first place.
Health Services Use and Costs in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Germany: Results from a Survey in ASD Outpatient Clinics
Authors: Höfer Juliana , Hoffmann Falk , Dörks Michael , Kamp-Becker Inge , Küpper Charlotte , Poustka Luise , Roepke Stefan , Roessner Veit , Stroth Sanna , Wolff Nicole , Bachmann Christian J.
Published: March 2021

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are associated with high services use, but European data on costs are scarce. Utilisation and annual costs of 385 individuals with ASD (aged 4–67 years; 18.2% females; 37.4% IQ < 85) from German outpatient clinics were assessed. Average annual costs per person were 3287 EUR, with psychiatric inpatient care (19.8%), pharmacotherapy (11.1%), and occupational therapy (11.1%) being the largest cost components. Females incurred higher costs than males (4864 EUR vs. 2936 EUR). In a regression model, female sex (Cost Ratio: 1.65), lower IQ (1.90), and Asperger syndrome (1.54) were associated with higher costs. In conclusion, ASD-related health costs are comparable to those of schizophrenia, thus underlining its public health relevance. Higher costs in females demand further research.
Using Radiocarbon Dates and Tool Design Principles to Assess the Role of Composite Slotted Bone Tool Technology at the Intersection of Adaptation and Culture-History
Authors: Manninen Mikael A. , Asheichyk Vitali , Jonuks Tõnno , Kriiska Aivar , Osipowicz Grzegorz , Sorokin Aleksei Nikolaevich , Vashanau Aliaksandr , Riede Felix , Persson Per
Published: March 2021

Slotted bone tools are an iconic example of composite tool technology in which change in one of the components does not require changing the design of the other parts. Commonly, slotted bone tools are seen through the lens of lithic technology, highlighting organizational aspects related to serial production of insets, reliability and maintainability. In this framework, slotted bone tool technology is associated with risk aversion in demanding environmental settings. Here, we provide the first overview of radiocarbon-dated slotted bone tools in northernmost Europe and the East European Plain, including 17 new direct dates on pitch glue, and show that the Late Pleistocene to Middle Holocene period of inset slotted bone tool use in this area shows marked variation and idiosyncrasy in associated lithic technology against a trend of continuously warming climate. We suggest that historical specificity and path-dependence, rather than convergent evolution, best explain the variability seen in slotted bone tool technology in the studied case, and that slotted bone tools in general formed an organizationally flexible, adaptable and hence likely adaptive technological solution that met a wide variety of cultural and technological demands.
Human emotion recognition in the significance assessment of property attributes
Authors: Renigier-Biłozor Małgorzata , Janowski Artur , Walacik Marek , Chmielewska Aneta
Published: March 2021

One of the largest problems in the real estate market analysis, which includes valuation, is determining the significance of individual property attributes that may affect value or attractiveness perception. The study attempts to assess the significance of selected attributes of real estate based on the detection and analysis of the emotions of potential investors. Human facial expression is a carrier of information that can be recorded and interpreted effectively via the use of artificial intelligence methods, machine learning and computer vision. The development of a reliable algorithm requires, in this case, the identification and investigation of factors that may affect the final solution of the problem, from behavioural aspects through technological possibilities. In the presented experiment, an approach that correlates the emotional states of buyers with the visualization of selected attributes of properties is utilized. The objective of this study is to develop an original method for assessing the significance of property attributes based on emotion recognition technology as an alternative to the commonly used methods in the real estate analysis and valuation, which are usually based on surveys. The empirical analysis enabled determination of the mainstream property attributes significance from evoked emotions intensity within the group of property clients (represented by 156 respondents). The significance ranking determined on the basis of the unconscious expressed facial emotions was verified and compared to the answers given in a form of questionnaire. The results have shown that the conscious declaration of the attribute ranking differs from the emotion detection conclusions in several cases.
A semi-mechanistic exposure–response model to assess the effects of verinurad, a potent URAT1 inhibitor, on serum and urine uric acid in patients with hyperuricemia-associated diseases
Authors: Leander Jacob , Sunnåker Mikael , Rekić Dinko , Aksenov Sergey , Eriksson Ulf G. , Johansson Susanne , Parkinson Joanna
Published: March 2021

Verinurad, a uric acid transporter 1 (URAT1) inhibitor, lowers serum uric acid by promoting its urinary excretion. Co-administration with a xanthine oxidase inhibitor (XOI) to simultaneously reduce uric acid production rate reduces the potential for renal tubular precipitation of uric acid, which can lead to acute kidney injury. The combination is currently in development for chronic kidney disease and heart failure. The aim of this work was to apply and extend a previously developed semi-mechanistic exposure–response model for uric acid kinetics to include between-subject variability to verinurad and its combinations with XOIs, and to provide predictions to support future treatment strategies. The model was developed using data from 12 clinical studies from a total of 434 individuals, including healthy volunteers, patients with hyperuricemia, and renally impaired subjects. The model described the data well, taking into account the impact of various patient characteristics such as renal function, baseline fractional excretion of uric acid, and race. The potencies (EC50s) of verinurad (reducing uric acid reuptake), febuxostat (reducing uric acid production), and oxypurinol (reducing uric acid production) were: 29, 128, and 13,030 ng/mL, respectively. For verinurad, symptomatic hyperuricemic (gout) subjects showed a higher EC50 compared with healthy volunteers (37 ng/mL versus 29 ng/mL); while no significant difference was found for asymptomatic hyperuricemic patients. Simulations based on the uric acid model were performed to assess dose–response of verinurad in combination with XOI, and to investigate the impact of covariates. The simulations demonstrated application of the model to support dose selection for verinurad.
Permeability of commercial landscapes: integrating plantation forest trackways into ecological networks
Authors: Wolstenholme Paul , Pedley Scott M.
Published: March 2021

Context

Reconnecting fragmented habitat is a major challenge in biodiversity conservation. It is especially important in landscapes that have undergone significant change through agriculture and forestry conversion. This is particularly prevalent within heathland regions across Western Europe where remaining fragments are significantly isolated in intensely managed landscapes.

Objectives

This study examines to what extent forest trackways can facilitate connectivity between open patches, and how invertebrate dispersal ability (terrestrial or aerial) influences functional landscape connectivity. We also investigate a range of management scenarios to examine the efficacy of landscape management plans to facilitate connectivity for vulnerable invertebrate communities.

Methods

We develop the Path-Cost Index (PCI) that combines multiple environmental factors to quantify species-specific habitat suitability within forestry trackways. The PCI generates dispersal cost values for resistance-based connectivity models that represent specific forest environments and species/guild responses. We demonstrate the use of this index through the modelling of least-cost pathways for heathland invertebrates and test management scenarios (clustered and contiguous habitat improvements) developed to support heathland biodiversity.

Results

The plantation landscape provided significant barriers for vulnerable heathland invertebrate guilds. Landscape metrics indicate that management plans incorporating contiguous corridors would provide significantly greater improvements over clustered corridors for target invertebrate guilds in our study landscape.

Conclusion

The PCI presented in this study delivered easily definable resistance costs allowing comparative assessment of landscape enhancements plans. The PCI can be easily adapted to other linear features and landscapes, affording a low-cost tool to assist the evaluation of management plans and biological networks.
Minding the Gaps: The Role of Finnish Civil Society Organizations in the Labour Market Integration of Migrants
Authors: Bontenbal Ilona , Lillie Nathan
Published: March 2021

The growing role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in welfare service provision is sometimes portrayed as a threat to welfare state universalism in Nordic societies. In Finland, CSOs co-produce integration services alongside comprehensive official integration programmes, compensating for gaps and shortcomings in those services. We identify three “gaps”, which are (1) limited availability of services in terms of time and target group, (2) lack of direct labour market contacts and (3) limited flexibility to serve individual needs. We assess how CSOs target these gaps with their service offerings through qualitative interviews with policy implementers, CSO workers and migrants. However, CSOs’ role in labour market integration is inherently limited by their services being small scale, short term and project based. We find that due to their independence and limited role, CSOs operate synergistically with official services, extending rather than undermining universalism.