bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Doctor, when can I drive? Charakterisierung des Fahrverhaltens orthopädischer und unfallchirurgischer Patienten anhand einer prospektiven Fragebogenstudie
Authors: Lakomek Felix , Hilsmann Falk , Schiffner Erik , Gehrmann Sebastian , Schöps Dominique , Prost Max , Windolf Joachim , Latz David
Published: November 2024

Fragestellung

Die individuelle Mobilität im Straßenverkehr hat in Deutschland, sowohl individuell als auch sozioökonomisch betrachtet, einen hohen Stellenwert. Insbesondere Erkrankungen und Verletzungen im Bereich des muskuloskeletalen Systems können jedoch temporär zu Beeinträchtigungen führen. Ziel dieser prospektiven Patientenbefragung war es zu erfassen, wie die Patienten ihre Fahrtauglichkeit während einer Verletzung und damit verbundenen Ruhigstellung einschätzten und auf welcher Grundlage die Entscheidung über die Fahrtauglichkeit seitens der Patienten getroffen wurde.

Material und Methoden

Anhand eines systematischen Fragebogens wurden insgesamt 100 Patienten mit einer orthopädischen/unfallchirurgischen Diagnose und einer damit verbundenen Gelenkruhigstellung analysiert. Neben persönlichen Daten und der Verletzungen/Erkrankungen wurde eine Analyse zur Risikobereitschaft durchgeführt, und die Patienten wurden zu ihrem Wissen bezüglich der Fahrtauglichkeit befragt. Abschließend wurde erfasst, welche Patienten aus welchen Gründen trotz Ruhigstellung ein Kraftfahrzeug (Kfz) geführt haben.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt gaben 40,2 % an, Kenntnis über das geltende Recht hinsichtlich der Fahrtauglichkeit zu haben. Weiterhin schätzten 55,6 % den behandelnden Arzt als Verantwortlichen bezüglich der Entscheidung über die Fahrtauglichkeit ein. Die Patienten, die ein Kfz führten, gaben eine höhere sowohl private als auch berufliche Abhängigkeit vom Kfz an (privat: 60,6 % vs. 45,7 %; beruflich: 48,5 % vs. 36,1 %). In der Patientengruppe, die ein Kfz während der Ruhigstellung führte, war insgesamt seltener eine Fraktur der Grund der Ruhigstellung (33,3 % vs. 51,0 %).

Diskussion

Insgesamt schätzte das Patientenkollektiv seine Kenntnis über die Gesetzeslage als gering ein und sah den behandelnden Arzt in der Mehrzahl in der Entscheidungsverantwortung hinsichtlich der Fahrtauglichkeit. Die Patienten, die ein Kraftfahrzeug während der Ruhigstellung führten, gaben eine höhere private als auch berufliche Abhängigkeit vom Führen eines Kfz an. Gleichzeitig hatte die Verletzungsschwere einen Einfluss auf die Entscheidung, sodass Patienten mit Frakturen eine Fahrt mit einem Kfz eher vermieden. Weitere Studien insbesondere auf biomechanischer Ebene sind erforderlich, um für den Arzt eine bessere Grundlage für die Entscheidungsfindung hinsichtlich der Fahrtauglichkeit bei orthopädischen/unfallchirurgischen Erkrankungen zu gewährleisten.

Graphic abstract
Automating the manufacturing process of control cables for the automotive components industry
Authors: Pinto João Pedro Madureira , Campilho Raul Duarte Salgueiral Gomes , da Silva Francisco José Gomes
Published: November 2024

The automotive industry is of great importance to the global economy for all the jobs it generates, the materials it exploits, or the technical and technological development it drives. The control cables provide essential functions for any car, such as the opening of doors and windows, or activating the handbrake and accelerator. The process of assembling control cables involves numerous steps and the manufacture of various components, e.g., the spiral, inner and outer coating, spiral terminal, and terminals. This work deals with the injection process of control cable terminals. There is a need to separate the injection set into its constituent parts, namely the terminals and the feeding system (gate), which is carried out manually, potentially leading to health problems, e.g., tendonitis. This paper presents the development of an automated pneumatic system for the separation of control cable terminals from the feeding system. The novel pneumatic system addresses a significant gap in the automation of Zamak terminal injection by handling seven different terminal types under strict spatial limitations. The automated solution resulted in a 39% reduction in production time, enhancing the process efficiency. Moreover, by adopting the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology, the work contributes not only to industrial practice but also to the theoretical understanding of the process. This approach to automating a repetitive and ergonomically challenging task represents a step forward in the field of manufacturing technology that can be extended to other fabrication processes, leading to process improvements and competitiveness.
PDA Stenting for Ductal-Dependent Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease: History and View From 10,000 Feet
Authors: Moore John W.
Published: November 2024

This article provides a historical review and a current perspective on the procedures used to palliate cyanosis in ductal-dependent infants. Eighty years ago, Helen Taussig, Alfred Blalock and Vivien Thomas developed the first effective treatment. The Blalock-Taussig-Thomas (BTT) shunt is the historical predecessor of both the contemporary modified BTT shunt and interventional stenting of the Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). The surgical shunt was firmly established therapy before catheterization was born, and PDA stenting was not possible until the technologies designed to address coronary heart disease were developed. The momentum of long-established surgical therapy inhibited clinical development of PDA stenting. Nevertheless, available clinical outcomes, though limited, appear to favor PDA stenting, and first-line therapy may be shifting from the modified BTT shunt to PDA stenting. More definitive data should arise from a randomized controlled trial.
Recent advances in nuclear medicine and their role in inflammatory arthritis: focus on the emerging role of FAPI PET/CT
Authors: Schmidkonz Christian , Kuwert Torsten , Götz Theresa Ida , Ramming Andreas , Atzinger Armin
Published: November 2024

Imaging molecular processes associated with inflammatory disease has been revolutionized by hybrid imaging using positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). PET/CT visualizes metabolic activity as well as protein expression and provides a comprehensive whole-body evaluation. It has the potential to reveal inflammation prior to detection of structural changes in inflammatory joint diseases. FAP is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein overexpressed not only in the stroma of tumors but also in the fibrotic processes of certain immune-mediated disorders. The recent introduction of fibroblast activation protein inhibitors (FAPI) labeled by positron emitters and thus suitable for PET/CT allows to investigate FAP expression in vivo. This review will focus on the use of FAPI-PET/CT for the diagnosis and evaluation of treatment response in inflammatory joint diseases.
Arthroscopic scaphocapitate fusion without bone graft; clinical and radiological outcomes
Authors: Ghoneim Sherif , Kamal Raafat , Semaya Ahmed , Hasan Mohammad
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Scaphocapitate fusion (SCF) is an important surgical option for carpal pathologies, which are difficult to manage as Kienböck's disease. With the advantages of arthroscopy combined with percutaneous fixation techniques, arthroscopic scaphocapitate fusion can have the best outcome for the patient from a functional perspective. This study aims to evaluate the clinical, radiological, and functional results of arthroscopic SCF.

Methods

The study included thirty patients with stage IIIB and IIIC Kienböck's disease. The articular surfaces were prepared using arthroscopic burr then fixed by Herbert screw. The mean follows up period was about 29 months.

Results

SCF was achieved in approximately seven weeks. There was a statistically significant difference in pre- and post-operative grip strength and Mayo wrist score.

Conclusion

According to our study findings, arthroscopic SCF may be performed with significant improvements and satisfactory clinical and functional results in patients with stage IIIB and IIIC Kienböck’s disease.
Subjective global assessment for nutritional screening and its impact on surgical outcomes: A prospective study in older patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Teraishi Fuminori , Yoshida Yusuke , Shoji Ryohei , Kanaya Nobuhiko , Matsumi Yuki , Shigeyasu Kunitoshi , Kondo Yoshitaka , Kagawa Shunsuke , Tamura Rie , Matsuoka Yoshikazu , Morimatsu Hiroshi , Mitsuhashi Toshiharu , Fujiwara Toshiyoshi
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Our perioperative management center provides preoperative intervention and functional and nutritional assessments for colorectal cancer patients aged over 75 years. This study evaluated the associations of preoperative nutritional status with postoperative outcomes and prognosis in colorectal cancer patients aged 75 years or older.

Methods

This was a prospective, observational study of 71 colorectal cancer patients aged 75 years or older who underwent surgery between July 2020 and September 2022. The Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) was evaluated as a nutritional index. The patients were classified into three groups: SGA-A (well nourished), B (moderately malnourished), and C (severely malnourished), and the correlations with postoperative outcomes and prognosis were examined.

Results

The median age of the 71 patients (34 males, 37 females) was 78 (75–92) years, and their median body mass index (BMI) was 22.3 (13.4–31.9) kg/m2. Forty-eight patients had colon cancer, and 23 had rectal cancer. On the SGA, 28 patients were SGA-A, 25 SGA-B, and 18 SGA-C. The SGA-B/C group had significantly higher BMI (p < 0.01) and more ICU admissions (p = 0.02). The G8 score was significantly lower (p = 0.03) in the SGA-B/C group, suggesting coexisting functional decline. In terms of postoperative outcomes, the SGA-B/C group had a significantly longer postoperative hospital stay (p = 0.04). The 3-year OS rates for all stages were 100% in the SGA-A group and 49.7% in the SGA-B/C group (p = 0.03), while the 3-year OS rates for patients excluding Stage IV were 100% in the SGA-A group and 68.5% in the SGA-B/C group, not significantly different (p = 0.14). The 3-year RFS rate was 95.5% in the SGA-A group and 65.3% in the SGA-B/C group (p = 0.15).

Conclusion

The SGA is a promising nutritional index associated with short-term outcomes in older patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery. The SGA can be assessed in a few minutes during an outpatient visit, making it useful for routine clinical use.
Changes in equine strongylid communities after two decades of annual anthelmintic treatments at the farm level
Authors: Kuzmina Tetiana A. , Königová Alžbeta , Antipov Anatoliy , Kuzmin Yuriy , Kharchenko Vitaliy , Syrota Yaroslav
Published: November 2024

The aim of this study was to assess the changes in strongylid communities of domestic horses after two decades of regular anthelmintic treatments; the changes in prevalence and relative abundance of individual strongylid species and their contribution to the observed alterations were estimated. The study was conducted in 2023; data collected in 2004 were used for comparison; 39 horses from two farms in Ukraine (22 horses in 2004 and 17 in 2023) were examined. In total, 18,999 strongylid specimens were collected by in vivo diagnostic deworming method before (in 2004, 9119 specimens) and after (in 2023, 9880 specimens) frequent application of anthelmintics. Strongylids were identified morphologically. Thirteen strongylid species were found in horses in 2023; only small strongylids (Cyathostominae) were recorded. In 2004, 21 species were found: 6 species of large strongylids (Strongylinae) and 15 of cyathostomins. Species richness (Margalef’s index) and species diversity (Shannon’s and Simpson’s indexes) decreased over two decades on both farms; the Berger-Parker dominance index for C. nassatus dramatically increased up to 74.4. The dissimilarity of strongylid communities of 2023 and 2004 was primarily connected with the disappearance of large strongylids and rare cyathostomin species after two decades of regular anthelmintic treatments. SIMPER analysis revealed that C. nassatus and C. catinatum mostly contributed to this dissimilarity. A trend of gradual transformation of the strongylid community structure from multimodal (in 2004) to bimodal (in 2023) was observed on both farms.
Finsler currents
Authors: Basso Giuliano
Published: November 2024

We propose a slight variant of Ambrosio and Kirchheim’s definition of a metric current. We show that with this new definition it is possible to obtain certain volume functionals from Finsler geometry as mass measures of currents. As an application, we obtain a whole family of extendibly convex

$$n$$

n

-volume densities. This family includes the circumscribed Riemannian and the mass* volume densities.
Histological improvement of fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C who achieved a 5-year sustained virological response to treatment with direct-acting antivirals
Authors: Iwamoto Takayuki , Nozaki Yasutoshi , Inoue Takanori , Suda Takahiro , Mizumoto Rui , Arimoto Yuki , Ohta Takashi , Yamaguchi Shinjiro , Ito Yoshiki , Sudo Yoshiko , Yoshimura Michiko , Kai Machiko , Sasaki Yoichi , Tahata Yuki , Hikita Hayato , Takehara Tetsuo , Hagiwara Hideki
Published: November 2024

Background

The histological improvement in liver fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C who achieved a sustained virological response (SVR) to direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment has not been comprehensively investigated. Therefore, we assessed the histological changes in liver fibrosis among patients with hepatitis C who underwent long-term follow-up after achieving SVR to treatment with DAA.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled 71 patients with hepatitis C who achieved SVR to treatment with DAA. Changes in histological liver fibrosis and fibrosis biomarkers (hyaluronic acid, type 4 collagen 7S, Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer, autotaxin, and Fibrosis-4 index) were assessed before and 5 years after treatment. Transient elastography using the FibroScan® device was performed 5 years after treatment. Advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis were defined as Ishak fibrosis scores of ≥ 4 and ≥ 5, respectively.

Results

Histological liver fibrosis significantly regressed after SVR. Fibrosis biomarkers were significantly reduced after SVR. Transient elastography was the most helpful after evaluating the predictive performance of advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis after SVR, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.965 and a cut-off value of 6.75 kPa. The cut-off values of serum fibrosis biomarkers for identifying advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis after SVR were lower than those before treatment.

Conclusions

Long-term SVR to treatment with DAA ameliorated histological liver fibrosis. Noninvasive tests helped predict the degree of liver fibrosis after SVR, but their cut-off values should be redefined to avoid underestimation of liver fibrosis.
Unsupervised Machine Learning for Data-Driven Rock Mass Classification: Addressing Limitations in Existing Systems Using Drilling Data
Authors: Hansen Tom F. , Aarset Arnstein
Published: November 2024

Rock mass classification systems are crucial for assessing stability and risk in underground construction globally and guiding support and excavation design. However, these systems, developed primarily in the 1970 s, lack access to modern high-resolution data and advanced statistical techniques, limiting their effectiveness as decision-support systems. We outline these limitations and describe how a data-driven system, based on drilling data, can overcome them. Using statistical information extracted from thousands of MWD-data values in one-meter sections of a tunnel profile, acting as a signature of the rock mass, we demonstrate that well-defined clusters can form a foundational basis for various classification systems. Representation learning was used to reduce the dimensionality of 48-value vectors via a nonlinear manifold learning technique (UMAP) and linear principal component analysis (PCA) to enhance clustering. Unsupervised machine learning methods (HDBSCAN, Agglomerative Clustering, K-means) clustered the data, with hyperparameters optimised through multi-objective Bayesian optimisation. Domain knowledge improved clustering by adding extra features to core MWD-data clusters. We structured and correlated these clusters with physical rock properties, including rock type and quality, and analysed cumulative distributions of key MWD-parameters to determine if clusters meaningfully differentiate rock masses. The ability of MWD data to form distinct rock mass clusters suggests substantial potential for future classification systems using this objective, data-driven methodology, minimising human bias.
Acceleration by stepsize hedging: Silver Stepsize Schedule for smooth convex optimization
Authors: Altschuler Jason M. , Parrilo Pablo A.
Published: November 2024

We provide a concise, self-contained proof that the Silver Stepsize Schedule proposed in our companion paper directly applies to smooth (non-strongly) convex optimization. Specifically, we show that with these stepsizes, gradient descent computes an $$\varepsilon $$
ε
-minimizer in $$O(\varepsilon ^{-\log _{\rho } 2}) = O(\varepsilon ^{-0.7864})$$

O

(

ε

-

log
ρ

2

)

=
O

(

ε

-
0.7864

)

iterations, where $$\rho = 1+\sqrt{2}$$

ρ
=
1
+

2

is the silver ratio. This is intermediate between the textbook unaccelerated rate $$O(\varepsilon ^{-1})$$

O
(

ε

-
1

)

and the accelerated rate $$O(\varepsilon ^{-1/2})$$

O
(

ε

-
1
/
2

)

due to Nesterov in 1983. The Silver Stepsize Schedule is a simple explicit fractal: the i-th stepsize is $$1 + \rho ^{\nu (i)-1}$$

1
+

ρ

ν
(
i
)
-
1

where $$\nu (i)$$

ν
(
i
)

is the 2-adic valuation of i. The design and analysis are conceptually identical to the strongly convex setting in our companion paper, but simplify remarkably in this specific setting.
Partially ordered stochastic conformance checking
Authors: Leemans Sander J. J. , Brockhoff Tobias , van der Aalst Wil M. P. , Polyvyanyy Artem
Published: November 2024

Process mining aids organisations in improving their operational processes by providing visualisations and algorithms that turn event data into insights. How often behaviour occurs in a process—the stochastic perspective—is important for simulation, recommendation, enhancement and other types of analysis. Although the stochastic perspective is important, the focus is often on control flow. Stochastic conformance checking techniques assess the quality of stochastic process models and/or event logs with one another. In this paper, we address three limitations of existing stochastic conformance checking techniques: inability to handle uncertain event data (e.g. events having only a date), exponential blow-up in computation time due to the analysis of all interleavings of concurrent behaviour and the problem that loops that can be unfolded infinitely often. To address these challenges, we provide bounds for conformance measures and use partial orders to encode behaviour. An open-source implementation is provided, which we use to illustrate and evaluate the practical feasibility of the approach.
Comparative genomic analyses of aerobic planctomycetes isolated from the deep sea and the ocean surface
Authors: Øvreås Lise , Kallscheuer Nicolai , Calisto Rita , Bordin Nicola , Storesund Julia E. , Jogler Christian , Devos Damien , Lage Olga
Published: November 2024

On the deep and dark seafloor, a cryptic and yet untapped microbial diversity flourishes around hydrothermal vent systems. This remote environment of difficult accessibility exhibits extreme conditions, including high pressure, steep temperature- and redox gradients, limited availability of oxygen and complete darkness. In this study, we analysed the genomes of three aerobic strains belonging to the phylum Planctomycetota that were isolated from two deep-sea iron- rich hydroxide deposits with low temperature diffusive vents. The vents are located in the Arctic and Pacific Ocean at a depth of 600 and 1,734 m below sea level, respectively. The isolated strains Pr1dT, K2D and TBK1r were analyzed with a focus on genome-encoded features that allow phenotypical adaptations to the low temperature iron-rich deep-sea environment. The comparison with genomes of closely related surface-inhabiting counterparts indicates that the deep-sea isolates do not differ significantly from members of the phylum Planctomycetota inhabiting other habitats, such as macroalgae biofilms and the ocean surface waters. Despite inhabiting extreme environments, our “deep and dark”-strains revealed a mostly non-extreme genome biology.
Real-world quality-of-life of patients with HR+/HER2− advanced breast cancer treated with palbociclib plus endocrine therapy: EORTC QLQ-C30 results from POLARIS
Authors: Rocque Gabrielle B. , Blum Joanne L. , Ji Yan , Pluard Timothy , Migas John , Lakhanpal Shailendra , Jepsen Erin , Gauthier Eric , Wang Yao , Montelongo Monica Z. , Cappelleri Joseph C. , Karuturi Meghan S. , Tripathy Debu
Published: November 2024

Purpose

To evaluate patient-reported health-related quality-of-life (QoL) in patients with hormone receptor–positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative (HR+/HER2−) advanced/metastatic breast cancer (ABC) treated with palbociclib in the longitudinal real-world study, POLARIS.

Methods

Data were prospectively collected from adult patients with HR+/HER2− ABC treated with palbociclib plus endocrine therapy (ET) in routine clinical practice. QoL was assessed with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and reported at baseline and months 6, 12, and 18. Data were expressed as absolute scores at a given time and change from baseline for global QoL and functional/symptom scales. Global Heath Status (GHS)/QoL scores were also determined across 6 patient subgroup categories (e.g., age, visceral disease status). Additionally, the proportions of patients with scores below (functional scales) or above (symptom scales) EORTC-validated thresholds reflecting clinical importance of a health problem were determined.

Results

Among patients treated with palbociclib plus ET (N = 1250) who completed questionnaires at any of the study timepoints, mean GHS/QoL scores at months 6 (69.3), 12 (70.1), and 18 (69.9) were higher than baseline (64.0). Similar trends were observed for functional and symptom scales. Mean GHS/QoL scores over time were consistent across the evaluated subgroups. Decreases in the proportions of patients with clinically important functional impairment/symptoms were observed for most functional/symptom scales from baseline through month 18.

Conclusion

Findings from this real-world study indicate patients with HR+/HER2− ABC treated with palbociclib plus ET maintain their QoL for at least 18 months.

Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03280303; registered 12 September 2017
The Sociable and the Deviant: A Latent Profile Analysis of HEXACO and the Dark Triad
Authors: She Minnie H. C. , Ronay Richard , den Hartog Deanne N.
Published: November 2024

This paper adopts a person-centered approach to explore how personality traits from the HEXACO and Dark Triad cluster into profiles. We examine how these emergent profiles correlate with behavioral deviance and prosociality. Three studies (total N = 792) reveal five qualitatively different latent profiles which we label: ‘emotional dysregulated’, ‘dark social recluse’, ‘all-round malevolent’, ‘socially considerate’, and ‘social narcissist’. These profiles were differentially related to self-reported deviance and prosociality, as well as behavioral expressions of deviance. In particular, the ‘all-round malevolent’ openly expressed their deviance in both word and deed. However, although the ‘social narcissist’ disguised their deviance when self-reporting, they cheated as much as the ‘all-round malevolent’ in behavioral tasks when they believed themselves unaccountable. These findings suggest that certain combinations of HEXACO and Dark Triad traits may be more pernicious than Dark Triad alone.
Economics, happiness and climate change: exploring new measures of progress
Authors: Casau Margarida , Ferreira Dias Marta , Leite Mota Gabriel
Published: November 2024

This research explores the relationship between environmental sustainability, well-being, and economic output, specifically critiquing the predominant reliance on GDP as the main progress indicator. The study selects variables such as GDP, well-being metrics, and environmental indicators based on their critical roles in reflecting both economic performance and its broader impact on societal and planetary health. By evaluating prominent indexes such as the Human Development Index (HDI), Planetary pressures–adjusted Human Development Index (PHDI), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index and the Happy Planet Index (HPI), this paper highlights the limitations of GDP and the need for a multi-dimensional measure that accounts for the well-being of people and the planet. The findings suggest a positive correlation between GDP and certain environmental degradation metrics, reinforcing the need for sustainable economic models. Drawing from both quantitative and qualitative insights, we advocate for a paradigm shift towards a “happy economy”, and suggest that policymakers should consider integrating environmental and social well-being indicators into the System of National Accounts, and adjust fiscal policies and investment strategies to promote sustainable practices that reduce ecological footprints while enhancing quality of life.
Clinical and economic outcomes with rivaroxaban versus warfarin in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and obstructive sleep apnea: retrospective analysis of US healthcare claims
Authors: Natale Andrea , Mohanty Sanghamitra , Chen Cindy , Zhao Yuan , Campbell Alicia K. , Bookhart Brahim , Ashton Veronica
Published: November 2024

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are often comorbid and associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events such as stroke. We evaluated the effectiveness, safety, healthcare resource utilization, and costs of rivaroxaban versus warfarin in patients with nonvalvular AF (NVAF) and comorbid OSA.

Methods

We used the IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus adjudicated claims database to evaluate patients with NVAF, OSA, and moderate-to-severe stroke risk who initiated rivaroxaban or warfarin between November 2011 and December 2022. We adjusted for potential confounders with propensity score overlap weighting. Primary endpoints were evaluated based on intent-to-treat (ITT) and on-treatment follow-up to compare stroke or systemic embolism risk, major bleeding risk, all-cause healthcare resource utilization (inpatient hospitalizations, emergency department visits, outpatient visits, and pharmacy fills), and costs (per patient per year [PPPY]) by treatment cohort.

Results

In total, 14,765 patients were included (9133 received rivaroxaban; 5632 received warfarin). Rivaroxaban significantly reduced stroke or systemic embolism versus warfarin by 26% (ITT—hazard ratio, 0.74 [95% CI 0.60–0.91]; P = 0.004) and 30% (on-treatment—hazard ratio, 0.70 [95% CI 0.55–0.89]; P = 0.004). Major bleeding was not significantly different between rivaroxaban and warfarin in either analysis. All-cause healthcare resource utilization was significantly reduced with rivaroxaban versus warfarin, leading to significantly reduced PPPY costs.

Conclusions

Among patients with NVAF and OSA, rivaroxaban was associated with a significant reduction in stroke or systemic embolism risk versus warfarin with no difference in major bleeding. Rivaroxaban significantly reduced healthcare resource utilization and costs compared with warfarin, providing support for the use of rivaroxaban in this population.
System architecture optimization strategies: dealing with expensive hierarchical problems
Authors: Bussemaker Jasper H. , Saves Paul , Bartoli Nathalie , Lefebvre Thierry , Lafage Rémi
Published: November 2024

Choosing the right system architecture for the problem at hand is challenging due to the large design space and high uncertainty in the early stage of the design process. Formulating the architecting process as an optimization problem may mitigate some of these challenges. This work investigates strategies for solving system architecture optimization (SAO) problems: expensive, black-box, hierarchical, mixed-discrete, constrained, multi-objective problems that may be subject to hidden constraints. Imputation ratio, correction ratio, correction fraction, and max rate diversity metrics are defined for characterizing hierarchical design spaces. This work considers two classes of optimization algorithms for SAO: multi-objective evolutionary algorithms such as NSGA-II, and Bayesian optimization (BO) algorithms. A new Gaussian process kernel is presented that enables modeling hierarchical categorical variables, extending previous work on modeling continuous and integer hierarchical variables. Next, a hierarchical sampling algorithm that uses design space hierarchy to group design vectors by active design variables is developed. Then, it is demonstrated that integrating more hierarchy information in the optimization algorithms yields better optimization results for BO algorithms. Several realistic single-objective and multi-objective test problems are used for investigations. Finally, the BO algorithm is applied to a jet engine architecture optimization problem. This work shows that the developed BO algorithm can effectively solve the problem with one order of magnitude less function evaluations than NSGA-II. The algorithms and problems used in this work are implemented in the open-source Python library SBArchOpt.
Enhanced Stability in Quantum Optimal Transport Pseudometrics: From Hartree to Vlasov–Poisson
Authors: Iacobelli Mikaela , Lafleche Laurent
Published: November 2024

In this paper we establish almost-optimal stability estimates in quantum optimal transport pseudometrics for the semiclassical limit of the Hartree dynamics to the Vlasov–Poisson equation, in the regime where the solutions have bounded densities. We combine Golse and Paul’s method from [Arch Ration Mech Anal 223:57–94, 2017], which uses a semiclassical version of the optimal transport distance and which was adapted to the case of the Coulomb and gravitational interactions by the second author in [J Stat Phys 177:20–60, 2019], with a new approach developed by the first author in [Arch Ration Mech Anal 244:27–50, 2022] to quantitatively improve stability estimates in kinetic theory.
Keeping up with the Max Plancks? Germany’s quest for university excellence and the role of public research institutes in doctoral education
Authors: Buenstorf Guido , Koenig Johannes , Otto Anne
Published: November 2024

Doctoral education is a crucial stage in the academic socialization of early-career researchers. Prior research has shown that career paths and activities of Ph.D.s are shaped by the universities and departments in which they were trained. To widen this focus, we analyze the role of public research organizations (PROs) and private-sector firms as organizational employment contexts of doctoral education. The empirical context of our study is Germany, where PROs and firms employ large numbers of doctoral candidates and provide the organizational environment for their dissertation research. Utilizing a novel process-generated dataset that covers about 40,000 STEM Ph.D.s who graduated from 1995 to 2011, we find that Ph.D.s employed at PROs during doctoral education are more likely to stay in academia than their university-employed peers. Despite extensive policy efforts that sought to strengthen the research performance of German universities, doctoral candidates employed at basic research-oriented PROs had the strongest cross-cohort increase in their post-graduation academic employment share. This group also experienced the most pronounced fall in the share of high post-graduation income owners. Industry-employed doctoral candidates are unlikely to migrate to the academic sector and have the highest likelihood of obtaining high post-graduation incomes.
Calcination Temperature Impacting the Structure and Activity of CuAl Catalyst in Aqueous Glycerol Hydrogenolysis to 1,2-Propanediol
Authors: Mane Rasika , Potdar Aparna , Jeon Yukwon , Rode Chandrashekhar
Published: November 2024

This study investigated the impact of calcination temperature on the structural properties of CuAl catalyst which was found to be a robust nano-structured catalyst calcined directly without ramping at 400 °C and performed exceedingly well for aqueous phase hydrogenolysis of glycerol. Various samples of CuAl catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation at Cu: Al molar ratio 1:1 and were calcined at different temperatures (300–1000 °C). The obtained catalysts were reduced at 200 °C before their activity testing for glycerol hydrogenolysis reaction. To correlate the structure-activity, the catalysts were thoroughly characterized by XRD, XPS, BET, TEM, H2-TPR, NH3-TPD, and pyridine FTIR. It was observed that with an increase in calcination temperature from 300 to 700 °C, the glycerol conversion also increased from 47 to 55% with 93% selectivity to 1,2-PDO. The better performance of these catalysts was mainly related to the predominant presence of Brønsted acid sites, an appropriate ratio of the Cu0 to CuAl2O4 + CuO (0.33) and CuAl2O4 to CuO phases (0.35), the existence of Cu2O phase and the smaller Cu0 particle size. It was shown that altering the ramping rate for the calcination temperature of 400 °C impacted the catalytic activity. The CuAl-400 (DC) (direct calcined) catalyst exhibited a maximum glycerol conversion of 60%.
Development of a genotype-matched Newcastle disease DNA vaccine candidate adjuvanted with IL-28b for the control of targeted velogenic strains of Newcastle disease virus in Africa
Authors: Amoia Charlie F. , Chengula Augustino A. , Hakizimana Jean N. , Wambura Philemon N. , Munir Muhammad , Misinzo Gerald , Weger-Lucarelli James
Published: November 2024

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is an extremely contagious and deadly virus that affects numerous bird species, posing serious threats to poultry production on a global scale. In addition to implementing biosecurity practices in farming systems, vaccination remains the most effective means of controlling Newcastle disease (ND). However, while existing commercial vaccines provide some level of protection, the effectiveness of these vaccines can be questionable, particularly in field settings where the complexity of vaccination program implementation poses significant challenges, especially against virulent genotypes of NDV. A genotype-matched NDV DNA vaccine could potentially offer a more effective vaccination approach than currently available live attenuated vaccines. By being specifically tailored to match circulating strains, such a vaccine might improve efficacy and reduce the risk of vaccine failure due to genotype mismatch. To develop an alternative vaccine approach, two ND DNA vaccines were constructed in this study. Each vaccine developed in this study contains the fusion (F) and haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) genes of a virulent NDV genotype VII isolate from Tanzania. Interferon lambda-3 (IFNλ3; IL-28b), which has demonstrated capacity to significantly enhance specific adaptive immune responses and decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines, as well as improved protective responses at a high viral challenge dose, was included in one of the developed vaccines. These plasmids were designated pTwist-F-HN-VII-IL28b and pTwist-F-HN-VII. The two plasmids differed in that pTwist-F-HN-VII-IL28b contained the cytokine adjuvant IL-28b. Transfection of cells and subsequent immunofluorescence assays indicated that both plasmids expressed high levels of NDV F-HN proteins. In vivo immunization demonstrated that chicks intramuscularly immunized with pTwist-F-HN-VII-IL28b exhibited significant immune responses compared to chicks immunized with pTwist-F-HN-VII or the commonly used LaSota vaccine (LaSota), which was used as a control. The protective efficacy of pTwist-F-HN-VII-IL28b was 80% after challenge with the highly virulent NDV strain ON148423, compared to 60% for chicks vaccinated using LaSota, and pTwist-F-HN-VII. The findings of this study indicate that IL-28b can be employed as a molecular adjuvant for NDV vaccines. This study represents a key milestone in Newcastle disease vaccine research, particularly in the development of a genotype-matched DNA vaccine candidate. Additionally, this study demonstrated that the combination of F, HN, and IL-28b elicits an efficacious immune response against virulent NDV strains.
Local Climate Governance: Towards more Interactive Practices and Settings?
Authors: Evers Adalbert , Schmid Verena
Published: November 2024

While environmental challenges are high on the public agenda, they have raised many questions concerning the ability of society and politics to cope with them. In liberal democracies, they challenge the traditional interplay between the state, business sector, and the various forces of civil society. Relating to the concepts of a more interactive and collaborative governance agenda, this study focuses on the local level of climate governance in municipalities and urban politics. It is based on material, documents, and interviews with representatives of public administration and civil society from seven major towns in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Our findings show progress in local governance, driven by municipal climate action plans, the recognition of climate action as a cross-cutting issue, and the influence of national and federal policies and programmes. The study identifies four main forms of revitalising and institutionalising intermediation across sectors: (1) public participation through various formats meant to give citizens a voice; (2) stakeholder involvement for co-designing measures and plans by partners and opponents most affected; (3) strategies of influencing public opinion and the prevailing discourse on climate politics; and (4) forms of co-production in policy implementation. While the impact of these forms of conflict management, bridge-building, or even cooperation may vary, they altogether define the nature of local interactive governance and its capacities for promoting sustainable development and democracy.
Machine learning-based monitoring and design of managed aquifer rechargers for sustainable groundwater management: scope and challenges
Authors: Sheik Abdul Gaffar , Kumar Arvind , Sharanya Anandan Govindan , Amabati Seshagiri Rao , Bux Faizal , Kumari Sheena
Published: November 2024

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) replenishes groundwater by artificially entering water into subsurface aquifers. This technology improves water storage, reduces over-extraction, and ensures water security in water-scarce or variable environments. MAR systems are complex, encompassing various components such as water storage, soil, meteorological factors, groundwater management (GWM), and receiving bodies. Over the past decade, the utilization of machine learning (ML) methodologies for MAR modeling and prediction has increased significantly. This review evaluates all supervised, semi-supervised, unsupervised, and ensemble ML models employed to predict MAR factors and parameters, rendering it the most comprehensive contemporary review on this subject. This study presents a concise and integrated overview of MAR’s most effective ML approaches, focusing on design, suitability for water quality (WQ) applications, and GWM. The paper examines performance measures, input specifications, and the variety of ML functions employed in GWM, and highlights prospects. It also offers suggestions for utilizing ML in MAR, addressing issues related to physical aspects, technical advancements, and case studies. Additionally, previous research on ML-based data-driven and soft sensing techniques for MAR is critically evaluated. The study concludes that integrating ML into MAR systems holds significant promise for optimizing WQ management and enhancing the efficiency of groundwater replenishment strategies.
Functional ZnONPs‐modified biochar derived from Funtumia elastica husk as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of sulfamethoxazole from wastewater
Authors: Amaku James Friday , Mtunzi Fanyana M.
Published: November 2024

Funtumia elastica husk was employed as an efficient and economically viable adsorbent to supplement traditional treatment methods in the removal of sulfamethoxazole from wastewater by converting it into usable material. The purpose of this study was to make biochar (FHB) from Funtumia elastica husk through the pyrolysis process and further modify the biochar using zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) to a nanocomposite (FBZC). The antioxidant and antimicrobial characteristics as well as the potential of FBZC and FHB to sequester sulfamethoxazole from wastewater were investigated. Uptake capacities of 59.34 mg g−1 and 26.18 mg g−1 were attained for the monolayer adsorption of SMX onto FBZC and FHB, respectively. SEM and FTIR spectroscopic techniques were used to determine the surface morphology and chemical moieties of adsorbents, respectively. Brunauer–Emmett–teller (BET) surface analysis was used to assess the specific surface area of FHB (0.5643 m2 g−1) and FBZC (1.2267 m2 g−1). The Elovich and pseudo-first-order models are both well-fitted by the experimental data for FHB and FBZC, according to kinetic results. Nonetheless, the equilibrium data for FHB and FBZC were better explained by the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models, respectively. The pHPZC values of 6.83 and 5.57 were determined for FBZC and FHB respectively. Optimum solution pH, dosage, and contact time of 6, 0.05 g, and 120 min were estimated for FHB and FBZC. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate the strong potential of FBZC to simultaneously arrest the spread of pathogenic microbes and sequester sulfamethoxazole from wastewater.
Sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol, a component of Holy Basil Ocimum tenuiflorum, inhibits the activity of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease and viral replication in vitro
Authors: Koze Hinako , Sudoh Masayuki , Onitsuka Satoaki , Okamura Hiroaki , Ishikawa Takeshi , Tani Fumito , Miyata-Yabuki Yukako , Shirouzu Mikako , Baba Masanori , Okamoto Mika , Hamada Toshiyuki
Published: November 2024

The persistence of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the emergence of new mutant strains continue to present a substantial threat with potential for future pandemics. Safe, effective, and readily available COVID-19 therapeutics are urgently needed to prepare for future coronavirus pandemics. To help identify new antiviral agents, the present study focused on natural products in the extracts of Holy Basil, Ocimum tenuiflorum L., which show potential inhibitory effects against the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro). Bioassay-guided isolation of the MeOH extracts of O. tenuiflorum led to the identification of a sulfur-containing glyceroglycolipid, sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG: 1), as a potent Mpro inhibitor that effectively inhibited Mpro activity (IC50: 0.42 µM). SQDG (1) also markedly suppressed SARS-CoV-2 replication (EC50, 51.2 µM) in vitro while displaying no cytotoxicity (CC50 > 100 µM). Further inhibition kinetic studies and docking simulations clearly demonstrated that SQDG strongly inhibited SARS-CoV-2 Mpro
in a competitive and mixed-inhibition manner. These findings highlight SQDG as a promising lead compound for COVID-19 therapy and emphasize the need to explore new drugs from natural sources.

Graphical Abstract
Association between patient position-induced breast shape changes on prone and supine MRI and mammographic breast density or thickness
Authors: Amano Maki , Amano Yasuo , Ishibashi Naoya , Yamaguchi Takeshi , Watanabe Mitsuhiro
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The breast shape differs between the prone position in breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the supine position on an operating table. We sought to determine the relationship between patient position-induced changes on prone and supine MRI in breast shape and mammographic breast density or thickness.

Materials and methods

We evaluated data from 68 women with 69 breast cancers in this retrospective observational study. The difference in the minimal distance from the nipple to the pectoralis major (DNPp-s) or the internal thoracic artery between the prone and supine MRI (DNIs-p) was defined as the breast shape changes. Mammographic breast density was assessed by conventional 4-level classification and automated and manual quantification using a dedicated mammography viewer. The compressed breast thickness was recorded during mammography (MMG). We determined the association between patient position-induced breast shape changes on MRI and mammographic breast density or compressed breast thickness on MMG.

Results

On the conventional 4-level qualification, one breast appeared fatty, 39 appeared with scattered density, 23 appeared heterogeneously dense, and 6 breasts appeared extremely dense. Both automated and manual quantification of mammographic breast density differed between the 4 levels (p < 0.01 for both) and correlated with the 4 levels (p < 0.001 for both, r = 0.654 and 0.693, respectively). The manual quantification inversely correlated with DNPp-s and DNIs-p (p < 0.01 and < 0.05, r =  − 0.330 and − 0.273, respectively). The compressed breast thickness significantly correlated with DNPp-s and DNIs-p (p < 0.01 for both, r = 0.648 and 0.467, respectively).

Conclusion

Compressed breast thickness during MMG can predict the degree of patient position-induced changes in breast shape on MRI. The manual quantification of the mammographic breast density, which may reflect the biomechanical properties of the breast tissues, also correlates to the breast shape changes.
The Integrative Critique of Democracy: Three Key Strands of Antidemocratic Thought in the History of Ideas and Their Recurrence in Contemporary Antipopulism
Authors: Jörke Dirk
Published: November 2024

This article shows that contemporary antipopulism utilises antidemocratic figures of thought that date back to ancient Greece. First, three complementary strategies of defence against demands for equal political and social participation are identified on the basis of three stages in the history of ideas (Greek antiquity, the American Revolution at the end of the eighteenth century, and early liberalism in the nineteenth century). First, devaluation: Here, groups of people are described as irrational and easily seduced, which is why they are excluded from political decision-making processes. Second, institutionalisation: If the complete exclusion of the many is not possible, then the establishment of an institutional filter system offers the possibility of restricting their political scope. Third, without the other two strategies disappearing, since the 19th century there has been an increasing demand to educate the social classes, who are not yet considered politically capable, to become good citizens. Subsequently, the return of these three antidemocratic figures of thought is demonstrated using exemplary contributions to the populism debate. The article concludes with the diagnosis that contemporary antipopulism is faced with the challenge of labelling as democratic those institutions that are supposed to limit democracy. This is why the widespread invocation of democracy in the fight against “populism” seems so helpless.