bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pacjent jako konsument usług zdrowotnych – wybrane aspekty prawne
Authors:   Katedra Nauki Administracji, Wydział Prawa, Prawa Kanonicznego i Administracji Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II, Ganczar Małgorzata , Szewczak Marcin ,   Katedra Nauki Administracji, Wydział Prawa, Prawa Kanonicznego i Administracji Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II
Published: January 2025

Rynek usług zdrowotnych w ostatnich latach rozwija się dynamicznie, dlatego też istnieje potrzeba zwrócenia uwagi na pojawiające się zagrożenia. Konsument, który umiejętnie będzie identyfikował charakter usług zdrowotnych może skutecznie dochodzić swoich praw, tym bardziej, że liczba podmiotów wykonujących działalność leczniczą wciąż rośnie. Problematyka bezpieczeństwa prawnego konsumentów-pacjentów jest obszerna i złożona. Artykuł ma na celu przybliżenie zagadnień związanych z prawami pacjenta jako konsumenta i możliwością dochodzenia przez niego roszczeń w świetle przyjętej ustawy o prawach konsumenta.
Prawa prosumenta na rynku energii elektrycznej
Authors:   Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy we Wrocławiu, Przybylska Monika
Published: January 2025

Artykuł odnosi się do sytuacji prawnej prosumenta jako uczestnika rynku energii elektrycznej, a ściślej podmiotu, któremu ustawodawca przyznał prawo wytwarzania energii elektrycznej z odnawialnych źródeł energii w mikroinstalacji. Rozważania zaprezentowane w niniejszym artykule są dychotomiczne i tym samym spójne z ekonomiczną oraz prawną koncepcją prosumenta w gospodarce rynkowej, w tym na rynku energii elektrycznej. Analiza dotyczy z jednej strony sytuacji prawnej prosumenta w zakresie czynności polegających na wytwarzaniu energii elektrycznej, a z drugiej warunków jej wykorzystania w celu zaspokojenia własnych potrzeb. Podjęte zagadnienie jest o tyle istotne, że dopiero od 1 lipca 2016 r. obowiązuje w porządku prawnym legalna definicja prosumenta, która stanowi podstawę podjętych rozważań i tym samym wyznacza zakres praw prosumenta na rynku energii odnawialnej.
Impacto de Intar Radio, la primera emisora de radio online creada en España con IA
Authors: Gómez López Concepción
Published: January 2025

Objective: This article studies the impact of Intar Radio, the first radio station managed by AI in Spain through a collaboration agreement with Futuri Media's Radio GPT.
The objective of the study is to evaluate the impact of virtual voices created with AI on the audience and to determine whether this radio project can surpass in credibility and/or audience the data of other music-themed radio stations run by humans (Cadena 100, Los 40, Los 40 Classic, Cadena Dial).
Methodology: A mixed research approach was adopted that combines active listening of the station with direct observation of the mobile application, the Intarradio.com website and social media posts. In addition, Eduardo Brey, sole administrator of Intar Radio, was interviewed to find out the objectives and motivations of the pioneering project in Spain. The results obtained indicate that, despite being present on digital platforms (www.radio.es), Intar Radio does not offer on-demand content, which limits its competitiveness compared to conventional radio. The artificial voice and the lack of spontaneous interaction do not meet the expectations of an audience looking for more natural experiences. The voice-overs denote monotony and an artificial timbre that does not achieve the emotional modulation of human voices.
Limitation: As a limitation, the small size of the sample stands out, since the station began operating in April 2024 and, therefore, the analyses refer to the first three months of online broadcasting
Contribution: This article attempts to fill the existing academic gap, characterized by the absence of studies focused on the application of Artificial Intelligence to the production of radio content, considering this new digital context relevant from a communicational approach.
The relationship between steroid treatment and mortality in patients with COVID-19 followed up in an intensive care unit
Authors: Ozturk Huseyin Ali , Arici Fatih Necip
Published: January 2025

Aim

Optimal treatment of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is still unclear. It has been reported that the use of different doses of corticosteroid treatments may reduce mortality. In our study, we aimed to find the effect of corticosteroid treatment dose on mortality of patients followed up in intensive care due to COVID-19.

Methods

Our retrospective, descriptive and single-centre study included 102 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were followed up in intensive care unit, 28 of whom received pulse steroids and 74 of whom received high dose steroids. Laboratory values, duration of intensive care unit and mortality rates of the patients were evaluated.

Results

Mortality was found to be statistically significantly lower in the group receiving pulse steroid compared to the group receiving high dose steroid. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, age and pulse steroid were found to be independent predictors of mortality. According to this analysis, each 10-year increase in age increased mortality by 4.8%, whereas pulse steroid decreased mortality by 79.4%.

Conclusion

In our study, we found that mortality was statistically significantly lower in the group of patients receiving pulse steroids than in the group receiving high dose steroids. We found that the number of patients using pulse steroids was statistically significantly lower in the group with mortality. We found that age and pulse steroid independently determined the patients with mortality.
Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Education: A Cross-sectional UTAUT Analysis Study
Authors: Alenazi Latifah H
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a transformative force in nursing education, applicable in academic and clinical settings. It equips nursing students with skills to evaluate and apply AI in future patient care, preparing the nursing workforce for a healthcare landscape increasingly supported by AI. However, lack of studies focus on nursing students as AI users and the behavioural intention to accept and utilise AI.

Aim: This study investigated the factors influencing nursing students’ acceptance and use of AI based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT).

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at one of the oldest and most prominent universities, collecting data from April to May 2022. The survey included 213 nursing students and aimed to evaluate the influence of the four UTAUT constructs- Performance Expectancy (PE), Effort Expectancy (EE), Social Influence (SI), and Facilitating Conditions (FC)- on behavioural intention and usage behaviour. Additionally, the study explored the moderating effects of age and gender on the UTAUT model. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29.0 for descriptive statistics and SmartPLS version 4 for Partial Least Squares (PLS) structural equation modeling.

Results: The findings indicated that PE positively influenced the behavioural intention of nursing students to adopt and use AI in nursing education. Regarding moderation effects, age moderated the relationship between PE and behavioural intention, whereas gender did not exhibit any moderation effect.

Conclusion: This study provides a foundation for its integration to enhance learning outcomes and prepare students for technology-driven healthcare. It highlights the importance of evidence-based strategies tailored to meet diverse educational needs, ensuring effective adoption and utilisation.
A Literature Review on Interrelationship of Farmer’s Knowledge and Attitude in Fertilizer Application on Boro Rice Production in Bangladesh
Authors: Tabassum Nafisa , Akter Aysha
Published: January 2025

For maintaining sustainable agriculture and production of maximum crop yield it is required to add the proper amount of fertilizer on time through observation, investigation and elevation of the interrelationship of the farmer's knowledge and attitude toward fertilizer application. The use of fertilizer is affected by farmers’ knowledge and attitude as they are interrelated. In order to influence the future fertilizer decision of farmers several factors and effects are analysed in this study. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the interrelationship of farmer’s knowledge and attitude regarding fertilizer application in Boro rice production as it is the most contributing crop in Sunamganj district of Bangladesh. Fertilizer performs major role in Boro Rice production. In haor areas farmer chiefly cultivate Boro rice. Proper knowledge and improved attitude have significant contribution to increase Boro Rice production. This review highlights the various factors that increase knowledge and attitude toward fertilizer application which lead to improved social and economic condition of farmers. Finally, the review concludes with recommendation for policy makers, civil society organization, extension agents and researcher.
Protective Effect of Umbelliferone in Folic Acid-induced Hematological Toxicity in Male C57BL/6
Authors: Divya K , Kumar Y Ravi , Swathi B , Kumar B Anil , Chandrika P , Ashwini K , Shirisha G , Aasritha S , Sravathi V , Hanuman D , Madhuri D , Soujanya S , Rajendar B
Published: January 2025

Aims: Folic acid, also referred to as vitamin B9, functions as a catalyst in mono-carbon metabolism, playing a pivotal position in supporting cellular growth and proliferation. Although beneficial, excessive amounts of folic acid can negatively impact hematological health. Herbal remedies are acquiring accelerated popularity in both developed and developing countries, primarily because they are affordable and have fewer complications. Umbelliferone (UMB), known by the name of 7-hydroxycoumarin, is a pharmacologically active compound derived from coumarin. This yellowish-white, crystalline substance found in various plants, exhibiting a Wide array of potency. Using in vivo experimental models, the study sought to explore the beneficial effects of UMB on haematotoxicity caused by folic acid, with a particular emphasis on examining important haematological parameters.
Frame Work of the Study: Twenty-four adult C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to four groups. Group 1 served as the placebo control. Group 2 was administered folic acid at a dose of 250mg/kg through intra peritoneum on first day to induce toxicity. Group 3 received only UMB at a dose of 60mg/kg body weight through oral route for 14 days. Group 4 was given folic acid on first day and concurrently treated with UMB for 14 days. After 14-day period, hemotological parameres including Total Erythrocyte Count (TEC), Total Leukocyte Count (TLC), Haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, Packed Cell Volume/Haematocrit (PCV/Hct), and Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), were meticulously evaluated.
Results: Analysis of haematological parameters revealed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the mean values of TEC, Hb, PCV, MCV, and lymphocytes, along with a marked increase in TLC and neutrophils in group 2 mice compared to other groups. No significant (p<0.05) differences were found between groups 1 and 3. Group 4 showed a mild to moderate improvement in all parameters compared to group 3.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that unambiguously revealed that UMB provides safeguarding counter to haematological toxicity induced by folic acid suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent.
Is there a Correlation between Airways Dimensions and Transversal Dental Distances in Children with Different Growth Patterns?
Authors: Lanna Natália Raphael Duarte , Cançado Rodrigo Hermont , Degrazia Felipe Weidenbach , Neves Leniana Santos
Published: January 2025

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between airway dimension sizes, transversal dental distances, and craniofacial growth pattern.
Study Design: Retrospective observational study.
Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Division of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, between March 2018 and December 2023.
Methodology: A sample of 271 children aged between 7 and 10 years was evaluated. Airways and facial angles were measured to determine the pattern of facial growth. Maxillary transverse dimensions were assessed using plaster study models. Two groups were delimited with 30 individuals each according to the most extreme facial measurements: patients with horizontal and vertical growth tendency. The correlations between nasopharynx and oropharynx size with maxillary intercanine and intermolar distances in different craniofacial growth patterns were evaluated.
Results: Vertical group presented significantly smaller dimensions of the nasopharynx and maxillary intercanine distance. Oropharynx dimension and intermolar distance are similar for both vertical and horizontal patterns. There was no significant correlation between nasopharynx and oropharynx size and maxillary intercanine and intermolar distances.
Conclusion: Patients with a vertical growth pattern have smaller nasopharyngeal dimensions and greater anterior maxillary atresia than patients with a horizontal growth pattern. Oropharyngeal dimensions and maxillary intermolar distance are similar in different growth patterns.
In-vitro Management of Wilt Disease of Sugarcane Through Optimization of Chemical Fungicides
Authors: Awasthi Rajneesh Kumar , Gera Riya , Kumar Arvind , Jaisval Girijesh Kumar , Yadav Ajeet Pratap , Singh Veer
Published: January 2025

Wilt of sugarcane caused by Fusarium sacchari, is a soil and seed borne pathogen causing heavy losses in sugarcane production to grower. Chemical control method is an effective and highly adopted approach of eliminating disease causing organism. The present study was carried out to assess the efficacy of combination fungicides in vitro condition against Fusarium sacchari causing wilt in sugarcane. Three combination (systemic fungicides) and one contact fungicide Mastercop (Copper sulphate pentrahydrate 23.99% SC), Amistar-Top (Azoxystrobin 18.2 SC + Difenoconazole 11.4 SC), Shamir (Tebuconazole 6.7 + Captan 26.9SC), Electron (Azoxystrobin 2.5% + Thiophanate Methyl 11.25% + Thiamethoxam 25% FS), Dhanustin (Carbendazim 50% WP) were tested at three different concentration (5PPM, 15PPM and 25PPM) using by poisoned food technique on OMA medium. All the fungicides significantly inhibited mycelial growth of the fungus. Maximum 100% mycelial growth inhibition was recorded in T4 Electron (Azoxystrobin 2.5% + Thiophanate Methyl 11.25% + Thiamethoxam 25% FS) at all concentrations and minimum 69.25% mycelial growth inhibition was recorded in T1 Mastercop (Copper sulphate pentrahydrate 23.99% SC) and all other fungicides significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of the fungus, observation was recorded and mentioned in the result of the paper.
The Effectiveness of Using Maudy Ayunda as a Brand Ambassador of Oatside Milk for Indonesian People
Authors: Kai Rachel Joeyceline , Aritonang Agusly Irawan , Tjahyana Lady Joanne
Published: January 2025

This research measures the effectiveness of using Maudy Ayunda as a brand ambassador in the marketing public relations (MPR) strategy for the Oatside milk product in Indonesian people. Maudy Ayunda, as a public figure with a positive reputation and wide influence, has been chosen to increase brand awareness and strengthen the positive image of the Oatside milk product. This research uses a survey method by collecting data through questionnaires distributed to 400 people in Indonesia using a Likert scale. The results of this research indicate that the use of Maudy Ayunda as a brand ambassador is effective based on the VisCAP indicators. VisCAP itself consists of visibility, credibility, attraction, and power. This research provides important insights for marketing practitioners in designing MPR strategies that leverage the strength of a brand ambassador to achieve desired communication and marketing goals. According to the research results, the attraction indicator has the most significant effectiveness among the three other indicators.
The Effectiveness of Using Gel Angelicca as Celebrity Endorser of ESQA Cosmetics to Indonesian Women on Instagram
Authors: Natania Trisno Lidya , Goenawan Felicia , Yogatama Astri
Published: January 2025

ESQA Cosmetics is a cosmetic brand from Indonesia. ESQA Cosmetics is known as the first vegan cosmetics brand in Indonesia that uses Gel Angelicca as a celebrity endorser in its Marketing Public Relation (MPR) activities. This research was conducted to find out the effectiveness of a celebrity endorser, named Gel Angelicca, in promoting ESQA Cosmetics products to Indonesian women on Instagram. This research uses an online survey method which was distributed to 100 respondents using a Likert scale. The result of this research shows that Gel Angelicca as a celebrity endorser for ESQA Cosmetics has proven to be effective in delivering promotional messages to Indonesian women on Instagram by looking at the values in the TEARS model (Trustworthiness, Expertise, Attractiveness, Respect, Similarity). This research shows that the most effective TEARS model indicator in using Gel Angelicca as a celebrity endorser is the attractiveness indicator.
Photocatalytic Mechanism and Charge Transfer of PtS2/WSe2 Heterostructures：First-principles Study
Authors: Sun Zhaonan , Song Yuxuan , Lv Wendi , Zeng Xiangyu , Fu Zhongtian
Published: January 2025

To address the recombination problem of photogenerated electrons and holes during photocatalysis, strategies to design composite photocatalysts with heterojunction structures have been widely adopted. In order to explore the electron transfer pathway and photocatalytic mechanism of the PtS2/WSe2 heterostructure, the band structure, electronic properties and catalytic activity of the structure were systematically calculated by density functional theory (DFT). We designed two models consisting of PtS2 and WSe2 monolayers to find more stable structures through adsorption energy calculations. In this work, MUlliken charge analysis and differential charge density confirmed the heterojunction as an S-scheme heterojunction. Due to the height difference between the Fermi levels of the two pristine semiconductors, electrons flow from WSe2 to PtS2 to form a built-in electric field and band bending. The properties of the S-scheme heterojunction allow the heterostructure to possess a suitable band gap without losing the redox ability, thereby ensuring that the PtS2/WSe2 heterostructure can spontaneously undergo HER and OER processes of water splitting. Copyright © 2025 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Modulation of Exchange Bias in La0.35Sr0.65MnO3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 through Volatile Polarization of P(VDF‐TrFE) Gate Dielectric
Authors: Zhao Xu Wen , Wong Hon Fai , Liu Yu Kuai , Ng Sheung Mei , Gan Min , Wong Lok Wing , Zhao Jiong , Wang Zongrong , Cheng Wang Fai , Huang Chuanwei , Fei Linfeng , Mak Chee Leung , Leung Chi Wah
Published: July 2023

Electric‐field regulation of magnetic properties in perovskite manganites has attracted much attention for its potential in spintronics. For antiferromagnetic perovskite manganites, fewer studies are reported due to technological difficulties in probing their magnetic properties. Here, negative exchange bias (EB) is realized in epitaxial antiferromagnetic/ferromagnetic manganite bilayers with atomically flat interfaces. The low‐voltage pulse modulation of EB is demonstrated using the field‐effect device geometry with the ferroelectric copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride with trifluoroethylene as a dielectric gating layer, antiferromagnetic La0.35Sr0.65MnO3 (AF‐LSMO) as pinning layer, and ferromagnetic La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (FM‐LSMO) as conduction channel. Instead of using non‐volatile polarizations to control the EB, volatile polarizations in ferroelectric field effect transistors are suggested to be capable of modulating the EB. With high‐resolution electron microscopy and spectroscopy, the non‐volatile regulation of EB is attributed to the creation/annihilation of oxygen vacancies in the AF‐LSMO layer via low‐voltage pulses. This study reveals the effect of volatile electric polarizations in ferroelectric field effect devices and highlights the potential for low‐voltage pulse control of the physical properties in antiferromagnetic perovskite oxide insulators.
A global metabolomics minefield: Confounding effects of preanalytical factors when studying rare disorders
Authors: Skogvold Hanne Bendiksen , Wilson Steven Ray Haakon , Rønning Per Ola , Ferrante Linda , Opdal Siri Hauge , Rognum Torleiv Ole , Rootwelt Helge , Elgstøen Katja Benedikte Prestø
Published: July 2023

A common challenge when studying rare diseases or medical conditions is the limited number of patients, usually resulting in long inclusion periods as well as unequal sampling and storage conditions. The main purpose of this study was to demonstrate the challenges when comparing samples subject to different preanalytical conditions. We performed a global (commonly referred to as “untargeted”) liquid chromatography‐high resolution mass spectrometry metabolomics analysis of blood samples from cases of sudden infant death syndrome and controls stored as dried blood spots on a chemical‐free filter card for 15 years at room temperature compared with the same blood samples stored as whole blood at −80°C before preparing new dried blood spots using a chemically treated filter card. Principal component analysis plots distinctly separated the samples based on the type of filter card and storage, but not sudden infant death syndrome versus controls. Note that, 1263 out of 5161 and 642 out of 1587 metabolite features detected in positive and negative ionization mode, respectively, were found to have significant 2‐fold changes in amounts corresponding to different preanalytical conditions. The study demonstrates that the dried blood spot metabolome is largely affected by preanalytical factors. This emphasizes the importance of thoroughly addressing preanalytical factors during study design and interpretation, enabling identification of real, biological differences between sample groups whilst preventing other factors or random variation to be falsely interpreted as positive results.
Emotions and financial risk‐taking in the lab: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Marini Matteo M.
Published: July 2023

This paper is a meta‐analysis of experimental studies dealing with the impact of incidental emotions (happiness, sadness, fear, and anger) on financial risk‐taking, so as to explain traditional heterogeneity of outcomes in the literature. After devising a standard search strategy and including studies that comply with a list of eligibility criteria, we code 114 effect sizes at the treatment level from 26 selected articles, and a battery of moderator variables representing design and sample characteristics. Meta‐regressions with adjusted predictions find causal impact of fear on risk aversion, albeit to a small extent. On the contrary, average null effects characterize happiness, sadness, and anger. It also turns out that when studies provide financial incentives, country‐level individualism moderates the relationship between emotions and risk‐taking by increasing risk propensity. We discuss possible interpretations of our findings.
Topographic anatomy of the submental artery and its clinical implications for reconstructive surgery
Authors: Ostrowski Patryk , Bonczar Michał , Gliwa Jakub , Henry Brandon M. , Wojciechowski Wadim , Walocha Jerzy , Koziej Mateusz
Published: July 2023

Knowledge about the anatomy of the submental artery (SA) is of immense importance when performing plastic and reconstructive procedures. A retrospective study was performed to analyze the topographic anatomy of the SA. The measurements were performed on 80 consecutive patients who underwent head and neck computed tomography angiography (CTA). The SA was present in 131 out of 137 hemifaces (95.6%). The vessel originated from the facial artery in all cases (100.0%). Moreover, the SA was found to have 0–4 branches. However, most commonly, the said artery had no branches of considerable size (51.1%). Due to the high variability of the course of the said artery, the authors of the present study created a novel classification system presenting the most prevalent courses of the SA in the submental region. The current study utilized 131 hemifaces of 80 (CTA) to create a heat map of the SA, illustrating its precise origin and course in the submental region. The findings of this study could assist surgeons in developing a mental map of the arterial anatomy of the submental region, potentially improving the efficiency of localizing the SA and reducing the risk of complications during plastic and reconstructive procedures.
Patent foramen ovale leading to mismanagement in a mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke‐like episodes patient
Authors: Salari Mehri , Etemadifar Masoud , Rashedi Ronak , Rashedi Romina
Published: July 2023

Key Clinical Message

The stroke‐like episodes and brain MRI lesions in MELAS usually have a nonischemic pattern, are resolved over time, and have a migrating pattern that helps us distinguish them from ischemic cerebral infarcts. Nevertheless, conditions such as intracardiac thromboses, PFO, and hypercoagulable state may be present concomitantly, leading to mismanagement. Therefore, further investigation and echocardiography are suggested in MELAS patients.

Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke‐like episodes (MELAS) is the most common maternally‐inherited mitochondrial disorder presenting by stroke‐like episodes, seizures, encephalopathy and muscle weakness. We report the clinical, imaging, echocardiography and muscle biopsy findings of a patient presenting by unique characteristics which have not been reported in previous cases of MELAS. The reported case is a 34 year old man with the history of three times hospitalization due to muscle weakness, encephalopathy, progressive cognitive decline, and gradual visual loss. Muscle biopsy revealed Ragged Red Fibers concomitant with mitochondrial disorders. PFO was found in echocardiography leading to mismanagement of this patient and MR imaging showed ischemic lesions with a progressive pattern. This is the first reported case of MELAS accompanying with PFO. All previous reported cases of MELAS have mentioned a fluctuating characteristic for the ischemic lesions; hence this is the first case of MELAS with the progressive pattern of ischemic lesions.
Biocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of (S)‐1‐[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethanol by an Immobilized KRED in Batch and Flow Conditions
Authors: Armani Daria , Piccolo Oreste , Petri Antonella
Published: July 2023

Both enantiomers of 1‐(3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)‐ethanol (BTPE) constitute important building‐blocks for the synthesis of active pharmaceuticals ingredients (APIs). The reduction of 3’,5’‐bis(trifluoromethyl)acetophenone (BTAP) performed with soluble and immobilized ketoreductases (KREDs) can be considered as one of the most efficient routes to produce enantiopure BTPE. In the present work, a commercial KRED was employed as biocatalyst after undergoing immobilization processes and it proved to be extremely efficient in the asymmetric synthesis of (S)‐BTPE. The immobilization was studied on a set of different commercially available supports. The best results were obtained with samples immobilized via covalent interaction on short chain amino‐functionalized support. Two reaction parameters, temperature, and solvent were optimized in the biocatalytic reduction of BTAP in batch conditions. A 90 : 10 (v/v) 2‐propanol (IPA): water solvent system and 30 °C proved to be the best reaction conditions in terms of substrate conversion and easy recovery of the product by simple solvent evaporation. Biotransformations were then performed in a flow system under optimized reaction conditions obtaining with most samples complete conversion after 24 hours and excellent enantiomeric excess (>99.9 %). Finally, the reusability of the immobilized biocatalyst was successfully tested in five consecutive reaction cycles, demonstrating the potential of this approach.
Comparative study of artificial intelligence based multi‐modelling approach and optimization of photoreactor
Authors: Chowdhury Somnath , Roychowdhury Aratrika , Lahiri Sandip Kumar
Published: July 2023

This study presents a generic methodology for modelling and optimizing a reactor with complex and poorly understood kinetics. Here, a photoreactor is considered which performs photodegradation of sodium oxalate salt in spent Bayer liquor. Multiple data‐driven modelling methods, including artificial neural networks (ANN), genetic programming (GP), hybrid genetic programming‐grey wolf optimization (GP‐GWO), and multi‐gene genetic programming (MGGP), were used to model the reactor's performance based on experimental data. The input parameters considered for modelling were initial solution pH, power of the lamp, total organic carbon, and catalyst loading. The models were evaluated based on their predictability, explainability, complexity, and adherence to the reactor's phenomenology. The MGGP model was found to be the most effective and was used to generate surface plots showing the parity between experimental results and model predictions. Additionally, the MGGP model was optimized using GWO to determine the process conditions that maximize the reaction rate.
The Prenucleation Equilibrium of the Parathyroid Hormone Determines the Critical Aggregation Concentration and Amyloid Fibril Nucleation
Authors: Voigt Bruno , Bhatia Twinkle , Hesselbarth Julia , Baumann Monika , Schmidt Carla , Ott Maria , Balbach Jochen
Published: July 2023

Nucleation and growth of amyloid fibrils were found to only occur in supersaturated solutions above a critical concentration (ccrit). The biophysical meaning of ccrit remained mostly obscure, since typical low values of ccrit in the sub‐μM range hamper investigations of potential oligomeric states and their structure. Here, we investigate the parathyroid hormone PTH84 as an example of a functional amyloid fibril forming peptide with a comparably high ccrit of 67±21 μM. We describe a complex concentration dependent prenucleation ensemble of oligomers of different sizes and secondary structure compositions and highlight the occurrence of a trimer and tetramer at ccrit as possible precursors for primary fibril nucleation. Furthermore, the soluble state found in equilibrium with fibrils adopts to the prenucleation state present at ccrit. Our study sheds light onto early events of amyloid formation directly related to the critical concentration and underlines oligomer formation as a key feature of fibril nucleation. Our results contribute to a deeper understanding of the determinants of supersaturated peptide solutions. In the current study we present a biophysical approach to investigate ccrit of amyloid fibril formation of PTH84 in terms of secondary structure, cluster size and residue resolved intermolecular interactions during oligomer formation. Throughout the investigated range of concentrations (1 μM to 500 μM) we found different states of oligomerization with varying ability to contribute to primary fibril nucleation and with a concentration dependent equilibrium. In this context, we identified the previously described ccrit of PTH84 to mark a minimum concentration for the formation of homo‐trimers/tetramers. These investigations allowed us to characterize molecular interactions of various oligomeric states that are further converted into elongation competent fibril nuclei during the lag phase of a functional amyloid forming peptide.
Two‐level scheduling of an active power distribution network by considering demand response program and uncertainties
Authors: Rahnama Alireza , Dejamkhooy Abdolmajid , Shayeghi Hossein
Published: July 2023

This study investigates a hierarchical approach for modeling the mutual impacts of distribution network (DN) decisions and microgrids in a multi‐microgrid system under the cover of a two‐level problem. Due to the conflicting interests of decision‐makers in an active DN, the optimization problem has a hierarchical structure, with distribution companies (Discos) at the top attempting to maximize profits and microgrids at the bottom attempting to reduce costs. This study examines the relationship between the unpredictability of renewable energy sources and power demand. In this mechanism, the influence of the demand response program (DRP) is also considered an important aspect of intelligent systems. The two‐level nonlinear optimization problem has been transformed to a one‐level linear problem using dual theory and KKT conditions. According to the findings of the studies, even though cost reduction is the sole objective of scheduling in centralized mode, applying DRP to the system results in a 16% reduction in overall costs for the two‐level scheduling method, and a 22% reduction in daily costs when compared to two‐level scheduling without DRP.
Real‐time hybrid simulation for fluid‐structure interaction: Structures under seismic and hydrodynamic forces
Authors: Zhou Zihao , Zhang Dan , Zhang Yafei , Gao Shuling , Yue Yanan , Li Ning
Published: July 2023

A new real‐time hybrid simulation (RTHS) scheme for fluid‐structure interaction to investigate structures subjected to seismic and hydrodynamic forces is proposed. In traditional testing of underwater structures, the conflict between scaled specimen and unscaled water makes only partial similarity laws can be satisfied. In the proposed scheme, the hydrodynamic force is regarded as physical substructure (PS) and the target structure under earthquake is regarded as numerical substructure (NS). In RTHS, the deformation and displacement of NS are calculated and sent to the controller of loading system. Loading system deforms and drives the “skin” that makes the state of “skin” identical to that of NS, and then the hydrodynamic force on structure is measured and fed back to NS by sensors. “Skin” is a shell whose shape is consistent with target structure and sensors are arranged on the “skin” to measure the hydrodynamic force. Due to NS is simulated and PS is experimentally measured, only the similarity laws of hydrodynamic force should be satisfied in experiment, and the conflict of traditional testing can be avoided. For verifying the proposed scheme, five evaluation indexes proposed by a benchmark problem of RTHS and a modified index are used to quantitatively analyze the experimental results. The results indicate that the response of underwater structures under an earthquake can be accurately obtained by proposed RTHS scheme. Moreover, the proposed scheme is not only applicable to still water but also has the potential to be applied to the environment of waves and currents.
Profiles of diversity and inclusion motivation: Toward an employee‐centered understanding of why employees put effort into inclusion and exclusion
Authors: Dawson Niamh E. A. , Parker Stacey L. , Okimoto Tyler G.
Published: July 2023

Despite their prevalence, workplace diversity and inclusion (D&I) practices continue to produce inconsistent effects on employee attitudes and behaviors. This shines a light on the need for evidence‐based approaches in understanding how employees enact D&I goals. Drawing on self‐determination theory, we argue that employee D&I motivation is an untapped pathway for understanding how inclusion‐supportive employee outcomes (i.e., more inclusion and less exclusion) emerge. In addition, we leverage attribution theory to inform when employee motivation can be shaped, demonstrating that employee attributions of the intentions behind their organization's D&I practices play an important role in shaping their subsequent D&I motivation. Across two studies, latent profile analysis identified five distinct profiles of D&I motivation, which were differentially related to inclusion and exclusion (Study 1) and predicted by D&I attributions (Studies 1 and 2). Combined, these findings highlight the importance of understanding employee motivations and attributions within the context of D&I. Such knowledge can inform how employees enact inclusion goals, which has the potential to help organizations realize the desired benefits of diversity.
Legitimization of data quality management practices in health management information systems: A soft systems methodology perspective
Authors: Msendema Martin Bright , Chigona Wallace , Kumwenda Benjamin , Kaasbøll Jens , Kanjo Chipo
Published: July 2023

Recognizing the significance of data for policy change to improve population health, many developing countries and Health Partners have invested for decades in Health Management Information System (HMIS). Despite huge investments in technologies and capacity building to support the management of routine health data, there is still a problem in trying to make substantial improvements on gains made so far. A number of researchers have reported on lack of motivation, ownership, data use and work overload as some of the reasons explaining the persistent problem with routine health data quality. However not much has been reported on how legitimacy seekers and providers negotiate for the legitimacy of data quality management practices. We drew on this gap to explore how gaps are negotiated between the legitimacy seekers and the legitimacy providers when seeking legitimacy of data quality management practices in HMIS at micro level. Using institutional theory pillars: institutionalization and legitimation, we framed our qualitative study in soft systems methodology (SSM). We collected data using observations, semi‐structured interviews, and study of artifacts to answer our question based on the Malawi's District Health Information System (DHIS2) use case. Our findings revealed three factors shaping the gap negotiation: coercive approach, technical support and social relationship and moral judgment. The paper's contribution is two‐fold, (a) from a practical perspective we identify the pertinent context issues that come into play when negotiating a gap between the data cadres and the managers (from the Ministry of Health and partners) in the course of seeking legitimacy of data quality management practices; (b) theoretically we promote the application of SSM models with an institutional perspective in making sense of complex situations relating to legitimation.
Impact of a computer‐assisted pharmacy transitions of care process on medication de‐prescribing when transferring from the intensive care unit
Authors: Nulph Douglas , Bone Rachel , Jacobs Anna , Kimmons Lauren A.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Our hospital instituted a computer‐generated intensive care unit (ICU) transitions of care task which prompts pharmacists to evaluate patients with orders to transfer out of the ICU and includes the scope of practice to de‐prescribe medications based upon set criteria.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort analysis of adult patients transferred from the ICU to a lower level of care. The primary objective was to describe the number and type of interventions documented after implementation. The secondary objective was to compare, before and after implementation, the percent of inappropriate target medications discontinued within 12 h of ICU transfer order and continued upon hospital discharge.

Results

In the 1‐year period after implementation, pharmacists identified interventions on 1290 of 3718 patients (34.7%) with transfer orders and documented a total of 1728 interventions. Data for 150 patients in each the pre‐implementation group and post‐implementation group were compared. Significantly more target acid suppressing medications and quetiapine were discontinued within 12 h of transfer order in the post‐ versus pre‐implementation group (famotidine 46% vs. 10%, p = 0.005; pantoprazole 80% vs. 5.5%, p < 0.001; quetiapine 71.4% vs. 10%, p = 0.005). Acid‐suppressing prescriptions started inpatient and continued at hospital discharge without indication were also reduced (famotidine 6.7% vs. 40%, p = 0.022; pantoprazole 6% vs. 41.1%, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Implementation of a pharmacist ICU transitions of care process was simple and resulted in pharmacist‐initiated medication reconciliation in one third of patients. The process significantly reduced the amount of inappropriate acid‐suppressing medications continued on ICU transfer and hospital discharge, as well as quetiapine continued on ICU transfer.
Structure and properties of the acellular porcine cornea irradiated with electron beam and its in‐situ implantation
Authors: Li Qing , Sun Yajun , Zhao Haibin , Gao Zhiyong , Zhai Dongjie
Published: July 2023

Different sterilization doses of the electron beam (E‐beam) will change the properties of biomaterials and affect their clinical application. Acellular porcine cornea (APC) is a promising corneal substitute to alleviate the shortage of corneal resources. The residual DNA was significantly reduced to 18.50 ± 3.19 ng/mg, and the clearance rate of α‐Gal was close to 100% after the treatment with freezing–thawing combined enzyme, indicating that the decellularization was effective. The effects of different E‐beam doses at 0, 2, 8, 15, and 25 kGy on the APC were studied. With the increase in irradiation dose, the transmittance, tensile strength, and swelling ratio of APC gradually decreased, but the resistance to enzymatic degradation was stronger than that of non‐irradiated APC, especially at 8 kGy. The structure of APC was denser after irradiation, but the dose of 25 kGy could cause partial collagen fiber fracture and increase the pore size. The cell viability of the APC irradiated by 15 and 25 kGy were greater than 80%. After the implantation in rabbit corneas, there was no obvious neovascularization and inflammation, but the dose of 25 kGy had a more destructive effect on the chemical bonds of collagen, which made the APC easier to be degraded. The thickness of APC in the 25 kGy group was thinner than that in the 15 kGy group 1 year after surgery, and the epithelium grew more slowly, so the E‐beam dose of 15 kGy might be more suitable for the sterilization of APC.
Feasibility of dual‐energy CBCT material decomposition in the human torso with 2D anti‐scatter grids and grid‐based scatter sampling
Authors: Altunbas Cem
Published: July 2023

Background

Dual‐energy (DE) imaging techniques in cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) have potential clinical applications, including material quantification and improved tissue visualization. However, the performance of DE CBCT is limited by the effects of scattered radiation, which restricts its use to small object imaging.

Purpose

This study investigates the feasibility of DE CBCT material decomposition by reducing scatter with a 2D anti‐scatter grid and a measurement‐based scatter correction method. Specifically, the investigation focuses on iodine quantification accuracy and virtual monoenergetic (VME) imaging in phantoms that mimic head, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis anatomies.

Methods

A 2D anti‐scatter grid prototype was utilized with a residual scatter correction method in a linac‐mounted CBCT system to investigate the effects of robust scatter suppression in DE CBCT. Scans were acquired at 90 and 140 kVp using phantoms that mimic head, thorax, and abdomen/pelvis anatomies. Iodine vials with varying concentrations were placed in each phantom, and CBCT images were decomposed into iodine and water basis material images. The effect of a 2D anti‐scatter grid with and without residual scatter correction on iodine concentration quantification and contrast visualization in VME images was evaluated. To benchmark iodine concentration quantification accuracy, a similar set of experiments and DE processing were also performed with a conventional multidetector CT scanner.

Results

In CBCT images, a 2D grid with or without scatter correction can differentiate iodine and water after DE processing in human torso‐sized phantom images. However, iodine quantification errors were up to 10 mg/mL in pelvis phantoms when only the 2D grid was used. Adding scatter correction to 2D‐grid CBCT reduced iodine quantification errors below 1.5 mg/mL in pelvis phantoms, comparable to iodine quantification errors in multidetector CT. While a noticeable contrast‐to‐noise ratio improvement was not observed in VME CBCT images, contrast visualization was substantially better in 40 keV VME images in visual comparisons with 90 and 140 kVp CBCT images across all phantom sizes investigated.

Conclusions

This study indicates that accurate DE decomposition is potentially feasible in DE CBCT of the human torso if robust scatter suppression is achieved with 2D anti‐scatter grids and residual scatter correction. This approach can potentially enable better contrast visualization and tissue and contrast agent quantification in various CBCT applications.
Establishing quality control action limits for CT number accuracy in spectral images using an American College of Radiology phantom
Authors: Duan Xinhui , Zhang Yue
Published: July 2023

Background

Computed tomography (CT) number accuracy is important for quality assurance in CT imaging. However, in dual‐energy CT imaging, there are no widely used action limits for CT number accuracy in spectral images, information that is urgently needed.

Purpose

To establish action limits for spectral CT images using longitudinal spectral data and an American College of Radiology (ACR) phantom.

Methods

An ACR accreditation phantom was scanned routinely as part of a quality control program in our institution. We selected and analyzed 57 continuous weekly scans. The CT numbers or the density values of conventional and spectral images, including virtual monoenergetic images (40, 50, 70, 120, and 200 keV), iodine maps, calcium suppressed, and virtual non‐contrast images, were measured in the four inserts (solid water, bone, polyethylene, and acrylic) of the phantom. Longitudinal data were analyzed for correlation using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and standard deviation (SD). The SD ratios between spectral images and conventional images were calculated and the action limits for spectral images were established based on the action limits from the ACR.

Results

Strong to very strong correlations (r > 0.70 or r < −0.70) were found among most spectral image types except the 200 keV images using solid water, polyethylene, and acrylic inserts (r = [−0.45, 0.64]). The SD ratio was highest for the 40 keV images, ranging from 2.8 to 6.5. The action limits of the bone insert were baseline ± 5.3 mg/mL for the iodine map and ranged from baseline ± 23.0 HU to baseline ± 391.9 HU for the other image types. The action limits for solid water ranged from baseline ± 4.1 HU to baseline ± 25.3 HU. The results for the polyethylene and the acrylic insert were close to those for solid water. Baselines can be established using the average of the initial 5∼10 measurements.

Conclusions

Using longitudinal data, we estimated the action limits for CT number accuracy in the spectral images. This paves the way for establishing a comprehensive quality control program for spectral CT imaging.