bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wearable sensor-based gait analysis to discriminate early Parkinson’s disease from essential tremor
Authors: Lin Shinuan , Gao Chao , Li Hongxia , Huang Pei , Ling Yun , Chen Zhonglue , Ren Kang , Chen Shengdi
Published: February 2023

Background

Differentiating early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD) from essential tremor (ET) is challenging since they have some overlapping clinical features. Since early-stage PD may present with slight gait impairment and ET generally does not, gait analysis could be used to differentiate PD from ET using machine learning.

Objective

To differentiate early-stage PD from ET via machine learning using gait and postural transition parameters calculated using the raw kinematic signal captured from inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors.

Methods

Gait and postural transition parameters were collected from 84 early-stage PD and 80 ET subjects during the Time Up and Go (TUG) test. We randomly split our data into training and test data. Within the training data, we separated the TUG test into four components: standing, straight walk, turning, and sitting to build weighted average ensemble classification models. The four components’ weight indices were trained using logistic regression. Several ensemble models’ leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) performances were compared. Independent test data were used to evaluate the model with the best LOOCV performance.

Results

The best weighted average ensemble classification model LOOCV results included an accuracy of 84%, Kappa of 0.68, sensitivity of 85.9%, specificity of 82.1%, and AUC of 0.912. Thirty-three gait and postural transition parameters, such as Arm–Symbolic Symmetry Index and 180° Turn–Max Angular Velocity, were included in Feature Group III. The independent test data achieved a 75.8% accuracy.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that gait and postural transition parameters obtained from wearable sensors combined with machine learning had the potential to distinguish between early-stage PD and ET.
Correction to: Conormal Spaces and Whitney Stratifications
Authors: Helmer Martin , Nanda Vidit
Published: February 2023

This note remedies an error in our paper tilted Conormal Spaces and Whitney Stratifications (Found. Comput. Math., 2022).
How school culture affects teachers’ classroom implementation of learning from professional development
Authors: McChesney Katrina , Cross Jenny
Published: February 2023

A core element of almost all educational improvement efforts is an intention to improve teacher practice in order to enhance student- and system-level outcomes. To this end, a range of strategies are deployed to facilitate teacher professional learning and development, with great investments of time, financial, and human resources. However, the environments in which teachers learn and their impact on teachers’ implementation of new learning remain underexamined. By considering how the psychosocial learning environments present in schools affect the teacher development process, there is scope to enhance the impacts of professional development. This study explored how aspects of school climate and culture (that is, the learning environments that teachers experience) affect teachers’ classroom implementation of their professional learning. Qualitative data were gathered from 36 teachers in New Zealand through focus groups and analysed via reflexive thematic analysis following a latent inductive approach. Five areas of school climate and culture were identified that, according to the teachers, affected their implementation of new professional learning. These areas were: leadership engagement/actions; the change environment; relationships; beliefs and attitudes related to TPLD; and all being on the same page. Understanding the roles these five areas play provides insights into how school leaders and policymakers can seek to shape the learning environments that surround teachers’ daily classroom practice in order to facilitate learning and improvement for all.
Judicial Law-Making in the Criminal Decisions of the Polish Supreme Court and the German Federal Court of Justice: A Comparative View
Authors: Małolepszy Maciej , Głuchowski Michał
Published: February 2023

This paper investigates the phenomenon of judicial law-making in the practice of the highest courts dealing with criminal matters in Germany and Poland on the basis of 200 of their decisions. While German jurisprudence principally acknowledges the right of the judiciary to create new law, the Polish legal theory generally rejects this notion. Still, research indicates that, in practice, the differences in the frequency and intensity with which these courts pass creative rulings are not as substantial as the discrepancy in the theoretical stance would suggest. Owing to circumstances, both the German Federal Court of Justice and the Polish Supreme Court are willing to create new legal norms, but the dimensions of judicial law-making presented by these bodies deviate from each other. In the research sample, the German Federal Court of Justice was more inclined to introduce legal institutions that were foreign to the statutes and rule against the will of the lawmaker explicitly stated in the preparatory works. On the other hand, the Polish Supreme Court used logical conclusions more often, but did not also refrain from passing rulings against the clear wording of the statutory law, and was just as willing to go beyond the wording of the law as was the German Federal Court of Justice. Notably, only the German apex court is willing to openly admit that it creates new legal norms, whereas the Polish Supreme Court does not concede in the reasons that its decisions are of a law-making nature, especially when it applies so-called “interpretation in the wider sense”—which is, in essence, a “concealed” way of creating new legal norms.
Differential plasma protein expression after ingestion of essential amino acid-based dietary supplement verses whey protein in low physical functioning older adults
Authors: Azhar Gohar , Verma Ambika , Zhang Xiaomin , Pangle Amanda , Patyal Pankaj , Zhang Wei , Che Yingni , Coker Karen , Wolfe Robert R. , Wei Jeanne Y.
Published: February 2023

In a recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we were able to demonstrate the superiority of a dietary supplement composed of essential amino acids (EAAs) over whey protein, in older adults with low physical function. In this paper, we describe the comparative plasma protein expression in the same subject groups of EAAs vs whey. The plasma proteomics data was generated using SOMA scan assay. A total of twenty proteins were found to be differentially expressed in both groups with a 1.5-fold change. Notably, five proteins showed a significantly higher fold change expression in the EAA group which included adenylate kinase isoenzyme 1, casein kinase II 2-alpha, Nascent polypeptide-associated complex subunit alpha, peroxiredoxin-1, and peroxiredoxin-6. These five proteins might have played a significant role in providing energy for the improved cardiac and muscle strength of older adults with LPF. On the other hand, fifteen proteins showed slightly lower fold change expression in the EAA group. Some of these 15 proteins regulate metabolism and were found to be associated with inflammation or other comorbidities. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis showed the association of these proteins with several biological processes. Furthermore, protein–protein interaction network analysis also showed distinct networks between upregulated and downregulated proteins. In conclusion, the important biological roles of the upregulated proteins plus better physical function of participants in the EAAs vs whey group demonstrated that EAAs have the potential to improve muscle strength and physical function in older adults. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03424265 “Nutritional interventions in heart failure.”
Plasma microglial-derived extracellular vesicles are increased in frail patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and exert a neurotoxic effect
Authors: Visconte C. , Golia M.T. , Fenoglio C. , Serpente M. , Gabrielli M. , Arcaro M. , Sorrentino F. , Busnelli M. , Arighi A. , Fumagalli G. , Rotondo E. , Rossi P. , Arosio B. , Scarpini E. , Verderio C. , Galimberti D.
Published: February 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are mediators of cellular communication that can be released by almost all cell types in both physiological and pathological conditions and are present in most biological fluids. Such characteristics make them attractive in the research of biomarkers for age-related pathological conditions. Based on this, the aim of the present study was to examine the changes in EV concentration and size in the context of frailty, a geriatric syndrome associated with a progressive physical and cognitive decline. Specifically, total EVs and neural and microglial-derived EVs (NDVs and MDVs respectively) were investigated in plasma of frail and non-frail controls (CTRL), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects, and in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. Results provided evidence that AD patients displayed diminished NDV concentration (3.61 × 109± 1.92 × 109vs 7.16 × 109± 4.3 × 109particles/ml) and showed high diagnostic performance. They are able to discriminate between AD and CTRL with an area under the curve of 0.80, a sensitivity of 78.95% and a specificity of 85.7%, considering the cut-off of 5.27 × 109particles/ml. Importantly, we also found that MDV concentration was increased in frail MCI patients compared to CTRL (5.89 × 109± 3.98 × 109vs 3.16 × 109± 3.04 × 109particles/ml,P< 0.05) and showed high neurotoxic effect on neurons. MDV concentration discriminate frail MCI vs non-frail CTRL (AUC = 0.76) with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 70%, considering the cut-off of 2.69 × 109particles/ml. Altogether, these results demonstrated an alteration in NDV and MDV release during cognitive decline, providing important insight into the role of EVs in frailty status.
Aufsuchende Psychotherapie
Authors: Fellöcker Kurt
Published: February 2023

Die vorliegende Arbeit der Zeitschrift für Psychodrama und Soziometrie bezieht sich auf eine umfangreiche Literaturanalyse und ein abgeschlossenes Forschungsprojekt im Erhebungszeitraum 2017–2019 (also vor der Pandemie) mit einem vorrangig qualitativen Zugang. Sie befasst sich mit der konkreten methodischen psychotherapeutischen Arbeit mit vulnerablen Familien in einem aufsuchenden Setting im Rahmen der „Therapeutisch ambulanten Familienbetreuung“ (TAF) in Salzburg und stellt die Frage wie sich die Arbeit mit dem realen sozialen Atom von Klient*innen mit familiären Problemen psychotherapeutisch fördernd gestalten lässt. Beschrieben wird dazu der Wandel der Institution Familie, die sich in statistischen Zahlen zu Formen des Zusammenlebens, aber auch der Kindeswohlgefährdungen zeigt. Die Relevanz von sozialen Netzwerken zur Vermeidung von Störungen und Exklusionsprozessen wird diskutiert und schließlich werden psychodrama-psychotherapeutische Handlungsoptionen für dieses Setting vorgestellt. Der diagnostischen Relevanz des sozialen Atoms, der Bedeutung der Übernahme von Hilfs-Ich-Kompetenz, einer dialogischen Grundhaltung und der Bereitschaft zur personalen Präsenz kommt dabei eine besondere Bedeutung zu. Kernprozess der psychotherapeutischen Betreuung ist die Arbeit an der Aushandlung von Rollenerwartungen zur Herstellung konstruktiver Rollenkonfigurationen. Die Erreichung wichtiger Metaziele wie Inklusion, Verbesserung der Erziehungsfähigkeit, Förderung des Kindeswohls, Vermeidung von Fremdunterbringungen und Reduktion der Elternbelastung wird damit wahrscheinlicher.
Spatial Resilience to Wildfires through the Optimal Deployment of Firefighting Resources: Impact of Topography on Initial Attack Effectiveness
Authors: Sakellariou Stavros , Sfougaris Athanassios , Christopoulou Olga , Tampekis Stergios
Published: February 2023

Strongly affected by the escalating impacts of climate change, wildfires have been increasing in frequency and severity around the world. The primary aim of this study was the development of specific territorial measures—estimating the optimal locations of firefighting resources—to enhance the spatial resilience to wildfires in the fire-prone region of Chalkidiki Prefecture in northern Greece. These measures focus on the resistance to wildfires and the adaptation of strategies to wildfire management, based on the estimation of burn probability, including the effect of anthropogenic factors on fire ignition. The proposed location schemes of firefighting resources such as vehicles consider both the susceptibility to fire and the influence of the topography on travel simulation, highlighting the impact of road slope on the initial firefighting attack. The spatial scheme, as well as the number of required firefighting forces is totally differentiated due to slope impact. When we ignore the topography effect, a minimum number of fire vehicles is required to achieve the maximization of coverage (99.2% of the entire study area) giving priority to the most susceptible regions (that is, employing 18 of 24 available fire vehicles). But when we adopt more realistic conditions that integrate the slope effect with travel time, the model finds an optimal solution that requires more resources (that is, employing all 24 available fire vehicles) to maximize the coverage of the most vulnerable regions within 27 min. This process achieves 80% of total coverage. The proposed methodology is characterized by a high degree of flexibility, and provides optimized solutions to decision makers, while considering key factors that greatly affect the effectiveness of the initial firefighting attack.
Exploring the Arena of Work Disability Prevention Model for Stay at Work Factors Among Industrial Workers: A Scoping Review
Authors: Six Dijkstra Marianne Wilhelmina Maria Christina , Bieleman Hendrik J. , Soer Remko , Reneman Michiel F. , Gross Douglas P.
Published: February 2023

Objective

The aging workforce influences employability and health of the working population, with new challenges emerging. The focus has shifted from return to work only, to enhancing ability to stay at work. It is unclear whether factors that influence return to work (RTW) also apply to preserving health and helping workers stay at work (SAW). Study objectives were to identify factors contributing to SAW among industrial workers and map identified factors to the Arena of Work Disability Prevention model (WDP-Arena, a commonly used RTW model) to identify agreements and differences.

Methods

Scoping review; eight databases were searched between January 2005- January 2020. Manuscripts with SAW as outcome were included; manuscripts with (early) retirement as outcome were excluded. Factors contributing to SAW were mapped against the components of the WDP-Arena.

Results

Thirteen manuscripts were included. Most results aligned with the WDP-Arena. These were most often related to the Workplace and Personal system. Compared to RTW, in industrial workers fewer factors related to the Legislative and Insurance system or Health Care system were relevant for SAW. Societal/cultural/political context was not studied. Multidimensional factors (workability, vitality at work, balanced workstyle, general health, dietary habits) were related to SAW but did not align with components in the WDP-Arena.

Conclusion

Most factors that determine SAW in industrial workers could be mapped onto the WDP- Arena model. However, new influencing factors were found that could not be mapped because they are multidimensional. The life-course perspective in SAW is more evident than in RTW. Many elements of the Legislative and Insurance system and the Health Care system have not been studied.
Semi-anechoic chamber for electromagnetic compatibility tests of electric propulsion thrusters
Authors: Rover Yannik , Thüringer Rainer , Volkmar Chris , Probst Uwe , Kiefer Felix , Holste Kristof , Klar Peter J.
Published: February 2023

The present work deals with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) investigations in the field of electric propulsion (EP). A semi-anechoic chamber (SAC) was set up to perform EMC tests with thrusters under operating conditions. The facility includes a semi-anechoic room and a vacuum tank. The measurement electronics currently have an upper frequency limit at 18 GHz. Initial measurements were done operating a Pulsed Plasma Thruster (PPT) to familiarize with the electronic systems. The same device under test (DUT) was investigated in a reverberation chamber (RVC) to obtain comparative results which showed good agreement. Furthermore, the anechoic chamber shows satisfactory initial measurement characteristics, which will be further tested and improved in the future. Characteristics such as chamber pressure, base noise show realistic values. The next steps are to perform measurements on radio-frequency ion thrusters (RIT) including peripherals and cabling.
Are Books Still 'Different'?
Authors: Koegler Caroline , Norrick-Rühl Corinna
Published: February 2023

The famous 1962 precedent at the Restrictive Practices Court of the United Kingdom, 'Books are different,' is still the reasoning behind many cultural policies around the world, building on longstanding assumptions surrounding 'the book'. As this suggests, the 'difference' of the book as a unique form of cultural (rather than economic) production has acquired a powerful status. But are books still different? In (somewhat provocatively) asking this question from a network-oriented and interdisciplinary perspective (book studies/literary studies), this Element inquires into the notion of 'difference' in relation to books. Challenging common notions of 'bibliodiversity,' it reconsiders the lack of diversity in the publishing industry. It also engages with the diversifying potentials of the digital literary sphere, offering a case study of Bernardine Evaristo's industry activities and activism, the Element concludes with thoughts on bookishness, affect and networked practice. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Single-pilot airline operations: Designing the aircraft may be the easy part
Authors: Harris D.
Published: February 2023

For financial and operational reasons many aircraft manufacturers are working on the development of single-pilot commercial aircraft. It is suggested that cargo operations may commence in the early 2030s followed by passenger flights later that decade. Two technological approaches for the development of single-pilot airliners are being developed either based upon extant technology and operating concepts derived from uninhabited aviation systems and military aircraft, or alternatively based upon high levels of onboard autonomy/automation. This review considers the economic, technological, regulatory (safety) and societal acceptance of the single-pilot airliner, and examines some of the operational challenges that airlines may face. It is suggested that while the technological and safety challenges may be resolved, it is the operational challenges that may determine if the concept is ultimately viable.
A survey of United States adult privacy perspectives and willingness to share real-world data
Authors: Hendricks-Sturrup Rachele M. , Lu Christine Y.
Published: February 2023

Objective:

Real-world data privacy is a complex yet underexplored topic. To date, few studies have reported adult perspectives around real-world data privacy and willingness to share real-world data with researchers.

Methods:

Relevant survey items were identified in the literature, adapted and pilot tested among a small convenience sample, and finalized for distribution. The survey was distributed electronically in April 2021 among adults (≥18 years of age) registered in ResearchMatch (www.researchmatch.org). Microsoft Excel was used to assess descriptive statistics across demographical items and four privacy-related items.

Results:

Of 402 completed responses received, half of respondents (∼50%) expressed willingness to share their prescription history data and music streaming data with researchers and unwillingness to share real-world data from several other sources. Most (53–93%) of participants expressed concern with five statements reflecting the sharing and use of their digital data online. Most participants (71–75%) agreed with four statements focused on individual measures taken to protect their personal privacy and disagreed (77–85%) with two statements centered on not being concerned about sharing or 3rd party access to their personal data online.

Conclusions:

Our observations indicate an important yet unmet need to further explore and address real-world data privacy concerns among US adults engaging as prospective research participants.
The Boston Freedom Schools as Places of Possibility for Reciprocal Integrated Education
Authors: Napier Alyssa
Published: February 2023

In 1963 and 1964, organizers in Boston held Freedom Stay-Outs—one-day school boycotts—to protest the neglect of predominantly Black schools from the Boston School Committee, the governing body of the Boston Public Schools. Boycotting students attended Freedom Schools, where they learned about Black history and discussed issues facing Black youth. This article examines the 1964 Stay-Out and Freedom Schools as spaces where Black educators, organizers, parents, and students developed and enacted a vision of integrated education distinct from the dominant models of integration proposed in Boston and across the nation post-Brown v. Board (1954). The 1964 Freedom Schools modeled reciprocal integration, a vision for integrated education that promotes bidirectional physical and cultural movement, rather than the dominant model of integration that moved Black children into white schools to be taught white history and culture. Reciprocal integration was developed through Black parents’ and students’ educational testimony, the Stay-Out organizers’ own educational analysis, and the practical necessity of interracial organizing.
School and Community in the All-Day Neighborhood Schools of New York City, 1936-1971
Authors: Klepper Rachel
Published: February 2023

This article explores the All-Day Neighborhood Schools (ADNS) program, operated as a partnership between the New York City Board of Education and local philanthropists from 1936 to 1971. Designed to expand the resources available to children and parents, the program included after-school activities, additional teachers, professional development, social workers, and parent engagement at fourteen public elementary schools across the city. Through a study of two program sites, I examine how this public-private partnership functioned, and trace changes in the motivations of its leadership, from a focus on recreation and democracy during World War II, to juvenile delinquency prevention, to compensatory education. I argue that ADNS's ability to transform public schooling in New York City was limited by its separation from the rest of the school system, which came about through its dependance on outside philanthropy and its consistent formulation as a supplemental program rather than as a fundamental part of children's education.
A blending analysis of metaphors and metonymies used to depict the deal of the century by Jordanian cartoonists
Authors: Zibin Aseel , Altakhaineh Abdel Rahman Mitib
Published: February 2023

This study analyzes 30 cartoons depictingtheDeal of theCenturyas envisaged by two Jordanian cartoonists. Conceptual Blending Theory (Fauconnier and Turner [2008,Cambridge handbook of metaphor and thought, Cambridge University Press, 53–66]) and Multimodal Metaphor Theory (Forceville, 2008) are adopted as theoretical frameworks. The results reveal that the target domaintheDeal of theCenturywas conceptualized mainly through layered metaphors that have metonymic basis and event metaphors/allegories. Five groups were identified:objector a situation involvingobjects, situations involvinghumans/hybridsofhumansandobjects, ananimalor situation involvinganimal, hybrids ofweaponsandhumans, and event metaphors used to build a story/allegory. The results demonstrate that the most widely used configuration to construe the metaphors was cross-modal of the type pictorial source–verbal target in line with Lan and Zuo (2016,Metaphor and the Social World6, 20–51). This was probably due to the greater conceptual density and concreteness of visual representation as the target is better captured verbally because of its abstractness. In contrast, the source domains were mainly concrete and thus perceivable pictorially rather than verbally. The study mainly demonstrates the effect that metaphor and metonymy found in political cartoons can have on the perception of the target domain by the audience and by extension their attitude toward it.
Conceptual Replication of Four Key Findings about Factual Corrections and Misinformation during the 2020 US Election: Evidence from Panel-Survey Experiments
Authors: Coppock Alexander , Gross Kimberly , Porter Ethan , Thorson Emily , Wood Thomas J.
Published: February 2023

In the final two months of the 2020 US election, we conducted eight panel experiments to evaluate the immediate and medium-term effects of misinformation and factual corrections. Our results corroborate four sets of existing findings: fact-checks reliably improve factual accuracy, while misinformation degrades it; effects of fact-checks on belief accuracy endure, though they fade with time; effects on attitudes are minuscule; and there are important partisan asymmetries. We also offer one new empirical finding suggesting that effect heterogeneities by personality type and cognitive style may reflect attention paid to treatments. Our study confirms that the fundamental push and pull of misinformation and factual corrections on political beliefs holds even in electoral settings as saturated with mistruths as the 2020 US election.
Socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities in incidence and severity of enteric fever in England 2015–2019: analysis of a national enhanced surveillance system
Authors: Buczkowska Matylda , Jenkins Claire , Hawker Jeremy , Hungerford Daniel , Katwa Parisha , Kirkbride Hilary , Byrne Lisa
Published: February 2023

There is limited research on whether inequalities exist among individuals from different ethnicities and deprivation status among enteric fever cases. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between the enteric fever incidence rates, ethnicity and deprivation for enteric fever cases in England. Additionally, it was assessed if ethnicity and deprivation were associated with symptom severity, hospital admission and absence from school/work using logistic regression models. Incidence rates were higher in the two most deprived index of multiple deprivation quintiles and those of Pakistani ethnicity (9.89, 95% CI 9.08–10.75) followed by Indian (7.81, 95% CI 7.18–8.49) and Bangladeshi (5.68, 95% CI 4.74–6.76) groups: the incidence rate in the White group was 0.07 (95% CI 0.06–0.08). Individuals representing Pakistani (3.00, 95% CI 1.66–5.43), Indian (2.05, 95% CI 1.18–3.54) and Other/Other Asian (3.51, 95% CI 1.52–8.14) ethnicities had significantly higher odds of hospital admission than individuals representing White (British/Other) ethnicity, although all three groups had statistically significantly lower symptom severity scores. Our results show that there are significant ethnic and socioeconomic inequalities in enteric fever incidence that should inform prevention and treatment strategies. Targeted, community-specific public health interventions are needed to impact on overall burden.
Pulmonary vasodilator therapies in pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with CHD: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Yasuhara Jun , Watanabe Kae , Watanabe Atsuyuki , Shirasu Takuro , Matsuzaki Yuichi , Watanabe Hirofumi , Takagi Hisato , Sumitomo Naokata , Kuno Toshiki
Published: February 2023

The optimal treatment strategy using pulmonary vasodilators in pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with CHD (PAH-CHD) remains controversial. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of pulmonary vasodilators in PAH-CHD. PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched through May 2022 and a network meta-analysis was conducted. The primary outcomes were mean difference of changes in 6-minute walk distance, NYHA functional class, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide. The secondary outcomes included pulmonary vascular resistance, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, and resting oxygen saturation. We identified 14 studies, yielding 807 patients with PAH-CHD. Bosentan and sildenafil were associated with a significant increase in 6-minute walk distance from baseline compared with placebo (MD 48.92 m, 95% CI 0.32 to 97.55 and MD 59.70 m, 95% CI 0.88 to 118.53, respectively). Bosentan, sildenafil, and combination of bosentan and sildenafil were associated with significant improvement in NYHA functional class compared with placebo (MD −0.33, 95% CI −0.51 to −0.14, MD −0.58, 95% CI −0.75 to −0.22 and MD −0.62, 95% CI −0.92 to −0.31, respectively). Bosentan and sildenafil were also associated with significant improvements in secondary outcomes. These findings were largely confirmed in the subgroup analysis. Various adverse events were reported; however, serious adverse event rates were relatively low (4.8–8.7%), including right heart failure, acute kidney injury, respiratory failure, hypotension, and discontinuation of pulmonary vasodilators. In conclusion, bosentan and sildenafil were the most effective in improving prognostic risk factor such as 6-minute walk distance and NYHA class. Overall, pulmonary vasodilators were well tolerated in PAH-CHD.
Rossini's Self-Borrowings as a Stylistic Weapon
Authors: Carnini Daniele
Published: February 2023

Between 1812 and 1816 Rossini took Italian stages by storm and performances cycles of his operas soared in an unprecedented way. The present essay investigates the fundamental role played by self-borrowing in this achievement. As it will be preliminarily clarified, at least for Rossini, self-borrowing does not represent a sub-category of borrowing (i.e. from others: he seldom resorted to other composers’ works), but a peculiar characteristic of his compositional habit, a weapon used to spread his signifiers throughout different stages and genres.

This article focuses on a case study: La gazzetta, an opera deeply rooted in the tradition of the opera comica in Neapolitan, whose authoriality normally resided more in performers (in this case, in the well-known actor/singer Carlo Casaccia) than in poets or composers. Special attention will be given to the use of self-borrowings in some key pieces of the opera, including the recently rediscovered Act I quintet. The essay aims to demonstrate that self-borrowings, far from being a mere time-saving device, helped Rossini to overpower Casaccia's distinctive way of expression, depriving him of his authoriality and of his own voice. With La gazzetta, Rossini conquered the last outpost; after 1816, the mastery of Italian stages (and genres) belonged only to him.
Interdisziplinär denken, um die komplexe multifaktorielle Gangstörung eines 28-jährigen Polio-Patienten zu verbessern
Authors: Truschkat Alexander , Poller Martin , Berli Martin , Hasler Paul
Published: February 2023

Zusammenfassung. Poliomyelitis mit den resultierenden paralytischen Folgen ist in der Schweiz kaum mehr präsent und wenn, dann nur bei älteren Personen. Der letzte gemeldete Poliomyelitis-Fall in der Schweiz ging 1982 beim BAG ein. Ein 28-jähriger Patient mit paralytischer Poliomyelitis ist hierzulande äusserst selten. Eine kombinierte multifaktorielle Gangstörung mit symptomatischer Hüftdysplasie, ausgeprägter Beinlängenverkürzung und Achsfehlstellung des Beins jeweils auf der Polio-betroffenen Seite machen diesen Fall einzigartig und zu einer besonderen interdisziplinären Herausforderung.
Extended Pulmonary Resection for T4 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Inci Ilhan
Published: February 2023

Abstract. T4 non-small cell lung cancer is a locally advanced disease with poor prognosis. The operation can be challenging even for an experienced surgeon. N2 disease has been shown repeatedly as a risk factor for poor outcome, and these patients should not be candidates for surgical treatment. Surgery for locally advanced T4 tumors without mediastinal lymph node involvement (T4N0 and T4N1) has been demonstrated to result in good outcomes in carefully selected patients. Patients with T4N0–1M0 should be rejected for surgery only after consulting an expert surgical center. As with other stages, the decision for resectability and surgery should be made by a multidisciplinary team.
Traumafolgestörungen – ein relevantes Gesundheitsproblem
Authors: Bally Klaus
Published: February 2023

Zusammenfassung. Traumafolgestörungen werden in der ärztlichen Praxis vergleichsweise selten als solche diagnostiziert. Bei ausgeprägtem Kontrollbedürfnis, starker Ängstlichkeit und Unruhe, Schreckhaftigkeit, Erstarrung bis hin zur Dissoziation, sozialem Rückzug, Misstrauen oder einer vegetativen Übererregung muss an das Vorliegen einer posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung (PTSD) gedacht werden. Einfache Screening-Instrumente wie der «Primary Care PTSD Screen» eignen sich für eine Erstbeurteilung. Solange die Symptomatik nicht gravierend und lange anhaltend ist sowie keine Risikofaktoren für die Entwicklung einer schweren PTSD vorliegen, geht es in der ärztlichen Praxis darum, äussere und innere Sicherheit herzustellen, über evtl. Hilfsangebote zu informieren, das Leiden zu würdigen und vorhandene sichere Beziehungen zu fördern. Bei einem Vollbild einer PTSD resp. einem beträchtlichen Leidensdruck ist eine Überweisung für eine fachpsychotherapeutische oder psychiatrische Weiterabklärung und Behandlung angezeigt.
Long‐Term Density Trend in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere From Occultations of the Crab Nebula With X‐Ray Astronomy Satellites
Authors: Katsuda Satoru , Enoto Teruaki , Lommen Andrea N. , Mori Koji , Motizuki Yuko , Nakajima Motoki , Ruhl Nathaniel C. , Sato Kosuke , Stober Gunter , Tashiro Makoto S. , Terada Yukikatsu , Wood Kent S.
Published: February 2023

We present long‐term density trends of the Earth's upper atmosphere at altitudes between 71 and 116 km, based on atmospheric occultations of the Crab Nebula observed with X‐ray astronomy satellites, ASCA, RXTE, Suzaku, NuSTAR, and Hitomi. The combination of the five satellites provides a time period of 28 years from 1994 to 2022. To suppress seasonal and latitudinal variations, we concentrate on the data taken in autumn (49 < doy < 111) and spring (235 < doy < 297) in the northern hemisphere with latitudes of 0°–40°. With this constraint, local times are automatically limited either around noon or midnight. We obtain four sets (two seasons × two local times) of density trends at each altitude layer. We take into account variations due to a linear trend and the 11‐year solar cycle using linear regression techniques. Because we do not see significant differences among the four trends, we combine them to provide a single vertical profile of trend slopes. We find a negative density trend of roughly −5%/decade at every altitude. This is in reasonable agreement with inferences from settling rate of the upper atmosphere. In the 100–110‐km altitude, we found an exceptionally high density decline of about −12%/decade. This peak may be the first observational evidence for strong cooling due to water vapor and ozone near 110 km, which was first identified in a numerical simulation by Akmaev et al. (2006, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2006.03.008). Further observations and numerical simulations with suitable input parameters are needed to establish this feature.
Intrusions of Amazon River Waters in the Virgin Islands Basin During 2007–2017
Authors: Seijo‐Ellis Giovanni , Giglio Donata , Salmun Haydee
Published: February 2023

The Virgin Islands basin (VIB) includes several Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) of interest as biologically unique spawning aggregation sites. The ecological structure in and around these MPAs is regulated by several factors, including changes in near‐surface water properties. Anomalously low near‐surface salinity is observed in the VIB during April 2009/2011, and March 2010, with a salinity signature consistent with Amazon plume waters. Other low salinity events in the region are found during 2007–2017 using output from an ocean reanalysis. The reanalysis shows that horizontal salinity advection explains near‐surface salinity variability in the VIB to a high degree, including events observed in the in situ measurements. We use a Lagrangian Particle tracking model to track particles over the 2007–2017 period and identify the source and pathways of water imports to the VIB. We describe three pathways. The northernmost one is often associated with advection of salty Atlantic waters. The two southernmost paths are associated with advection of low salinity waters from the Amazon into the VIB. The latter two pathways arrive to the Caribbean Sea as described in previous studies on low salinity advection to the wider Caribbean from the Amazon River; we find that once in the Caribbean Sea, the low salinity water makes its way into the VIB when steered northward by mesoscale features. This results in Amazon River waters regulating salinity variability in the VIB during April–November. During December–March, when mesoscale activity is at its minimum, the Atlantic inflow regulates the salinity variability within the VIB instead.
Wind Power Input to Ocean Near‐Inertial Waves Diagnosed From a 5‐km Global Coupled Atmosphere‐Ocean General Circulation Model
Authors: von Storch Jin‐Song , Lüschow Veit
Published: February 2023

Using the 5 km coupled general circulation model ICON, the surface internal wave energy source, crucial for the oceanic circulation, is quantified as the wind‐induced wave energy flux that radiates from the mixed layer bottom (MLB) into the ocean interior. Our result lowers the previous estimates of the wind power input to surface near‐inertial motions from up to more than 1 TW down to about 0.23–0.27 TW, depending on season. We point out that the estimate of the wind input to ocean depends not only on the wind stress used—as suggested by previous studies—but also on the ocean model used. While the surface currents in a slab ocean model or a non‐eddying ocean circulation model are strongly determined by the wind forcing, the surface currents in the 5 km ICON model can be more strongly determined by internal instability process (eddy) than by wind stress forcing from less‐extreme weather disturbances. The resulting more or less random alignment of surface current and wind stress can presumably lead to a lower wind input to surface near‐inertial motions. Of the surface wave energy source, about 30% is fluxed down into the interior ocean. This percentage roughly doubles those from previous studies, due to the stronger wave energy flux related to stronger inertial waves generated by the tropical cyclones simulated by the 5 km ICON model. Overall, the low wind input at near‐inertial frequencies produces a wind‐induced wave energy source at the MLB that is well below 0.1 TW.
Life time use of illicit substances among adolescents and young people hospitalized in psychiatric hospital
Authors: Engelgardt Piotr , Krzyżanowski Maciej , Borkowska-Sztachańska Małgorzata , Wasilewska Agnieszka , Ciucias Michał
Published: February 2023

Adolescents are known to be particularly vulnerable, compared to children and adults, to initiation of substance use and progression to problematic use. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and type of illicit drug use in a population of adolescents and young adults who were hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital. The purpose of the study was also to find the link between age, sex, type of admission and particular mental disorders and using psychoactive substances at least once in a lifetime. A 12-month retrospective cross-sectional analysis of medical records compiled for adolescent and youth psychiatric patients who had been admitted to the Regional Psychiatric Hospital in Olsztyn, Poland, between October 1, 2018, and September 30, 2019, was conducted. After analyzing the available medical records, 506 cases were included and analyzed. Data for the study were collected in an Excel spreadsheet from discharge reports, including data from psychiatric examinations, especially anamnesis. Subsequently, statistical calculations were performed. Lifetime prevalence of any illicit substance use (34.0%) was common. The most frequently used drug was Cannabis (29.2%), the next New Psychoactive Substance—NPS (14.2%) and Amphetamine (13.0%). The higher number of people declaring to take illicit substances was proportional to the increasing age. Except for the group 10–15 years, the subject group was dominated by males. The highest, statistically significant percentage of patients who declared taking illicit substances in general, was found in people with diagnoses F20–F29 (schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders) (55%), additionally, we found a statistically significant association between NPS use and these diagnoses. Only in the group of patients diagnosed with eating disorders no one declared taking psychoactive substances. However, the correlation between taking illicit drugs and the subgroups with diagnosed psychiatric diseases should be treated with caution because of the small sample size in some cases. Our findings have shown the significant prevalence of the phenomenon in this population. These data highlight the need to explore this population at high risk carefully.
Bioconversion of 4-hydroxyestradiol by extradiol ring-cleavage dioxygenases from Novosphingobium sp. PP1Y
Authors: Mensitieri Francesca , Bosso Andrea , Dal Piaz Fabrizio , Charlier Bruno , Notomista Eugenio , Izzo Viviana , Cafaro Valeria
Published: February 2023

Livestock breeding activities and pharmaceutical wastes lead to considerable accumulation of steroid hormones and estrogens in wastewaters. Here estrogens act as pro-cancerogenic agents and endocrine disruptors interfering with the sexual development of aquatic animals and having toxic effects in humans. Environmental bacteria play a vital role in estrogens degradation. Their wide reservoir of enzymes, such as ring cleavage dioxygenases (RCDs), can degrade the steroid nucleus, catalyzing the meta-cleavage of A, B or D steroid rings. In this work, 4 extra-diol ring cleavage dioxygenases (ERCDs), PP28735, PP26077, PP00124 and PP00193, were isolated from the marine sphingomonad Novosphingobium sp. PP1Y and characterized. Enzymes kinetic parameters were determined on different synthetic catecholic substrates. Then, the bioconversion of catechol estrogens was evaluated. PP00124 showed to be an efficient catalyst for the degradation of 4-hydroxyestradiol (4-OHE2), a carcinogenic hydroxylated derivate of E2. 4-OHE2 complete cleavage was obtained using PP00124 both in soluble form and in whole recombinant E. coli cells. LC–MS/MS analyses confirmed the generation of a semialdehyde product, through A-ring meta cleavage. To the best of our knowledge, PP00124 is the first characterized enzyme able to directly degrade 4-OHE2 via meta cleavage. Moreover, the complete 4-OHE2 biodegradation using recombinant whole cells highlighted advantages for bioremediation purposes.
Alternate day versus daily oral iron for treatment of iron deficiency anemia: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Pasupathy Elamparithi , Kandasamy Ravichandran , Thomas Kurien , Basheer Aneesh
Published: February 2023

Oral iron is the mainstay of treating iron deficiency anemia. Recent studies indicate better fractional iron absorption with alternate day supplementation. However, the optimal supplementation strategy is unclear. We compared effectiveness of daily versus alternate day supplementation of oral iron for treatment of iron deficiency anemia. This double blind, active control, randomized controlled trial was conducted on two hundred adults having hemoglobin 10 g/dL or less with microcytic hypochromic anemia and/or serum ferritin below 50 ng/mL. They were randomized to receive either two Ferrous sulfate tablets containing 60 mg elemental iron (120 mg total) on alternate days or single tablet of 60 mg elemental iron daily for 8 weeks. Primary outcome was mean change in hemoglobin at week 8 from baseline. Mean hemoglobin was 6.53 (± 1.89) and 6.68 (± 1.89) g/dL in the alternate day and daily arms respectively. Mean change in hemoglobin was + 1.05 ± 1.34 g/dL in alternate day arm and + 1.36 ± 1.51 g/dL in daily arm (p = 0.47) at week 8. There were no statistically significant differences between the arms with respect to any secondary outcome. There is no significant difference between alternate day and daily iron administration in improving hemoglobin. Randomized controlled trials enrolling more participants for longer periods of supplementation and evaluating clinically relevant outcomes like change in hemoglobin may be useful in identifying the ideal dosing strategy.

Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2019/01/017169).
Tumor organoid biobank-new platform for medical research
Authors: Xie Xuexue , Li Xinyu , Song Wei
Published: February 2023

Organoids are a new type of 3D model for tumor research, which makes up for the shortcomings of cell lines and xenograft models, and promotes the development of personalized precision medicine. Long-term culture, expansion and storage of organoids provide the necessary conditions for the establishment of biobanks. Biobanks standardize the collection and preservation of normal or pathological specimens, as well as related clinical information. The tumor organoid biobank has a good quality control system, which is conducive to the clinical transformation and large-scale application of tumor organoids, such as disease modeling, new drug development and high-throughput drug screening. This article summarized the common tumor types of patient-derived organoid (PDO) biobanks and the necessary information for biobank construction, such as the number of organoids, morphology, success rate of culture and resuscitation, pathological types. In our results, we found that patient-derived tumor organoid (PDTO) biobanks were being established more and more, with the Netherlands, the United States, and China establishing the most. Biobanks of colorectal, pancreas, breast, glioma, and bladder cancers were established more, which reflected the relative maturity of culture techniques for these tumors. In addition, we provided insights on the precautions and future development direction of PDTO biobank building.
HIF-PHD inhibitor regulates the function of group2 innate lymphoid cells and polarization of M2 macrophages
Authors: Nagashima Ryuichi , Ishikawa Hiroki , Kuno Yoshihiro , Kohda Chikara , Iyoda Masayuki
Published: February 2023

Hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PHD) inhibitors are therapeutic agents for renal anemia that work through HIF2-mediated upregulation of erythropoietin (EPO) and have also been reported to suppress renal fibrosis. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) have been proven to be involved in the pathogenesis of fibrosis in various organs, including the kidney. However, the relationship between the HIF pathway, renal fibrosis, and kidney ILC2s remains unclear. In the present study, we found that HIF activation by HIF-PHD inhibitors suppressed type 2 cytokine production from kidney ILC2s. The enhanced HIF pathway downregulated the IL-33 receptor ST2L on ILC2s, and phosphorylation of downstream p38 MAPK was attenuated. M2 macrophages that promote renal fibrosis were polarized by ILC2 supernatants, but reduced cytokine production from ILC2s treated with HIF-PHD inhibitors suppressed this polarization. Our findings suggest that HIF-PHD inhibitors are potential therapeutic agents for renal fibrosis that are mediated by the alteration of ILC2 function.
Treatment of brackish water inland desalination brine via antiscalant removal using persulfate photolysis
Authors: Kum Soyoon , Tang Xinyu , Liu Haizhou
Published: February 2023

The combined persulfate photolysis and chemical demineralization process effectively treated brine for additional water recovery and mineral resource recovery. This technology has the potential to enhance the sustainability of desalination plants.