bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
UV/Ozone‐Induced Interface Engineering for High‐Performance Horizontal Organic Light‐Emitting Transistors Operating at Low Voltage
Authors: Li Xiteng , Wu Zhouying , Peng Wenbo , Li Zhitong , Yang Kai , Zheng Xiwei , Meng Lingqiang , Chen Hong , Wang Yueyue , Han Jun , He Yaowu , Xu Meili , Meng Hong
Published: December 2024

Multifunctional organic light‐emitting transistors (OLETs), which combine electric‐switching and light‐producing capabilities into a single device, are attracting increasing interest as promising candidates for new‐generation display technology. Despite advancements in the design of organic luminescent materials and the optimization of device geometry configurations, maintaining operating voltage low while enhancing optical performances remains a key challenge in horizontally structured OLETs. Here, a simple and effective interfacial engineering strategy is employed to improve the optical properties of horizontal OLETs operating at low voltage, by introducing ultraviolet ozone (UVO)‐induced surface modification on high‐k dielectrics. It takes the role to not only control the surface activation states of dielectric layers but also optimize the growth dynamics behavior of channel film benefitting from the strong interfacial interaction between chemically modified dielectric surface and channel seed molecules. The optimized horizontal‐channel OLET exhibits a significantly high brightness of 9,484 cd m−2, more than 25 times greater than that of untreated OLETs (347 cd m−2), along with a peak EQE of 9.64%, a low operating voltage of 15 V, and good dynamic gate stress stability, outperforming other reported horizontal‐channel high‐performance OLETs. This work demonstrates that dielectric/semiconductor interface engineering is essential for high‐performance transistor‐based optoelectronic devices including horizontal OLETs.
Unnatural Handwriting Behaviors
Authors: Bird Carolyne Lindsay , Jones Kylie
Published: December 2024

There are many factors that a forensic handwriting examiner (FHE) must consider during an examination of handwriting or signatures. One common and critical consideration is whether the examined material, including both questioned and known writing, is the product of a disguise or simulation process, or is naturally written. This Overview provides information important for the FHE to know regarding common methods of simulation (including tracing and freehand) and disguise, and the corresponding features that may be observed in the written trace. Equally important for the FHE to understand are the limitations and uncertainties associated with interpreting indictors of unnatural writing behaviors. This is because certain circumstances, such as unusual writing surfaces or conditions, may result in similar features to those expected due to unnatural writing processes. Appreciating the complexities associated with the examination and interpretation of writing displaying evidence of an unnatural writing process will assist FHEs in appropriately assessing the evidence.
Connecting the Disconnected: Telephones, Activism, and “Faring Well” in Britain, 1950–2000
Authors: Bradley Kate
Published: December 2024

This chapter critically examines the ways in which 24-hour telephones were used by radical activist groups from the 1960s and 1970s to connect people in a timely fashion with the experiential expertise they needed to “fare well” whilst navigating a state that was all too often hostile. The telephone lines run by Defence and Release offered immediate help to Black people and those involved with the counterculture who found themselves in trouble with the police or landlords, or otherwise struggling to access the services they needed. Run by the community for the community, these lines offered a model of how expertise acquired from dealing with the police and other state services could be mobilised and shared with others. The hotline concept moved from the counterculture to the mainstream during the 1970s and 1980s, showing how the telephone was a vital tool by which citizens could assert their right to “fare well” within the Welfare State.
Ausblick und Ergebnislandkarte
Authors: Schmid Ludwig , Tokarski Kim Oliver
Published: December 2024

Neben einer Vision für ein neues Planungsmodell werden in diesem Abschnitt die Ergebnisse mithilfe einer Landkarte auf einen Blick dargestellt.
Navigierte und minimalinvasive Schraubenosteosynthese einer Talusfraktur
Authors: Haida Dominik M. , Möhlig Thorsten , Huber-Wagner Stefan
Published: December 2024

Operationsziel

Das Ziel dieser Operation ist es, eine mehrfragmentäre und undislozierte Talusfraktur (Corpus und Hals) navigiert und minimalinvasiv mittels Schraubenosteosynthese gegen eine sekundäre Dislokation abzusichern.

Indikation

Aufgrund des jungen Alters des Patienten im Beispielfall und auch der Gefahr einer möglichen sekundären Dislokation wurde die Entscheidung zur Operation getroffen.

Kontraindikationen

Weichteilschwellung, Wundinfektion und Allergien gegen das Osteosynthesematerial.

Operationstechnik

In dem Online verfügbaren Video (auf Englisch) erfolgt eine detaillierte Darstellung der einzelnen Operationsschritte.

Präoperative CT-Bildgebung und Schraubenplanung. Befestigung der Referenzeinheit. 1. CBCT-Scan, Bildfusion und Fusionskontrolle. Planung der minimalinvasiven Hautschnitte. Hautschnitt, navigierte Bohrungen und Einführen der Kirschner(K)-Drähte. 2. CBCT-Scan und Lagekontrolle der K‑Drähte, wenn nötig Feinjustierung dieser. Einbringen der Schrauben. 3. CBCT-Scan mit anschließender Lagekontrolle der Schrauben, wenn nötig, ein Nachziehen dieser.

Durchgeführt in der „Robotic Suite“ (Brainlab, München, Deutschland) unter der Verwendung folgender Elemente: Navigationseinheit „Curve Navigation System“, fahrbarer robotischer 3D-Computertomograph (CBCT), „Loop-X“ und der Wandmonitor „BUZZ“.

Weiterbehandlung

Postoperatives Röntgen und CT zur Lagekontrolle der Implantate. Teilbelastung des Fußes mit 10 kg bei Sohlenkontakt für 6 Wochen. Physiotherapie mit aktiver und passiver Gelenkmobilisation. Thromboseprophylaxe mit Enoxaparin-Natrium. Metallentfernung fakultativ nach ca. einem Jahr.

Evidenz

Navigierte Operationen sind Routine, bisher v. a. im Bereich der Wirbelsäule. Dieser Beitrag zeigt, dass navigierte Eingriffe an den Extremitäten erfolgreich in Hybrid-OP durchgeführt werden können.
Updates implemented in version 4 of the GlyCosmos Glycoscience Portal
Authors: Lee Sunmyoung , Ono Tamiko , Masaaki Shiota , Fujita Akihiro , Matsubara Masaaki , Zappa Achille , Yamada Issaku , Aoki-Kinoshita Kiyoko F.
Published: December 2024

Glycosylation, characterized by its complexity and diversity, is a common system across all domains of life. The glycosylation of proteins or lipids imparts them with structural and functional roles, ranging from development to infectious or Mendelian disease. The high-throughput-based omics data has revealed that glycans are involved in important cellular processes. Comprehensive knowledge of glycosylation has contributed not only to the fundamental concepts in glycoscience but also to its applications, including the development of molecular markers for diagnosis and therapeutic tools for treating diseases. The GlyCosmos Glycoscience Portal (GlyCosmos) has undergone significant updates to better support the scientific community in studying glycosylation-related phenomena. Key enhancements include the integration of expanded datasets linking glycans to other omics fields, improved tools for glycan structure prediction and analysis, and upgraded visualization capabilities to streamline data interpretation. A strengthened focus on data standardization has also been introduced, fostering interoperability between glycoscience resources and external databases. Since its release in 2019, the portal has seen a fivefold increase in user engagement, reflecting its growing relevance. These recent advancements aim to provide researchers with a more comprehensive and user-friendly platform, enabling deeper insights into glycan roles in cellular processes and disease mechanisms. GlyCosmos will continue to evolve, prioritizing community needs and advancing the integration of glycoscience with broader biological and biomedical research.

Graphical Abstract
An unbiased rank-based estimator of the Mann–Whitney variance including the case of ties
Authors: Brunner Edgar , Konietschke Frank
Published: December 2024

Many estimators of the variance of the well-known unbiased and uniform most powerful estimator of the Mann–Whitney effect, are considered in the literature. Some of these estimators are only valid in cases of no ties or are biased in small sample sizes where the amount of bias is not discussed. Here, we derive an unbiased estimator based on different rankings, the so-called ’placements’ (Orban and Wolfe in Commun Stat Theory Methods 9:883–904, 1980), which is therefore easy to compute. This estimator does not require the assumption of continuous distribution functions and is also valid in the case of ties. Moreover, it is shown that this estimator is non-negative and has a sharp upper bound, which may be considered an empirical version of the well-known Birnbaum–Klose inequality. The derivation of this estimator provides an option to compute the biases of some commonly used estimators in the literature. Simulations demonstrate that, for small sample sizes, the biases of these estimators depend on the underlying distribution functions and thus are not under control. This means that in the case of a biased estimator, simulation results for the type-I error of a test or the coverage probability of a confidence interval do not only depend on the quality of the approximation of by a normal distribution but also an additional unknown bias caused by the variance estimator. Finally, it is shown that this estimator is

$$L_2$$

L
2

-consistent.
One app fits all? Ethische Reflexion digitaler Gesundheitsanwendungen in der Adipositas-Versorgung
Authors: Wellmann Anouk , Müller Regina , Hansen Solveig Lena
Published: December 2024

In Deutschland besteht derzeit eine erhebliche Versorgungslücke bei Adipositas, da es keinen einheitlichen Therapiepfad gibt. Leistungen variieren regional und müssen häufig durch Einzelfallentscheidungen genehmigt werden. Angesichts dieser Problematik wird die Integration digitaler Adipositas-Anwendungen in die bestehende Versorgung diskutiert. Die vorliegende Analyse bietet eine ethische Reflexion über den Einsatz solcher Anwendungen. Sie bewertet deren Eignung für die komplexe chronische Erkrankung Adipositas, die multifaktorielle Ursachen und eine heterogene Betroffenengruppe aufweist. Der Artikel untersucht die sozialen, beratenden und organisatorischen Rahmenbedingungen, die erforderlich sind, um den Bedürfnissen der Betroffenen gerecht zu werden. Damit sollen erste Impulse für eine ethisch reflektierte Begleitung der medizinischen Implementierung und Evaluation von digitalen Adipositas-Anwendungen entstehen. Wir kontextualisieren erstens Adipositas in der deutschen Gesundheitsversorgung mit einem besonderen Fokus auf die organisatorischen Aspekte digitaler Anwendungen. Zweitens fassen wir den Forschungsstand zu den Bedürfnissen von Patient*innen mit Adipositas zusammen und reflektieren die aktuelle Versorgungslage aus einer normativen Perspektive der Bedürfnisgerechtigkeit. Insbesondere Stigmatisierung und Diskriminierung, Diversität der Patient*innengruppe und ganzheitliche Regelversorgung spielen aus dieser Perspektive eine Rolle. Abschließend diskutieren wir unsere Erkenntnisse im Hinblick auf zukünftige Forschungsdesiderate aus empirisch-ethischer Sicht.
Orthostatic test shows higher systolic blood pressure and sympathetic response in uncomplicated type 1 diabetes patients with normal V̇O2max vs. healthy controls
Authors: Sorola Samu , Hyrylä Vesa , Eronen Timo , Kupari Saana , Venojärvi Mika , Tikkanen Heikki , Tarvainen Mika , Lindholm Harri
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy remains underdiagnosed in type 1 diabetes mellitus, posing a risk for severe complications, particularly in patients with lowered V̇O2max, compared to controls. This study aimed to determine whether heart rate variability during cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests reveals early signs of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in patients with uncomplicated type 1 diabetes mellitus and normal cardiovascular fitness, compared to healthy controls.

Methods

A type 1 diabetes mellitus group (n = 14) with no other diagnosed diseases (diabetes duration 15 ± 7 years) and a control group (n = 31) underwent deep breathing test, passive orthostatic test, and cardiopulmonary exercise test. Participants were assessed for heart rate variability, heart rate, blood pressure, and V̇O2max (mL/min/kg).

Results

Participant characteristics, including V̇O2max (mL/min/kg), showed no significant differences. The type 1 diabetes mellitus group had higher systolic blood pressure during the supine phase of the orthostatic test than healthy controls (131.6 ± 14.7 mmHg vs. 122.4 ± 10.8 mmHg, p = 0.022). After 5 mins in the upright position, systolic blood pressure (132.2 ± 20.6 mmHg vs. 118.7 ± 11.7 mmHg, p = 0.036), heart rate (85 (76; 89) bpm vs. 75 (72; 83) bpm, p = 0.013), and the root mean square of successive RR interval differences (20.22 (11.22; 27.42) vs. 27.11 (19.90; 35.52), p = 0.033) were significantly different compared to controls.

Conclusion

Patients with uncomplicated type 1 diabetes mellitus, despite having normal cardiorespiratory fitness, exhibited higher systolic pressure and greater sympathetic activation in orthostatic tests, suggesting subclinically altered cardiovascular autonomic function.
Workplace Aspects of Knowledge and Expertise Sharing Practices Supported by Augmented Reality Systems: Findings from a Design Case Study
Authors: Allen Eva Sonja , de Carvalho Aparecido Fabiano Pinatti , Hoffmann Sven , Schweitzer Marcus , Schaumann Kira
Published: December 2024

In this article, we present findings concerning how environment can both impact upon and be impacted by knowledge and expertise sharing practices (KES) supported by augmented reality (AR) systems. We draw on findings from a Design Case Study (DCS) carried out for the design and evaluation of an AR system to support KES in complex production contexts. Our results suggest that the proposed system not only changes the perception of the technical environment but is itself gradually perceived as an element of it. The results also reveal changes in the employees’ focus of attention when working with the AR-aid in question and how they individually adapt to it. Moreover, our findings suggest that the proposed system facilitates a change in the proximity between experts and non-experts, bridging spatial and temporal distances, fostering cooperation between those two categories of workers, at the same time that enhance their autonomy. Overall, the results highlight how changes in the social environment of digitised production cannot be separated from changes in the technical environment.
The clinical utility of cardiac myosin inhibitors for the management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a scoping review
Authors: Othman Leen , Koskina Lida , Huerta Nicholas , Rao Shiavax J.
Published: December 2024

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited condition characterized by left ventricular, non-dilated hypertrophy in the absence of another secondary underlying cause. There has been an ongoing increase in the diagnosis of HCM over the past couple of decades, prompting further work in the area of pharmacological and interventional therapies. This scoping review aimed to summarize the traditional therapeutic options for HCM and to explore emerging research on novel cardiac myosin inhibitors (CMIs) as a new option for pharmacologic management of HCM. A PRISMA search strategy was carried out to identify the pertinent literature on mavacamten and aficamten—two novel CMIs. Seventeen studies were included. Based on the results of the studies included in this review, cardiac myosin inhibitors have been proven to be a safe and efficacious second-line option for the management of HCM. In the foreseeable future, based on results of ongoing studies investigating patient outcomes and side-effect profile, CMIs may potentially play a larger role as part of standard treatment of HCM.
Exploring Group Work on Open-Ended Geometrical Tasks: Face-to-Face and Online
Authors: Levenson Esther S. , Dasuqi Amani
Published: December 2024

This qualitative study explores the relationships between group work on open-ended geometrical tasks and the physical and social environments in which they take place. Two groups of twelfth grade students worked on two open-ended geometry tasks. One group worked face-to-face (f-f), and one worked synchronously online. Products of the group work were analyzed in terms of fluency and flexibility. Findings indicated that the environments affected aspects of group work such as responsiveness and gesturing. Students in the online group were able to work simultaneously on the first task producing greater fluency than the f-f group. On the second task, students in the f-f group used gestures, contributing to attentiveness and imagination, leading to greater flexibility. Furthermore, the task and its presentation interact with both the physical and social environments playing a part in the production of solutions.
On the optimal integration of legacy and SDWN communication nodes in emergency scenarios
Authors: Sousa Daniela , Sargento Susana , Luís Miguel
Published: December 2024

Spontaneous networks may need to establish connections with already-in-place devices and their resources, irrespectively of their capabilities, for example, in emergency scenarios. Interoperability and integration are a key issue when combining multiple wireless networks and heterogeneous devices. To address this issue, this article extends the SDN concept, and presents a new hybrid network architecture that combines legacy devices in a wireless data plane, therefore increasing the range, and making the network more efficient, dynamic and programmable. In this article, we propose an optimized adaptive routing approach in a network architecture that joins SDN-capable devices with legacy devices for emergency scenarios. This solution takes into consideration the impact that a flow can have in the network, therefore minimizing its channel interference, and to a certain degree, balancing the load in the network’s devices. In this work, the importance of the network and service parameters is optimized through machine learning for each flow’s data rate, and then feed into the routing approach to determine the best hybrid legacy and SDN-based path. Results show that the new architecture can successfully integrate the legacy devices in the wireless software defined data plane, and utilize them to increase the performance. The combination of delivery ratio and delay are always relevant to every data rate. The link stability is more relevant for lower data rates, while the break probability is more relevant for higher data rates. Moreover, the number of hops and possible interference combined have a high importance in every data rates, and the nodes’ speed knowledge can have a good impact on the network performance.
Tectobasidium (incertae sedis, Basidiomycota), a new genus for T. chlamydosporum, comb. nov., and T. cornutum, sp. nov
Authors: Spirin Viacheslav , Malysheva Vera , Nilsson R. Henrik
Published: December 2024

A new genus, Tectobasidium, is described to accommodate T. chlamydosporum, comb. nov. (= Achroomyces chlamydosporus), and T. cornutum, sp. nov. Both species possess two-celled basidia and cylindrical basidiospores, as well as characteristic, thick-walled and cyanophilous chlamydospores. Tectobasidium spp. develop in the living basidiocarps of other basidiomycetes (Helicogloea and Myxarium) as intrahymenial fungi. No signs of the parasitic habit have been detected for them, although a mycoparasitic strategy cannot be completely ruled out. nc LSU rDNA-based phylogenetic inference places Tectobasidium at the very base of the subphylum Ustilaginomycotina, with moderate (BI) or strong (ML) support. Due to the lack of additional DNA, ultrastructural, and cultural data, we leave the suprageneric classification of Tectobasidium unresolved.
Artificial intelligence (AI) in pediatric sleep: AI vs. expert-generated psychotherapeutic pediatric sleep stories
Authors: Schlarb Angelika A. , Faber Jasmin
Published: December 2024

Background

Adequate sleep is crucial for child health and development; however, sleep problems are common, affecting 25% of children. Psychotherapeutic stories are an effective tool in child therapy, with key elements including relatable characters, clear messages, emotional engagement, and interactivity. Such stories can help children regulate emotions, develop problem-solving skills, and model positive behaviors. Research on therapeutic stories for sleep issues is limited.

Objective

The aim of this study is to investigate whether trained reviewers can identify artificial intelligence (AI)-constructed psychotherapeutic sleep stories for children.

Materials and methods

Four reviewers trained in developing therapeutic stories evaluated 20 bedtime stories (10 psychotherapist-constructed and 10 AI-constructed) assigned to them at random. The AI-constructed stories were created using ChatGPT. Participants completed a questionnaire after reading each story, focusing on various aspects of the content. In a second step, the reviewers participated in a 30-minute interview for qualitative feedback.

Results

Analysis of 80 questionnaires from four reviewers revealed that 85% of all stories were correctly categorized, with 95% of AI stories identified as such. Expert stories were categorized correctly in 75% of the cases. However, results also show that AI-constructed stories lacked in sleep-related cognitions, emotions, and daytime consequences, but included sleep-related problems and recommendations. Reviewers noted similarities in story structure and repetition in AI-generated stories.

Conclusion

The need for prevention tools for sleep disturbances is urgent, with early interventions for different age groups essential. This pilot study showed that AI- and expert-constructed psychotherapeutic stories share similarities in addressing sleep-related problems; however, the latter seem to be superior regarding key elements of such stories. Future research should involve a wider range of professionals and parents. Ultimately, tailored stories may play a key role in early interventions for children’s sleep health.
Effect of Margarine Replacement by a Low-Saturated Fat Bigel on Puff Pastry Quality
Authors: Steinkellner Christine , Ohlmeyer Mette , Franke Knut
Published: December 2024

The reduction of saturated fats in the formulation of bakery products has become an important issue in recent years. In this work, puff pastries were prepared from a novel bigel with a low content of saturated fatty acids compared to conventional laminating margarine (control) high in saturated fatty acids. The bigel was made from a canola oil/carnauba wax oleogel and a xanthan gum–based hydrogel under the presence of a monoacylglyceride emulsifier with an oleogel-to-hydrogel ratio of 80:20. The amount of fat used in the puff pastries was 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% based on the flour weight of the puff pastry dough. Physicochemical characteristics of the two laminating fats were compared and their ability to form continuous layers within the dough during the lamination process was evaluated using microscopy. Characterisation of the puff pastry quality, texture, and pore structure was conducted to evaluate the effect of bigel incorporation and total fat reduction on the baked puff pastries. With the fat replacement, a reduction of almost 90% saturated fatty acids could be achieved compared to the control while firmness and puffing effect were not adversely affected. Lift irregularity, shrinkage, and specific volume were lower in the puff pastries prepared with bigel compared to the margarine puff pastry with the same fat content. Reducing the total fat content of puff pastry had an adverse effect on all quality parameters, both for bigels and control.
A Bias Network Approach (BNA) to Encourage Ethical Reflection Among AI Developers
Authors: Arriagada-Bruneau Gabriela , López Claudia , Davidoff Alexandra
Published: December 2024

We introduce the Bias Network Approach (BNA) as a sociotechnical method for AI developers to identify, map, and relate biases across the AI development process. This approach addresses the limitations of what we call the "isolationist approach to AI bias," a trend in AI literature where biases are seen as separate occurrences linked to specific stages in an AI pipeline. Dealing with these multiple biases can trigger a sense of excessive overload in managing each potential bias individually or promote the adoption of an uncritical approach to understanding the influence of biases in developers’ decision-making. The BNA fosters dialogue and a critical stance among developers, guided by external experts, using graphical representations to depict biased connections. To test the BNA, we conducted a pilot case study on the "waiting list” project, involving a small AI developer team creating a healthcare waiting list NPL model in Chile. The analysis showed promising findings: (i) the BNA aids in visualizing interconnected biases and their impacts, facilitating ethical reflection in a more accessible way; (ii) it promotes transparency in decision-making throughout AI development; and (iii) more focus is necessary on professional biases and material limitations as sources of bias in AI development.
Urinary oxytocin secretion after pituitary surgery, early arginine vasopressin deficiency and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis
Authors: Constanthin Paul E. , Isidor Nathalie , De Seigneux Sophie , Momjian Shahan
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Transient arginine vasopressin deficiency (AVP-D), previously called diabetes insipidus, is a well-known complication of transsphenoidal pituitary surgery (TPS) with no definite predictive biomarker to date making it difficult to anticipate. While oxytocin (OXT) was previously suggested as a possible biomarker to predict syndrome of inappropriate diuresis (SIAD)-related hyponatraemia after TPS, its secretion in patients presenting with AVP-D remains poorly understood. We therefore hypothesized that OXT might present a different secretion in the case of AVP-D which would support its potential as an early biomarker of AVP-D. Moreover, we hypothesized that abnormal secretion of OXT might occur later on, notably with SIAD.

Methods

We measured the urinary output of OXT in 67 consecutive patients subjected to TPS and compared the values of oxytocin between time-points and OXT ratio between groups. The primary endpoint of our study was to identify a difference in urinary OXT excretion in patients suffering from AVP-D compared to patients remaining normonatraemic. As a secondary endpoint, we compared the evolution of OXT secretion after the diagnosis of AVP-D in both groups, comparing the patients that later developed SIAD with the ones that did not.

Results

Patients developing AVP-D showed a delay in the increase of OXT secretion after TPS as shown by a significantly lower ratio of OXT between the first postoperative day and the day of surgery (0.88 VS 1.68, p = 0.0162, IC:0.2979–0.2642) but a significantly higher ratio of OXT between the fourth and the first postoperative days (1.17 VS 0.53, p = 0.0006, IC:−2.109–0.6092). Moreover, normonatraemic patients that did not show normalization of OXT levels at day 4 after surgery tended to develop SIAD later on.

Conclusion

Taken together, these results show for the first time that OXT release might help predict AVP-D after TPS and differentiate it from other pathologies of water-sodium balance.
Lack of gastric emptying at autopsy eleven days after heat trauma in the sauna– a forensic autopsy case report
Authors: Kerscher Susanne R. , Kern Natascha , Chistiakova Nadezhda , Verhoff Doreen , Verhoff Marcel A.
Published: December 2024

A man in his mid-70s passed out in a public 90-degree sauna and remained unconscious for at least half an hour. He suffered third-degree burns to approximately 50% of his body surface area. Despite immediate transport to a burn center and intensive care therapy, he did not regain consciousness and died eleven days later.

When the body was opened, the lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen showed changes consistent with the burns, intensive care therapy, and clinically suspected septic shock. The stomach contained approximately 200 ml of thickened chyme with coarse vegetable components. Such food components were not seen in the duodenum or in the following intestinal segments.

Considering the overall circumstances, the stomach contents must have been the last meal the man had eaten before the sauna session. The problem of reduced gastrointestinal motility in burn patients is clinically recognized. Nevertheless, a complete failure of gastric emptying for eleven days after intensive care therapy has not been described before and shows that the use of gastric contents in forensic practice is inappropriate for drawing conclusions about the time interval between last food intake and death and thus for estimating the time of death.
Exploring Racial and Ethnic Differences in Utilization of Medications for Obesity Management in a Nationally Representative Survey
Authors: Narain Kimberly , Scannell Christopher
Published: December 2024

Background

The burden of obesity falls disproportionately on some racial and ethnic minority groups.

Objective

To assess for racial and ethnic differences in the utilization of obesity-management medications among clinically eligible individuals.

Design

Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2011–2016, 2018 and 2020) data and a cross-sectional study design was used to assess for racial and ethnic differences in obesity-management medication utilization. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the association of race and ethnicity with obesity-management medication utilization. Adjusted models controlled for demographics, socioeconomic status, obesity class, diabetes status, number of chronic conditions, insurance status, and geographic region.

Participants

Adults with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 and individuals with a BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2 with ≥ 1 weight-related condition.

Main Measures

The primary outcome measure was utilization of an FDA-approved medication for obesity-management during the study period. The primary independent predictor was race and ethnicity. Separate indicator variables were created for each racial and ethnic group (Non-Hispanic Asian, Non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and Non-Hispanic White (reference group)).

Key Results

In adjusted analyses, Asian (aOR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.77; P < 0.01), Black (aOR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.68; P < 0.001) and Hispanic individuals (aOR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.98; P = 0.04) had significantly lower odds of utilizing obesity-management medications compared to White individuals.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that there are racial and ethnic disparities in the use of obesity-management medications.
Adolescents’ Self-Regulation of Social Media Use During the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Idiographic Approach
Authors: Dreier Melissa J. , Low Carissa A. , Fedor Jennifer , Durica Krina C. , Hamilton Jessica L.
Published: December 2024

Adolescent social media serves a broad range of functions, which may be helpful for some and harmful for others. During the COVID-19 lockdown, social media evolved considerably, occupying an even more central role in adolescents’ lives. This study leverages a new approach to measuring social media use behaviors—passive smartphone sensing. Specifically, we aimed to test if and how adolescents self-regulate their social media use in response to how they feel during and after use. This study followed 19 adolescents for 1 month. Participants completed baseline measures, assessing demographic and clinical characteristics. We used passive smartphone sensing to measure objective social media use behaviors (“screen time” and checking) for a 1-month period. Adolescents also completed daily diary questions on their mood. Analyses took an idiographic (n = 1) approach. Dynamic structural equation models tested daily and next-day relationships between social media use behaviors and mood for each adolescent. Most adolescents (n = 13 of 19) did not self-regulate their social media use in relation to their mood. Most importantly, they did not use it less when they felt more negative mood during use. That said, some adolescents (n = 6) did alter their social media use behaviors depending on their mood. Each adolescent’s pattern of social media use and mood was also qualitatively interpreted within their context of demographic (e.g., experience of holding a minoritized identity) and clinical characteristics (e.g., history of suicidal thoughts and behaviors). These results highlight the next steps for possible intervention points to help adolescents adjust their use patterns to maximize mental health benefits while minimizing possible harm. Findings also begin to develop a template for applying social media use recommendations, while centering the experiences of individual adolescents.
Exploring how falls prevention practitioners assess and manage concerns about falling
Authors: Nicklen Bianca , Delbaere Kim , Ellmers Toby J.
Published: December 2024

Background

Concerns about falling (CaF) are common in older adults. They can lead to various negative outcomes, including an increased risk for future falls. The Worlds Falls Guidelines recently published recommendations for assessing and treating CaF. However, the extent to which these guidelines have been adopted into falls prevention practice (in addition to the barriers preventing implementation) are currently unknown.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was completed by 114 healthcare professionals working in falls prevention and rehabilitation services in the UK and Ireland. The survey explored their experiences and perceptions regarding the management and assessment of CaF.

Results

Only 39% of respondents reported using the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), a tool recommended by the World Falls Guidelines for assessing CaF. Healthcare professionals in hospital settings were significantly less likely to use the FES-I compared to those working in the community (X
2 = 6.324, p = 0.043). While there was no significant difference between settings regarding the type of intervention used to manage CaF, only about 50% of participants adopted a holistic approach combining physical and psychological strategies as recommended by the World Falls Guidelines. The most commonly identified barriers to clinical management of CaF were a lack of both time and perceived effective interventions, particularly for those working within hospital settings (X
2 = 6.209, p = 0.013 and X
2 = 3.752, p = 0.053, respectively).

Conclusion

These findings indicate low levels of adoption of the World Falls Guidelines recommendations for assessing and managing CaF, especially in hospital settings. Future work should focus on addressing these barriers to maximise the clinical adoption of these recommendations.
A variable increase of debris cover on Pyrenean glaciers from 2000 to 2022
Authors: Izagirre Eñaut , Palacios Ander , Vidaller Ixeia , Serrano Enrique , López-Moreno Juan Ignacio , Ormaetxea Orbange , Revuelto Jesús
Published: December 2024

The last remaining very small glaciers (< 0.5 km2) of the Pyrenees are the southernmost glaciers in Europe and respond rapidly to climate variability. Most of them are also influenced by local topographic factors and geomorphological processes impacting the energy and mass balance. This paper presents the first temporal study on the changes in debris cover on Pyrenean glaciers from 2000 to 2022 at a regional scale. The data allowed for the first analysis of the lithological characteristics of each glaciarised cirque in order to identify possible factors that determine the evolution of debris input. We manually mapped the extent of supraglacial debris with corresponding glacier outlines using very high-resolution aerial imagery and the existing glacier inventories from 2000, 2011, 2020 and 2022. The results show that debris cover on Pyrenean glaciers has increased significantly in number and extent over the study period whilst glaciers continue to decline and shrink. In 2022, 14 of the 18 remaining glaciers have debris cover greater than 10% of their area, and six have debris cover greater than 40%. The observed increase in debris cover is much stronger for glaciers determined by topoclimatic factors and located on metamorphic and sedimentary cirques, which underlines the important role of paraglacial processes in their development. Meanwhile, glaciers on granitic cirques have lower debris cover and have shown a lesser increase compared to initial measurements conditions. Future work should focus on understanding debris sources and their characteristics to determine the role of debris cover in the response of Pyrenean glaciers to climate change.
Socioeconomic and geographic variation in adjuvant chemotherapy among elderly patients with stage III colon cancer in Norway – a national register-based cohort study
Authors: Gustavsen Elin Marthinussen , Norderval Stig , Dørum Liv Marit , Balto Aina , Heimdal Ragnhild , Vonen Barthold , Stensland Eva , Haukland Ellinor , Hauglann Beate
Published: December 2024

Background

About half of the patients diagnosed with colon cancer are 70 years or older. Standard treatment for stage III colon cancer is major surgical resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT). Norwegian guidelines recommend initiation of ACT within 6 weeks after resection.

Objective

This study investigated socioeconomic and geographic variation in the recommended provision of ACT to elderly patients with stage III colon cancer in Norway.

Methods

This population-based retrospective cohort study included patients aged 70 years or older diagnosed with stage III colon cancer between 2011 and 2021 who underwent major surgical resection. Individual data were obtained from national registries. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was used to model variation in provision of ACT.

Results

Of 4 501 included patients, 603 (13%) and 1 182 (26%) received ACT within 6 and 8 weeks after resection, respectively. The provision of ACT decreased with increasing age and frailty. Odds of ACT within 6 weeks decreased for patients with low socioeconomic status (SES) compared to high SES (odds ratio (OR) 0.67 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50–0.91)), and decreased for patients living alone compared to those living with a cohabitant (OR 0.72 (95% CI 0.58–0.91)). Geographic variation was found between hospital referral areas (OR 0.41–2.58).

Conclusions

Our study found that ACT provision to elderly stage III colon cancer patients is associated with SES and geography, indicating variation in guidelines adherence. Further research is needed to explore the impact of ACT timing among elderly patients with stage III colon cancer in Norway.
Breaking barriers: impact of surgical research pathways on high school students from underrepresented minority backgrounds
Authors: Allahwasaya Ashba , Akhund Ramsha , Zmijewski Polina , Herritz Kristi , Chen Herbert , Martin Colin , Hardiman Karin , Lancaster Rachel , Gillis Andrea
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Increasing diversity in surgical workforce is vital for better healthcare outcomes among marginalized populations. High school students, especially from underrepresented minority (URM) backgrounds, encounter obstacles in pursuing healthcare careers due to limited opportunities and guidance. In this study, we examined how introducing high school students from URM communities to the field of surgery influenced their perceptions of pursuing surgical careers.

Method

We conducted a mixed-methods study on high school students involved in the Pre-College Research Internship for Students from Minority Backgrounds (PRISM) program from 2018 to 2022, excluding the 2020 cohort due to COVID-19 disruptions. PRISM connected academic surgeons with students from URM backgrounds interested in medicine, involving them in research, lectures, and clinical shadowing. We used questionnaires and focus group interviews to assess its impact on the students’ career goals.

Results

Fourteen out of twenty participants completed a self-administered survey (70% response rate), and six participated in focus group interviews. Of the participants, 78.5% were African American, 14.3% Hispanic, and 7.2% Native American. All students achieved a 100% college acceptance rate, with 85.7% selecting pre-medical degrees in college and planning to pursue medical school. More than 75.0% of the students had no family members working in healthcare or had limited knowledge of healthcare professions. 90.0% reported that their involvement in the program improved their understanding of healthcare professions or inspired them to pursue a career in academic surgery. 86.6% found the program helpful for mentorship and career development. All students lacked prior research experience, but 64.3% were involved in active research post-program. The quantitative results were supported by qualitative data obtained from the focus group interviews. Participants emphasized four prominent themes: the importance of appropriate mentorship, better understanding of healthcare and surgical career pathways, enhanced research knowledge, and progress in career development.

Conclusion

Providing high school students from underrepresented minority (URM) backgrounds with early exposure to surgical practices and mentorship can significantly support their career development and increase interest in academic surgery. Investing in these pipeline programs is a viable component of a multi-faceted approach to effectively address diversity within the surgical workforce.
From conflicts law to transformative law: facing ‘fragmented globalisation’
Authors: Kjaer Poul F.
Published: December 2024

How does ‘Europe’ cope with its dark past and how does it handle its internal conflicts and contradictions? This is the question at the heart of Christian Joerges’s 600-page opus magnum Conflict and Transformation – Essays on European Law and Policy where he advances his reconceptualization of EU law as a particular form of conflicts law as his answer. But the problem constellation the EU is faced with in today’s world is well-beyond what can be encapsulated by a conflicts law perspective. As an alternative the idea of transformative law is introduced and its potential for acting as a basis for the reconceptualization of the EU legal order discussed. Joerges’s oeuvre moreover has a blind angle, as it is internalistic in nature. But rather than internal forces driving the integration project forward the structural trigger and driver of European integration should rather be found in the reconfiguration of Europe’s relations with the wider world. From (de-)colonialisation to todays ‘fragmented globalisation’ it is the structural reconfigurations of Europe’s relationships to the rest of the world which is the central driver of the integration process.
Systematic review of racial/ethnic and gender differences in financial knowledge in the United States
Authors: Blanco Luisa R. , Garcia Cruz , Gulbins Baely , Gutierrez Rosemary
Published: December 2024

We review journal publications from 2007 to 2023 that specifically study or consider racial/ethnic and gender differences in financial knowledge. Of the 32 papers we review, 12 focus on racial/ethnic differences, 7 focus on gender differences, and 13 consider racial/ethnic and gender differences. From these studies, we estimate that, on average White adults score 17 percentage points higher than Black adults on objective financial knowledge, 14 percentage points higher than Hispanic adults, and 2 percentage points lower than Asian adults. We also estimate that, on average, men score 13 percentage points higher than women on objective financial knowledge. We also provide average racial/ethnic and gender differences in subjective financial, knowledge, and these differences across groups seem much smaller. We provide an overview of possible determinants for these racial/ethnic and gender gaps in financial knowledge. We discuss how stakeholders should leverage research on financial knowledge and directions for future research with the purpose to address racial/ethnic and gender gaps in financial knowledge in the United States.
The Crown must always win: Rethinking authentic leadership through ‘The Crown’ series
Authors: Kark Ronit , Cohen Ben Shalom
Published: December 2024

This research explores the theory of authentic leadership and the critiques on the theory by analyzing the portrayals of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, and Margaret Thatcher in season 4 of the Netflix’s series The Crown. Utilizing directed qualitative content analysis, we seek to understand how authenticity in leadership is manifested, its limitations, and the role of gender within this framework. The investigation highlights the challenges leaders face between expected role fulfillment and genuine self-expression. It explores the benefits and drawbacks of authenticity, the attribution of authenticity when the leaders deviate from the formal roles, the nature of the role as influencing the expression of authenticity (e.g., degrees of freedom associated with each role) and the complex interaction between gender and authenticity. In response to these findings, the concept of ‘leader bounded authenticity’ is proposed, suggesting a balance between adhering to the formal role and the display of authentic leadership.
Sedimentologic successions and chronology of the late Pleistocene deposits on the southern Kola Peninsula, northern Europe
Authors: Korsakova Olga , Molodkov Anatoly , Zaretskaya Nataliya , Grigoriev Vasily
Published: December 2024

Late Pleistocene deposits in the southern Kola Peninsula, adjacent to the White Sea, evidence the complex alternation between marine transgressions and glacial expansions in northern Europe during successive late Pleistocene warm and cold stages. According to lithostratigraphic and chronological data from key sections, southern Kola Peninsula underwent two phases of the Boreal marine transgression during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5; marine environments, encompassing the very end of MIS 4 and almost the entirety of MIS 3, were also recognized. Age determinations using electron spin resonance (ESR) and infrared optically stimulated luminescence (IR-OSL) techniques reveal marine sediments with ages ranging from 138–128 ka to 72.4 ± 5.6 ka in the Varzuga, Chavanga, Chapoma 1 and 2, and Bolshaya Kumzhevaya sections, indicating initial and second phases of the Boreal transgression. The presence of marine deposits with ages ranging from ca. 59 ka to 37 ka in the Chavanga, Kamenka, Chapoma 2, and Bolshaya Kumzhevaya sections also suggests an accumulation stage in the marine environment. The research material from the studied sections provides evidence of a short glacier expansion into coastal areas of the White Sea during early MIS 4 and a continuous glaciation from the late MIS 3 and throughout MIS 2.