bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Employees Motivation and Financial Performance of Hotel Business in Rwanda: A case Study of Hill-Top Hotel and Country Club
Authors:   University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies, Rwanda, Mudahemuka William ,   Rudolph Kwanue University, Liberia, Kasaija Emmanuel , Muhoza Reginald , Ibrahim Sesay Osman
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of employee motivation on financial performance of hotel business in Rwanda with a case of Hill-Top Hotel and Country Club. The following specific objectives guided the study: To identify the different types of employee motivation, to find out the contribution of employee motivation to the financial performance, to determine the challenges facing employee motivation at Hill-Top Hotel and Country Club. The study sample size was 39. The questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect primary data. The results indicated the major type of employee motivation used by Hill-Top Hotel and Country Club was an improved working environment with a rate of 26%. The findings also revealed that Hill-Top Hotel and Country Club maintains employee motivation by increasing employee performance leading to the contribution of financial performance at a rate of 36%. Finally, the findings showed that 33.3% of the respondents answered that poor understanding of the motivations behind repeat bookings as a major challenge facing employee motivation at Hill-Top Hotel and Country Club. In conclusion, employee motivation contributes to the financial performance of hotel businesses. The researcher recommends that Hill-Top Hotel and Country Club should hire more trained and motivated employees. by improving the work environment and having motivated employees who are familiar with assigned tasks, could increase employee performance and contribute to the finance performance. This would ensure that the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization are enhanced.
Contract Management and Operational Performance of the Road Construction Sector in Uganda: Evidence from the Uganda National Roads Authority
Authors:   Uganda Martyrs University, Muheesi Alex , Kasenge Martin , Ssebagala Cyprian , Namuli Josephine
Published: June 2023

The study examined the effect of contract management on operational performance of the road construction sector in Uganda, a case of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) paying attention to three objectives: to examine the effect of contract administration; relationship management and contract monitoring on operational performance of UNRA. A cross sectional research design was used on a sample of 108 participants from whom questionnaires were used to collect data. SPSS (version 25) was adopted to process data while analysis was done through descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that all tenets of contract management studied are positively related to operational performance (contract administration: r = 0.53; p < 0.01, relationship management: r = 0.644; p < 0.01 and contract monitoring: r = 0.469; p <0.01). Results revealed that contract management explains 41.3% of the variation in operational performance of UNRA and that contract administration, relationship management and contract monitoring have a positive effect on operational performance with net contributions of 42%, 34.7% and 24.6% respectively. The researchers conclude that contract management positively predicts operational performance. The researchers recommend that the authorities at UNRA should pay keen attention to all dimensions of contract management adopted in the study since they all positively relate with and equally positively influence operational performance of the organization. By doing so, any occurrences that would jeopardize smooth flow of activities and works will be eliminated, hence harnessing operational efficiency.
Factors Leading to Kiswahili Poor Speaking Skills in Kicukiro Secondary Schools, Rwanda
Authors:   University of Rwanda, Sebazungu Pascal , Ikuramutse Martin Hubert
Published: June 2023

This study aims at investigating factors that lead to Kiswahili poor Speaking Skills in Kicukiro Secondary Schools, Rwanda. The study was guided by constructivism theory by Jean Piaget (1896-1980). Different methods were used to collect data, including interview, classroom observation and document analysis. As a result, this research used three Kiswahili teachers from three different secondary schools and twelve students from those schools. Data from the research were analyzed qualitatively. The target population was selected purposively. Findings showed that students do not speak Kiswahili effectively owing to different reasons, namely: shyness of students while speaking Kiswahili, lack of motivation, fear of speaking Kiswahili in public, lack of Kiswahili spoken vocabulary as well as lack of confidence in speaking Kiswahili language. Therefore, this study recommends various educational institutions, including the ministry of education and its stakeholders to provide enough teaching resources in schools, cooperation of learners with parents’ involvements in learning development of their children, teachers must be well equipped in strategies that help students acquire Kiswahili speaking skills.
The effect of Teaching Aids on Students’ Performance in Biology Subject in O’level Secondary Schools in Kayonza District
Authors:   University of Rwanda, Muhoza Redempta Ntezimana ,   University of Nairobi,   Rwanda Tourism University College,   Data and IT Consulting Ltd, Imaniriho Dan , Nshimiyimana Augustin , Nkunzabo Ephrem , Ntezimana Neo Justin , Batera Ntezimana
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of teaching aids on students' performance in Biology subject in O'level secondary schools in Kayonza District. Using convenient sampling, four schools were selected comprising a total population of 347 made by 4 Dean of Studies, 4 Biology teachers, and 339 students. Data were collected using both interviews, observation checklists, and tests. As a mixed study, data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, content analysis, and t-tests using SPSS 26 version as a tool to compare students who were taught using teaching aids and those who learned without teaching aids. The results showed that textbooks and charts were the most available teaching aids. The most challenge that hinders the effective use of teaching aids in biology teaching was found to be a lack of time to prepare teaching aids (n=4, 100%), and the teaching aids language barrier (n=4, 100%). The results revealed that there were significant differences between academic performance amongst the students who learned using teaching aids (M= 7.000) and those who learned without teaching aids (M=6.017) at a significant level of 0.000. The provision of instructional materials in schools, the organization of workshops for teachers about the use of instructional materials, the production of simple teaching aids through improvisation for students to practice what they study and the supervision of how the available instructional materials are effectively utilized will contribute to high performance in O’level Biology secondary schools in Kayonza District.
Participation of Women in Environmental Protection, Conservation and Management in Voi Sub-County, Taita Taveta County, Kenya
Authors:   Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Kenya, Ngono Essono Binelli Marie Catherine , Norvy Paul , Mwaura Lydia , Mutui Frida Nyiva
Published: June 2023

Worldwide, women have made a substantial contribution to environmental protection initiatives. Yet they have been underrepresented in environmental decision-making processes. Voi sub-County experiences the devastating effects of deforestation and land degradation. This study explored the participation of women in environmental protection, conservation, and management in the Voi sub-County, Taita Taveta County. Ecofeminist and participation theories guided the research and adopted mixed methods sequential explanatory design. The study targeted a population of 8631 women in Mbololo and Ngolia wards, in Voi sub-County. A sample size of 400 participants was selected using proportionate random sampling and determined using a Yamane formula. Data was collected through primary and secondary methods. The primary data collection instruments included; questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and Focus Group Discussions and secondary data collected through a comprehensive review of the literature. Quantitative data was analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 27. Qualitative data were categorized into themes and sub-themes. The findings indicate that only a small proportion of women are involved in environmental conservation initiatives. Women have not been empowered with environmental management skills. The study recommends creating awareness of environmental issues, and involvement of women in training programmes.
“Dokoro” Nutrient Dense Porridge Formulated from Fruits, Legumes and Cereal
Authors:   Midlands State University, Zimbabwe, Usai Tecklah , Nyoka Ruth , Badza Faith , Mutonhodza Beaula ,   University of Zimbabwe
Published: June 2023

The study aimed at determining the possibility of offering an alternative to the common maize meal porridge with a porridge formulated from a mixture of fruits, legumes and cereals. It was underpinned by a positivist research paradigm which followed an experimental research design. The conveniently selected panellists for product testing consisted of 30 primary school pupils who were conveniently selected in Grade 7 from one school and were willing to participate. Composite flours consisting of fruits, cereals and legumes were used to produce a porridge which was compared with unrefined maize meal porridge for acceptability. This was followed by the evaluation of nutrient composition for both dokoro and maize meal. The mean acceptance score for dokoro porridge (Mean = 7.6, SD = 0.26) was significantly higher (p≤001) than the acceptance score for maize porridge (Mean = 5.8, SD = 0.14), t (58) = -3.75, p = 0.000. Moreover, dokoro composite powder had a significantly higher content values for moisture (p≤0.001), ash (p≤0.003), protein (p≤0.014), crude fibre (p≤0.001), vitamin C, energy, zinc and iron (p≤0.001) than maize powder. The study concludes that Dokoro porridge is a healthier food product that is more acceptable and contains significantly higher nutrient values than the common maize meal porridge. It is recommended to replicate the study using a larger sample of participants of different age groups from various locations in the country to determine the potential of using the dokora product nationwide.
Code-Switching, Embodiment and Object Status in Heritage Environments
Authors: Wilton Antje
Published: June 2023

The paper presents an analysis of a demonstration of a Neolithic quern in which code-switching and embodied actions are employed to interactionally construct the status of the object and the reference to both past and present realities. The data show how participants of a guided tour engage with these realities by treating the quern as accessory, exhibit and prop to connect experiences in the present with the realities of life in the Neolithic past. The demonstration as part of the guided tour does not merely provide a simulation of the past, but also an approximation of it through verbal and bodily means.
Paean to Physicians’ Patient Notes
Authors: Caplan Louis R.
Published: June 2023

This essay discusses the value of the detail-filled notes physicians were trained to write after each patient encounter, and how those notes are now viewed mostly as instruments for billing instead of as vital information for ongoing patient care.
A joint geophysical approach to tune an integrated sinkhole monitoring method in evaporitic environments
Authors: Calligaris Chiara , Forte Emanuele , Busetti Alice , Zini Luca
Published: June 2023

Several methodologies allow for the detection and mapping of existing sinkholes in order to asses and manage the associated hazards and risks. These phenomena, linked to the presence of soluble rocks, are well known globally as they can cause severe damage to man‐made structures. In this paper, we propose an integrated method applied to a test‐site area in NE Italy where, on May 11 2017, a failure shaped like a sinkhole, suddenly occurred along a main regional road, which then had to be closed to traffic in part as a result of a landslide developing on the slope just upstream from the surface depression which had already formed. The slope was reprofiled, a paved barrier was placed at the toe of the slope, and the road itself was finally repaired and restored. In the test site, a detailed morphological and geological survey was performed, as well as several integrated multi‐scale geophysical investigations, both in correspondence to the sinkhole location and in surrounding areas where other depressions were found. Results confirm the absence of large cavities down to the maximum investigated depth and highlighted a complex geological situation with abrupt lateral variations, a straight correlation between different geomorphological and geological elements, and the role of water paths. Geophysical investigations were found to be a useful tool to monitor the future evolution of the identified phenomena and to prevent further collapses and disasters along roads.
Various types of stress and greater use of disengagement coping are associated with worse sleep disturbance in oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy
Authors: Calvo‐Schimmel Alejandra , Paul Steven M. , Cooper Bruce A. , Harris Carolyn , Shin Joosun , Oppegaard Kate , Hammer Marilyn J. , Cartwright Frances , Conley Yvette P. , Kober Kord M. , Levine Jon D. , Miaskowski Christine
Published: June 2023

Various types of stress and the choice of coping strategies may be risk factors for higher levels of sleep disturbance in oncology patients. Purposes were to evaluate for differences in global, cancer‐specific, and cumulative life stress, as well as resilience and the use of coping strategies among three subgroups of patients with distinct sleep disturbance profiles (i.e., Low, High, Very High). Oncology outpatients (n = 1331) completed measures of global (Perceived Stress Scale), cancer‐specific (Impact of Event Scale‐Revised), and cumulative life (Life Stressor Checklist‐Revised) stress, resilience (Connor‐Davidson Resilience Scale) and coping (Brief Cope) prior to their second or third cycle of chemotherapy. Sleep disturbance was assessed six times over two chemotherapy cycles. Differences were evaluated using parametric and non‐parametric tests. All stress measures showed a dose response effect (i.e., as the sleep disturbance profile worsened, levels of all types of stress increased). Compared to Low class, the other two classes reported higher levels of global perceived stress and higher occurrence rates and effect from previous stressful life events. Impact of Event Scale‐Revised scores for the Very High class indicated post‐traumatic symptomatology. Patients in High and Very High classes had resilience scores below the normative score for the United States population and used a higher number of disengagement coping strategies. Our findings suggest that very high levels of sleep disturbance are associated with higher levels of various types of stress, lower levels of resilience, and higher use of disengagement coping strategies. Clinicians need to perform routine assessments and implement symptom management interventions to reduce stress and encourage the use of engagement coping strategies.
Acculturation and suicide-related risk in ethnoracially minoritized youth in the US: a scoping review and content analysis of the empirical evidence
Authors: Polanco-Roman Lillian , Ebrahimi Chantel T. , Mafnas Katherine S. W. , Hausmann-Stabile Carolina , Meca Alan , Mazzula Silvia L. , Duarte Cristiane S. , Lewis-Fernández Roberto
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Among Asian-American/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latinx, and Black youth, the US born have higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (attempts and death-by-suicide) than first-generation migrants. Research has focused on the role of acculturation, defined as the sociocultural and psychological adaptations from navigating multiple cultural environments.

Methods

Using content analysis, we conducted a scoping review on acculturation-related experiences and suicide-related risk in Asian-American/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latinx, and Black youth (henceforth described as “ethnoracially minoritized adolescents”), identifying 27 empirical articles in 2005–2022.

Results

Findings were mixed: 19 articles found a positive association between acculturation and higher risk for suicide ideation and attempts, namely when assessed as acculturative stress; 3 articles a negative association; and 5 articles no association. Most of the research, however, was cross-sectional, largely focused on Hispanic/Latinx youth, relied on demographic variables or acculturation-related constructs as proxies for acculturation, used single-item assessments for suicide risk, and employed non-random sampling strategies. Although few articles discussed the role of gender, none discussed the intersections of race, sexual orientation, or other social identities on acculturation.

Conclusion

Without a more developmental approach and systematic application of an intersectional research framework that accounts for racialized experiences, the mechanisms by which acculturation may influence the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior remain unclear, resulting in a dearth of culturally responsive suicide-prevention strategies among migrant and ethnoracially minoritized youth.
Suizid mit Schießkugelschreiber – ein Beitrag zur Notwendigkeit der Krematoriumsleichenschau
Authors: Kern T. , Buschmann C. , Preuß-Wössner J.
Published: June 2023

Es wird der Todesfall eines 74-jährigen Mannes berichtet, bei dem nach Auffindung in der Wohnung bei der ärztlichen Leichenschau eine gastrointestinale Blutung als Todesursache dokumentiert wurde. Die Krematoriumsleichenschau ergab jedoch eine suspekte Verletzung am Kopf. Die gerichtliche Sektion ergab einen mittels eines selbstgebauten Schussapparates suizidal beigebrachten todesursächlichen Kopfsteckschuss. Der Fall betont einmal mehr die Notwendigkeit einer suffizienten ärztlichen Leichenschau.
Pólya’s conjecture for Euclidean balls
Authors: Filonov Nikolay , Levitin Michael , Polterovich Iosif , Sher David A.
Published: June 2023

The celebrated Pólya’s conjecture (1954) in spectral geometry states that the eigenvalue counting functions of the Dirichlet and Neumann Laplacian on a bounded Euclidean domain can be estimated from above and below, respectively, by the leading term of Weyl’s asymptotics. Pólya’s conjecture is known to be true for domains which tile Euclidean space, and, in addition, for some special domains in higher dimensions. In this paper, we prove Pólya’s conjecture for the disk, making it the first non-tiling planar domain for which the conjecture is verified. We also confirm Pólya’s conjecture for arbitrary planar sectors, and, in the Dirichlet case, for balls of any dimension. Along the way, we develop the known links between the spectral problems in the disk and certain lattice counting problems. A key novel ingredient is the observation, made in recent work of the last named author, that the corresponding eigenvalue and lattice counting functions are related not only asymptotically, but in fact satisfy certain uniform bounds. Our proofs are purely analytic, except for a rigorous computer-assisted argument needed to cover the short interval of values of the spectral parameter in the case of the Neumann problem in the disk.
Tumor-associated macrophages promote cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells by enhancing WTAP-mediated N6-methyladenosine RNA methylation via the CXCL16/CXCR6 axis
Authors: Hong Lan , Wang Xiuzhen , Zheng Lang , Wang Shengtan , Zhu Genhai
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Tumor-promotive tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and the CXCL16/CXCR6 axis have been reported to be correlated with the limited efficacy of chemotherapy in ovarian cancer (OC). However, the role of TAM-secreted CXCL16 and the mechanism by which it affects the cisplatin (DDP) resistance of OC cells remain elusive.

Methods

We induced human THP-1 monocytes to differentiate into macrophages. Next, SKOV3 and TOV-112D cells were co-cultured with the macrophages, followed by incubation with increasing concentrations of DDP. The effects of CXCL16, CXCR6, and WTAP on the DDP resistance of OC cells were investigated using the CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, and TUNEL staining. CXCL16 concentrations were determined by ELISA. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting were used to examine related markers.

Results

Our results showed that after being co-cultured with TAMs, the DDP resistance of OC cells was significantly enhanced and their CXCL16 levels were elevated. Acquired DDP resistance was characterized by an increased IC50 value for DDP, the formation of cell colonies, and decreased levels of cell apoptosis, which were accompanied by reduced levels of caspase-3 and Bax expression, and increased levels of Bcl-2, PARP1, BRCA1, and BRCA2 expression. Either CXCL16 knockdown in TAMs or CXCR6 knockdown in OC cells suppressed the DDP resistance of OC cells that had been co-cultured with TAMs. Knockdown of CXCL16 affected m6A RNA methylation in OC cells, as reflected by decreased YTHDF1/WTAP expression and increased ALKBH5 expression. WTAP overexpression and knockdown promoted and suppressed the DDP resistance of OC cells, respectively.

Conclusion

Tumor-associated macrophages promote the cisplatin resistance of OC cells by enhancing WTAP-mediated N6-methyladenosine RNA methylation via the CXCL16/CXCR6 axis.
A biscarbene gold(I)-NHC-complex overcomes cisplatin-resistance in A2780 and W1 ovarian cancer cells highlighting pERK as regulator of apoptosis
Authors: König Philipp , Zhulenko Roman , Suparman Eloy , Hoffmeister Henrik , Bückreiß Nico , Ott Ingo , Bendas Gerd
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Cisplatin resistance is the major obstacle in the clinical treatment of ovarian cancer patients. Molecular mechanisms of cisplatin resistance are multifaceted. Gold(I)-compounds, i.e. N-heterocyclic carbene-gold(I)-complexes (NHC-Au(I)) has been regarded as promising cytotoxic drug candidates. However, their potential to overcome cisplatin resistance has hardly been addressed yet. Here we investigated the activity of the gold(I) drug auranofin and the NHC-Au(I)-compound MC3 in W1CR and A2780cis cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells.

Methods

Cytotoxicity of auranofin and MC3 was detected by MTT assay, correlated with intracellular gold(I) content, analyzed by AAS, and with flow cytometric detection of the cell cycle. Insight into cellular redox balance was provided by fluorimetric ROS-formation assay and western blotting thioredoxin (Trx) and Nrf2. The role of ERK was elucidated by using the inhibitor SCH772984 and its impact on cytotoxicity upon co-treatment with cisplatin and Au(I)-compounds, respectively.

Results

MC3 overcomes cisplatin resistance in A2780cis and W1CR, and auranofin in W1CR cells completely, which is neither reflected by intracellular gold levels nor cell cycle changes. Upregulated redox balance appears as a basis for resistance. W1CR cells possess higher Trx levels, whereas A2780cis cells display strong Nrf2 expression as anti-oxidative protection. Nevertheless, overcoming redox balance appears not primary mode of activity comparing cisplatin and gold(I)-compounds. pERK emerges as a critical component and thus a promising target for overcoming resistance, regulating apoptosis differently in response to either gold(I) or cisplatin in A2780 cells.

Conclusion

These data reflect the complexity of cisplatin resistance in cell models and emphasize NHC-Au(I)-complexes as prospective cytotoxic agents for further investigations in that respect.
High physical activity in persons with psoriatic arthritis is associated with reduced visceral fat mass and percentage body fat: the Trøndelag Health study
Authors: Osman Abdirizak Ali , Hoff Mari , Videm Vibeke
Published: June 2023

The associations of physical activity (PA) with body composition among persons with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are not well described. The objective was to investigate associations of PA with visceral fat mass and percentage body fat in persons with PsA of different age groups. Persons with PsA (CASPAR criteria, n = 356), and controls (n = 47,470) from the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT4, 2017–2019) were included. Visceral fat mass and percentage body fat measured using bioelectrical impedance were primary outcomes in multivariable linear regression analysis. PsA, PA (questionnaire data), and age were explanatory variables, with adjustment for sex, smoking, heart disease, lung disease, and height. An interaction term between PsA and age was included in both models. Persons with PsA had altered body composition, including higher visceral fat mass and percentage body fat, especially those < 40 years of age (p ≤ 0.01). Moderate or high PA was associated with significantly lower values of the primary outcomes. Differences were Moderate compared to low PA: 1.4 kg (95% CI 1.3, 1.5 kg) lower visceral fat mass, and 2.0% (95% CI 1.8, 2.1) lower percentage body fat. Differences were High compared to low PA: 3.2 kg (95% CI 3.1, 3.3) lower visceral fat mass and 5.0% (95% CI 4.8, 5.1%) lower percentage body fat. Persons with PsA had higher visceral fat mass and percentage body fat, especially if < 40 years, and PA was associated with lower values of both endpoints. Changes of body composition in persons with PsA may influence important health outcomes and should be addressed in clinical practice.
Vortex force decomposition—forces associated with individual elements of a vorticity field
Authors: Gehlert Pascal , Andreu-Angulo Ignacio , Babinsky Holger
Published: June 2023

The impulse theory used to calculate the force from a vorticity distribution in two-dimensional, incompressible flow, is re-cast with the aim of approximating, to a first order, the forces generated by a specific flow feature, such as a free vortex passing by an object. To achieve this, the force acting on the body is split up into several core contributions. The first component arises from the time variation of the body’s boundary layer. The second is generated by the advection of any free vorticity located in the flowfield by the object’s boundary layer vorticity. The final force contribution is due to new vorticity being shed. To test the theory, it is applied to two multi-body flowfields consisting of a circular cylinder and a flat plate wing at incidence in close proximity. Force balance measurements and planar particle image velocimetry data are simultaneously obtained at Reynolds numbers of $$10\,000$$

10

000

and $$20\,000$$

20

000

. The forces acting on the cylinder are successfully recovered from the vorticity data using the derived formulation, verifying its accuracy. Subsequently, the proposed force formulation is used to create force heat maps that demonstrate how the location of a leading edge vortex affects its force contribution around a pitching NACA-0021 wing translating at a Reynolds number of $$10\, 000$$

10

000

.
Association of mitochondrial DNA variation with high myopia in a Han Chinese population
Authors: Xing Shilai , Jiang Siyi , Wang Siyu , Lin Peng , Sun Haojun , Peng Hui , Yang Jiaying , Kong Hengte , Wang Sheng , Bai Qingshi , Qiu Ruowen , Dai Wei , Yuan Jian , Ma Yunlong ,   Myopia Associated Genetics and Intervention Consortium, Yu Xiaoguang , Yao Yinghao , Su Jianzhong
Published: June 2023

High myopia (HM), which is characterized by oxidative stress, is one of the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness across the world. Family and population genetic studies have uncovered nuclear-genome variants in proteins functioned in the mitochondria. However, whether mitochondrial DNA mutations are involved in HM remains unexplored. Here, we performed the first large-scale whole-mitochondrial genome study in 9613 HM cases and 9606 control subjects of Han Chinese ancestry for identifying HM-associated mitochondrial variants. The single-variant association analysis identified nine novel genetic variants associated with HM reaching the entire mitochondrial wide significance level, including rs370378529 inND2with an odds ratio (OR) of 5.25. Interestingly, eight out of nine variants were predominantly located in related sub-haplogroups, i.e. m.5261G > A in B4b1c, m.12280A > G in G2a4, m.7912G > A in D4a3b, m.94G > A in D4e1, m.14857 T > C in D4e3, m.14280A > G in D5a2, m.16272A > G in G2a4, m.8718A > G in M71 and F1a3, indicating that the sub-haplogroup background can increase the susceptible risk for high myopia. The polygenic risk score analysis of the target and validation cohorts indicated a high accuracy for predicting HM with mtDNA variants (AUC = 0.641). Cumulatively, our findings highlight the critical roles of mitochondrial variants in untangling the genetic etiology of HM.
Open, Closed, and Non-Degenerate Embedding Dimensions of Neural Codes
Authors: Jeffs R. Amzi
Published: June 2023

We study the open, closed, and non-degenerate embedding dimensions of neural codes, which are the smallest respective dimensions in which one can find a realization of a code consisting of convex sets that are open, closed, or non-degenerate in a sense defined by Cruz, Giusti, Itskov, and Kronholm. For a given code $$\mathcal {C}$$
C
we define the embedding dimension vector to be the triple (a, b, c) consisting of these embedding dimensions. Existing results guarantee that $$\max {\{a,b\}}\le c$$

max

{
a
,
b
}

≤
c

, and we show that when any of these dimensions is at least 2 this is the only restriction on such vectors. Specifically, for every triple (a, b, c) with $$2\le \min {\{a,b\}}$$

2
≤
min

{
a
,
b
}

and $$\max {\{a,b\}}\le c\le \infty $$

max

{
a
,
b
}

≤
c
≤
∞

we construct a code $$\mathcal {C}_{(a,b,c)}$$

C

(
a
,
b
,
c
)

whose embedding dimension vector is exactly (a, b, c) (where an embedding dimension is $$\infty $$
∞
if there is no realization of the corresponding type). Our constructions combine two existing tools in the convex neural codes literature: sunflowers of convex open sets, and rigid structures, the latter of which was recently defined in work of Chan, Johnston, Lent, Ruys de Perez, and Shiu. Our constructions provide the first examples of codes whose closed embedding dimension is larger than their open embedding dimension, but still finite.
FEM–CM as a hybrid approach for multiscale modeling and simulation of ferroelectric boundary value problems
Authors: Wakili Reschad , Lange Stephan , Ricoeur Andreas
Published: June 2023

Constitutive modeling of ferroelectrics is a challenging task, spanning physical processes on different scales from unit cell switching and domain wall motion to polycrystalline behavior. The condensed method (CM) is a semi-analytical approach, which has been efficiently applied to various problems in this context, ranging from self-heating and damage evolution to energy harvesting. Engineering applications, however, inevitably require the solution of arbitrary boundary value problems, including the complex multiphysical constitutive behavior, in order to analyze multifunctional devices with integrated ferroelectric components. The well-established finite element method (FEM) is commonly used for this purpose, allowing sufficient flexibility in model design to successfully handle most tasks. A restricting aspect, especially if many calculations are required within, e.g., an optimization process, is the computational cost which can be considerable if two or even more scales are involved. The FEM–CM approach, where a numerical discretization scheme for the macroscale is merged with a semi-analytical methodology targeting at material-related scales, proves to be very efficient in this respect.
Organtransplantierte Patienten in der Notaufnahme
Authors: Schröder Christoph , Hillebrand Uta , Voßiek Luca Jan , Schmidt Bernhard M. W. , Brod Torben
Published: June 2023

Hintergrund

Patienten nach solider Organtransplantation stellen in der Notaufnahme ein spezielles Kollektiv dar, wobei atypische Beschwerdebilder sowie komplexe Begleitfaktoren die Behandler vor besondere Herausforderungen stellen.

Ziel der Arbeit

Charakterisierung von organtransplantierten Patienten in der Notaufnahme im Hinblick auf ihre Leitsymptome bzw. Diagnosen und Unterschiede zwischen den einzelnen Transplantatorganen.

Material und Methoden

Retrospektive deskriptive Analyse von Patienten nach solider Organtransplantation, die sich innerhalb von 2 Jahren in der Notaufnahme der Medizinischen Hochschule Hannover vorgestellt haben.

Ergebnisse

Untersucht wurden 977 Vorstellungen organtransplantierter Patienten. Führende Leitsymptome waren Fieber (23,6 %), allgemeine Schwäche (19,2 %) und Bauchschmerzen (17,0 %). Am häufigsten konnte die Diagnose eines akuten Infekts (43,8 %) gestellt werden, gefolgt von der akuten Funktionsverschlechterung des Organtransplantats (19,3 %). In der Subgruppe des akuten Infekts waren bei nierentransplantierten Patienten (NTx) die ableitenden Harnwege, bei lebertransplantierten (LeTx) die Gallenwege und bei lungentransplantierten Patienten (LuTx) die Atemwege der primäre Fokus. In der Subgruppe der Patienten mit akuter Funktionsverschlechterung des Organtransplantats zeigte sich bei NTx-Patienten die infektbedingte Transplantatverschlechterung führend, während bei LeTx- und LuTx-Patienten die akute Abstoßung überwog.

Schlussfolgerungen

Fieber und akute Schwäche sind häufige, jedoch unspezifische Beschwerdebilder, die zur Vorstellung organtransplantierter Patienten in der Notaufnahme führen. Diesen liegt vielfach eine Infektion oder eine akute Verschlechterung der Transplantatfunktion zugrunde.
A hybrid estimation of distribution algorithm for the offline 2D variable-sized bin packing problem
Authors: Borgulya Istvan
Published: June 2023

In this paper we present an evolutionary heuristic for the offline two-dimensional variable-sized bin packing problem. In this problem we have to pack a set of rectangles into two-dimensional variable-sized rectangular bins. The bins are divided into types, and the bins in different types have different sizes and possibly different weights (costs). There are (sufficiently) many bins from each type, and any rectangle fits into at least one bin-type. The goal is to pack the rectangles into the bins without overlap, parallel to the sides, so that the total area of the used bins (or total cost) is minimized. Our algorithm is a hybrid heuristic. It uses two different techniques to generate the descendants: either estimation of distribution algorithm and sampling the resulting probability model, or applying the usual operators of evolutionary algorithms (selection, mutation). To pack the rectangles into the bins the algorithm uses the strategy of randomly choosing one of two placement heuristics, that pack always only one group (one to three) of rectangles. It improves the quality of the solutions with three local search procedures. The algorithm has been tested on benchmark instances from the literature and has been compared with other heuristics and metaheuristics. Our algorithm outperformed the previously published results.
Recommender Systems in Cybersecurity
Authors: Ferreira Leonardo , Silva Daniel Castro , Itzazelaia Mikel Uriarte
Published: June 2023

With the growth of CyberTerrorism, enterprises worldwide have been struggling to stop intruders from obtaining private data. Despite the efforts made by Cybersecurity experts, the shortage of skillful security teams and the usage of intelligent attacks have slowed down the enhancement of defense mechanisms. Furthermore, the pandemic in 2020 forced organizations to work in remote environments with poor security, leading to increased cyberattacks. One possible solution for these problems is the implementation of Recommender Systems to assist Cybersecurity human operators. Our goal is to survey the application of Recommender Systems in Cybersecurity architectures. These decision-support tools deal with information overload through filtering and prioritization methods, allowing businesses to increase revenue, achieve better user satisfaction, and make faster and more efficient decisions in various domains (e-commerce, healthcare, finance, and other fields). Several reports demonstrate the potential of using these recommendation structures to enhance the detection and prevention of cyberattacks and aid Cybersecurity experts in treating client incidents. This survey discusses several studies where Recommender Systems are implemented in Cybersecurity with encouraging results. One promising direction explored by the community is using Recommender Systems as attack predictors and navigation assistance tools. As contributions, we show the recent efforts in this area and summarize them in a table. Furthermore, we provide an in-depth analysis of potential research lines. For example, the inclusion of Recommender Systems in security information event management systems and security orchestration, automation, and response applications could decrease their complexity and information overload.
Clinical reasoning in pharmacy: What do eye movements and verbal protocols tell us about the processing of a case task?
Authors: Södervik Ilona , Hanski Leena , Boshuizen Henny P. A. , Katajavuori Nina
Published: June 2023

This study investigates pharmacy students’ reasoning while solving a case task concerning an acute patient counselling situation in a pharmacy. Participants’ (N = 34) reasoning processes were investigated with written tasks utilizing eye-tracking in combination with verbal protocols. The case was presented in three pages, each page being followed by written questions. Eye movements were recorded during case processing. Success in the task required differentiating the relevant information from the task redundant information, and initial activation of several scripts and verification of the most likely one, when additional information became available. 2nd (n = 16) and 3rd (n = 18)-year students’ and better and worse succeeding students’ processes were compared. The results showed that only a few 2nd-year students solved the case correctly, whereas almost all of the 3rd-year students were successful. Generally, the average total processing times of the case material did not differ between the groups. However, better-succeeding and 3rd-year students processed the very first task-relevant sentences longer, indicating that they were able to focus on relevant information. Differences in the written answers to the 2nd and 3rd question were significant, whereas differences regarding the first question were not. Thus, eye-tracking seems to be able to capture illness script activation during case processing, but other methods are needed to depict the script verification process. Based on the results, pedagogical suggestions for advancing pharmacy education are discussed.
NPD1 Plus RvD1 Mediated Ischemic Stroke Penumbra Protection Increases Expression of Pro-homeostatic Microglial and Astrocyte Genes
Authors: Reid Madigan M. , Kautzmann Marie-Audrey I. , Andrew Gethein , Obenaus Andre , Mukherjee Pranab K. , Khoutorova Larissa , Ji Jeff X. , Roque Cassia R. , Oria Reinaldo B. , Habeb Bola F. , Belayev Ludmila , Bazan Nicolas G.
Published: June 2023

Neuroprotection to attenuate or block the ischemic cascade and salvage neuronal damage has been extensively explored for treating ischemic stroke. However, despite increasing knowledge of the physiologic, mechanistic, and imaging characterizations of the ischemic penumbra, no effective neuroprotective therapy has been found. This study focuses on the neuroprotective bioactivity of docosanoid mediators: Neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1), Resolvin D1 (RvD1), and their combination in experimental stroke. Molecular targets of NPD1 and RvD1 are defined by following dose–response and therapeutic window. We demonstrated that treatment with NPD1, RvD1, and combination therapy provides high-grade neurobehavioral recovery and decreases ischemic core and penumbra volumes even when administered up to 6 h after stroke. The expression of the following genes was salient: (a) Cd163, an anti-inflammatory stroke-associated gene, was the most differentially expressed gene by NPD1+RvD1, displaying more than a 123-fold upregulation in the ipsilesional penumbra (Lisi et al., Neurosci Lett 645:106–112, 2017); (b) 100-fold upregulation takes place in astrocyte gene PTX3, a key regulator of neurogenesis and angiogenesis after cerebral ischemia (. Rodriguez-Grande et al., J Neuroinflammation 12:15, 2015); and (c) Tmem119 and P2y12, two markers of homeostatic microglia, were found to be enhanced by ten- and fivefold, respectively (Walker et al. Int J Mol Sci 21:678, 2020). Overall, we uncovered that protection after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) by the lipid mediators elicits expression of microglia and astrocyte-specific genes (Tmem119, Fcrls, Osmr, Msr1, Cd68, Cd163, Amigo2, Thbs1, and Tm4sf1) likely participating in enhancing homeostatic microglia, modulating neuroinflammation, promoting DAMP clearance, activating NPC differentiation and maturation, synapse integrity and contributing to cell survival.

Graphical Abstract
Green Innovation and Economic Growth in a North–South Model
Authors: Witajewski-Baltvilks Jan , Fischer Carolyn
Published: June 2023

If one region of the world switches its research effort from dirty to clean technologies, will other regions follow? To investigate this question, this paper builds a North–South model that combines insights from directed technological change and quality-ladder endogenous growth models with business-stealing innovations. While North represents the region with climate ambitions, both regions have researchers choosing between clean and dirty applications, and the resulting technologies are traded. Three main results emerge: (1) In the long run, if the North’s research and development (R&D) sector is sufficiently large, researchers in South will follow the switch from dirty to clean R&D made by researchers in North, motivated by the growing value of clean markets. (2) If the two regions direct research effort toward different sectors and the outputs of the two sectors are gross substitutes, then the long-run growth rates in both regions will be lower than if the global research effort were invested in one sector. (3) If the North’s government induces its researchers to switch to clean R&D through clean technology subsidies, the welfare-maximising choice for South is to ensure that all of its researchers switch too, unless the social discount rate is high. The last result is true even if the South’s R&D sector is large.
Determination of Hydrofluoric Acid Formation During Fire Accidents of Lithium-Ion Batteries with a Direct Cooling System Based on the Refrigeration Liquids
Authors: Lombardo G. , Foreman Mark R. St. J. , Ebin B. , Yeung L. W. Y. , Steenari B. M. , Petranikova M.
Published: June 2023

To avoid overheating of the batteries, which could lead to a fire, Lithium-ion batteries are provided with a thermal management system using refrigeration liquids. Since some of the commercial dielectric liquids used as refrigeration liquids contain halogens, their presence will contribute to a formation of hazardous emissions such as hydrofluoric acid during a potential fire. In this study, a simulation of a high temperature accident has been performed for lithium-ion batteries cooled with the direct immersion cooling systems using single-phase dielectric liquids to define their contribution to HF formation. Four commercial refrigeration liquids based on perfluoropolyethers, hydrofluoroether and polyalphaolefin were investigated in this work. By simulation of a fire, it was observed that the refrigeration liquids delayed the smoke formation by a factor of 2 to 2.5 in comparison to the case when the battery was burned without the cooling liquid. By analysis of the fluoride concentration in the washing system, it was determined that without the refrigeration liquid approximately 46.8 mmol/l of [F] was captured after the fire. When refrigeration liquids based on two perfluoropolyethers and hydrofluoroether were applied, the fluoride concentration in the washing system was 259 mmol/l, 173 mmol/l and 145 mmol/l, respectively. This work also proposed the reaction mechanisms of the refrigeration liquid´s decomposition during a fire. It was concluded that the refrigeration liquid based on polyalphaolefin does not contribute to the additional formation of hydrofluoric acid due to the chemical stability and low content of fluoride and can be considered as a more sustainable alternative for a direct cooling system for Lithium-ion batteries.
Clinical Symptoms, Laboratory Parameters and Long-Term Follow-up in a National DADA2 Cohort
Authors: Andriessen Marie Valérie E. , Legger G. Elizabeth , Bredius Robbert G. M. , van Gijn Marielle E. , Hak A. Elisabeth , Muller Petra C. E. Hissink , Kamphuis Sylvia , Klouwer Femke C. C. , Kuijpers Taco W. , Leavis Helen L. , Nierkens Stefan , Rutgers Abraham , van der Veken Lars T. , van Well Gijs T. J. , Mulders-Manders Catharina M. , van Montfrans Joris M.
Published: June 2023

Deficiency of adenosine deaminase-2 (DADA2) is an autosomal recessive autoinflammatory disease with an extremely variable disease presentation. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the Dutch DADA2 cohort. We performed a retrospective cohort study in 29 ADA2-deficient patients from 23 families with a median age at inclusion of 26 years. All patients had biallelic pathogenic variants in the ADA2 gene. The most common clinical findings included cutaneous involvement (79.3%), (hepato)splenomegaly (70.8%) and recurrent infections (58.6%). Stroke was observed in 41.4% of the patients. The main laboratory abnormalities were hypogammaglobulinemia and various cytopenias. Patients presented most often with a mixed phenotype involving vasculopathy, immunodeficiency and hematologic manifestations (62.1%). In this cohort, malignancies were reported in eight patients (27.6%), of whom five presented with a hematologic malignancy and two with a basal cell carcinoma. Four patients developed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) or an HLH-like episode, of whom three passed away during or shortly after the occurrence of HLH. TNF-inhibitors (TNFi) were effective in treating vasculopathy-associated symptoms and preventing stroke, but were hardly effective in the treatment of hematologic manifestations. Three patients underwent hematopoietic cell transplantation and two of them are doing well with complete resolution of DADA2-related symptoms. The overall mortality in this cohort was 17.2%. In conclusion, this cohort describes the clinical, genetic and laboratory findings of 29 Dutch DADA2 patients. We describe the occurrence of HLH as a life-threatening disease complication and report a relatively high incidence of malignancies and mortality.
Approximating the Value of Zero-Sum Differential Games with Linear Payoffs and Dynamics
Authors: Kuipers Jeroen , Schoenmakers Gijs , Staňková Kateřina
Published: June 2023

We consider two-player zero-sum differential games of fixed duration, where the running payoff and the dynamics are both linear in the controls of the players. Such games have a value, which is determined by the unique viscosity solution of a Hamilton–Jacobi-type partial differential equation. Approximation schemes for computing the viscosity solution of Hamilton–Jacobi-type partial differential equations have been proposed that are valid in a more general setting, and such schemes can of course be applied to the problem at hand. However, such approximation schemes have a heavy computational burden. We introduce a discretized and probabilistic version of the differential game, which is straightforward to solve by backward induction, and prove that the solution of the discrete game converges to the viscosity solution of the partial differential equation, as the discretization becomes finer. The method removes part of the computational burden of existing approximation schemes.