bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human spinal cord tissue is an underutilised resource in degenerative cervical myelopathy: findings from a systematic review of human autopsies
Authors: Dohle Esmee , Beardall Sophie , Chang Aina , Mena Karla P. Corral , Jovanović Luka , Nath Upamanyu , Lee Keng Siang , Smith Alexandria H. , Thirunavukarasu Arun J. , Touzet Alvaro Yanez , Norton Emma Jane , Mowforth Oliver D. , Kotter Mark R. N. , Davies Benjamin M.
Published: February 2023

Study design

Systematic review.

Background

Although degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is the most prevalent spinal cord condition worldwide, the pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Our objective was to evaluate existing histological findings of DCM on cadaveric human spinal cord tissue and explore their consistency with animal models.

Methods

MEDLINE and Embase were systematically searched (CRD42021281462) for primary research reporting on histological findings of DCM in human cadaveric spinal cord tissue. Data was extracted using a piloted proforma. Risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Findings were compared to a systematic review of animal models (Ahkter et al. 2020 Front Neurosci 14).

Results

The search yielded 4127 unique records. After abstract and full-text screening, 19 were included in the final analysis, reporting on 150 autopsies (71% male) with an average age at death of 67.3 years. All findings were based on haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The most commonly reported grey matter findings included neuronal loss and cavity formation. The most commonly reported white matter finding was demyelination. Axon loss, gliosis, necrosis and Schwann cell proliferation were also reported. Findings were consistent amongst cervical spondylotic myelopathy and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Cavitation was notably more prevalent in human autopsies compared to animal models.

Conclusion

Few human spinal cord tissue studies have been performed. Neuronal loss, demyelination and cavitation were common findings. Investigating the biological basis of DCM is a critical research priority. Human spinal cord specimen may be an underutilised but complimentary approach.
Urinary excretion of asymmetric (ADMA) and symmetric (SDMA) dimethylarginine is positively related to nitric oxide level in tissues of normotensive and hypertensive rats
Authors: Szlęzak Dominika , Ufnal Marcin , Drapała Adrian , Samborowska Emilia , Wróbel Maria
Published: February 2023

Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the gaseous transmitters which play a very important role in the regulation of the circulatory system. Decreased NO availability is associated with hypertension, cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Endogenous NO is generated enzymatically by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) depending on the availability of the substrate, cofactors, or presence/absence of inhibitors, such as asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA). The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential relationship between NO level in rat tissues (heart and kidneys) and the concentrations of endogenous metabolites related to NO in plasma and urine. The experiment was carried out with 16- and 60-week-old male Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and age-matched male Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR). NO level in tissue homogenates was determined by the colorimetric method. RT-qPCR was used to verify the expression of the eNOS (endothelial NOS) gene. Plasma and urine concentrations of arginine, ornithine, citrulline, and dimethylarginines were examined by the UPLC-MS/MS method. 16-week-old WKY rats had the highest tissue NO and plasma citrulline levels. Furthermore, 16-week-old WKY rats showed higher urinary excretion of ADMA/SDMA compared to other experimental groups, however, plasma concentrations of arginine, ADMA, and SDMA were comparable between the groups. In conclusion, our research shows that hypertension and aging decrease tissue NO levels and are associated with reduced urinary excretion of NOS inhibitors, i.e., ADMA and SDMA.
In silico prediction of potential inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant using molecular docking and dynamics simulation-based drug repurposing
Authors: Mohamed Eslam A. R. , Abdel-Rahman Islam M. , Zaki Magdi E. A. , Al-Khdhairawi Ahmad , Abdelhamid Mahmoud M. , Alqaisi Ahmad M. , Rahim Lyana binti Abd , Abu-Hussein Bilal , El-Sheikh Azza A. K. , Abdelwahab Sayed F. , Hassan Heba Ali
Published: February 2023

Background

In November 2021, variant B.1.1.529 of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) and designated Omicron. Omicron is characterized by a high number of mutations, thirty-two in total, making it more transmissible than the original virus. More than half of those mutations were found in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) that directly interacts with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This study aimed to discover potent drugs against Omicron, which were previously repurposed for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). All repurposed anti-COVID-19 drugs were compiled from previous studies and tested against the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron.

Methods

As a preliminary step, a molecular docking study was performed to investigate the potency of seventy-one compounds from four classes of inhibitors. The molecular characteristics of the best-performing five compounds were predicted by estimating the drug-likeness and drug score. Molecular dynamics simulations (MD) over 100 ns were performed to inspect the relative stability of the best compound within the Omicron receptor-binding site.

Results

The current findings point out the crucial roles of Q493R, G496S, Q498R, N501Y, and Y505H in the RBD region of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron. Raltegravir, hesperidin, pyronaridine, and difloxacin achieved the highest drug scores compared with the other compounds in the four classes, with values of 81%, 57%, 18%, and 71%, respectively. The calculated results showed that raltegravir and hesperidin had high binding affinities and stabilities to Omicron with ΔGbinding of − 75.7304 ± 0.98324 and − 42.693536 ± 0.979056 kJ/mol, respectively. Further clinical studies should be performed for the two best compounds from this study.

Graphical Abstract
Food systems in the face of climate change: reviewing the state of research in South Pacific Islands
Authors: Trudinger Hannah , Crimp Steven , Friedman Rachel S.
Published: February 2023

Food security, in the context of a rapidly changing climate, is one of the most prominent global challenges facing human societies today. Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, while facing additional stress from globalisation and increased supply chain disruption. This review aims to document our understanding of food system vulnerability to climate change in the region, and identify the existing studies that could inform policy and decision-making. The review also serves to discern the dominant focal areas of research, as well as where gaps exist for emerging research.

Using keyword searches on the web, scholarly databases, and targeted organisational websites, we identified 104 studies published from 2010 to 2022 that looked at the impacts of climate change on some aspect of the food system in at least one PICT. We found that the majority of empirical research on climate impacts on food systems in PICTs focused on the biophysical components of food production rather than the complex interactions between the socio-economic and biophysical factors that make up food systems. An incomplete understanding of the impacts from climate change could result in maladaptation and an undermining of food system resilience.
Density of states for fast embedding node-attributed graphs
Authors: Zhao Lingxiao , Sawlani Saurabh , Akoglu Leman
Published: February 2023

Given a node-attributed graph, how can we efficiently represent it with few numerical features that expressively reflect its topology and attribute information? We propose A-DOGE, for attributed DOS-based graph embedding, based on density of states (DOS, a.k.a. spectral density) to tackle this problem. A-DOGE is designed to fulfill a long desiderata of desirable characteristics. Most notably, it capitalizes on efficient approximation algorithms for DOS, that we extend to blend in node labels and attributes for the first time, making it fast and scalable for large attributed graphs and graph databases. Being based on the entire eigenspectrum of a graph, A-DOGE can capture structural and attribute properties at multiple (“glocal”) scales. Moreover, it is unsupervised (i.e., agnostic to any specific objective) and lends itself to various interpretations, which makes it suitable for exploratory graph mining tasks. Finally, it processes each graph independent of others, making it amenable for streaming settings as well as parallelization. Through extensive experiments, we show the efficacy and efficiency of A-DOGE on exploratory graph analysis and graph classification tasks, where it significantly outperforms unsupervised baselines and achieves competitive performance with modern supervised GNNs, while achieving the best trade-off between accuracy and runtime.
Health care professionals’ experiences of dealing with cancer cachexia
Authors: Ellis Jodie , Petersen Michelle , Chang Sungwon , Ingham Gemma , Martin Peter , Morgan Nicola , Vaughan Vanessa , Brown Linda , Currow David C. , Razmovski-Naumovski Valentina
Published: February 2023

Background

Cancer cachexia (CC) is a debilitating syndrome severely impacting patients’ quality of life and survivorship. We aimed to investigate the health care professionals’ (HCPs’) experiences of dealing with CC.

Methods

Survey questions entailed definitions and guidelines, importance of CC management, clinician confidence and involvement, screening and assessment, interventions, psychosocial and food aspects. The online survey was disseminated through Australian and New Zealand palliative care, oncology, allied health and nursing organisations. Frequencies were reported using descriptive statistics accounting for response rates. Associations were examined between variables using Fisher’s exact and Pearson’s chi-square tests.

Results

Over 90% of the respondents (n = 192) were medical doctors or nurses. Over 85% of the respondents were not aware of any guidelines, with 83% considering ≥ 10% weight loss from baseline indicative of CC. CC management was considered important by 77% of HCPs, and 55% indicated that it was part of their clinical role to assess and treat CC. In contrast, 56% of respondents were not confident about managing CC, and 93% believed formal training in CC would benefit their clinical practice. Although formal screening tools were generally not used (79%), 75% of respondents asked patients about specific symptoms. Antiemetics (80%) and nutritional counselling (86%) were most prescribed or recommended interventions, respectively.

Conclusion

This study underlines the deficiencies in knowledge and training of CC which has implications for patients’ function, well-being and survival. HCP training and a structured approach to CC management is advocated for optimal and continued patient care.
Cancer may accelerate locomotive syndrome and deteriorate quality of life: a single-centre cross-sectional study of locomotive syndrome in cancer patients
Authors: Hirahata Masahiro , Imanishi Jungo , Fujinuma Wataru , Abe Satoshi , Inui Takahiro , Ogata Naoshi , Iimuro Satoshi , Fujita Retsu , Sato Kenji , Tokizaki Toru , Matsuyama Taisuke , Kawano Hirotaka
Published: February 2023

Background

Thanks to recent advancement in cancer treatment, an increasing number of cancer patients are expected to live longer with cancer. The ambulatory ability is essential for cancer patients to spend their own independent lives, but locomotive syndrome (LS), a condition of reduced mobility due to impairment of locomotive organs, in cancer patients has been seldom examined.

Methods

This was a single-institutional cross-sectional study. Cancer patients receiving cancer therapy between April 2020 and March 2021 were asked to participate. LS was classified as stage 0–3, and compared with their performance status (PS). Physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) were calculated from the results of Short Form-8. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for LS stage 3.

Results

One hundred and seventy-six cancer patients were included. The rate of LS was 96.0%. That of LS stage 3 was 40.9% and as high as 29.7% even if limited to those with PS 0. The mean PCS and MCS were both inferior to the national averages. PCS decreased as the LS stage advanced. Old age and underweight were revealed as independent risk factors for LS stage 3.

Conclusions

The ratio of LS in cancer patients was extremely high, and the LS stage correlated with physical QOL. Even those with PS 0 can have severe LS; thus, LS can be a sensitive detector of physical disability of cancer patients than PS. The improvement of LS can be a key to the preservation of their ADL and QOL.
Epistemic Norms for Public Political Arguments
Authors: Lumer Christoph
Published: February 2023

The aim of the article is to develop precise epistemic rules for good public political arguments, by which political measures in the broad sense are justified. By means of a theory of deliberative democracy, it is substantiated that the justification of a political measure consists in showing argumentatively that this measure most promotes the common good or is morally optimal. It is then discussed which argumentation-theoretical approaches are suitable for providing epistemically sound rules for arguments for such theses and for the associated premises, rules whose compliance implies the truth or acceptability of the thesis. Finally, on the basis of the most suitable approach, namely the epistemological one, such systems of rules for the required types of arguments are presented that fulfil the conditions mentioned.
Navigating Detransition Borders: An Exploration of Social Media Narratives
Authors: Sanders Tait , du Plessis Carol , Mullens Amy B. , Brömdal Annette
Published: February 2023

Detransition, a relatively recent phenomenon within academic discourse and mainstream media, refers to individuals who transition from the gender they transitioned into. Experiences of detransition, including those shared on social media, are poorly understood. Drawing upon narratives of gender detransition as shared on a global social media site, this analysis explores and seeks to better understand how detransition experiences are shared; and the effect of detransition narratives on gendered embodiment and belonging. Employing Butler’s (Undoing gender. Routledge, 2004) notion of livable lives and Crawford’s (Seattle J Soc Justice 8(2):515–539, 2010) conception of trans architecture, this analysis theoretically extends trans conversations to include discourses and narratives of detransition. A total of 130 archival posts by 36 contributors relating to detransition were collected from a popular global social media site where the engagement of reflexive thematic analysis contributed to the development of three themes: Contemplating transformation; Experiences of detransition; and Prominent discourses for detransition. Study findings suggest that detransition narratives expressed on this social media site demonstrate the multifaceted and complex ways in which non-normative gendered lives are rendered unlivable. In response, this analysis problematizes gender by conceptualizing detransition as a transformation toward a trans space outside a cisnormative frame contributing to making gendered lives more livable.
Influence of the anchorage shear hysteresis on the seismic response of nonstructural components in RC buildings
Authors: Rojas D. , Quintana Gallo P. , Pürgstaller A. , Bianchi S. , Ciurlanti J. , Pampanin S. , Bergmeister K.
Published: February 2023

This article presents a numerical study on the influence of the anchorage shear hysteresis on the seismic response of nonstructural components (NSC) connected to multi-storey reinforced concrete (RC) buildings, and of the anchorage itself. To cover a variety of different types of shear hysteresis shapes, this contribution considered the experimental results obtained for five types of post-installed anchors. The results were used for calibrating the hysteresis model of the anchorage connecting an ideal NSC with rigid fixture and a 12-storey RC building host-structure. Using a suit of 40 earthquake records and assuming a single NSC at each storey level anchored by a single fastener, a series of non-linear dynamic analyses of the structure-fastener-nonstructural system was carried out. The results showed significant differences in terms of maximum acceleration and force of the NSC and anchorage, respectively, depending on the type of anchor. These seismic demands were sometimes larger than those required by the reviewed code provisions for rigid NSC, but also for the most restrictive code-case for flexible NSC. The results presented different amounts of scatter, mostly related to the size of the annular gap and of the loading stiffness of the anchorage. It is shown that the maximum force achieved by the anchorage is directly related to the peak relative velocity of the NSC within the gap region. It was concluded that the shape of the shear hysteresis of the anchorage highly influences the response of the NSC and the anchor itself and should not be neglected in practice.
Recovering Aristotle’s Practice-Based Ontology: Practical Wisdom as Embodied Ethical Intuition
Authors: D’souza Sylvia , Introna Lucas D.
Published: February 2023

The renewed engagement with Aristotle’s concept of practical wisdom in management and organization studies is reflective of the wider turn towards practice sweeping across many disciplines. In this sense, it constitutes a welcome move away from the traditional rationalist, abstract, and mechanistic modes of approaching ethical decision-making. Within the current engagement, practical wisdom is generally conceptualized, interpreted or read as a form of deliberation or deliberative judgement that is also cognizant of context, situatedness, particularity, lived experience, and so on. We argue that while this way of conceptualizing practical wisdom moves closer to practice in accounting for the concrete and particular reality within which individuals enact ethics, it does not adequately account for practice in the ontological and relational sense posited in practice theories. Practical wisdom conceptualized on the deliberative dimension still retains a higher emphasis on distinct entities (individuals/institutions), reflexive agency, conscious mental states, goal-directed action, and intentionality. In other words, it puts a higher stress on individual wisdom, as opposed to practice or the relational interaction of the individual and social inhering in practice. We offer an alternative conceptualization of practical wisdom based on the dispositional mode of being in the world which is rarely deliberate, intentional, or reflective. Our conceptualization integrates Aristotle’s original ethical framework, which is already embedded in a practice-based ontology, with insights from practice theories to show how practical wisdom is intuitively channelled in the dispositional mode in a given social configuration of virtues/ends.
Super-resolution 4D flow MRI to quantify aortic regurgitation using computational fluid dynamics and deep learning
Authors: Long Derek , McMurdo Cameron , Ferdian Edward , Mauger Charlène A. , Marlevi David , Nash Martyn P. , Young Alistair A.
Published: February 2023

Changes in cardiovascular hemodynamics are closely related to the development of aortic regurgitation (AR), a type of valvular heart disease. Metrics derived from blood flows are used to indicate AR onset and evaluate its severity. These metrics can be non-invasively obtained using four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), where accuracy is primarily dependent on spatial resolution. However, insufficient resolution often results from limitations in 4D flow MRI and complex aortic regurgitation hemodynamics. To address this, computational fluid dynamics simulations were transformed into synthetic 4D flow MRI data and used to train a variety of neural networks. These networks generated super-resolution, full-field phase images with an upsample factor of 4. Results showed decreased velocity error, high structural similarity scores, and improved learning capabilities from previous work. Further validation was performed on two sets of in vivo 4D flow MRI data and demonstrated success in de-noising flow images. This approach presents an opportunity to comprehensively analyse AR hemodynamics in a non-invasive manner.
Increasing intention to reduce fossil fuel use: a protection motivation theory-based experimental study
Authors: Kothe Emily J. , Ling Mathew , Mullan Barbara A. , Rhee Joshua J. , Klas Anna
Published: February 2023

Reducing individual fossil fuel use is an important component of climate change mitigation, but motivating behaviour change to achieve this is difficult. Protection motivation theory (PMT) is a psychological framework that outlines the conditions under which people are more likely to be persuaded to take a specific response or action. This experimental study investigated the impact six different protection motivation theory-based messages had on intention to reduce fossil fuel use in a sample 3803 US adults recruited via Amazon Mechanical (MTurk). Only messages targeting self-efficacy and response efficacy increased intention to reduce fossil fuel use relative to the control message. However, only the self-efficacy message had an impact on its target construct (i.e. self-efficacy). As such, the mechanism for action for the response efficacy message is unclear. Furthermore, while the current study demonstrates that many of the PMT-related messages did not achieve changes in intention, this it is still possible that messages targeting these constructs could still lead to changes in intention in other modalities and when other message content is used. Given the urgency of responding to climate change, the potential for additive benefits of combining effective PMT-based messages should be considered irrespective of their mechanism as should research focused on how to effectively target other key PMT constructs.
Enhancement of oil forensic methodology through the addition of polycyclic aromatic nitrogen heterocycle biomarkers for diagnostic ratios
Authors: McCallum Paige , Filewood Taylor , Sawitsky Julia , Kwok Honoria , Brunswick Pamela , Yan Jeffrey , Chibwe Leah , Tikkisetty Krishnaja , Shang Dayue
Published: February 2023

Current oil spill forensic identification of source oils relies upon hydrocarbon biomarkers resistant to weathering. This international technique was developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), under EN 15522–2 Oil Spill Identification guidelines. The number of biomarkers have expanded at pace with technological advances, while distinguishing new biomarkers becomes more challenging due to interference of isobaric compounds, matrix effects, and high cost of weathering experiments. Application of high-resolution mass spectrometry enabled exploration of potential polycyclic aromatic nitrogen heterocycle (PANH) oil biomarkers. The instrumentation showed reduction in isobaric and matrix interferences, allowing for identification of low-level PANH and alkylated PANHs (APANHs). Weathered oil samples, obtained from a marine microcosm weathering experiment, enabled comparison with source oils to identify new, stable forensic biomarkers. This study highlighted eight new APANH diagnostic ratios that expanded the biomarker suite, increasing the confidence for identifying highly weathered oils back to their source oil.
Autonomous Military Systems: collective responsibility and distributed burdens
Authors: Conradie Niël Henk
Published: February 2023

The introduction of Autonomous Military Systems (AMS) onto contemporary battlefields raises concerns that they will bring with them the possibility of a techno-responsibility gap, leaving insecurity about how to attribute responsibility in scenarios involving these systems. In this work I approach this problem in the domain of applied ethics with foundational conceptual work on autonomy and responsibility. I argue that concerns over the use of AMS can be assuaged by recognising the richly interrelated context in which these systems will most likely be deployed. This will allow us to move beyond the solely individualist understandings of responsibility at work in most treatments of these cases, toward one that includes collective responsibility. This allows us to attribute collective responsibility to the collectives of which the AMS form a part, and to account for the distribution of burdens that follows from this attribution. I argue that this expansion of our responsibility practices will close at least some otherwise intractable techno-responsibility gaps.
Analysing Extremism
Authors: Malcolm Finlay
Published: February 2023

What is extremism, and how can it be countered? According to a recent account by (Cassam, 2021), there are three kinds of extremism: ideological, methodological, and psychological. The psychological kind – what Cassam calls ‘mindset extremism’ – is used by Cassam to explain what leads individuals to resort to extreme methods. From there we can say that methods extremism can be countered by preventing people from becoming mindset extremists. This paper outlines Cassam’s overall theory, and challenges it in two respects. First, it is argued that whilst mindset extremism does account for some individuals, it applies more readily to groups in a way analogous to the contrast between individual and group belief. This creates space for an account of group mindset extremism. Second, I propose that Cassam’s account of the role mindset extremism occupies in predicting an individual’s turn to extreme methods underplays the social aspects that lead the individual to form the mindset. By acknowledging these social and group properties, we can begin to develop a social epistemology of extremism.
Modulation of optical and photoluminescence properties of ZnO thin films by Mg dopant
Authors: Jogi Anushree , Ayana A. , Rajendra B. V.
Published: February 2023

Nanostructured Zn1−xMgxO (x = 0–0.04) thin films were deposited on a glass substrate through the sol–gel dip coating. X-ray diffraction indicates the films exhibited a hexagonal wurtzite structure with maximum intensity at (1 0 1) plane. The intensity of the diffraction peak decreased with increasing the Mg doping concentration. The crystallite size varied as a function of the increase in Mg doping concentration. The deposits showed a nanograin structure for pure ZnO, which changes in the presence of Mg content, and elemental composition was confirmed by using energy-dispersive spectra. Optical analysis showed a significant increase in transmittance from 80 to 90% in the visible range and a decrement in the optical bandgap energy from 3.305 to 3.261 eV with an increase in Mg doping. Photoluminescence spectra showed there was a quenching of near band edge emission with doping concentration and a red emission for Zn0.96Mg0.04O film. The color coordinates of the deposits were in the nearly white light region, showing the maximal white light emission.
The Challenges and Opportunities of Reviewing Domestic Abuse-Related Deaths by Suicide in England and Wales
Authors: Rowlands James , Dangar Sarah
Published: February 2023

Purpose

In England and Wales, Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) are conducted into domestic abuse-related killings. In 2016, deaths by suicide were brought into the scope of this review system and, to distinguish them from reviews into domestic homicides, we describe these as ‘Suicide Domestic Abuse-Related Death Reviews’ (S-DARDR). To date, S-DARDRs have been little considered and, in response, this empirical paper seeks to unpack this process.

Method

In a larger study, 40 DHR participants were interviewed, and a reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken. 18 participants discussed S-DARDRs. These interviews were re-read, with relevant extracts identified and re-analysed thematically. Through a shared critical reflection, we drew on our practice experience to interrogate the themes generated from the interviews and offer insight into the underlying challenges.

Results

From the interviews, we generated four themes relating to commissioning and delivery; the involvement of stakeholders; intersections with other statutory processes; and purpose. Based on our shared critical reflection, we identified the underlying challenges as an under conceptualisation of S-DARDRs, alongside their de-mooring from the criminal justice system. Taken together, these challenges have implications for the conduct of S-DARDRs. We identify recommendations for policy and practice to address these challenges.

Conclusion

The development of S-DARDRs has been little considered and challenges arise around when and how they should be undertaken. A shared understanding of key concepts and expectations around delivery is necessary if S-DARDRs are to enable robust learning and be a driver for systems change while also being accessible and understood by all stakeholders.
Motivations and market solutions for flexible housing in Finland
Authors: Lavikka Rita , Paiho Satu
Published: February 2023

Flexibility is essential for sustainable housing and has been one of the design elements in Finnish architecture. However, between 1990 and 2010, flexible solutions in residential buildings were rare and included in only some advanced builders’ projects. Research on flexible housing exists but is scarce on knowledge of the 2020s drivers and market solutions for flexible housing. Therefore, we searched for trends, patents and market solutions for flexible housing in Finland. We also interviewed representatives of construction companies, designers, housing providers, financers and regulatory authorities to understand their views on flexibility; its meaning, benefits, challenges, market demand and technical solutions providing flexibility. We discovered several trends leading to flexibility in housing, e.g., urbanization and remote working, although no evidence of flexibility as a separate housing trend was found. We sought market examples for each trend to prove the markets’ potential interest in them. We found that the market need for flexible apartment buildings is currently low, even though the benefits of flexibility exist. However, market demand may increase if awareness of flexible options increases. No insurmountable technical challenges for housing flexibility exist, although the building services flexibility is complex. Flexible housing design, construction and solutions tend to cost more than a regular home. Flexibility in apartment buildings means multifunctionality inside a dwelling, using movable partitions and furniture or the ability to unite or separate two dwellings structurally. Modular construction is used to build these apartment buildings, supporting sustainability. Transferable and multifunctional wooden houses represent flexibility in small houses.
A short review article on conjugated polymers
Authors: Malik Akhtar Hussain , Habib Faiza , Qazi Mohsin Jahan , Ganayee Mohd Azhardin , Ahmad Zubair , Yatoo Mudasir A
Published: February 2023

This article provides a brief review of conjugated polymers and the various typical polymerization reactions exploited by the community to synthesise different conjugated polyelectrolytes with varied conjugated backbone systems. We further discuss with detailed emphasises the mechanism involved such as photo-induced electron transfer, resonance energy transfer, and intra-molecular charge transfer in the detection or sensing of various analytes. Owing to their excellent photo-physical properties, facile synthesis, ease of functionalization, good biocompatibility, optical stability, high quantum yield, and strong fluorescence emission. Conjugated polymers have been explored for wide applications such as chemical and biological sensors, drug delivery and drug screening, cancer therapeutics and imaging. As such we believe it will be a timely review article for the community.
States and changes-of-state in the semantics of result roots
Authors: Yu Jianrong , Ausensi Josep , Smith Ryan Walter
Published: February 2023

A major challenge for event structural theories that decompose verbs into event templates and roots relates to the syntactic distribution of roots and what types of event structures roots can be integrated into. Ontological Approaches propose roots fall into semantic classes, such as manner versus result, which determine root distribution (Rappaport Hovav and Levin 1998, 2010). Free Distribution Approaches, in contrast, hold that root distribution is not constrained by semantic content and roots are free to integrate into various types of event structures (Borer 2005; Acedo-Matellán and Mateu 2014). We focus on two different classes of verbs classified as result verbs in Rappaport Hovav and Levin’s (1998, 2010) sense and their ability to appear in resultative constructions. We build on Beavers and Koontz-Garboden’s (2012, 2020) proposal that the roots underlying these verbs fall into two classes: property concept roots, which denote relations between individuals and states, and change-of-state roots, which on our proposal, denote relations between individuals and events of change. We show that change-of-state roots, but not property concept roots, are able to appear in the modifier position of resultative constructions by providing naturally occurring examples of such resultatives. Combining the proposed lexical semantics of these two classes of roots with a reformulation of an Ontological Approach solely dependent on a root’s semantic type, we show that this analysis makes novel and accurate predictions about the possibility of the two classes of roots appearing in resultative constructions and the range of interpretations available when change-of-state roots are integrated into resultative event structure templates.
Unintended policy integration through entrepreneurship at the implementation stage
Authors: Lambelet Sébastien
Published: February 2023

Most scholars conceive policy integration (PI) as a top-down process steered by governmental bodies and consider the formulation stage to be the decisive step for achieving PI. Adopting a different stance, this article hypothesizes that PI can also occur throughout the implementation stage thanks to “integration entrepreneurs” who are able and willing to bring together policies that were designed in silos. I test this hypothesis by analyzing the evolution of federal legislation intended to curb urban sprawl in Switzerland over four decades (1980–2020) and investigate three major urban renewal projects that concretely reduced urban sprawl in the cities of Zurich, Bern and Geneva. In line with my hypothesis, these urban renewal projects succeeded thanks to an ex post integration of several policies that occurred during the implementation stage. This integrative process was an unintended outcome of the transformation of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) from a federal government institution into a state-owned company. Since then, the SBB has become an “integration entrepreneur” who brings together three federal policies that were previously poorly integrated: the spatial planning policy, the railway policy and the agglomeration policy. Case study evidence thus shows that PI can also happen unintentionally, namely through coordination mechanisms that were not foreseen by policymakers at the formulation stage. This finding challenges the top-down sequential approach of the policy process that is dominant among PI studies and calls for more research on the role and the strategies of “integration entrepreneurs” throughout the implementation stage.
Risk-adjusted geometric diversified portfolios
Authors: Torrente Maria-Laura , Uberti Pierpaolo
Published: February 2023

In this paper, exploiting a geometric argument, a novel and intuitive approach to portfolio diversification is proposed. The risk-adjusted geometric diversified portfolio is obtained as the point that is equally distant, for a given distance, from the vertices of the simplex, as they represent the single asset portfolios, the worst portfolios in terms of diversification. The definition of risk-adjusted distance as a special case of weighted Euclidean distance permits to introduce the information on the risks of the assets composing the portfolio in a very general way. The closed form solution for the allocation problem is provided and interesting theoretical properties are proved. Further, a direct comparison with Rao’s Quadratic Entropy maximization problem is outlined, thus yielding a different perspective to the use of such entropy as a diversification measure. Finally, the effectiveness of our proposal is emphasized through a comprehensive empirical out-of-sample exercise on real financial data.
Mapping PedsQL™ scores to CHU9D utility weights for children with chronic conditions in a multi-ethnic and deprived metropolitan population
Authors: Kelly Clare B. , Soley-Bori Marina , Lingam Raghu , Forman Julia , Cecil Lizzie , Newham James , Wolfe Ingrid , Fox-Rushby Julia
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The Child Health Utility-9 Dimensions (CHU9D) is a patient-reported outcome measure to generate Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs), recommended for economic evaluations of interventions to inform funding decisions. When the CHU9D is not available, mapping algorithms offer an opportunity to convert other paediatric instruments, such as the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL), onto the CHU9D scores.

This study aims to validate current PedsQL to CHU9D mappings in a sample of children and young people of a wide age range (0 to 16 years of age) and with chronic conditions. New algorithms with improved predictive accuracy are also developed.

Methods

Data from the Children and Young People’s Health Partnership (CYPHP) were used (N = 1735). Four regression models were estimated: ordinal least squared, generalized linear model, beta-binomial and censored least absolute deviations. Standard goodness of fit measures were used for validation and to assess new algorithms.

Results

While previous algorithms perform well, performance can be enhanced. OLS was the best estimation method for the final equations at the total, dimension and item PedsQL scores levels. The CYPHP mapping algorithms include age as an important predictor and more non-linear terms compared with previous work.

Conclusion

The new CYPHP mappings are particularly relevant for samples with children and young people with chronic conditions living in deprived and urban settings. Further validation in an external sample is required.

Trial registration number NCT03461848; pre-results.
Higher diet quality is associated with short and long-term benefits on SF-6D health state utilities: a 5-year cohort study in an international sample of people with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kirkland Harry , Campbell Julie , Reece Jeanette , Nag Nupur , Probst Yasmine , Neate Sandra , De Livera Alysha , Jelinek George , Simpson-Yap Steve
Published: February 2023

Background/Purpose

Health state utilities (HSU) are a subjective measure of an individual's health-related quality of life (HRQoL), adjusted by societal or patient relative preference weights for living in different states of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), derived from patient-reported responses to multi-attribute utility instrument (MAUI), and can be used as inputs for cost-utility analyses and in clinical assessment. This research assessed associations of diet with subsequent HSU in a large international cohort of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), a progressive autoimmune condition of the central nervous system.

Methods

HSUs were generated from responses to Short-Form Six-Dimension (SF-6D) MAUI, and quality-of-the-diet by Diet Habits Questionnaire (DHQ). Cross-sectional, and short- and long-term prospective associations of DHQ with HSU evaluated by linear regression at 2.5- and 5-years. Pooled prospective associations between DHQ and HSU evaluated using linear and quantile regression. Analyses adjusted for relevant demographic and clinical covariates.

Results

Among 839 participants, baseline DHQ scores showed short- and long-term associations with subsequent HSU, each 10-unit increase in total DHQ score associated with 0.008–0.012 higher HSU (out of 1.00). These associations were dose-dependent, those in the top two quartiles of baseline DHQ scores having 0.01–0.03 higher HSU at follow-up, 0.03 being the threshold for a minimally clinically important difference. Fat, fiber, and fruit/vegetable DHQ subscores were most strongly and consistently associated with better HSU outcomes. However, baseline meat and dairy consumption were associated with 0.01–0.02 lower HSU at subsequent follow-up.

Conclusions

A higher quality-of-the-diet showed robust prospective relationships with higher HSUs 2.5- and 5-years later, substantiating previous cross-sectional relationships in this cohort. Subject to replication, these results suggest interventions to improve the quality-of-the-diet may be effective to improve HRQoL in people living with MS.
Reverse adoption of information and communication technology among organisers of academic conferences
Authors: Falk Martin Thomas , Hagsten Eva
Published: February 2023

This study examines the formats offered for academic conferences in the mature stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two out of three organisers discontinue their usage of online video tools and focus on in-person conferences. Only one out of five conferences offers hybrid solutions and even fewer a virtual alternative (13%). Data for the analysis originate from 547 calls for proposals announced in Spring 2022 for conferences to be held during the period August 2022 to July 2023. Estimates using a multinomial logit model show that the planning time is significantly related to the choice of format offered. The longer the lead time, the more likely it is to offer an in-person conference. International travel restrictions and bans on gatherings for the location of the venue at the time of planning are significantly related to the choice of virtual, but not hybrid formats. There are also large differences in the choice across disciplines, with conferences in arts and humanities as well as natural sciences showing the lowest preference for the virtual format.
Gender bias in special issues: evidence from a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Formanowicz Magdalena , Witkowska Marta , Hryniszak Weronika , Jakubik Zuzanna , Cisłak Aleksandra
Published: February 2023

Even though the majority of psychologists are women, they are outnumbered by men in senior academic ranks. One reason for this representation bias in academia is that men favor other men in decision-making, especially when the stakes are high. We tested the possibility of such bias in a bibliometric analysis, in which we coded editors' and authors' gender in regular and special issues, the latter considered of higher scientific prominence. We examined all special issues from five prominent scientific outlets in the fields of personality and social psychology published in the twenty-first century. Altogether, we analyzed 1911 articles nested in 93 sets comprising a special issue and a neighboring regular issue treated as a control condition. For articles published in special (but not regular) issues, when there were more men editors, more men first-authored and co-authored the work. This pattern suggests how gender bias can be perpetuated within academia and calls for revising the editorial policies of leading psychology journals.
Statistical depth in abstract metric spaces
Authors: Geenens Gery , Nieto-Reyes Alicia , Francisci Giacomo
Published: February 2023

The concept of depth has proved very important for multivariate and functional data analysis, as it essentially acts as a surrogate for the notion of ranking of observations which is absent in more than one dimension. Motivated by the rapid development of technology, in particular the advent of ‘Big Data’, we extend here that concept to general metric spaces, propose a natural depth measure and explore its properties as a statistical depth function. Working in a general metric space allows the depth to be tailored to the data at hand and to the ultimate goal of the analysis, a very desirable property given the polymorphic nature of modern data sets. This flexibility is thoroughly illustrated by several real data analyses.
Embedding and customizing templates in cross-disciplinary modeling
Authors: Houkes Wybo
Published: February 2023

In this paper, I develop a template-based analysis to include several elements of processes through which templates are transferred between fields of inquiry. The analysis builds on Justin Price’s identification of the importance of a “landing zone” in the recipient domain, from which “conceptual pressure” may be created. I will argue that conceptual pressure is a characteristic feature of the process of template transfer; that this means that there are costs to the process of transfer as well as benefits; and that it would be reasonable if modelers try to mitigate these costs. I will discuss two such mitigation strategies: ‘conceptual embedding’ and ‘customization’. I illustrate the claims, focusing on the mitigation strategies, with a case study: that of pioneering applications of reaction–diffusion equations in mathematical ecology.
Molecular detection of Babesia microti in dromedary camels in Egypt
Authors: Ashour Radwa , Hamza Dalia , Kadry Mona , Sabry Maha A.
Published: February 2023

Babesiamicroti (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmida) causes a medically important tick-borne zoonotic protozoan disease. Egyptian camels are susceptible to Babesia infection; however, just a few cases have been documented. This study aimed to identify Babesia species, specifically Babesia microti, and their genetic diversity in dromedary camels in Egypt and associated hard ticks. Blood and hard tick samples were taken from 133 infested dromedary camels slaughtered in Cairo and Giza abattoirs. The study was conducted from February to November 2021. The 18S rRNA gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify Babesia species. Nested PCR targeting the β-tubulin gene was used to identify B. microti. The PCR results were confirmed by DNA sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis based on the ß-tubulin gene was used to detect and genotype B. microti. Three tick genera were identified in infested camels (Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus, and Amblyomma). Babesia species were detected in 3 out of 133 blood samples (2.3%), while Babesia spp. were not detected in hard ticks by using the 18S rRNA gene. B. microti was identified in 9 out of 133 blood samples (6.8%) and isolated from Rhipicephalus annulatus and Amblyomma cohaerens by the β-tubulin gene. The phylogenetic analysis of the β-tubulin gene revealed that USA-type B. microti was prevalent in Egyptian camels. The results of this study suggested that the Egyptian camels may be infected with Babesia spp. and the zoonotic B. microti strains, which pose a potential risk to public health.