bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating a Metal–Organic Framework into Natural Spruce Wood for Efficient Solar‐Powered Water Evaporation
Authors: Shen Ziyi , Fan Deqi , Zhang Hao , Jing Jiapeng , Xu Haolan , Min Huihua , Lu Yi , Yang Xiaofei , Xu Jingsan
Published: July 2022

With the increase in water consumption and pollution resulting from the rising world population and industrial development, severe fresh water shortage has been regarded as one of the critical problems facing the world. Solar‐driven water purification is an environment friendly and promising technology to address the problem. However, low photothermal conversion efficiency impedes its practical application. Herein, a natural spruce wood‐based solar evaporator functionalized with zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF‐8) nanoparticles and polydopamine (PDA) layers is designed, which significantly reduces the equivalent evaporation enthalpy and substantially boosts solar evaporation efficiency. The evaporation rate of the optimized wood‐based evaporator reached 2.28 kg m−2 h−1 with a high evaporation efficiency of 87.5% under 1.0 sun. Furthermore, the integrated spruce wood/ZIF‐8/PDA hybrids can remove organic pollutants after solar evaporation. Notably, the constructed multifunctional solar evaporator takes advantage of sustainable solar energy, low‐cost biomass, and ZIF‐8/PDA nanostructures to acquire desirable performance in water evaporation and sewage purification.
Australian cardiac sonographers' use of industry guidelines when performing a transthoracic echocardiogram
Authors: Clark Amy Maree , Quinton Ann Elizabeth , Alphonse Jennifer
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) are a component of evidence‐based practice allowing standardisation across departments and individuals' skill levels. Australian Cardiac Sonographers (ACS) are not obliged to follow specific CPG when performing a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). This research aimed to determine guidelines/workplace protocols ACS follow when performing a TTE, and what attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural controls exist that may prevent adherence to guidelines.

Methods

A national mixed methods online survey, exploring adherence to and opinions of guideline use when performing a TTE. The ‘Theory of Planned Behaviour’ model (attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural controls) was used to develop the survey.

Results

Of n = 131 ACS, 73% reported following a mix of guidelines, practice protocol and doctor preference when performing TTE. The majority followed the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) guidelines (59%), considered guidelines beneficial (84%) and felt encouraged to adhere to them (56%). Most however (61%) reported finding measurement or pathology discrepancies with their own TTE studies compared with those performed at other practices. Factors negatively influencing guideline adherence included insufficient guideline education, time constraints for scanning and education, leadership influence and lack of quality control. These factors were considered largely workplace dependant.

Conclusion

While the majority of ACS do not follow a single specific guideline when performing a TTE, ACS believe guidelines are important. Several negative influences may prevent adherence in different workplace environments. Further examination of national standardisation and education/quality control programs is recommended with observation of patient and economic outcomes.
Challenging the Notion ofCLILElitism: A Study of Secondary School Students' Motivation for ChoosingCLILin Norway
Authors: Bakken Jonas , Brevik Lisbeth M.
Published: July 2022

Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) has been criticized for being elitist and increasing social differences. This study challenges the notion of elitism by investigating why lower secondary school students attending schools characterized by variations in socio‐economic status (SES) choose to apply for aCLILprogram. A content analysis was conducted of 85 motivation letters written by students as part of the application process to twoCLILprograms in Norway and of focus group interviews with 102 students during their first, second, or third years in these programs. The findings showed that the main motivation for applying to aCLILprogram at both schools was to improve English competence and be part of a positive, bilingual, and challenging learning environment. There were also important differences. For students at the school with highSES, the program was a good fit for their already internationally oriented lifestyle. However, students at the school with lowSESperceivedCLILas a step toward a brighter future through social mobility. These results show that a discussion of the possible elitism ofCLILeducation cannot be based solely on a comparison between the motivations and academic achievements of students inside and outsideCLILprograms.
Coordination Chemistry of Polynitriles, Part X. [Li{C5(CN)5}(H2O)]: Synthesis, Molecular and Crystal Structure of the Last Missing Alkali Metal Pentacyanocyclopentadienide
Authors: Nimax Patrick , Sünkel Karlheinz
Published: July 2022

[Li{C5(CN)5}(H2O)] was prepared by salt metathesis between LiCl and [Ag{C5(CN)5}], followed by recrystallization from methanol. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma and forms a coordination polymer. Three cyano substituents in 1,2,3 position coordinate to three different lithium ions forming a ribbon structure with adjacent 14‐membered rings, while the remaining two cyano groups act as hydrogen bond acceptors towards two water hydrogen atoms of a neighboring ribbon. As a consequence, a wavy sheet structure results.
Global General Land Use Cover Datasets with a Single Date
Authors: García-Álvarez David , Lara Hinojosa Javier , Quintero Villaraso Jaime
Published: July 2022

Global general Land Use and Land Cover (LUC) datasets map all land uses and covers across the globe, without focusing on any specific use or cover. This chapter only reviews those datasets available for one single date, which have not been updated over time. Seven different datasets are described in detail. Two other ones were identified, but are not included in this review, because of its coarsens, which limits their utility: Mathews Global Vegetation/Land Use and GMRCA LULC. The first experiences in global LUC mapping date back to the 1990s, when leading research groups in the field produced the first global LUC maps at fine scales of 1 km spatial resolution: the UMD LC Classification and the Global Land Cover Characterization. Not long afterwards, in an attempt to build on these experiences and take them a stage further, an international partnership produced GLC2000 for the reference year 2000. These initial LUC mapping projects produced maps for just one reference year and were not continued or updated over time. Subsequent projects have mostly focused on the production of timeseries of global LUC maps, which allow us to study LUC change over time (see Chapter “Global General Land Use Cover Datasets with a Time Series of Maps”). As a result, there are relatively few single-date global LUC maps for recent years of reference. The latest projects and initiatives producing global LUC maps for single dates have focused on improving the accuracy of global LUC mapping and the use of crowdsourcing production strategies. The Geo-Wiki Hybrid and GLC-SHARE datasets built on the previous research in a bid to obtain more accurate global LUC maps by merging the data from existing datasets. OSM LULC is an ongoing test project that is trying to produce a global LUC map cheaply, using crowdsourced information provided by the Open Street Maps community. The other dataset reviewed here is the LADA LUC Map, which was developed for a specific thematic project (Land Degradation Assessment in Dryland). This dataset is not comparable to the others reviewed in this chapter in terms of its purpose and nature, as is clear from its coarse spatial resolution (5 arc minutes). We therefore believe that this dataset should not be considered part of initiatives to produce more accurate, more detailed land use maps at a global level.
Visualization and Communication of LUC Data
Authors: Escobar Francisco
Published: July 2022

The increasing number of disciplines and public and private sectors interested in land use/land cover (LUC) information has boosted the demand for and the production of related cartographic products. However, the communicating power of the final maps may be impaired, if any of the cartographic transformations performed during the mapping process does not adapt well to the particular subject or area being mapped. This chapter takes the reader on a guided tour through the map production process, offering an overview of the cartographic language, the rules and practices that contribute to the success of the map as a communication tool and the most common forms in which LUC maps appear. Recent developments in geovisualization tools applied to LUC are also discussed.
Defining New Multiple $$\log \Gamma $$ -Type Functions
Authors: Marichal Jean-Luc , Zenaïdi Naïm
Published: July 2022

In the previous chapter, we tested our results on some multiple
$$\log \Gamma $$

log
Γ
-type functions that are well-known special functions. It is clear, however, that there are many other multiple
$$\log \Gamma $$

log
Γ
-type functions that are still to be introduced and investigated, simply as principal indefinite sums of standard functions.
Further Examples
Authors: Marichal Jean-Luc , Zenaïdi Naïm
Published: July 2022

The scope of applications of our theory is very wide since it applies to any function lying in the domain of the map Σ. In Chap. 10.1007/978-3-030-95088-0_10, we made a thorough study of some standard special functions. In Chap. 10.1007/978-3-030-95088-0_11, we defined and investigated new functions as principal indefinite sums of known functions. In the present chapter, we briefly discuss further examples that the reader may want to explore in more detail.
Uniqueness and Existence Results
Authors: Marichal Jean-Luc , Zenaïdi Naïm
Published: July 2022

In this chapter, we establish Theorems 10.1007/978-3-030-95088-0_1#FPar4 and 10.1007/978-3-030-95088-0_1#FPar5 and show that, under the assumptions of these theorems, the sequence
$$n\mapsto f^p_n[g]$$

n
↦

f

n

p

[
g
]
converges uniformly on any bounded subset of
$$\mathbb {R}_+$$

ℝ

+

. We also discuss the particular case where the sequence n↦g(n) is summable. Lastly, we provide historical notes on Krull-Webster’s theory and some of its improvements.
Asymptotic Analysis
Authors: Marichal Jean-Luc , Zenaïdi Naïm
Published: July 2022

The asymptotic behavior of the gamma function for large values of its argument can be summarized as follows: for any a ≥ 0, we have the following asymptotic equivalences (see Titchmarsh (The Theory of Functions, 2nd edn. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1939, Section 1.87))
$$\displaystyle \begin{aligned} \Gamma (x+a) ~\sim ~ x^a\,\Gamma (x) \mbox{as }x\to \infty {\,},\end{aligned} $$

Γ
(
x
+
a
)

∼

x

a

Γ
(
x
)
as

x
→
∞

,

$$\displaystyle \begin{aligned}\Gamma (x) ~\sim ~ \sqrt {2\pi }{\,}e^{-x}x^{x-\frac {1}{2}} \mbox{as }x\to \infty {\,},\end{aligned} $$

Γ
(
x
)

∼

2
π

e

−
x

x

x
−

1

2

as

x
→
∞

,

$$\displaystyle \begin{aligned}\Gamma (x+1) ~\sim ~ \sqrt {2\pi x}{\,}e^{-x}x^x \mbox{as }x\to \infty {\,}, \end{aligned} $$

Γ
(
x
+
1
)

∼

2
π
x

e

−
x

x

x

as

x
→
∞

,
where both formulas (6.2) and (6.3) are known by the name Stirling’s formula.
Summary of the Main Results
Authors: Marichal Jean-Luc , Zenaïdi Naïm
Published: July 2022

Now that we have collected a number of relevant results on multiple
$$\log \Gamma $$

log
Γ
-type functions, we naturally look forward to applying them on various examples, including not only special functions related to the gamma function but also many other useful functions of mathematical analysis. Such applications will be discussed in the next three chapters. But first and foremost, it is time to take stock of the new theory we have developed and summarize what we have found and learned thus far.
Measures to Improve Fish Passage Through a Turbine
Authors: Geiger Franz , Rutschmann Peter , Stoltz Ulli
Published: July 2022

This chapter focuses on the topic of measures to improve the fish passage through a turbine. Based on applications at the bulb units of the FIThydro Testcases of Guma, Bannwil and Obernach cost efficient and simple to apply measures are analysed. In the following two methods are presented. Applying a numerical analysis of the downstream fish passage typical physical stressor variables as strike, shear and barotrauma can be identified and correlated to the biological impact on the fish. In the FIThydro project, Voith applied the method to a wide range of operating conditions to derive fish-passage hill-charts. These allow a judgment of the physical impact on fish, dependent on the operating condition of the turbine. The studies at the Obernach lab performed by the team of the Technical University of Munich, show another method to improve fish survival rates by influencing fish pathways through the turbine. These promising results can be used for the Induced Drift Application (IDA), which are described in detail.
Modelling of Habitat Changes Related to Hydropeaking with CASiMiR
Authors: Kopecki Ianina , Schneider Matthias , Schletterer Martin
Published: July 2022

The Upper Inn River is affected by hydropeaking. To mitigate hydropeaking impacts between the villages Ovella and Prutz the diversion hydropower plant GKI has been designed to buffer fast flow changes and divert water into a bypass tunnel. This Testcase enabled the comparison between the impacted and mitigated situation. We exemplify the application of the CASiMiR hydropeaking assessment module and quantify significant improvements of the fish-ecological situation.
Public Acceptance of Hydropower
Authors: Venus Terese E. , Hinzmann Mandy , Gerdes Holger
Published: July 2022

Public acceptance can play an important role in determining the trajectory of hydropower development and modernization as well as the adoption of mitigation measures. Particularly in the planning stages of hydropower projects and modernization, local public resistance may delay progress and completion. For this reason, it is important to understand how to study local public perceptions of hydropower to improve project implementation and reduce public resistance. This chapter provides an overview of public perception of hydropower projects, describes methods for studying public acceptance and presents an application of the Q-methodology in four Europe case studies from hydropower-intensive regions.
Working Conditions of Young People in Luxembourg – A Health Perspective
Authors: Sischka Philipp E. , Steffgen Georges
Published: July 2022

This chapter addresses the working conditions and well-being of young employees working in Luxembourg. Data from the “Quality of Work” project – a project that aims to assess the work quality and its relationship with well-being – was used to describe the working situation of young people in Luxembourg. Within the Quality of Work project employment quality (income satisfaction, training opportunities, career advancement, job security, difficulty of job change, and work-life-conflict), job design (participation, feedback, autonomy), work intensity (mental demands, time pressure, emotional demands), social conditions (social support, mobbing, competition) and physical conditions (physical burden, risk of accident) are seen as key factors that contribute to employee’s health, well-being and motivation (work satisfaction, vigor, burnout, general well-being, health problems). Findings show that younger employees (i.e., between 16 and 29 years) perceive more training opportunities and stronger career advancement compared to employees in the older age groups. They also report more participation, feedback and social support compared to the older age groups. On the other side, young employees report higher levels of physical burden and risk of accident. With regard to well-being, young employees report higher levels of work satisfaction and lower level of physical health problems. Regression analyses showed that the associations of certain working conditions with different well-being dimensions were not the same for the different age groups. Work satisfaction of young employees seems to be less affected by lower career advancement and lower job security compared to employees in older age groups. The present study is the first to elucidate the moderating effect of age on the association between working conditions and well-being/health in Luxembourg.
Spielsucht als Herausforderung für Gesundheit und Wohlbefinden von Jugendlichen
Authors: König Andreas
Published: July 2022

Computerspiele haben sich als integrativer Bestandteil von Kultur und Freizeitverhalten Jugendlicher etabliert. Nach einem Überblick zum konkreten Nutzungsverhalten werden zunächst mögliche Vorteile des Computerspielens für das soziale und psychologische Wohlbefinden Jugendlicher, sowie bezüglich kognitiver Aspekte betrachtet. Hinsichtlich einer gesundheitsschädlichen Nutzung wird plädiert, zwischen exzessivem, problematischen und süchtigen Computerspielens zu unterscheiden und für die Jugendarbeit sinnvolle diagnostische Kriterien zu finden, die eine Loslösung der Fixierung auf reine Nutzungszeiten begünstigen. Nach aktuellem Forschungsstand scheint international etwa einer von 22 Jugendlichen von einer Computerspielsucht betroffen zu sein. Existierende Prävalenzahlen für Luxemburg und seine Anrainerstaaten werden ebenfalls berichtet. Individuelle, soziale, sowie spiel- und nutzungsbezogenen Risikofaktoren erhöhen die Wahrscheinlichkeit einer Suchtentwicklung. Die daran beteiligten psychologischen Mechanismen werden überblicksartig aus einer Kompensations-, einer Bedürfnis- und einer integrativ biopsychosozialen Perspektive beleuchtet. Nach einem kurzen Überblick über den wachsenden Überlappungsbereich zwischen Glücksspiel und Computerspielen mit seinen Herausforderungen für den Jugendschutz werden Implikationen für die Prävention problematischen Spielens bei Jugendlichen diskutiert.
Health and Well-being from a Psychological Perspective
Authors: Vögele Claus
Published: July 2022

Concepts of health and well-being have evolved ever since ancient Greek and Roman history. Based on new approaches, which define health as the ability to adapt and manage even in the face of adversity, the concept of wellness can be understood as its proactive complement, which reflects our ability to fulfil our personal and collective human potential, and to pursue a joyful life. From this perspective, health and wellness, as complementary entities, would constitute the conceptual building blocks of well-being, which is conceived of as a state, not an ability. These considerations not only have theoretical but also practical implications in terms of the operationalisation and assessment of these concepts. It follows from this range of concepts for both health and well-being, that there is a similarly wide range of different assessments. In this chapter we provide a description, clarification and integration of these concepts from a Psychology perspective, highlighting areas that need further development and outlining complementary assessment approaches. Though overlapping in very many aspects we argue that health and well-being are related but nevertheless distinct concepts, which should be operationalized and assessed accordingly.
Konzepte, Strategien und Angebote des luxemburgischen Roten Kreuzes zur Förderung der Gesundheit und des Wohlbefindens von Jugendlichen
Authors: Deepen Marco
Published: July 2022

In Luxemburg befinden sich viele Jugendliche in materieller, gesundheitlicher oder sozialer Not. Ihre Notlagen haben unterschiedliche Ursachen. Wesentliche Hürden in der Jugendphase sind die Übergänge zum eigenen Wohnen, in den Arbeitsmarkt und in die bürgerschaftliche Teilhabe. Die Jugendlichen müssen Entwicklungsaufgaben bewältigen, um diese Transitionen zu meistern. Wenn sie nicht von Haus aus ausreichend für diese Aufgaben ausgestattet sind, kann das zu Umwegen, Unterstützungsbedarf oder gar zum Scheitern führen. Personale, sozioökonomische und soziale Ausstattungsmerkmale der Jugendlichen beeinflussen das Gelingen der Transitionen. Wohlbefinden und Gesundheit sind Gelingensfaktoren und gleichzeitig Resultat einer erfolgreichen Jugendphase.

Für diejenigen Jugendlichen, die Unterstützung benötigen, bietet das luxemburgische Rote Kreuz vielfältige Dienste mit unterschiedlichen Strategien an: die non-formale Bildung, die Kinder- und Familienhilfe, die Soziale Arbeit und medizinische Unterstützung. Je nach Intensität und Ursprung der Situation wird ein spezifischer Dienst tätig. Ansatzpunkte konkreter Unterstützung sind die jeweiligen Transitionen, Entwicklungsaufgaben und Gelingensfaktoren.
Risk Behaviours: Tracking Youth Health and Well-Being in Bulgaria 2006–2018
Authors: Kotzeva Tatyana , Dimitrova E.
Published: July 2022

This paper aims to present the prevalence and trends of adolescents’ risky behaviours in Bulgaria over a 13-year period (2006–2018). Current tobacco smoking, drinking and alcohol abuse, current cannabis use, early sexual experience, and aggression towards schoolmates (bullying and fighting at school) are in the focus of research interest, using national representative data from the three waves (2006, 2014, 2018) of the Health Behaviour among School-Aged Children (HBSC) study. The descriptive and multivariate analysis reveals trends of decrease in smoking tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption (drunkenness), involvement in a physical fight, and the early start of sexual life as well as trends of an increase in regular alcohol consumption and cannabis use in a lifetime across the years. Additionally, the family context is a significant gradient in defining the prevalence of adolescents’ risk behaviours, in particular adolescents living in one-parent families and coming from high FAS families in Bulgaria are more likely to report risky behaviours compared to young people from low FAS families. The last part of the paper discusses the key areas for policy intervention in youth health and wellbeing in Bulgaria.
Latest developments in node-based shape optimization using Vertex Morphing parameterization
Authors: Antonau Ihar , Warnakulasuriya Suneth , Bletzinger Kai-Uwe , Bluhm Fabio Michael , Hojjat Majid , Wüchner Roland
Published: July 2022

The latest updates on the Vertex Morphing technique for large optimization problems are shown in this work. Discussions about the challenges of node-based shape optimization in academic and industrial applications are included. The adaptive Vertex Morphing technique is demonstrated, which is easy to use in practice and allows the full exploitation of the potential of node-based shape optimization to find new designs in large-scale applications. We also show an efficient optimization method to handle different physical responses with many geometrical constraints. A state-of-the-art example of industrial importance supports the work.
What if We Knew What the Future Brings? Optimal Investment for a Frontrunner with Price Impact
Authors: Bank Peter , Dolinsky Yan , Rásonyi Miklós
Published: July 2022

In this paper we study optimal investment when the investor can peek some time units into the future, but cannot fully take advantage of this knowledge because of quadratic transaction costs. In the Bachelier setting with exponential utility, we give an explicit solution to this control problem with intrinsically infinite-dimensional memory. This is made possible by solving the dual problem where we make use of the theory of Gaussian Volterra integral equations.
TIGIT blockade enhances tumor response to radiotherapy via a CD103 + dendritic cell-dependent mechanism
Authors: Zhao Kaikai , Jiang Liyang , Si Youjiao , Zhou Shujie , Huang Zhaoqin , Meng Xiangjiao
Published: July 2022

Blockade of the T cell immunoreceptor with the immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif domain (TIGIT) can enhance innate and adaptive tumor immunity and radiotherapy (RT) can enhance anti-tumor immunity. However, our data suggest that TIGIT-mediated immune suppression may be an impediment to such goals. Herein, we report on the synergistic effects of RT combined with anti-TIGIT therapy and the mechanism of their interaction. Treatment efficacy was assessed by measuring primary and secondary tumor growth, survival, and immune memory capacity. The function of CD103 + dendritic cells (DCs) under the combined treatment was assessed in wild-type and BATF3-deficient (BATF3−/−) mice. FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L) was used to confirm the role of CD103 + DCs in RT combined with anti-TIGIT therapy. TIGIT was upregulated in immune cells following RT in both esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients and mouse models. Administration of the anti-TIGIT antibody enhanced the efficacy of RT through a CD8 + T cell-dependent mechanism. It was observed that RT and the anti-TIGIT antibody synergistically enhanced the accumulation of tumor-infiltrating DCs, which activated CD8 + T cells. The efficacy of the combination therapy was negated in the BATF3−/− mouse model. CD103 + DCs were required to promote the anti-tumor effects of combination therapy. Additionally, Flt3L therapy enhanced tumor response to RT combined with TIGIT blockade. Our study demonstrated TIGIT blockade can synergistically enhance anti-tumor T cell responses to RT via CD8 + T cells (dependent on CD103 + DCs), suggesting the clinical potential of targeting the TIGIT pathway and expanding CD103 + DCs in RT.
Geometric Control of Two Quadrotors Carrying a Rigid Rod with Elastic Cables
Authors: Goodman Jacob , Colombo Leonardo
Published: July 2022

This paper presents the design of a geometric trajectory tracking controller for an underactuated multi-body system describing the cooperative task of two quadrotor UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) carrying and transporting a rigid bar, which is attached to the quadrotors via inflexible elastic cables. The elasticity of the cables together with techniques of singular perturbation allows a reduction in the model to that of a similar model with inelastic cables. In this reduced model, we design a controller such that the rod exponentially tracks a given desired trajectory for its position and attitude, under some assumptions on initial error. We then show that exponential tracking in the reduced model corresponds to exponential tracking of the original elastic model. We also show that the previously defined control scheme provides uniform ultimate boundedness in the presence of unstructured bounded disturbances.
Long-term quality of life after ETV or ETV with consecutive VP shunt placement in hydrocephalic pediatric patients
Authors: Bogaczyk Victoria , Fleck Steffen , Berneiser Julia , Opolka Michael , Vollmer Marcus , Baldauf Jörg , Gasch Christin Maria , Lemke Eva Maria , El Refaee Ehab , Matthes Marc , Hirschfeld Holger , Lauffer Heinz , Gaab Michael , Schroeder Henry , Marx Sascha
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and ventriculoperitoneal shunting are well-established treatments of obstructive hydrocephalus (HCP) in adult and pediatric patients. However, there is a lack of data with regard to the quality of life (QoL) of these patients during long-term follow-up

Methods

Inclusion criteria were pediatric patients with endoscopic treatment of hydrocephalus at the University Medicine Greifswald between 1993 and 2016. Patients older than 14 years at present were assessed with the Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaire. Patients younger than 14 years of age were assessed with the KINDL-R questionnaire that was completed by their parents. Patients’ values were compared with the scores of a corresponding age-matched group of the healthy population and with patients who received later shunt treatment. Information about comorbidities, current symptoms, and educational level were gained by an additional part. Comparative analysis between patients with ETV success and failure (defined as shunt implantation after ETV) was performed.

Results

A total of 107 patients (53 m, 54f) were included. Fifty-seven/107 patients (53.3%) were considered as ETV success. Mean age at ETV was 6.9 ± 5.9 years. Fifty-four statements of 89 patients that are still alive were gained (response rate 63%). Of these, 49 questionnaires were complete and evaluable (23 m, 26f; mean age 19.8 ± 10.0 years with an average follow-up period of 13.7 ± 7.2 years). Twenty-six/49 patients (53.1%) are considered ETV success. No statistically significant differences could be obtained between patients with ETV success and ETV failure. Patients older 14 years show QoL within normal range, patients younger than 14 years show significantly lower result regarding their environment of peers and social contacts. Patients younger than 6 months at the time of ETV and patients with posthemorrhagic HCP show significantly lower physical QoL. Gait disturbance, fatigue, and seizures are associated with a lower QoL, and educational level is lower than in the normal population.

Conclusions

Patients who underwent ETV in childhood do not have a lower health-related QoL in general. Subsequent insertions of ventriculoperitoneal (vp) shunts do not lower QoL. Certain subgroups of the patients show lower results compared to the healthy population.
Interactive effects of polygenic risk and cognitive subtype on brain morphology in schizophrenia spectrum and bipolar disorders
Authors: Quidé Yann , Watkeys Oliver J. , Girshkin Leah , Kaur Manreena , Carr Vaughan J. , Cairns Murray J. , Green Melissa J.
Published: July 2022

Grey matter volume (GMV) may be associated with polygenic risk for schizophrenia (PRS-SZ) and severe cognitive deficits in people with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder (collectively SSD), and bipolar disorder (BD). This study examined the interactive effects of PRS-SZ and cognitive subtypes of SSD and BD in relation to GMV. Two-step cluster analysis was performed on 146 clinical cases (69 SSD and 77 BD) assessed on eight cognitive domains (verbal and visual memory, executive function, processing speed, visual processing, language ability, working memory, and planning). Among them, 55 BD, 51 SSD, and 58 healthy controls (HC), contributed to focal analyses of the relationships between cognitive subtypes, PRS-SZ and their interaction on GMV. Two distinct cognitive subtypes were evident among the combined sample of cases: a ‘cognitive deficit’ group (CD; N = 31, 20SSD/11BD) showed severe impairment across all cognitive indices, and a ‘cognitively spared’ (CS; N = 75; 31SSD/44BD) group showed intermediate cognitive performance that was significantly worse than the HC group but better than the CD subgroup. A cognitive subgroup-by-PRS-SZ interaction was significantly associated with GMV in the left precentral gyrus. Moderation analyses revealed a significant negative relationship between PRS-SZ and GMV in the CD group only. At low and average (but not high) PRS-SZ, larger precentral GMV was evident in the CD group compared to both CS and HC groups, and in the CS group compared to HCs. This study provides evidence for a relationship between regional GMV changes and PRS-SZ in psychosis spectrum cases with cognitive deficits, but not in cases cognitively spared.
A retrospective, multicenter study on the management of macular holes without residual internal limiting membrane: the refractory macular hole (ReMaHo) study
Authors: Lorenzi Umberto , Mehech Joel , Caporossi Tommaso , Romano Mario R. , De Fazio Rocco , Parrat Eric , Matonti Frédéric , Mora Paolo ,   on behalf of the ReMaHo Study Group, Sborgia Giancarlo , Forlini Matteo , Ventre Luca , Soler Vincent , Sampo Magali , Fiore Tito , Van Overdam Koen , Guigou Sébastien , Rouhette Hervé , Rapizzi Emilio , Denion Eric , Rebollo Olivier , Meyer Franck , Uzzan Joel , Mafrici Marco , Bacherini Daniela , Favilla Stefania , Ricciotti Guido , Tedesco Salvatore A. , Gandolfi Stefano , Muraine Marc
Published: July 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the surgical management, outcomes and prognostic factors of full thickness macular holes without residual internal limiting membrane (NO-ILM FTMHs).

Methods

We performed a multicenter, retrospective study of 116 NO-ILM FTMHs. Human amniotic membrane (hAM) plug, autologous ILM free flap transplantation (AILMT), and autologous retinal graft transplantation (ART) were performed in 58, 48, and 10 patients, respectively. Data were collected before and up to 12 months after surgery. The primary outcomes were hole closure and final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Results

The final BCVA (0.78 ± 0.51 logMAR) was significantly better than and correlated with the initial BCVA (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.004, respectively). Hole closure was achieved in 92% of eyes. The minimum FTMH diameter was wider and final BCVA was lower in the ART group than in the other groups (p < 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). FTMHs with diameter > 680 μm had a higher closure rate with hAM than with AILMT (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

AILMT and hAM were the most frequently performed surgeries with both high closure rate and significant functional improvement. Preoperative BCVA was correlated with final BCVA. The minimum FTMH diameter may guide the treatment choice.
Multiscale thermoelastic modelling of composite strands using the “fundamental solutions” method
Authors: Nemov A. S. , Borovkov A. I. , Schrefler B. A.
Published: July 2022

A novel computationally effective approach to multiscale thermoelastic modelling of composite structures and its application to a thermomechanical analysis of two ITER superconducting strands is presented. Homogenisation and recovering problems are solved by means of the “fundamental solutions” method, which was expanded to the case of thermoelastic analysis. We describe a general procedure of multiscale analysis on the basis of this method and apply it to recover stresses at the microscopic scale of a composite strands using a two-level procedure. The recovered micro-stresses are found to be in good correlation with the stresses obtained in the reference problem where the entire composite structure was modelled with a fine mesh.
A randomised controlled trial investigating the ability for supervised exercise to reduce treatment-related decline in adolescent and young adult cancer patients
Authors: Munsie Claire , Ebert Jay , Joske David , Ackland Timothy
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Exercise is recognised as integral in mitigating a myriad negative consequences of cancer treatment. However, its benefit within adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer cohorts remains relatively under researched, and caution should be taken in extrapolating outcomes from adult and paediatric populations given AYA distinctly different physiological and psychosocial contexts. This study sought to evaluate the impact of an exercise intervention on mitigating the expected decline in fitness, strength, physical functioning, and quality of life (QOL) in AYA undergoing cancer treatment.

Methods

This prospective, randomised controlled trial (FiGHTINGF!T) allocated 43 participants (63% male, mean age 21.1 years) to a 10-week, multimodal, bi-weekly exercise intervention (EG) or control group (CG) undergoing usual care. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included cardiopulmonary exercise tests, one-repetition maximum (1RM) strength, functional tests, and QOL patient-reported outcome measures. Data were analysed via linear mixed models and regression.

Results

While no significant group differences (p > 0.05) were observed, neither group significantly declined (p > 0.05) in any outcome measure over the 10-week period. No significant (p˃0.05) strength or functional improvements were observed in the CG, though the EG demonstrated significant improvements in their 1RM leg press (p = 0.004) and chest press (p = 0.032), maximal push ups (p = 0.032), and global QOL (p = 0.011). The EG reported a significant increase in fatigue (p = 0.014), while the CG reported significant positive changes in anxiety measures (p = 0.005).

Conclusion

The exercise intervention produced superior improvements in strength and global QOL, compared with the CG. Regardless of group allocation, enrolment in the exercise study appeared to mitigate the treatment-related decline expected in AYA undergoing cancer treatment.
Effect of probiotic bacteria on porcine rotavirus OSU infection of porcine intestinal epithelial IPEC-J2 cells
Authors: Leblanc Danielle , Raymond Yves , Lemay Marie-Josée , Champagne Claude P. , Brassard Julie
Published: July 2022

Rotavirus infections in nursing or post-weaning piglets are known to cause diarrhea, which can lead to commercial losses. Probiotic supplementation is used as a prophylactic or therapeutic approach to dealing with microbial infections in humans and animals. To evaluate the effect of probiotic bacteria on porcine rotavirus infections, non-transformed porcine intestinal epithelial IPEC-J2 cells were used as an in vitro model, and three different procedures were tested. When cells were exposed to seven probiotics at concentrations of 105, 106, or 107 CFU/mL for 16 h and removed before rotavirus challenge, infection reduction rates determined by flow cytometry were as follows: 15% (106) and 18% (105) for Bifidobacterium longum R0175, 15% (107) and 16% (106) for B. animalis lactis A026, and 15% (105) for Lactobacillus plantarum 299V. When cells were exposed to three selected probiotic strains for 1 h at higher concentrations, that is, 108 and 5 × 108 CFU/mL, before infection with rotavirus, no significant reduction was observed. When the probiotic bacteria were incubated with the virus before cell infection, a significant 14% decrease in the infection rate was observed for B. longum R0175. The results obtained using a cell-probiotics-virus platform combined with flow cytometry analysis suggest that probiotic bacteria can have a protective effect on IPEC-J2 cells before infection and can also prevent rotavirus infection of the cells.
Is perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in the case of routine surgical removal of the third molar still justified? A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with a split-mouth design
Authors: Kirnbauer Barbara , Jakse Norbert , Truschnegg Astrid , Dzidic Ivana , Mukaddam Khaled , Payer Michael
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Since antimicrobial resistance, caused by various factors including antibiotic overuse and abuse, is a severe challenge, the necessity of perioperative antibiotic prophylactic for surgical third molar removal remains a contentious topic. This study determined whether perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis can reduce surgical site infections (SSIs), swelling, and pain in the case of surgical removal of wisdom teeth.

Material and methods

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with a split-mouth design. A study medication of 2 g amoxicillin, administered 1 h before the third molar removal, followed by 1.5 g each for the first 3 postoperative days, was compared with placebo medication. The primary outcome variable (SSI), secondary clinical parameters (swelling and trismus), and patient-centered outcome measures (bleeding, swelling, pain, and pain medication intake) were documented until postoperative day 7. Statistical analyses were done with a paired t test, t test for independent samples, Chi-square test, and McNemar test, including effect sizes.

Results

Primary outcome SSI, in total 11%, and clinical parameters swelling and trismus were not significantly different between the two groups. The patient-centered outcome measures (bleeding, swelling, and pain) did not significantly differ, except for postoperative bleeding in the EG on day 0. No significant result was found with pain medication intake postoperative on days 0–7.

Conclusions

Perioperative administration of oral antibiotics neither revealed additional benefits in patient-related outcome measures nor reduced postoperative complications compared with the placebo group indicated at routine surgical removal of noninflamed wisdom teeth.

Clinical relevance

Taking antimicrobial resistance into account, clear recommendations for administering drugs, particularly antibiotics, are critical in oral surgery.
Radiographic pelvimetry in free-ranging Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx carpathicus) from Switzerland
Authors: Morend Fanny , Lang Johann , Vidondo Beatriz , Ryser-Degiorgis Marie-Pierre
Published: July 2022

The observation of pelvic anomalies in two Eurasian lynx (subspeciesLynx lynx carpathicus) from a population reintroduced to Switzerland raised the question of the frequency of such anomalies, but no anatomical reference values were available for comparison. This study aimed at providing baseline data on the pelvic morphology of Carpathian lynx from Switzerland, and at detecting potential pelvic anomalies. Measurements of 10 pelvic parameters were performed on the radiographs of 56 lynx taken from 1997–2015. Two ratios (vertical diameter/acetabula; sagittal diameter/transversal diameter) and two areas (pelvic outlet and inlet) were calculated to describe pelvic shape. The results showed that the Eurasian lynx has a mesatipellic pelvis, with a pelvic length corresponding to approximatively 20% of the body length. We found growth-related pelvis size differences among age classes and evidence of sexual dimorphism in adults: two parameters reflecting pelvic width were larger in females, likely to meet the physiological requirements of parturition. By contrast, pelvis length, conjugata vera, diagonal conjugata, sagittal diameter, and tendentially also vertical diameter, were larger in males, in agreement with their larger body size. Outliers were found in five individuals but apparently without clinical significance. Extreme values were likely due to inter-individual differences and the limited sample size rather than to possible congenital or developmental pathological morphology of the pelvic cavity. We present baseline data of the pelvic morphology, including growth and sexual dimorphism, which may be useful for health monitoring and for determination of age and sex in skeletal remains of Carpathian lynx.
Multidisciplinary expert group: communication measures to increase vaccine compliance in adults
Authors: Hastall Matthias R. , Koinig Isabell , Kunze Ursula , Meixner Oliver , Sachse Katharina , Würzner Reinhard
Published: July 2022

The WHO categorized vaccine hesitancy as one of the greatest threats to global health worldwide. Vaccination of elderly persons is of increasing relevance, given that they represent a growing segment in the population and considering the burden diseases pose to them. Many factors leading to vaccine hesitancy are related to inadequate communication. In the present report, experts from various academic fields present recommendations to support communication strategies that may help to initiate targeted communication measures to enhance vaccination compliance in adults.
Impact of socioeconomic status on the clinical outcomes in hospitalised patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Boglione Lucio , Dodaro Valentina
Published: July 2022

Aim

A disadvantaged socioeconomic status (SES) was previously associated with higher incidence and poor outcomes both of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and infectious diseases. Inequalities in health services also have a negative effect on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) morbidity and mortality.

Subject and methods

The study analysed the role of SES measured by the educational level (EL) in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 between 9 March 2020 and 20 September 2021 at our centre of infectious diseases. Clinical outcomes were: length of hospitalisation, in-hospital mortality and the need of intensive-care-unit (ICU) support.

Results

There were 566 patients included in this retrospective analysis. Baseline EL was: illiterate (5, 0.9%), primary school (99, 17.5%), secondary school (228, 40.3%), high school (211, 37.3%), degree (23, 4.1%); median age was higher in low EL (72.5 years vs 61 years, p = 0.003), comorbidity (56% in low EL, 34.6% in high EL, p < 0.001), time from the symptoms and PCR diagnosis (8.5 days in low EL, 6.5 days in high EL, p < 0.001), hospitalisation length (11.5 days in low EL, 9.5 days in high EL, p = 0.011), mortality rate (24.7% in low EL, 13.2% in high EL, p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis there were predictors of mortality: age (OR = 4.981; 95%CI 2.172–11.427; p < 0.001), comorbidities (OR = 3.227; 95%CI 2.515–11.919; p = 0.007), ICU admission (OR = 6.997; 95%CI 2.334–31.404; p = 0.011), high vs low EL (OR = 0.761; 95%CI 0.213–0.990; p = 0.021). In survival analysis, higher EL was associated with a decreased risk of mortality up to 23.9%.

Conclusion

Even though the EL is mainly related to the age of patients, in our analysis, it resulted as an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality and hospitalisation time. Unfortunately, this is a study focused only on hospitalised patients, and we did not examine the possible effect of EL in outpatients. Further analyses are required to confirm this suggestion and provide novel information.
“These are people just like us who can work”: Overcoming clinical resistance and shifting views in the implementation of Individual Placement and Support (IPS)
Authors: Sharek Danika , Lally Niamh , Brennan Ciara , Higgins Agnes
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is a recovery-based approach to support people with mental health difficulties back into employment. Embedding of IPS within the mental health Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) is a key component of IPS fidelity; however, few studies have examined how those involved with IPS implementation navigate this process. This article explores how IPS Employment Specialists (ES) and Occupational Therapist (OT) Managers integrated and embedded IPS within traditionally-oriented MDTs as part of a national reform program in the Republic of Ireland.

Methods

The study design was qualitative, descriptive with data collected through three focus groups with 17 IPS ESs and 11 OT Managers. Data were analyzed using thematic synthesis.

Results

Three key themes emerged from analysis. The first characterizes the context into which IPS landed, described as one marked by clinical resistance, doubt, and fear of risk. The second explores the strategies and factors that helped with the introduction of IPS into Irish mental health services. These included strategies, such as providing education and information about IPS and reassuring the MDT about IPS governance and IPS ES’ competencies. The evidenced-based nature of IPS and its attached accountabilities through IPS fidelity measures were perceived to be an important factor in its acceptance. The final theme encapsulates perceptions of how IPS impacted on the MDTs’ views of people with mental health difficulties. Findings suggest a shift in the ways in which MDTs view their clients. Initial fears about work capacity and risk shifted towards seeing people beyond the label of ‘service user’ and their diagnosis.

Conclusions

It is contended that IPS is an approach that allows practitioners to engage with real recovery-practice and may be one key to unlocking how a recovery approach can truly trickle down and embed itself within mental health service provision and support mental health system reform.