bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The morphology of the femoral footprint of the anterior cruciate ligament changes with aging from a large semicircular shape to a small flat ribbon-like shape
Authors: Morales-Avalos Rodolfo , Perelli Simone , Vilchez-Cavazos Félix , Castillo-Escobedo Tadeo , Peña-Martínez Víctor M. , Elizondo-Omaña Rodrigo , Guzmán-López Santos , Padilla-Medina José Ramón , Monllau Juan Carlos
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Compare the differences in the morphology of the ACL femoral footprint between the cadavers of the young and elderly in consideration of the degenerative physiological process that occurs with aging.

Methods

The femoral footprint of the ACL was dissected in 81 knees of known gender and age (45 male/36 female). They were divided into four groups by age and gender, establishing 50 years as the cut-off point to divide patients by age. Three observers analyzed the femoral footprint dissections, and the shapes were described and classified. The area and morphometric characteristics of the femoral insertion of the ACL were determined and these were compared between genders and age groups.

Results

The femoral footprint of the ACL from the cadavers of males younger than 50 years of age presented a semicircular morphology in 90% of the cases. In males aged more than 50 years, a ribbon-like morphology was found in 96% of the cases. In women less than 50 years old, the semicircular morphology was observed in 93.7% of the cases. In women aged over 50 years old, the ribbon-like morphology was found in 95% of the cases. A significant difference was observed between the prevalence rates of the morphologies, area size and measurements of the younger and older groups (p < 0.001 for both genders).

Conclusions

The femoral insertion of the ACL presents variations in its morphology, area and morphometric characteristics over time. It goes from a large semicircular shape that almost contacts the posterior articular cartilage to a smaller, flattened ribbon-like shape that moves away from the edge of the articular cartilage. It is bounded anteriorly by the lateral intercondylar ridge. These findings should be considered to avoid employing reconstruction techniques in which femoral tunnels with oval or rectangular shapes are used in patients under 50 years of age because they do not correspond to the morphology of the femoral insertion of the ACL in this age group.
Kontakt-Tracing-Apps
Authors: Lindemann Christoph , Mehlhose Frank Martin
Published: March 2022

Zur Bekämpfung der Coronapandemie wurden erstmals mobile Applikationen zur Kontakterfassung und -nachverfolgung, also dem systematischen Erfassen aller Personen mit zeitlicher und räumlicher Nähe zu einer infizierten Person, eingesetzt. In Deutschland haben hierzu vor allem die Corona-Warn-App und die Luca-App Verbreitung gefunden. Dieser Artikel diskutiert die beiden Apps vor allem im Hinblick auf Datenschutz, Sicherheit sowie deren Effektivität zur Bekämpfung der Pandemie. Im Gegensatz zu der Vielzahl an populärwissenschaftlichen Artikeln liegt der Fokus in diesem Artikel auf den technischen Aspekten der Kontakt-Tracing-Apps.
Development of a porcine acellular bladder matrix for tissue-engineered bladder reconstruction
Authors: Garriboli Massimo , Deguchi Koichi , Totonelli Giorgia , Georgiades Fanourios , Urbani Luca , Ghionzoli Marco , Burns Alan J. , Sebire Neil J. , Turmaine Mark , Eaton Simon , De Coppi Paolo
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Enterocystoplasty is adopted for patients requiring bladder augmentation, but significant long-term complications highlight need for alternatives. We established a protocol for creating a natural-derived bladder extracellular matrix (BEM) for developing tissue-engineered bladder, and investigated its structural and functional characteristics.

Methods

Porcine bladders were de-cellularised with a dynamic detergent–enzymatic treatment using peristaltic infusion. Samples and fresh controls were evaluated using histological staining, ultrastructure (electron microscopy), collagen, glycosaminoglycans and DNA quantification and biomechanical testing. Compliance and angiogenic properties (Chicken chorioallantoic membrane [CAM] assay) were evaluated. T test compared stiffness and glycosaminoglycans, collagen and DNA quantity. p value of < 0.05 was regarded as significant.

Results

Histological evaluation demonstrated absence of cells with preservation of tissue matrix architecture (collagen and elastin). DNA was 0.01 μg/mg, significantly reduced compared to fresh tissue 0.13 μg/mg (p < 0.01). BEM had increased tensile strength (0.259 ± 0.022 vs 0.116 ± 0.006, respectively, p < 0.0001) and stiffness (0.00075 ± 0.00016 vs 0.00726 ± 0.00216, p = 0.011). CAM assay showed significantly increased number of convergent allantoic vessels after 6 days compared to day 1 (p < 0.01). Urodynamic studies showed that BEM maintains or increases capacity and compliance.

Conclusion

Dynamic detergent–enzymatic treatment produces a BEM which retains structural characteristics, increases strength and stiffness and is more compliant than native tissue. Furthermore, BEM shows angiogenic potential. These data suggest the use of BEM for development of tissue-engineered bladder for patients requiring bladder augmentation.
Daytime sleepiness and emotional and behavioral disturbances in Prader-Willi syndrome
Authors: Choong Catherine S. , Nixon Gillian M. , Blackmore A. Marie , Chen Wai , Jacoby Peter , Leonard Helen , Lafferty Antony R. , Ambler Geoff , Kapur Nitin , Bergman Philip B. , Schofield Cara , Seton Chris , Tai Andrew , Tham Elaine , Vora Komal , Crock Patricia , Verge Charles , Musthaffa Yassmin , Blecher Greg , Wilson Andrew , Downs Jenny
Published: March 2022

Individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) often have excessive daytime sleepiness and emotional/behavioral disturbances. The objective of this study was to examine whether daytime sleepiness was associated with these emotional/behavioral problems, independent of nighttime sleep-disordered breathing, or the duration of sleep. Caregivers of individuals with PWS (aged 3 to 25 years) completed the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ), Epworth Sleepiness Scale for Children and Adolescents (ESS-CHAD), and the parent version of the Developmental Behavior Checklist (DBC-P). Sleep adequacy was adjusted for age by computing sleep duration against age-specific recommendations. The associations between ESS-CHAD and the total DBC and its subscale scores were evaluated by linear regression, adjusted for sleep-related breathing difficulties, sleep adequacy, and body mass index (BMI). There were 54 responses for individuals with PWS (including 22 males) aged 4.4–24.0 (mean 12.5) years. Daytime sleepiness predicted a substantial proportion of the variance in total DBC-P scores in the unadjusted model (28%; β = 0.028; p < 0.001) and when adjusted for sleep adequacy, BMI, and sleep-related breathing difficulties (29%; β = 0.023; p = 0.007). This relationship was not moderated by BMI Z-scores, but the relationship was more prominent for children younger than 12 years than for children older than 12 years.

Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary novel evidence that daytime sleepiness may drive the expression of emotional/behavioral disturbances, and should be explored as a potential modifiable risk factor for these disturbances in PWS, particularly pre-adolescent children.

What is Known:• Individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) commonly experience excessive daytime sleepiness and exhibit emotional/behavioral disturbances.• In the typically developing population, sleepiness is associated with emotional/behavioral disturbances, independently of sleep-disordered breathing..

What is New:• This study found evidence for a direct link between daytime sleepiness and emotional/behavioral disturbances, independent of sleep-related breathing difficulties, sleep adequacy, and body mass index.• Excessive daytime sleepiness may be a modifiable risk factor for emotional/behavioral disturbances in PWS.
Palliative non-small cell lung cancer treatment and end-of-life care stratified by sex and childlessness: an important interplay in unmarried patients?
Authors: Nieder Carsten , Aanes Siv Gyda , Haukland Ellinor C.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To analyze the interplay of sex and presence of children in unmarried patients with non-small cell lung cancer, because previous studies suggested sex-related disparities. Adult children may participate in treatment decisions and provision of social support or home care.

Methods

Retrospective single-institution analysis of 186 unmarried deceased patients, managed according to national guidelines outside of clinical trials. Due to the absence of other oncology care providers in the region and the availability of electronic health records, all aspects of longitudinal care were captured.

Results

Eighty-eight female and 98 male patients were included, the majority of whom had children. Comparable proportions in all four strata did not receive active therapy. Involvement of the palliative care team was similar, too. Patients without children were more likely to receive systemic therapy (39% utilization in women with children, 67% in women without children, 41% in men with children, 52% in men without children; p = 0.05). During the last 3 months of life, female patients spent significantly more days in hospital than their male counterparts. Place of death was not significantly different. Home death was equally uncommon in each group. In the multivariate analysis, survival was associated with age and cancer stage, in contrast to sex and presence of children.

Conclusion

In contrast to studies from other healthcare systems, unmarried male patients were managed in a largely similar fashion to their female counterparts and with similar survival outcome. Unexpectedly, patients without children more often received systemic anti-cancer treatment.
Geographical accessibility to bank branches and its relationship to new firm formation in Sweden via multiscale geographically weighted regression
Authors: Ho Cynthia Sin Tian , Wilhelmsson Mats
Published: March 2022

The geographical accessibility to banks and its relationship with new firm formation can vary across space due to spatial contexts. With increasing bank branch closures in Sweden, it is even more critical to understand where interventions are needed and at which scale, to implement effective policy. Thus, spatial context is incorporated into the analysis with the use of the multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model. A two-stage least squares (2SLS) model is employed in which two instrumental variables are utilised to instrument the proximity to the nearest bank branch in 2013. The MGWR results show that the geographical distance to the nearest bank branch has a negative association with new firm formation across all Swedish municipalities. The results also show that the relationship between the geographical distance to bank branches and new formation is not spatially varying across space. A policy implication from the analysis shows it is ideal to focus on the geographical accessibility to bank branches as it would continue to play an important role in the financing of new firms, regardless of the location.
Prosthetic joint infection diagnosis applying the three-level European Bone and Joint Infection Society (EBJIS) approach
Authors: Papalini Chiara , Pucci Giacomo , Cenci Giulia , Mencacci Antonella , Francisci Daniela , Caraffa Auro , Antinolfi Pierluigi , Pasticci Maria Bruna
Published: March 2022

Sensitive and specific tests for the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) are lacking. The aim of this study was to report clinical and microbiological findings of consecutive patients diagnosed with PJI at the University Hospital of Perugia, Perugia, Italy, and to validate these diagnoses utilizing the European Bone and Joint Infection Society (EBJIS) three-level diagnostic approach from 2021. Patients with a PJI diagnosis were included in this study and examined retrospectively. Overall, 133 patients were diagnosed with PJI: mean age 72 years, 54.9% female, and 55.6% with more than one comorbidity. The most frequent involved joints were hip 47% and knee 42%. Aetiology was identified in 88/133 (66.2%): staphylococci resulted the most frequent microorganisms and over 80% (45/54) resulted rifampin susceptible. Applying the EBJIS approach, PJI diagnosis resulted: confirmed in 101 (75.9%), likely in 25 (18.8%), and unlikely in 7 (5.3%). Likely PJIs aetiology was Staphylococcus aureus 11/25, coagulase-negative staphylococci 8/25, Streptococcus agalactiae 3/25, viridans group streptococci 2/25, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1/25. No statistically significant differences were detected among the three diagnosis groups with regard to clinical characteristics with the exception of a higher number of confirmed PJIs occurring < 3 months after implantation. The logistic regression analysis did not disclose any independent predictor of confirmed PJIs. We recommend using all the diagnostic tests available to approach PJI diagnosis, and suggest caution before rejecting PJI diagnosis in the presence of highly virulent microorganisms from a single sample, in patients without sinus tract, and in those receiving antimicrobial at the time microbiologic samples are collected. Study approved by Umbrian Regional Ethical Committee, Perugia, Italy, Prot. N. 23,124/21/ON of 10.27.2021.
Access to Social Protection by People Living with, at Risk of, or Affected by HIV in Eswatini, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia: Results from Population-Based HIV Impact Assessments
Authors: Chipanta David , Pettifor Audrey , Edwards Jessie , Giovenco Danielle , Topazian Hillary Mariko , Bray Rachel M. , Millington Monique C. , Estill Janne , Keiser Olivia , Justman Jessica E.
Published: March 2022

We aimed to measure social protection coverage among the general population, women and men living with HIV (WLHIV, MLHV), female and male sex workers (FSW, MSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), adolescent girls young women (AGYW), and orphans vulnerable children (OVC) in Eswatini, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia. We used Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment data. We operationalised social protection benefits as external economic support from private and public sources to the household in the last three or 12 months. We estimated survey-weighted proportions and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each population receiving social protection benefits. The sample size ranged from 10,233 adults ages 15–59 years in Eswatini to 29,638 in Tanzania. In the surveyed countries, social protection coverage among the general population was lower than the global average of 45%, ranging from 7.7% (95% CI 6.7%–8.8%) in Zambia to 39.6% (95% CI 36.8%–42.5%) in Eswatini. In Malawi and Zambia, social protection coverage among OVC, AGYW, SW, MSM, and people living with HIV (PLHIV) was similar to the general population. In Eswatini, more AGWY reported receiving social projection benefits than older women and more men not living with HIV reported receiving social protection benefits than MLHIV. In Tanzania, more WLHIV than women not living with HIV, MLHIV than men not living with HIV, and FSW than women who were not sex workers reported receiving social protection benefits. More data on access to social protection benefits by PLHIV or affected by HIV are needed to estimate better their social protection coverage.
Barriers to Oral HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Adherence Among Pregnant and Post-partum Women from Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Beesham Ivana , Dovel Kathryn , Mashele Nyiko , Bekker Linda-Gail , Gorbach Pamina , Coates Thomas J. , Myer Landon , Joseph Davey Dvora Leah
Published: March 2022

Cisgender women, particularly pregnant and postpartum women in Eastern and Southern Africa, face an unacceptably high risk of HIV acquisition. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective HIV prevention intervention that can reduce HIV acquisition and vertical transmission. In this qualitative study, we interviewed 21 postpartum women from Cape Town, South Africa who initiated PrEP during pregnancy and who self-reported low PrEP adherence or missed > 1 PrEP follow-up collection. We identified multiple overlapping barriers to PrEP continuation and/or adherence. Individual factors included forgetting to take PrEP daily, being away from home when PrEP should be taken, anticipated stigma and limited disclosure of PrEP use. Women also reported pill-related factors such as side effects and having to take PrEP in addition to other tablets during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Facility-related barriers included logistics around PrEP collection especially when not in antenatal care, as well as transport and financial barriers.
Who can receive the pass? A computational model for quantifying availability in soccer
Authors: Dick Uwe , Link Daniel , Brefeld Ulf
Published: March 2022

The paper presents a computational approach to Availability of soccer players. Availability is defined as the probability that a pass reaches the target player without being intercepted by opponents. Clearly, a computational model for this probability grounds on models for ball dynamics, player movements, and technical skills of the pass giver. Our approach aggregates these quantities for all possible passes to the target player to compute a single Availability value. Empirically, our approach outperforms state-of-the-art competitors using data from 58 professional soccer matches. Moreover, our experiments indicate that the model can even outperform soccer coaches in assessing the availability of soccer players from static images.
On equivalence of cyclic and dihedral zero-divisor codes having nilpotents of nilpotency degree two as generators
Authors: Ong Kai Lin , Ang Miin Huey
Published: March 2022

Zero-divisor codes are codes constructed using group rings where their generators are zero-divisors. Generally, zero-divisor codes can be equivalent despite their associated groups are non-isomorphic, leading to the proposed conjecture “Every dihedral zero-divisor code has an equivalent form of cyclic zero-divisor code”. This paper is devoted to study equivalence of zero-divisor codes in $$F_2G$$

F
2

G

having generators from the 2-nilradical of $$F_2G$$

F
2

G

, consisting of all nilpotents of nilpotency degree 2 of $$F_2G$$

F
2

G

. Essentially, algebraic structures of 2-nilradicals are first studied in general for both commutative and non-commutative $$F_2G$$

F
2

G

before specialized into the case when G is cyclic and dihedral. Then, results are used to study the conjecture above in the cases where the codes generators are from their respective 2-nilradicals.
Toward Synergizing Educational Research and Movement Sciences: a Dialogue on Learning as Developing Perception for Action
Authors: Abrahamson Dor , Mechsner Franz
Published: March 2022

What could possibly be a meaningful conversation between educational researchers and movement scientists? Curiously, they have much in common. Both groups of researchers increasingly (1) appreciate the human capacity to enact perceptually guided movement as an overarching psychological model of thinking, problem-solving, and learning; (2) theorize the development of perceptual structures, including actual and imaginary percepts, as a key epistemic vehicle for solving motor-control problems; and (3) promote a view of abstract thinking as movement-grounded and movement-oriented perceptual dynamics. Probing toward theoretical synergy between these traditionally disparate fields of research, the present article is built as an interdisciplinary conversation between two researchers—of mathematics education and movement science, respectively—who become aware of their intellectual alignment, garner new insights and inspirations from each other’s work, and speculate on implications of this concordance for their fields. Future exploration into the unity of movement and cognition could enrich dialogue between manifold disciplines, with the overall goal of clarifying, developing, and integrating an interdisciplinary common foundation and framework for the benefit of education.
On the Interplay of Data and Cognitive Bias in Crisis Information Management
Authors: Paulus David , Fathi Ramian , Fiedrich Frank , de Walle Bartel Van , Comes Tina
Published: March 2022

Humanitarian crises, such as the 2014 West Africa Ebola epidemic, challenge information management and thereby threaten the digital resilience of the responding organizations. Crisis information management (CIM) is characterised by the urgency to respond despite the uncertainty of the situation. Coupled with high stakes, limited resources and a high cognitive load, crises are prone to induce biases in the data and the cognitive processes of analysts and decision-makers. When biases remain undetected and untreated in CIM, they may lead to decisions based on biased information, increasing the risk of an inefficient response. Literature suggests that crisis response needs to address the initial uncertainty and possible biases by adapting to new and better information as it becomes available. However, we know little about whether adaptive approaches mitigate the interplay of data and cognitive biases. We investigated this question in an exploratory, three-stage experiment on epidemic response. Our participants were experienced practitioners in the fields of crisis decision-making and information analysis. We found that analysts fail to successfully debias data, even when biases are detected, and that this failure can be attributed to undervaluing debiasing efforts in favor of rapid results. This failure leads to the development of biased information products that are conveyed to decision-makers, who consequently make decisions based on biased information. Confirmation bias reinforces the reliance on conclusions reached with biased data, leading to a vicious cycle, in which biased assumptions remain uncorrected. We suggest mindful debiasing as a possible counter-strategy against these bias effects in CIM.
A Hierarchical Geodesic Model for Longitudinal Analysis on Manifolds
Authors: Nava-Yazdani Esfandiar , Hege Hans-Christian , von Tycowicz Christoph
Published: March 2022

In many applications, geodesic hierarchical models are adequate for the study of temporal observations. We employ such a model derived for manifold-valued data to Kendall’s shape space. In particular, instead of the Sasaki metric, we adapt a functional-based metric, which increases the computational efficiency and does not require the implementation of the curvature tensor. We propose the corresponding variational time discretization of geodesics and employ the approach for longitudinal analysis of 2D rat skulls shapes as well as 3D shapes derived from an imaging study on osteoarthritis. Particularly, we perform hypothesis test and estimate the mean trends.
Intermarriage on Subjective Social Status and Spousal Dissimilarity in Life Satisfaction of Co-resident Heterosexual South African Couples
Authors: Booysen Frederik , Botha Ferdi , Guvuriro Sevias
Published: March 2022

The aim of this study is to determine how intermarriage on subjective social status is associated with spousal dissimilarity in life satisfaction in co-resident heterosexual couples in South Africa. We apply fixed effect ordered logit regression models to a sample of 8652 married and cohabiting dyads constructed from the longitudinal and nationally representative South African National Income Dynamics Study. We find no spousal dissimilarity in overall life satisfaction under pure homogamy. In wife advantaged and currently hypogamic relationships females are more satisfied with life than their male partners, whereas the opposite is observed in husband advantaged and currently hypergamic relationships as well as in wife exchanges. Intermarriage on subjective social status may put marriages and relationships at risk of dissolution due to its association with spousal dissimilarity in overall life satisfaction. Further research is required to present a more complete and integrated account of how spousal dissimilarity in subjective well-being may mediate the impact of intermarriage on the dissolution of unions and relationships.
Surrogate models of radiative transfer codes for atmospheric trace gas retrievals from satellite observations
Authors: Brence Jure , Tanevski Jovan , Adams Jennifer , Malina Edward , Džeroski Sašo
Published: March 2022

Inversion of radiative transfer models (RTMs) is key to interpreting satellite observations of air quality and greenhouse gases, but is computationally expensive. Surrogate models that emulate the full forward physical RTM can speed up the simulation, reducing computational and timing costs and allowing the use of more advanced physics for trace gas retrievals. In this study, we present the development of surrogate models for two RTMs: the RemoTeC algorithm using the LINTRAN RTM and the SCIATRAN RTM. We estimate the intrinsic dimensionality of the input and output spaces and embed them in lower dimensional subspaces to facilitate the learning task. Two methods are tested for dimensionality reduction, autoencoders and principle component analysis (PCA), with PCA consistently outperforming autoencoders. Different sampling methods are employed for generating the training datasets: sampling focused on expected atmospheric parameters and latin hypercube sampling. The results show that models trained on the smaller (n = 1000) uniformly sampled dataset can perform as well as those trained on the larger (n = 50000), more focused dataset. Surrogate models for both datasets are able to accurately emulate Sentinel 5P spectra within a millisecond or less, as compared to the minutes or hours needed to simulate the full physical model. The SCIATRAN-trained forward surrogate models are able to generalize the emulation to a broader set of parameters and can be used for less constrained applications, while achieving a normalized RMSE of 7.3%. On the other hand, models trained on the LINTRAN dataset can completely replace the RTM simulation in more focused expected ranges of atmospheric parameters, as they achieve a normalized RMSE of 0.3%.
Security of medical images for telemedicine: a systematic review
Authors: Magdy Mahmoud , Hosny Khalid M. , Ghali Neveen I. , Ghoniemy Said
Published: March 2022

Recently, there has been a rapid growth in the utilization of medical images in telemedicine applications. The authors in this paper presented a detailed discussion of different types of medical images and the attacks that may affect medical image transmission. This survey paper summarizes existing medical data security approaches and the different challenges associated with them. An in-depth overview of security techniques, such as cryptography, steganography, and watermarking are introduced with a full survey of recent research. The objective of the paper is to summarize and assess the different algorithms of each approach based on different parameters such as PSNR, MSE, BER, and NC.
Hydrogenation and isomerization of propenylbenzene isomers over Pt/alumina
Authors: Bansal Aman , Jackson S. David
Published: March 2022

The hydrogenation and isomerization of the three isomeric propenylbenzenes, allylbenzene (AB), trans-β-methylstyrene (TBMS) and cis-β-methylstyrene (CBMS), in the liquid phase, was investigated over a 1% Pt/alumina catalyst at 313 K and 1 barg. When reacted individually, the cis-isomer gave the fastest rate of hydrogenation followed by AB, with the trans-isomer having the slowest rate giving a ratio of rates of CBMS:AB:TBMS of 57:19:1. All isomers gave high selectivity to phenylpropane, with isomerization controlled by thermodynamic constraints. Competitive hydrogenation revealed that AB adsorbed on a different site from CBMS and TBMS and that AB inhibited hydrogenation of the other two isomers. In contrast, isomerization was unaffected. These results indicate that AB adsorption limits the supply of hydrogen to the other isomers such that reductive elimination of the half-hydrogenated alkyl species to the alkane is depressed while β-elimination of the alkyl to give an olefin is not affected.
Time Lag Between Cosmic-Ray and Solar Variability: Sunspot Numbers and Open Solar Magnetic Flux
Authors: Koldobskiy Sergey A. , Kähkönen Riikka , Hofer Bernhard , Krivova Natalie A. , Kovaltsov Gennady A. , Usoskin Ilya G.
Published: March 2022

Solar magnetic activity drives the dominant 11-year cyclic variability of different space environmental indices, but they can be delayed with respect to the original variations due to the different physical processes involved. Here, we analyzed the pairwise time lags between three global solar and heliospheric indices: sunspot numbers (SSN), representing the solar surface magnetic activity, the open solar flux (OSF), representing the heliospheric magnetic variability, and the galactic cosmic-ray (GCR) intensity near Earth, using the standard cross-correlation and the more detailed wavelet-coherence methods. All the three indices appear highly coherent at a timescale longer than a few years with persistent high coherence at the timescale of the 11-year solar cycle. The GCR variability is delayed with respect to the inverted SSN by about eight 27-day Bartels rotations on average, but the delay varies greatly with the 22-year cycle, being shorter or longer around positive $A+$
A
+
or negative $A-$
A
−
solar polarity epochs, respectively. The 22-year cyclicity of the time lag is determined by the global heliospheric drift effects, in agreement with theoretical models. The OSF lags by about one year behind SSN, and is likely determined by a combination of the short lifetime of active regions and a longer (≈3 years) transport time of the surface magnetic field to the poles. GCRs covary nearly in antiphase with the OSF, also depicting a strong 22-year cycle in the delay, confirming that the OSF is a good index of the heliospheric modulation of GCRs. This provides an important observational constraint for solar and heliospheric physics.
Do investors penalize the firms disclosing higher environmental performance? a cross cultural evidence
Authors: Qureshi Muhammad Azeem , Ahsan Tanveer
Published: March 2022

Climate change discourse integrates 3Ps – people, planet, and profit. However, we do not find any empirical study that integrates 3Ps. Therefore, using a large global panel dataset from 46 countries, this study intends to fill this gap by providing empirical evidence about investors’ value proposition of corporate climate performance in different cultural environments. The results show that Hofstede’s cultural dimensions affect corporate climate performance and its market pricing. We find that in cultures with high power distance, low individualism, high masculinity, high uncertainty avoidance, high long-term orientation, and high restraint, the investors generally penalize the firms disclosing higher environmental performance. Strangely enough, corporate waste production is universally value irrelevant. Our results indicate some policy implications.
Methodology to address potential impacts of plastic emissions in life cycle assessment
Authors: Maga Daniel , Galafton Christina , Blömer Jan , Thonemann Nils , Özdamar Aybüke , Bertling Jürgen
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Products made of plastic often appear to have lower environmental impacts than alternatives. However, present life cycle assessments (LCA) do not consider possible risks caused by the emission of plastics into the environment. Following the precautionary principle, we propose characterization factors (CFs) for plastic emissions allowing to calculate impacts of plastic pollution measured in plastic pollution equivalents, based on plastics’ residence time in the environment.

Methods and materials

The method addresses the definition and quantification of plastic emissions in LCA and estimates their fate in the environment based on their persistence. According to our approach, the fate is mainly influenced by the environmental compartment the plastic is initially emitted to, its redistribution to other compartments, and its degradation speed. The latter depends on the polymer type’s specific surface degradation rate (SSDR), the emission’s shape, and its characteristic length. The SSDRs are derived from an extensive literature review. Since the data quality of the SSDR and redistribution rates varies, an uncertainty assessment is carried out based on the pedigree matrix approach. To quantify the fate factor (FF), we calculate the area below the degradation curve of an emission and call it residence time $${\tau }_{R}$$

τ
R

.

Results and discussion

The results of our research include degradation measurements (SSDRs) retrieved from literature, a surface-driven degradation model, redistribution patterns, FFs based on the residence time, and an uncertainty analysis of the suggested FFs. Depending on the applied time horizon, the values of the FFs range from near zero to values greater than 1000 for different polymer types, size classes, shapes, and initial compartments. Based on the comparison of the compartment-specific FFs with the total compartment-weighted FFs, the polymer types can be grouped into six clusters. The proposed FFs can be used as CFs which can be further developed by integrating the probability of the exposure of humans or organisms to the plastic emission (exposure factor) and for the impacts of plastics on species (effect factor).

Conclusions

The proposed methodology is intended to support (plastic) product designers, for example, regarding materials’ choice, and can serve as a first proxy to estimate potential risks caused by plastic emissions. Besides, the FFs can be used to develop new CFs, which can be linked to one or more existing impact categories, such as human toxicity or ecotoxicity, or new impact categories addressing, for example, potential risks caused by entanglement.
Wie hängt die Berufserfahrung mit der Bereitschaft zur Teilnahme an Fortbildungen zusammen? Eine empirische Analyse zur generellen Fortbildungsmotivation von Lehrpersonen
Authors: Hauk Dennis , Gröschner Alexander , Rzejak Daniela , Lipowsky Frank , Zehetner Gabriele , Schöftner Thomas , Waid Albin
Published: March 2022

Die Studie untersucht die generelle Fortbildungsmotivation von Lehrkräften aus einer berufsbiografischen Perspektive. Hierzu wurden 400 Lehrkräfte einer österreichischen Einrichtung der Lehrerbildung schriftlich zur generellen Fortbildungsmotivation und Berufserfahrung befragt. Die Ergebnisse machen deutlich, dass Lehrpersonen mit zunehmender Berufserfahrung eine geringere Fortbildungsmotivation besitzen. Signifikante Unterschiede zeigen sich für drei Facetten der Fortbildungsmotivation (Externale Erwartungsanpassung, Karriereorientierung und Entwicklungsorientierung). Fortbildungsteilnahmen, die mit dem Wunsch nach Sozialer Interaktion begründet werden, wurden demgegenüber als stabile und erfahrungsunabhängige Facette der Fortbildungsmotivation identifiziert. Die Ergebnisse werden im Kontext des lebenslangen beruflichen Lernens von Lehrpersonen und der Gestaltung von Fortbildungsveranstaltungen diskutiert.
Acaricidal Efficacy of Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Against Hyalomma dromedarii (Acari: Ixodidae) and Their Toxic Effects on Swiss Albino Mice
Authors: Abdel-Ghany Hoda S. M. , Abdel-Shafy Sobhy , Abuowarda Mai M. , El-Khateeb Rabab M. , Hoballah Essam M. , Fahmy Magdy M.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The current study aimed to investigate the efficacy of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized by Melia azedarach aqueous extract to control Hyalomma dromedarii tick, and to evaluate their toxic effects on Swiss albino mice.

Methods

ZnO NPs were synthesized using M. azedarach aqueous extract. UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy were used to characterize the synthesized NPs. Egg, nymph, larva, and adult immersion tests were used for bioassay of tick stages with the synthesized ZnO NP. A toxicity study was performed on Swiss albino mice after treatment with 1/10 of the oral LD50 of ZnO NPs (8437 mg/kg) for 5 successive days by oral gavage.

Results

The LC50 of ZnO NPs on the eggs, larvae, and nymphs was 11.6, 8.03, and 3.9 mg/ml, respectively. The reproductive performance of females treated with ZnO NPs was lower than that of untreated females. The hematological results showed an insignificant increase in the level of white blood cells with normal red blood cells, hemoglobin, in addition to normal platelet count. The biochemical analysis showed an insignificant increased level (P > 0.05) of alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase. The liver and kidney suffered few histopathological changes after oral administration of ZnO NPs.

Conclusion

These results suggest that ZnO NPs have good acaricidal activity against eggs, larvae, and engorged nymphs of H. dromedarii. ZnO NPs minimized the number of eggs laid by engorged females and the hatchability of their eggs. ZnO NPs did not affect unfed adults. The toxicity results of the mice revealed insignificant changes in the hemogram, biochemistry, with liver and kidney suffering few histopathological changes. Future studies are needed to assess application routes (topical vs oral). Based on these findings, ZnO NPs may be incorporated in the control of camel tick H. dromedarii.
Trojan horse or useful helper? A relationship perspective on artificial intelligence assistants with humanlike features
Authors: Uysal Ertugrul , Alavi Sascha , Bezençon Valéry
Published: March 2022

Artificial intelligence assistants (AIAs) such as Alexa are prevalent in consumers’ homes. Owing to their powerful artificial intelligence, consumers may perceive that AIAs have a mind of their own, that is, they anthropomorphize them. Past marketing research points to beneficial effects of AIA anthropomorphism for consumers and companies, while potential harmful effects have not been empirically explored. In examining both beneficial and harmful effects, this paper adopts a relationship perspective. Indeed, consumers spend large amounts of time with their AIAs, potentially developing a relationship over time that builds on an exchange of benefits and (psychological) costs. A preliminary survey and user interviews, a field study and a field experiment with AIA users show that AIA anthropomorphism may threaten users’ identity, which disempowers them, creates data privacy concerns and ultimately undermines their well-being. These harmful effects particularly emerge in close, long relationships. The field experiment uncovers three empowering interventions which attenuate harmful effects of AIA anthropomorphism in relationships with consumers. With AI-powered technologies taking larger roles in our daily lives, our research highlights key future directions to investigate the permanent ongoing nature of the consumer–AI relationships.
Effects of a 12-week supervised resistance training program, combined with home-based physical activity, on physical fitness and quality of life in female breast cancer survivors: the EFICAN randomized controlled trial
Authors: Soriano-Maldonado Alberto , Díez-Fernández David M. , Esteban-Simón Alba , Rodríguez-Pérez Manuel A. , Artés-Rodríguez Eva , Casimiro-Artés Miguel A. , Moreno-Martos Herminia , Toro-de-Federico Antonio , Hachem-Salas Nur , Bartholdy Cecilie , Henriksen Marius , Casimiro-Andújar Antonio J.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study assessed the effects of 12-week supervised resistance training combined with home-based physical activity on physical fitness, cancer-related fatigue, depressive symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and life satisfaction in female breast cancer survivors.

Methods

A parallel-group, outcome assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial included 60 female breast cancer survivors who had completed their core treatments within the previous 10 years. Through computer-generated simple randomization, participants were assigned to resistance training (RTG; two sessions/week for 12 weeks plus instructions to undertake ≥ 10,000 steps/d) or control (CG; ≥ 10,000 steps/d only). Outcomes were evaluated at baseline and week 12. Muscular strength was assessed with electromechanical dynamometry. A standardized full-body muscular strength score was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included cardiorespiratory fitness, shoulder mobility, cancer-related fatigue, depressive symptoms, HRQoL, and life satisfaction.

Results

Thirty-two participants were assigned to RTG (29 achieved ≥ 75% attendance) and 28 to CG (all completed the trial). Intention-to-treat analyses revealed that the standardized full-body muscular strength score increased significantly in the RTG compared to the CG (0.718; 95% CI 0.361–1.074, P < 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.04). This increase was consistent for the standardized scores of upper-body (0.727; 95% CI 0.294–1.160, P = 0.001, d = 0.87) and lower-body (0.709; 95% CI 0.324–1.094, P = 0.001, d = 0.96) strength. There was no effect on cardiorespiratory fitness, shoulder flexion, cancer-related fatigue, depressive symptoms, HRQoL, or life satisfaction. The sensitivity analyses confirmed these results.

Conclusion

and implication for cancer survivors.

In female breast cancer survivors who had completed their core treatments within the past 10 years, adding two weekly sessions of supervised resistance training to a prescription of home-based physical activity for 12 weeks produced a large increase in upper-, lower-, and full-body muscular strength, while other fitness components and patient-reported outcomes did not improve.

Trial registration number.

ISRCTN14601208.
Dealing with the Resolubility of Evolution Algebras
Authors: Fernández-Ternero D. , Gómez-Sousa V. M. , Núñez-Valdés J.
Published: March 2022

Although since their introduction by Tian in 2004, evolution algebras have been the subject of a very deep study in the last years due to their numerous applications to other disciplines, this study is not easy since these algebras lack an identity that characterizes them, such as the identity of Jacobi, for Lie algebras or those of Leibniz and Malcev for those corresponding algebras. In this paper we deal with the concepts of solvability and nilpotency of these evolution algebras. Some novel results on them obtained from using the evolution operator of these algebras are given and some examples illustrating these results are also shown. The main result obtained states that an evolution algebra is solvable if and only if its structure matrix is nilpotent, which implies, in turn, that the solvability and the nilpotency indices of that algebra coincide provided the corresponding evolution operator is an endomorphism of the algebra.
Is There Still a Role of Plasma Exchange in the Current Management of ANCA-Associated Vasculitides?
Authors: Toyoda Task , Yates Max , Watts Richard A.
Published: March 2022

Purpose of Review

Plasma exchange (PLEX) is often recommended as an adjunctive therapy for patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) in the setting of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis or diffuse alveolar haemorrhage. Since ANCAs are pathogenic, it seems a reasonable and justified approach to remove them through therapeutic PLEX, as despite advances in immunosuppressive therapy regimens, AAV is associated with significant morbidity and death. However, the association between ANCA levels and mortality or disease activity is uncertain. In addition, any treatment must be judged on the potential risks and benefits of its use. Here, we summarise the current data on PLEX usage in patients with AAV.

Recent Findings

The largest randomised trial to date the Plasma Exchange and Glucocorticoids in Severe ANCA-Associated Vasculitis (PEXIVAS) study failed to show added benefit for PLEX on the prevention of death or end-stage renal failure (ESRF) for the management of patients with severe AAV. However, there is a possibility that PLEX delays dialysis dependence and ESRF in the early stages of the disease. Regardless of whether this is only for 3 to 12 months, this could be of clinical significance and a substantial improvement in patient’s quality of life.

Cost utility analysis and trials including patient-centred outcomes are required to evaluate the use of PLEX. Furthermore, ascertaining those at high risk of developing ESRF could help identify those who may benefit from PLEX the most, and further insights are required in setting of diffuse alveolar haemorrhage.
Das Georg-v.-Rauch-Haus in Berlin-Kreuzberg
Authors: Kappeler Manfred , Liebel Manfred
Published: March 2022

Vor etwas mehr als 50 Jahren, am 8. Dezember 1971, besetzten Jugendliche ein größeres Gebäude in Berlin und nannten es Georg-von-Rauch-Haus. Die Autoren nehmen das Jubiläum zum Anlass, um über die Frage nachzudenken, was sich aus den im Haus gemachten Erfahrungen mit Selbstorganisation für die heutige Jugendhilfe lernen lässt. Sie untersuchen insbesondere die Konflikte zwischen den Jugendlichen und den staatlichen Jugendbehörden.
Autocratic heterogeneity in the provision of environmental protection
Authors: Eichhorn Kristin , Linhart Eric
Published: March 2022

Only few studies have investigated the link between the heterogeneity of non-democratic regime types and environmental protection. This study disaggregates authoritarian regimes and identifies four patterns of environmental performance. Using 16 indicators of environmental performance, autocratic subtypes such as royal dictatorships, military dictatorships, hegemonic autocracies, and competitive authoritarian regimes are compared and contrasted with democracies. The results demonstrate that a democracy advantage in the protection of the environment, as many former studies find it, typically cannot be confirmed for all autocratic subtypes. We rather detect a quite manifold picture when the variety of authoritarianism is taken into account.
The Acute Superficial Siderosis Syndrome — Clinical Entity, Imaging Findings, and Histopathology
Authors: Friedauer Lucie , Foerch Christian , Steinbach Joachim , Hattingen Elke , Harter Patrick N. , Armbrust Moritz , Urban Hans , Steidl Eike , Neuhaus Elisabeth , von Brauchitsch Sophie
Published: March 2022

Superficial siderosis is a consequence of repetitive bleeding into the subarachnoid space, leading to toxic iron and hemosiderin deposits on the surface of the brain and spine. The clinical and radiological phenotypes of superficial siderosis are known to manifest over long time intervals. In contrast, this study defines the “acute superficial siderosis syndrome” and illustrates typical imaging and histopathological findings of this entity. We describe the case of a 61-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with a melanoma metastasis in the right frontal cortex in February 2019. Within a few weeks he developed a progressive syndrome characterized by cerebellar ataxia, gait disturbance, signs of myelopathy, and radiculopathy. MRI revealed ongoing hemorrhage from the metastasis into the lateral ventricle and the subarachnoid space. A semiquantitative assessment of three subsequent MRI within an 8-week period documented the rapid development of superficial siderosis along the surface of the cerebellum, the brain stem, and the lower parts of the supratentorial regions on T2*-weighted sequences. The diagnosis of a superficial siderosis was histopathologically confirmed by identifying iron and hemosiderin deposits on the cortex along with astrogliosis. The recognition of this “acute superficial siderosis syndrome” triggered surgical removal of the hemorrhagic metastasis. Based on a single case presentation, we define the “acute superficial siderosis syndrome” as a clinical entity and describe the radiological and histopathological characteristics of this entity. Early recognition of this syndrome may allow timely elimination of the bleeding source, in order to prevent further clinical deterioration.