bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Add-on-LUCAS2™-Reanimation am NEF Innsbruck
Authors: Schwaiger D. , Zanvettor A. , Neumayr A. , Baubin M.
Published: April 2022

Studienziel

Ziele sind die Verlaufsanalyse und der Vergleich mit ausschließlich manuell reanimierten Patienten sowie die Erfassung der Einflussfaktoren bei Patienten, bei denen die mechanische Thoraxkompressionshilfe Lund University Cardiac Assist System (LUCAS2TM) als Add-on-Therapie am Notarzteinsatzfahrzeug (NEF) Innsbruck verwendet wurde.

Material und Methodik

Retrospektive Verlaufsdatenanalyse von Patienten im Studienzeitraum 01.01.2014 bis 31.12.2019 des NEF Innsbruck aus dem Deutschen Reanimationsregister (GRR), bei denen LUCAS2™ nach notärztlicher Anordnung als Add-on-Therapie verwendet wurde.

Ergebnis

Bei 653 Reanimationen kam es zu 123 Add-on-LUCAS2™-Anwendungen (18,8 %). Von allen Patienten überlebten 16,2 % die ersten 30 Tage. Mithilfe der Add-on-LUCAS2TM Anwendung überlebten 7,3 % (9/123) aller Add-on-LUCAS2™-Reanimationen bzw. 1,4 % (n = 9) aller CPRs. Bei 8/9 Add-On-LUCAS2™-„30 Tage-Überlebenden“ war der Herz-Kreislauf-Stillstand (HKS) beobachtet, und eine Laien-CPR wurde durchgeführt. Als Primärrhythmus wiesen 8/9 Kammerflimmern auf.

Im Vergleich zur ausschließlich manuellen CPR wurde eine Add-on-LUCAS2™-Reanimation hoch signifikant (p < 0,001) häufiger bei jüngeren, bei männlichen Patienten, in der Öffentlichkeit, bei schockbarem Erstrhythmus und beim Transport eingesetzt sowie signifikant häufiger bei beobachteten HKS (p < 0,05).

Die 30-Tage-Mortalität bei additiver Lysetherapie betrug 100 %.

Diskussion

Durch die Verwendung der Add-on-LUCAS2™-CPR kann eine prozentuelle Erhöhung der Überlebensrate erzielt werden und erscheint somit vorteilhaft (1,4 % in dieser Studie). Durch diese kann bei Patienten mit günstigen Prognosefaktoren eine hochwertige HDM auch bei technisch aufwendiger Bergung (Drehleiter, Stiegenhaus, Transport im RTW) durchgeführt und somit ein Transport ermöglicht werden. Jedoch kommt es dabei zu einer höheren Aufnahmerate unter CPR und somit zur Verlagerung der Therapiezielentscheidung in den Schockraum.
Aktuelle Praxis der empirischen Antibiotikatherapie bei Spondylodiszitis
Authors: Lang Siegmund , Walter Nike , Neumann Carsten , Bärtl Susanne , Simon Michaela , Ehrenschwender Martin , Hitzenbichler Florian , Alt Volker , Rupp Markus
Published: April 2022

Hintergrund und Fragestellung

Bei der pyogenen Spondylodiszitis gewinnen Infektionen mit Koagulase-negativen Staphylokokken zunehmend an Bedeutung. Eine empirische Antibiose ist insbesondere bei Patienten mit schweren oder progredienten neurologischen Ausfällen sowie hämodynamischer Instabilität und im Falle von kulturnegativen Spondylodiszitiden notwendig. Ob es in Deutschland einheitliche, an das Resistenzprofil angepasste Standards der empirische Antibotikatherapie gibt, ist unklar.

Studiendesign und Untersuchungsmethoden

Es wurde an deutschen Universitäts- und berufsgenossenschaftlichen Kliniken, jeweils in den Fachbereichen Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, eine Umfrage zur empirischen Antibiotikatherapie bei pyogener Spondylodiszitis durchgeführt. Die Umfrageergebnisse wurden auf das Resistenzprofil der Erreger von 45 Spondylodiszitispatienten, die zwischen 2013 und 2020 in unserer Klinik behandelt wurden, angewandt. Dadurch wurden potenzielle Sensibilitäts- und Resistenzraten für die angegebenen antibiotischen Therapien errechnet.

Ergebnisse

Von den 71 angefragten Kliniken antworteten insgesamt 44 (62,0 %). Sechzehn verschiedene Antibiotikatherapien wurden als jeweiliger Standard berichtet. Darunter wurden 14 verschiedene Kombinationstherapien als Therapiestandard angegeben. Die am häufigsten angegebenen empirischen Substanzen, nämlich Amoxicillin-Clavulansäure oder Ampicillin/Sulbactam (29,5 %) und Cephalosporine (18,2 %) zeigten in Bezug auf das zuvor veröffentliche Resistenzprofil hohe potenzielle Resistenzraten von 20,0 % bzw. 35,6 %. Die höchsten potenziellen Sensibilitätsraten wurden durch die Kombinationen Vancomycin + Ampicillin/Sulbactam (91,1 % sensible Erreger), Vancomycin + Piperacillin/Tazobactam (91,1 % sensible Erreger) und Ampicillin/Sulbactam + Teicoplanin (95,6 % sensible Erreger) erreicht. Eine dieser Kombinationen wurde von drei Kliniken (6,8 %) als Standard angegeben.

Schlussfolgerung

Die deutschlandweite Umfrage zur empirischen Antibiose bei pyogener Spondylodiszitis hat eine große Heterogenität der Standardtherapien ergeben. Eine Kombination aus einem Breitspektrum-β-Laktam-Antibiotikum mit einem zusätzlichen Glykopeptidantibiotikum kann sinnvoll sein.
A tailored intervention does not reduce low value MRI’s and arthroscopies in degenerative knee disease when the secular time trend is taken into account: a difference-in-difference analysis
Authors: Rietbergen T. , Marang-van de Mheen P. J. , de Graaf J. , Diercks R. L. , Janssen R. P. A. , van der Linden-van der Zwaag H. M. J. , van den Akker-van Marle M. E. , Steyerberg E. W. , Nelissen R. G. H. H. , van Bodegom-Vos L. ,   for the SMART study group, Pander P. , Hofstee D. J. , van Geenen R. C. I. , Koenraadt K. L. M. , Onderwater J. P. A. H. , Kleinlugtenbelt Y. V. , Gosens T. , Klos T. V. S. , Rijk P. C. , Dijkstra B. , Zeegers A. V. C. M. , Hoogeslag R. A. G. , Veld M. H. A. Huis in’t , Polak A. A. , Pereira N. R. Paulino , Vervest T. M. J. S. , van der Veen H. C. , Lopuhaä N.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of a tailored intervention to reduce low value MRIs and arthroscopies among patients ≥ 50 years with degenerative knee disease in 13 Dutch orthopaedic centers (intervention group) compared with all other Dutch orthopaedic centers (control group).

Methods

All patients with degenerative knee disease ≥ 50 years admitted to Dutch orthopaedic centers from January 2016 to December 2018 were included. The tailored intervention included participation of clinical champions, education on the Dutch Choosing Wisely recommendation for MRI’s and arthroscopies in degenerative knee disease, training of orthopaedic surgeons to manage patient expectations, performance feedback, and provision of a patient brochure. A difference-in-difference analysis was used to compare the time trend before (admitted January 2016–June 2017) and after introduction of the intervention (July 2017–December 2018) between intervention and control hospitals. Primary outcome was the monthly percentage of patients receiving a MRI or knee arthroscopy, weighted by type of hospital.

Results

136,446 patients were included, of whom 32,163 were treated in the intervention hospitals. The weighted percentage of patients receiving a MRI on average declined by 0.15% per month (β =  − 0.15, P < 0.001) and by 0.19% per month for arthroscopy (β =  − 0.19, P < 0.001). However, these changes over time did not differ between intervention and control hospitals, neither for MRI (β =  − 0.74, P = 0.228) nor arthroscopy (β = 0.13, P = 0.688).

Conclusions

The extent to which patients ≥ 50 years with degenerative knee disease received a MRI or arthroscopy declined significantly over time, but could not be attributed to the tailored intervention. This secular downward time trend may reflect anoverall focus of reducing low value care in The Netherlands.

Level of evidence

III.
Higher Order Deformed Elliptic Ruijsenaars Operators
Authors: Hallnäs Martin , Langmann Edwin , Noumi Masatoshi , Rosengren Hjalmar
Published: April 2022

We present four infinite families of mutually commuting difference operators which include the deformed elliptic Ruijsenaars operators. The trigonometric limit of this kind of operators was previously introduced by Feigin and Silantyev. They provide a quantum mechanical description of two kinds of relativistic quantum mechanical particles which can be identified with particles and anti-particles in an underlying quantum field theory. We give direct proofs of the commutativity of our operators and of some other fundamental properties such as kernel function identities. In particular, we give a rigorous proof of the quantum integrability of the deformed Ruijsenaars model.
The role of herbivores in shaping subtropical coral communities in warming oceans
Authors: Zarzyczny Karolina Magdalena , Watson Katie Margaret , Verduyn Clare Elizabeth , Reimer James Davis , Mezaki Takuma , Beger Maria
Published: April 2022

Tropicalization is rapidly restructuring subtropical marine communities. A key driver for tropicalization is changes in herbivory pressure that are linked with degrading ecosystem stability. Consequently, subtropical algal beds are being displaced by climate-mediated colonisation of coral communities. This process is thought to be aided by the elevated herbivory resulting from tropicalization, but the relative contribution to herbivory by different taxa is not fully understood. Evaluating herbivory pressure and its effect on coral cover and rugosity across a subtropical latitudinal gradient will help predict how these processes may change with further tropicalization and ocean warming. Herbivory pressure exerted by fishes and urchins across this subtropical latitudinal gradient remains unquantified. Using in-situ feeding observations, we quantify fish and urchin herbivory pressure at seven sites across non-accreting coral communities, and warmer accreting coral reefs in southern Japan. We then relate herbivory pressure to respective fish and urchin community structure and coral cover and rugosity. Urchin herbivory is greater on non-accreting coral communities than on true coral accreting reefs; a result which is reversed for fish herbivory. Overall, herbivory pressure is greater on accreting coral reefs than on coral non-accreting communities, but is dependent on reef characteristics as community structures differ more strongly among reefs than between regions. These factors are linked to coral cover and rugosity that differ between reefs, but not between climatic regions, further emphasising the influence of local factors on the benthic cover and the associated fish and urchin community, and thus herbivory pressure. Our findings provide a foundation for understanding how non-accreting coral communities may respond to ongoing tropicalization, given the fish and invertebrate herbivores they host.
Captive Breeding and Trichomonas gallinae Alter the Oral Microbiome of Bonelli’s Eagle Chicks
Authors: Alba Claudio , Sansano-Maestre José , Cid Vázquez María Dolores , Martínez-Herrero María del Carmen , Garijo-Toledo María Magdalena , Azami-Conesa Iris , Moraleda Fernández Virginia , Gómez-Muñoz María Teresa , Rodríguez Juan Miguel
Published: April 2022

Bonelli’s eagle (Aquila fasciata) is an endangered raptor species in Europe, and trichomonosis is one of the menaces affecting chicks at nest. In this paper, we attempt to describe the oral microbiome of Bonelli’s eagle nestlings and evaluate the influence of several factors, such as captivity breeding, Trichomonas gallinae infection, and the presence of lesions at the oropharynx. The core oral microbiome of Bonelli’s eagle is composed of Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, Fusobacteria and Proteobacteria as the most abundant phyla, and Megamonas and Bacteroides as the most abundant genera. None of the factors analysed showed a significant influence on alfa diversity, but beta diversity was affected for some of them. Captivity breeding exerted a high influence on the composition of the oral microbiome, with significant differences in the four most abundant phyla, with a relative increase of Proteobacteria and a decrease of the other three phyla in comparison with chicks bred at nest. Some genera were more abundant in captivity bred chicks, such as Escherichia-Shigella, Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Corynebacterium, Clostridium and Staphylococcus, while Bacteroides, Oceanivirga, Peptostreptococcus, Gemella, Veillonella, Mycoplasma, Suttonella, Alloscardovia, Varibaculum and Campylobacter were more abundant in nest raised chicks. T. gallinae infection slightly influenced the composition of the microbiome, but chicks displaying trichomonosis lesions had a higher relative abundance of Bacteroides and Gemella, being the last one an opportunistic pathogen of abscess complications in humans. Raptor’s microbiomes are scarcely studied. This is the first study on the factors that influence the oral microbiome of Bonelli’s eagle.
EANM guideline on quality risk management for radiopharmaceuticals
Authors: Gillings Nic , Hjelstuen Olaug , Behe Martin , Decristoforo Clemens , Elsinga Philip H. , Ferrari Valentina , Kiss Oliver C. , Kolenc Petra , Koziorowski Jacek , Laverman Peter , Mindt Thomas L. , Ocak Meltem , Patt Marianne , Todde Sergio , Walte Almut
Published: April 2022

This document is intended as a supplement to the EANM “Guidelines on current Good Radiopharmacy Practice (cGRPP)” issued by the Radiopharmacy Committee of the EANM (Gillings et al. in EJNMMI Radiopharm Chem. 6:8, 2021). The aim of the EANM Radiopharmacy Committee is to provide a document that describes how to manage risks associated with small-scale “in-house” preparation of radiopharmaceuticals, not intended for commercial purposes or distribution.
Quantification of amyloid PET for future clinical use: a state-of-the-art review
Authors: Pemberton Hugh G. , Collij Lyduine E. , Heeman Fiona , Bollack Ariane , Shekari Mahnaz , Salvadó Gemma , Alves Isadora Lopes , Garcia David Vallez , Battle Mark , Buckley Christopher , Stephens Andrew W. , Bullich Santiago , Garibotto Valentina , Barkhof Frederik , Gispert Juan Domingo , Farrar Gill ,   on behalf of the AMYPAD consortium
Published: April 2022

Amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology is one of the earliest detectable brain changes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis. The overall load and spatial distribution of brain Aβ can be determined in vivo using positron emission tomography (PET), for which three fluorine-18 labelled radiotracers have been approved for clinical use. In clinical practice, trained readers will categorise scans as either Aβ positive or negative, based on visual inspection. Diagnostic decisions are often based on these reads and patient selection for clinical trials is increasingly guided by amyloid status. However, tracer deposition in the grey matter as a function of amyloid load is an inherently continuous process, which is not sufficiently appreciated through binary cut-offs alone. State-of-the-art methods for amyloid PET quantification can generate tracer-independent measures of Aβ burden. Recent research has shown the ability of these quantitative measures to highlight pathological changes at the earliest stages of the AD continuum and generate more sensitive thresholds, as well as improving diagnostic confidence around established binary cut-offs. With the recent FDA approval of aducanumab and more candidate drugs on the horizon, early identification of amyloid burden using quantitative measures is critical for enrolling appropriate subjects to help establish the optimal window for therapeutic intervention and secondary prevention. In addition, quantitative amyloid measurements are used for treatment response monitoring in clinical trials. In clinical settings, large multi-centre studies have shown that amyloid PET results change both diagnosis and patient management and that quantification can accurately predict rates of cognitive decline. Whether these changes in management reflect an improvement in clinical outcomes is yet to be determined and further validation work is required to establish the utility of quantification for supporting treatment endpoint decisions. In this state-of-the-art review, several tools and measures available for amyloid PET quantification are summarised and discussed. Use of these methods is growing both clinically and in the research domain. Concurrently, there is a duty of care to the wider dementia community to increase visibility and understanding of these methods.
Quality of life of children during distraction osteogenesis: a comparison between intramedullary magnetic lengthening nails and external fixators
Authors: Hafez Mohamed , Nicolaou Nicolas , Offiah Amaka , Offorha Bright , Giles Stephen , Madan Sanjeev , Fernandes James A.
Published: April 2022

Background

Distraction osteogenesis is a very demanding process. For decades, external fixation was the only reliable option for gradual deformity correction. Recently, intramedullary magnetic nails have gained popularity. This research aimed to assess the quality of life in children during gradual deformity correction using intramedullary lengthening nails compared to external fixation.

Method

Prospective analysis included children who had gradual lower limb deformity correction between 2017 and 2019. Group A included children who had magnetic lengthening nails; patients in group B had external fixation devices. Child health utility 9D (CHU- 9D) and EuroQol 5D youth (EQ- 5D-Y) were used to measure the quality of life at fixed points during the distraction osteogenesis process. The results were used to calculate the utility at each milestone and the overall quality of life adjusted years (QALYs).

Results

Thirty-four children were recruited, group A had 16 patients, whilst group B had 18 patients. The average ages were 16.0 years and 14.7 years for groups A and B, respectively. Group A patients reported significantly better utility compared to group B. This was observed during all stages of treatment (P = 0.00016). QALYs were better for group A (0.44) compared to group B (0.34) (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The quality of life was generally better in group A compared to group B. In most patients, the health utility progressively improved throughout treatment. In the same way, QALYs were better with the lengthening nails compared to external fixators. The magnetic lengthening devices (PRECICE nails) which were used in this research were recently relabelled to restrict their applications in children; this study was conducted before these restrictions.
Development and validation of a self-administered questionnaire measuring essential knowledge in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Rodère Malory , Pereira Bruno , Soubrier Martin , Fayet Françoise , Piperno Muriel , Pallot-Prades Béatrice , Pouplin Sophie , Baudens Guy , Cohen Jean-David , Coquerelle Pascal , Grange Laurent , Sordet Christelle , Tropé Sonia , Gossec Laure , Beauvais Catherine
Published: April 2022

To develop and validate a questionnaire assessing patient knowledge in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Knowledge considered essential for patients with RA was identified through a series of Delphi rounds among rheumatologists, health professionals (HPs), patients, and then reformulated to construct the knowledge questionnaire. Cross-sectional multicenter validation was performed in 12 rheumatology departments to assess internal validity (Kuder–Richardson coefficient), external validity, acceptability, reproducibility (Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient) and sensitivity to change (difference in total score before and after patient education sessions). Associations between patient variables and knowledge levels were evaluated. RAKE (RA Knowledge questionnairE) is a self-administered 45-item questionnaire scored 0–100, with a 32-item short-form survey assessing knowledge of disease, comorbidity, pharmacological treatments, non-pharmacological treatments, self-care and adaptative skills. Of 130 patients included in the validation study, 108 were women. Acceptability was good with < 5% missing data. Internal validity coefficient was 0.90. Mean (standard deviation) long-form score was 72.8 ± 17.8, with lower scores in comorbidity and self-care and higher scores in adaptive skills. Reproducibility was good (0.86 [0.80; 0.92]). RAKE score was positively correlated with the patients’ level of education and the HPs’ opinion on the patients’ knowledge. RAKE score showed good sensitivity to change: 66.8 ± 16.4 then 83.8 ± 12.7, representing a hedges effect size of 1.14 [95% CI 0.73; 1.55]. RAKE is an updated questionnaire assessing essential knowledge for patients with RA to enhance self-management according to current guidelines and the patients’ perspective. RAKE can usefully inform patient education interventions, routine care and research.
Regional analysis of inflammation and contractile function in reperfused acute myocardial infarction by in vivo 19F cardiovascular magnetic resonance in pigs
Authors: Bönner Florian , Gastl M. , Nienhaus F. , Rothe M. , Jahn A. , Pfeiler S. , Gross U. , Schultheiss H.-P. , Ibanez B. , Kozerke S. , Szendroedi J. , Roden M. , Westenfeld R. , Schrader J. , Flögel U. , Heusch G. , Kelm M.
Published: April 2022

Inflammatory cell infiltration is central to healing after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The relation of regional inflammation to edema, infarct size (IS), microvascular obstruction (MVO), intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH), and regional and global LV function is not clear. Here we noninvasively characterized regional inflammation and contractile function in reperfused AMI in pigs using fluorine (19F) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Adult anesthetized pigs underwent left anterior descending coronary artery instrumentation with either 90 min occlusion (n = 17) or without occlusion (sham, n = 5). After 3 days, in surviving animals a perfluorooctyl bromide nanoemulsion was infused intravenously to label monocytes/macrophages. At day 6, in vivo 1H-CMR was performed with cine, T2 and T2* weighted imaging, T2 and T1 mapping, perfusion and late gadolinium enhancement followed by 19F-CMR. Pigs were sacrificed for subsequent ex vivo scans and histology. Edema extent was 35 ± 8% and IS was 22 ± 6% of LV mass. Six of ten surviving AMI animals displayed both MVO and IMH (3.3 ± 1.6% and 1.9 ± 0.8% of LV mass). The 19F signal, reflecting the presence and density of monocytes/macrophages, was consistently smaller than edema volume or IS and not apparent in remote areas. The 19F signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) > 8 in the infarct border zone was associated with impaired remote systolic wall thickening. A whole heart value of 19F integral (19F SNR × milliliter) > 200 was related to initial LV remodeling independently of edema, IS, MVO, and IMH. Thus, 19F-CMR quantitatively characterizes regional inflammation after AMI and its relation to edema, IS, MVO, IMH and regional and global LV function and remodeling.
A breathing mask attenuates acute airway responses to exercise in sub-zero environment in healthy subjects
Authors: Stenfors Nikolai , Persson Hampus , Tutt Alasdair , Tufvesson Ellen , Andersson Erik P. , Ainegren Mats , Hanstock Helen G.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Cold air exposure is associated with increased respiratory morbidity and mortality. Repeated inhalation of cold and dry air is considered the cause of the high prevalence of asthma among winter endurance athletes. This study assessed whether a heat- and moisture-exchanging breathing device (HME) attenuates airway responses to high-intensity exercise in sub-zero temperatures among healthy subjects.

Methods

Using a randomized cross-over design, 23 healthy trained participants performed a 30-min warm-up followed by a 4-min maximal, self-paced running time trial in − 15 °C, with and without HME. Lung function was assessed pre- and immediately post-trials. Club cell protein (CC-16), 8-isoprostane, and cytokine concentrations were measured in plasma and urine pre- and 60 min post trials. Symptoms were assessed prior to, during, and immediately after each trial in the chamber.

Results

HME use attenuated the decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) post trials (∆FEV1: mean (SD) HME − 0.5 (1.9) % vs. no-HME − 2.7 (2.7) %, p = 0.002). HME also substantially attenuated the median relative increase in plasma-CC16 concentrations (with HME + 27% (interquartile range 9–38) vs no-HME + 121% (55–162), p < 0.001) and reduced airway and general symptom intensity, compared to the trial without HME. No significant changes between trials were detected in urine CC16, 8-isoprostane, or cytokine concentrations.

Conclusion

The HME attenuated acute airway responses induced by moderate-to-maximal-intensity exercise in − 15 °C in healthy subjects. Further studies are needed to examine whether this HMEs could constitute primary prevention against asthma in winter endurance athletes.
Impact of three co-occurring physical ecosystem engineers on soil Collembola communities
Authors: Lagendijk D. D. G. , Cueva-Arias D. , Van Oosten A. R. , Berg M. P.
Published: April 2022

The interplay between organisms with their abiotic environment may have profound effects within ecological networks, but are still poorly understood. Soil physical ecosystem engineers (EEs) modify the abiotic environment, thereby potentially affecting the distribution of other species, such as microarthropods. We focus on three co-occurring physical EEs (i.e. cattle, vegetation, macrodetritivore) known for their profound effect on soil properties (e.g. pore volume, microclimate, litter thickness). We determined their effects on Collembola community composition and life-form strategy (a proxy for vertical distribution in soil) in a European salt marsh. Soil cores were collected in grazed (compacted soil, under short and tall vegetation) and non-grazed areas (decompacted soil, under short and tall vegetation), their pore structure analysed using X-ray computed tomography, after which Collembola were extracted. Collembola species richness was lower in grazed sites, but abundances were not affected by soil compaction or vegetation height. Community composition differed between ungrazed sites with short vegetation and the other treatments, due to a greater dominance of epigeic Collembola and lower abundance of euedaphic species in this treatment. We found that the three co-occurring EEs and their interactions modify the physical environment of soil fauna, particularly through changes in soil porosity and availability of litter. This alters the relative abundance of Collembola life-forms, and thus the community composition within the soil. As Collembola are known to play a crucial role in decomposition processes, these compositional changes in litter and soil layers are expected to affect ecosystem processes and functioning.
Social sustainability in an evolving circular fashion industry: identifying and triangulating concepts across different publication groups
Authors: Beyer Katja , Arnold Marlen Gabriele
Published: April 2022

Sustainability and the concept of circular economy are two of the most prominent approaches in the fashion industry to meet global challenges. Advocated by different interest groups, these concepts primarily follow an environmental and economic perspective on sustainability. In turn, the social dimension of sustainability has not been extensively explored. Performing a comparative discourse analysis, this study triangulates data from three different perspectives and unveils social sustainability-related aspects in documents related to two specific companies as well as in academic and stakeholder publications in the fashion context. We use LeximancerTM to reveal and visualize the scope and frequency of socially relevant concepts in more than 550 publications. Based on this, results show that the two fashion companies have gradually been communicating more about social sustainability-related aspects as opposed to academic and stakeholder publications. Overall, single social sustainability-related values exclusively appear in each of the publication groups, whereas others seem to reflect a mutual influence among the different players. Yet, pivotal social sustainability-related issues are missing. This corroborates scholars assuming a neglected role of the social dimension of sustainability in general and calling for a greater elaboration on social aspects in the conceptualization of a circular economy. Our results also call for a deeper follow-up analysis of communications, practices and strategies of different actors in their respective social contexts.
An Extended Hyperbolic Closure Model for Unmated Granite Fractures Subject to Normal Loading
Authors: Li Bo , Mo Yangyang , Zou Liangchao , Wu Faquan
Published: April 2022

The closure behavior of rock fractures subject to normal loading is essential for deformation analysis of fractured rock masses and the modeling of associated coupled processes. Previous studies have mainly focused on characterizing the closure behavior of mated fractures, and the applicability of existing models to unmated fractures and characteristics of involved parameters have not been comprehensively investigated. We conducted normal loading tests on three tensile granite fractures with different mating degrees by dislocating the fracture surfaces with three offsets. A high-resolution contact model was used to simulate the fracture closure behavior, which was validated by comparing the simulated closure curves and the surface damage areas with experimental measurements. After that, it was applied to simulate the closure behavior for nine numerically generated surfaces with different surface roughness characteristics. The experimental and numerical results exhibit a downward bending trend in the stiffness versus stress curves, which existing models cannot accommodate. An extended hyperbolic model was established by introducing an exponent parameter into the classical Barton–Bandis hyperbolic model, which can better represent the experimental data than previous models. Via regression analysis, we found that the exponent parameter has an approximately constant value of 0.3. The maximum normal displacement is about two times of the mean aperture. The initial stiffness is positively correlated with the elastic modulus and the correlation length and negatively correlated with the mean aperture. Parameters involved in the extended model have precise physical meanings, and they are mathematically predictable based on measurable mechanical and geometrical properties of the rock fractures.
Enamel matrix derivative as adjunctive to non-surgical periodontal therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Roccuzzo Andrea , Imber Jean-Claude , Stähli Alexandra , Kloukos Dimitrios , Salvi Giovanni E. , Sculean Anton
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To assess the potential additional benefit of the local application of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) on the clinical outcomes following non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) (steps 1 and 2 periodontal therapy).

Materials and Methods

A systematic literature search was performed in several electronic databases, including Medline/PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Register of Central Trials (CENTRAL), LILACS, and grey literature. Only randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) were eligible for inclusion. Clinical attachment level (CAL) change (primary outcome), probing pocket depth (PPD), and bleeding on probing (BoP) reductions (secondary outcomes) were evaluated. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2.0) was used to assess the quality of the included trials. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between test and control sites were estimated using a random-effect model for amount of mean CAL and PPD change.

Results

Six RCTs were included for the qualitative analysis, while data from 4 studies were used for meta-analysis. Overall analysis of CAL gain (3 studies) and PPD reduction (4 studies) presented WMD of 0.14 mm (p = 0.74; CI 95% − 0.66; 0.94) and 0.46 mm (p = 0.25; CI 95% − 0.33; 1.26) in favor of NSPT + EMD compared to NSPT alone respectively. Statistical heterogeneity was found to be high in both cases (I2 = 79% and 87%, respectively).

Conclusions

Within their limitations, the present data indicate that the local application of EMD does not lead to additional clinical benefits after 3 to 12 months when used as an adjunctive to NSPT. However, due to the high heterogeneity among the studies, additional well-designed RCTs are needed to provide further evidence on this clinical indication for the use of EMD.

Clinical relevance

The adjunctive use of EMD to NSPT does not seem to additionally improve the clinical outcomes obtained with NSPT alone.
Fahreignung nach akut-symptomatischem Anfall bei struktureller Hirnläsion
Authors: Holtkamp Martin , Breuer Eva , Gaus Verena , Lehmann Rebekka , Siebert Eberhard , Steinbart David , Vorderwülbecke Bernd
Published: April 2022

Akut-symptomatische Anfälle gehen oft auf eine frische strukturelle Hirnläsion zurück. Diese Konstellation wird allerdings in den Begutachtungsleitlinien zur Kraftfahreignung nicht thematisiert. Das Risiko späterer unprovozierter Rezidivanfälle nach strukturellem akut-symptomatischem Anfall entspricht statistisch dem Rezidivrisiko nach isoliertem unprovoziertem Anfall (20–40 % in 10 Jahren). Daher schlagen wir vor, die Beobachtungsfrist ohne Fahreignung analog festzulegen, d. h. 6 anfallsfreie Monate für Führerscheine der Gruppe 1 und 2 anfallsfreie Jahre ohne Medikation für Gruppe 2.
Ova-looking feminist theory: a call for consideration within health professions education and research
Authors: Finn G. M. , Brown M. E. L.
Published: April 2022

The role of feminist theory in health professions education is often ‘ova-looked’. Gender is one cause of healthcare inequalities within contemporary medicine. Shockingly, according to the World Health Organisation, no European member state has achieved full gender equity in regard to health outcomes. Further, contemporary curricula have not evolved to reflect the realities of a diverse society that remains riddled with inequity. This paper outlines the history of feminist theory, and applies it to health professions education research and teaching, in order to advocate for its continued relevance within contemporary healthcare.
Correction to: The Impact of Three-Dimensional Effects on the Simulation of Turbulence Kinetic Energy in a Major Alpine Valley
Authors: Goger Brigitta , Rotach Mathias W. , Gohm Alexander , Fuhrer Oliver , Stiperski Ivana , Holtslag Albert A. M.
Published: April 2022

The funding agency information in the Acknowledgements was not complete in the original publication of the article. The revised Acknowledgments is provided in this erratum.
Measuring hope: psychometric properties of the children’s Hope Scale among South Sudanese refugee children
Authors: Metzler Janna , Zhang Yuan , Saw Terry , Leu Cheng-Shiun , Landers Cassie
Published: April 2022

We investigated the psychometric properties of the Children’s Hope Scale among a sample of 1,118 South Sudanese refugee children (570 girls, 548 boys) aged 9 to 14 years displaced in Uganda. We assessed the underlying factor structure and model fit through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and measurement invariance by sex and developmental stage. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed good fit for a one-factor model with the error terms of items 1 and 3 and items 4 and 6 allowed to covary. There was no evidence of differential item functioning by group. Evidence from this study supports the use of a unidimensional model of hopefulness across groups and signifies the importance of confirming these properties for measures used to evaluate humanitarian interventions.
Comprehensive evaluation of the use of technology in education – validation with a cohort of global open online learners
Authors: Lai Jennifer W. M. , De Nobile John , Bower Matt , Breyer Yvonne
Published: April 2022

Although a large variety of methodologies, contexts and perspectives have been used to examine educational application of technology, there is a paucity of instruments that are designed to comprehensively evaluate the use of technology in education. This paper presents a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) of an instrument that incorporates eight key dimensions: learning, affective, behavioral, technology, design, pedagogy, presence/community, and institutional environment. These dimensions were derived from rigorous systematic literature review and field specialist validation processes. The model was then refined and empirically confirmed in this study by 1,352 participants undertaking a Coursera open online course. The results of applying the instrument, as well as qualitative feedback from participants, are shared to illustrate its breadth and utility. The final 28 item “Comprehensive Evaluation of Use of Technology in Education” instrument is provided in full to support consistent, holistic and robust evaluation and comparison of technology use across educational contexts.
Influence of physicochemical parameters on PPCP occurrences in the wetlands
Authors: Ohoro Chinemerem Ruth , Adeniji Abiodun Olagoke , Elsheikh Elsiddig A. E. , Al-Marzouqi Amina , Otim Michael , Okoh Omobola Oluranti , Okoh Anthony Ifeanyi
Published: April 2022

There have been many global studies on the occurrence and distribution of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the aquatic resources, but reports on the effects of physicochemical properties of water on their concentrations are very scarce. The amounts and removal of these contaminants in various environmental media are dependent on these physicochemical properties, which include pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, salinity, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen. Here, we reviewed the influence of these properties on determination of PPCPs. Reports showed that increase in turbidity, electrical conductivity, and salinity gives increase in concentrations of PPCPs. Also, neutral pH gives higher PPCP concentrations, while decrease in temperature and dissolved oxygen gives low concentration of PPCPs. Nevertheless, it is quite challenging to ascertain the influence of water quality parameters on the PPCP concentration, as other factors like climate change, type of water, source of pollution, persistence, and dilution factor may have great influence on the concentration of PPCPs. Therefore, routine monitoring is suggested as most water quality parameters vary because of effects of climate change.
Radical Pooling and Imprecise Probabilities
Authors: Quintana Ignacio Ojea
Published: April 2022

This paper focuses on radical pooling, or the question of how to aggregate credences when there is a fundamental disagreement about which is the relevant logical space for inquiry. The solution advanced is based on the notion of consensus as common ground (Levi in Synthese 62:3–11, 1985), where agents can find it by suspending judgment on logical possibilities. This is exemplified with cases of scientific revolution. On a formal level, the proposal uses algebraic joins and imprecise probabilities; which is shown to be compatible with the principles of marginalization, rigidity, reverse bayesianism, and minimum divergence commonly endorsed in these contexts. Furthermore, I extend results from previous work by (Stewart & Ojea Quintana in J Philos Logic 47:17–45, 2016; Erkenntnis 83:369–389, 2018) to show that pooling sets of imprecise probabilities can satisfy important pooling axioms.
Reflection machines: increasing meaningful human control over Decision Support Systems
Authors: Cornelissen N. A. J. , van Eerdt R. J. M. , Schraffenberger H. K. , Haselager W. F. G.
Published: April 2022

Rapid developments in Artificial Intelligence are leading to an increasing human reliance on machine decision making. Even in collaborative efforts with Decision Support Systems (DSSs), where a human expert is expected to make the final decisions, it can be hard to keep the expert actively involved throughout the decision process. DSSs suggest their own solutions and thus invite passive decision making. To keep humans actively ‘on’ the decision-making loop and counter overreliance on machines, we propose a ‘reflection machine’ (RM). This system asks users questions about their decision strategy and thereby prompts them to evaluate their own decisions critically. We discuss what forms RMs can take and present a proof-of-concept implementation of a RM that can produce feedback on users’ decisions in the medical and law domains. We show that the prototype requires very little domain knowledge to create reasonably intelligent critiquing questions. With this prototype, we demonstrate the technical feasibility to develop RMs and hope to pave the way for future research into their effectiveness and value.
Assessing Transdisciplinary Scholarly Development: A Longitudinal Mixed Method Graduate Program Evaluation
Authors: Liechty Janet M. , Keck Anna-Sigrid , Sloane Stephanie , Donovan Sharon M. , Fiese Barbara H.
Published: April 2022

Transdisciplinary (TD) graduate training programs are growing in number, yet little is known about their effectiveness or the development of TD attitudes and behaviors among students over time. This prospective longitudinal mixed methods study compares graduate students participating in a federally funded TD training program with non-participating students from the same disciplines and degree programs (n = 26). The Interdisciplinary Perspectives Index (IPI) and Behavior Change Collaborative Activity Index (BCCAI) were used to assess TD attitudes and behaviors at beginning, middle, and end of an MPH/PhD program. Additionally, a multiple case-based approach was used to further analyze changes among the TD students at three time points (n = 10), including a novel sketch protocol to elicit TD student conceptualizations (mental maps) of TD teams. Four assessments were used to construct an overall TD orientation score. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests showed TD behaviors increased over time only among TD students, and favorable TD attitudes were high at baseline and did not change for any group. Generalized Estimating Equations showed that TD behaviors were higher among TD students than traditional students at both mid and endpoint, with no difference at baseline. Visual assessments showed TD students’ mental maps of TD research and team science, elicited under a novel sketch protocol, reflected greater integration and organization by endpoint. Two developmental patterns of increasing overall TD orientation emerged among the TD students. This article reports findings and insights applicable to TD graduate education and curriculum design and introduces a novel visual assessment tool.
Cyber-Physical Systems in the Context of Industry 4.0: A Review, Categorization and Outlook
Authors: Oks Sascha Julian , Jalowski Max , Lechner Michael , Mirschberger Stefan , Merklein Marion , Vogel-Heuser Birgit , Möslein Kathrin M.
Published: April 2022

Cyber-physical systems (CPS) offer great potential for the digital transformation of industrial value creation in the context of Industry 4.0. They unify and integrate several technological approaches, including big data analysis and artificial intelligence, enhancing real-time monitoring and control of manufacturing processes. An extensive knowledge base formed by various disciplines, including information systems, engineering, and computer science, already exists for CPS. However, this knowledge has not been holistically captured and structured to date. To address this research gap, this study conducts a large-scale literature review of 2365 papers representing the current state of the research and then develops a novel categorization on industrial CPS with 10 sections, 32 areas, and 246 fields. The categorization is presented in hierarchical graphical form and can also be utilized as a web tool. To conclude, a perspective on future research needs and potentials to enhance Industry 4.0 in both research and practice are offered.
Starving the golden goose? Access to finance for innovators in the creative industries
Authors: Di Novo Salvatore , Fazio Giorgio , Sapsed Jonathan , Siepel Josh
Published: April 2022

This paper extends research on innovating firms’ access to finance in the creative industries. While we know that entrepreneurial firms experience barriers to applying for funding and difficulties in securing positive outcomes, prior studies have shown that firms may use patents to signal innovative quality to potential investors. Yet these studies typically focus on R&D-oriented innovation in ‘traditional’ technological sectors. Creative industries firms have different innovation characteristics that may influence the funding process, including the uncertainty of content-based product markets, the highly-imbalanced information asymmetries between creative entrepreneurs and conservative investors, and the symbolic and intangible nature of their innovations. Using the UK‘s Creative Industries Council‘s unique cross-sectional survey data of 575 firms we analyse the extent to which innovating firms seek to apply to and achieve funding from a wide range of potential sources. We find little evidence that prior innovative activities provide a meaningful signal, positive or negative, to potential funders for creative industries firms. This suggests that the highly intangible and symbolic nature of innovation in creative industries businesses is unreliable as an indicator of quality. The reliance of owners on personal capital is congruent with recent literature on the high levels of social and personal capital among workers in the creative industries. We suggest that the specific challenges creative firms face may be addressed through new financial and policy instruments to feed and sustain these high-growth, innovating industries.
Youth Sensitivity in a Pandemic: The Relationship Between Sensory Processing Sensitivity, Internalizing Problems, COVID-19 and Parenting
Authors: Burgard Selina S. C. , Liber Juliëtte M. , Geurts Suzanne M. , Koning Ina M.
Published: April 2022

The personality trait sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is an established risk factor for the development of internalizing problems. Highly sensitive adolescents react stronger to environmental cues including parenting environment and stressful life events. The aim of the current study was to examine if the perceived impact of COVID-19, mediates the link between SPS and internalizing problems. In addition, it was tested if parenting style moderates the mediating effect of perceived COVID-19 impact between SPS and internalizing problems among adolescents. The study had a cross- sectional design and data were collected between April-July 2020 during the first lockdown in the Netherlands. Participants were 404 adolescents aged 9–18 years (Mage = 13.49). Questionnaires were administered online to assess SPS (Highly Sensitive Child Scale), parenting style (Parenting Style Inventory-II), internalizing problems (Patient Health Questionnaire-4) and COVID-19 pandemic impact (COVID-19 impact scale). The SPSS macro PROCESS was used to test the mediation model of perceived COVID-19 impact and the moderated mediation model with parenting style as a moderator. A relationship was found between SPS and internalizing problems which is partly mediated by the COVID-19 impact. The moderating effect of parenting style was not found. These findings provide insight into the effect the pandemic has had on highly sensitive adolescents. Further research is needed to develop and test interventions to support sensitive youth and thus possibly prevent the development of internalizing problems.
On the Reconstruction of 3-Uniform Hypergraphs from Degree Sequences of Span-Two
Authors: Palma Giulia , Frosini Andrea , Rinaldi Simone
Published: April 2022

A nonnegative integer sequence is k-graphic if it is the degree sequence of a k-uniform simple hypergraph. The problem of deciding whether a given sequence $$\pi $$
π
is 3-graphic has recently been proved to be NP-complete, after years of studies. Thus, it acquires primary relevance to detect classes of degree sequences whose graphicality can be tested in polynomial time in order to restrict the NP-hard core of the problem and design algorithms that can also be useful in different research areas. Several necessary and few sufficient conditions for $$\pi $$
π
to be k-graphic, with $$k\ge 3$$

k
≥
3

, appear in the literature. Frosini et al. defined a polynomial time algorithm to reconstruct k-uniform hypergraphs having regular or almost regular degree sequences. Our study fits in this research line providing a combinatorial characterization of span-two sequences, i.e., sequences of the form $$\pi =(d,\ldots ,d,d-1,\ldots ,d-1,d-2,\ldots ,d-2)$$

π
=
(
d
,
…
,
d
,
d
-
1
,
…
,
d
-
1
,
d
-
2
,
…
,
d
-
2
)

, $$d\ge 2$$

d
≥
2

, which are degree sequences of some 3-uniform hypergraphs. Then, we define a polynomial time algorithm to reconstruct one of the related 3-uniform hypergraphs. Our results are likely to be easily generalized to $$k \ge 4$$

k
≥
4

and to other families of degree sequences having simple characterization, such as gap-free sequences.