bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevention of well clogging during aquifer storage of turbid tile drainage water rich in dissolved organic carbon and nutrients
Authors: Kruisdijk Emiel , Ros Julian F. , Ghosh Devanita , Brehme Maren , Stuyfzand Pieter J. , van Breukelen Boris M.
Published: February 2023

Well clogging was studied at an aquifer storage transfer and recovery (ASTR) site used to secure freshwater supply for a flower bulb farm. Tile drainage water (TDW) was collected from a 10-ha parcel, stored in a sandy brackish coastal aquifer via well injection in wet periods, and reused during dry periods. This ASTR application has been susceptible to clogging, as the TDW composition largely exceeded most clogging mitigation guidelines. TDW pretreatment by sand filtration did not cause substantial clogging at a smaller ASR site (2 ha) at the same farm. In the current (10 ha) system, sand filtration was substituted by 40-μm disc filters to lower costs (by 10,000–30,000 Euro) and reduce space (by 50–100 m2). This measure treated TDW insufficiently and injection wells rapidly clogged. Chemical, biological, and physical clogging occurred, as observed from elemental, organic carbon, 16S rRNA, and grain-size distribution analyses of the clogging material. Physical clogging by particles was the main cause, based on the strong relation between injected turbidity load and normalized well injectivity. Periodical backflushing of injection wells improved operation, although the disc filters clogged when the turbidity increased (up to 165 NTU) during a severe rainfall event (44 mm in 3 days). Automated periodical backflushing, together with regulating the maximum turbidity (<20 NTU) of the TDW, protected ASTR operation, but reduced the injected TDW volume by ~20–25%. The studied clogging-prevention measures collectively are only viable as an alternative for sand filtration when the injected volume remains sufficient to secure the farmer’s needs for irrigation.
Vulnerability and loss and damage following the COP27 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
Authors: Naylor Angus William , Ford James
Published: February 2023

The creation of a Transitional Committee to operationalise funding for loss and damage at the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) could prove a seminal moment for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Yet, in the context of loss and damage and wider climate financing, discourses of vulnerability and mechanisms and indices for appraising the impacts of climate change remain unfit for purpose. Establishing which Parties are the most vulnerable (and thus eligible for funding), accounting for intangible non-economic losses and making progress toward climate justice and disaster risk reduction while avoiding the issue of sociopolitical ‘root causes’ remains a monumental challenge.
Predictors of future haemorrhage from cerebral cavernous malformations: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Gillespie Conor S. , Alnaham Khalifa E. , Richardson George E. , Mustafa Mohammad A. , Taweel Basel A. , Islim Abdurrahman I. , Hannan Cathal John , Chavredakis Emmanuel
Published: February 2023

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are commonly diagnosed, with a low reported rate of haemorrhage on long-term follow-up. The identification of factors predictive of future haemorrhage risk would assist in guiding the management of patients with CCM. The aim of this study was to identify variables associated with haemorrhage, and calculate haemorrhage risk in CCM. We conducted a retrospective study of patients diagnosed with a CCM, managed at a specialist tertiary neuroscience centre (2007–2019). The primary outcome was symptomatic haemorrhage, and secondary outcomes were variables associated with increased risk of haemorrhage, using multivariable Cox regression analysis. Included were 545 patients, with 734 confirmed cavernomas. Median age at diagnosis was 47 (interquartile range [IQR] 35–60), with a median follow-up duration after diagnosis of 46 months (IQR 19–85). Of the patients, 15.0% had multiple lesions (N = 82/545). Symptomatic presentation was observed in 52.5% of patients (N = 286/545). The annual haemorrhage rate was 1.00% per lesion-year (25 events in 2512 lesion-years), and higher in those with symptoms at presentation (1.50% per lesion-year, 22 events vs 0.29%, 3 events, P < 0.001). The variables associated with symptomatic haemorrhage were increased size (hazard ratio [HR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.07, P = 0.004), eloquent location (HR 2.63, 95% CI 1.12–6.16, P = 0.026), and symptomatic haemorrhage at presentation (HR 5.37, 95% CI 2.40–11.99, P < 0.001). This study demonstrated that CCMs have a low haemorrhage rate. Increased size, eloquent location, and haemorrhage at presentation appear to be predictive of a higher risk of haemorrhage, and could be used to stratify management protocols.
Die Deindustrialisierung Deutschlands: berechtigte Sorge oder German Angst?
Authors: Falck Oliver , Pfaffl Christian
Published: February 2023

The shrinking of the German manufacturing sector due to the new energy crisis is currently a hotly debated topic. The aim of this article is to contribute to this emotional debate by providing evidence on recent developments in the German manufacturing sector. The analysis of relevant data concludes that this debate is fueled by infamous German angst rather than hard facts.
Industriestandort Deutschland droht struktureller Verlust an Wettbewerbsfähigkeit
Authors: Heymann Eric
Published: February 2023

The current energy crisis poses major economic growth risks for the German economy as a whole and for German industry in particular. It also represents an enormous structural challenge for Germany as an industrial nation. A comprehensive deindustrialization in Germany across all sectors is unlikely. One argument against this is the adaptability of German industry. The prospects for some industrial sectors have become significantly gloomier, however, as a result of the acute energy crisis and higher gas and energy prices in the medium term.
Akademie ehrt einen „weit verbreiteten Irrtum“
Authors: Bofinger Peter
Published: February 2023

Der Preis der Schwedischen Reichsbank für Wirtschaftswissenschaften im Gedenken an Alfred Nobel geht an Ben Bernanke, Douglas Diamond und Philip Dybvig. Nach Ansicht der Königlich Schwedischen Akademie der Wissenschaften haben die Preisträger „unser Verständnis der Rolle der Banken in der Wirtschaft erheblich verbessert“. Doch da irren sie.
Die Bürgergeld-Reform aus Sicht der Jobcenter
Authors: Osiander Christopher , Ramos Lobato Philipp
Published: February 2023

Mit der jüngst vom Bundestag beschlossenen Einführung eines Bürgergelds soll die Grundsicherung für Arbeitsuchende zum Jahresbeginn 2023 reformiert werden. Die Reform steht dabei nicht allein für eine begriffliche Abkehr von „Hartz IV“, sondern beansprucht eine „grundlegende Weiterentwicklung“ des Sicherungssystems. So sollen nachhaltige Arbeitsmarktintegration und Qualifizierung gestärkt, vor allem aber das Verhältnis des Sozialstaats zu seinen unterstützungsbedürftigen Bürger:innen von Grund auf neujustiert werden. Die praktische Umsetzung obliegt den mehr als 400 Jobcentern. In einer Online-Befragung wurde vorab ihre Einschätzung der Reform erhoben.
The FIND Program: Improving Follow-up of Incidental Imaging Findings
Authors: Zaki-Metias Kaitlin M. , MacLean Jeffrey J. , Satei Alexander M. , Medvedev Serguei , Wang Huijuan , Zarour Christopher C. , Arpasi Paul J.
Published: February 2023

Incidental findings are findings identified on imaging which are unrelated to the original reason for examination and require follow-up. The Radiology Finding Incidental Disease (FIND) Program was designed to track and improve follow-up of incidental imaging findings. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of incidental findings on cross-sectional imaging and the adherence to suggested follow-up of incidental findings prior to and after implementation of a structured reporting and tracking system. A retrospective analysis of 2000 patients with computed tomographic cross-sectional imaging was performed: 1000 patients prior to implementation of the FIND Program and 1000 patients 1 year after establishment of the program. Data collected included the frequency of incidental findings, inclusion of follow-up recommendations in the radiology report, and adherence to suggested follow-up. There was a higher rate of completion of recommended follow-up imaging in the post-implementation group (34/67, 50.7%) compared to the pre-implementation (16/52, 30.8%) (p = 0.03). Implementation of an incidental findings tracking program resulted in improved follow-up of incidental imaging findings. This has the potential to reduce the burden of clinically significant incidental findings possibly resulting in later presentation of advanced disease.
Contrast analysis in ultrafast ultrasound blood flow imaging of jugular vein
Authors: Omura Masaaki , Yagi Kunimasa , Nagaoka Ryo , Hasegawa Hideyuki
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The contrasts of flowing blood in in vitro experiments using porcine blood and in vivo measurements of human jugular veins were analyzed to demonstrate that the hemorheological property was dependent on the shear rate.

Methods

Blood samples (45% hematocrit) suspended in saline or plasma were compared with examine the difference in viscoelasticity. Ultrafast plane-wave imaging at an ultrasonic center frequency of 7.5 MHz was performed on different steady flows in a graphite-agar phantom. Also, in vivo measurement was performed in young, healthy subjects and patients with diabetes. A spatiotemporal matrix of beamformed radio-frequency data was used for the singular value decomposition (SVD) clutter filter. The clutter-filtered B-mode image was calculated as the amplitude envelope normalized at the first frame in the diastolic phase to evaluate contrast. The shear rate was estimated as the velocity gradient perpendicular to the lateral axis.

Results

Although nonaggregated erythrocytes at a high shear rate exhibited a low echogenicity, the echogenicity in the plasma sample overall increased due to erythrocyte aggregation at a low shear rate. In addition, the frequency of detection of specular components, defined as components beyond twice the standard deviation of a contrast map obtained from a clutter-filtered B-mode image, increased in the porcine blood at a high shear rate and the venous blood in healthy subjects versus patients with diabetes.

Conclusion

The possibility of characterizing hemorheological properties dependent on the shear rate and diabetes condition was indicated using ultrafast plane-wave imaging with an SVD-based clutter filter.
Development of a Head Acceleration Event Classification Algorithm for Female Rugby Union
Authors: Powell David R. L. , Petrie Freja J. , Docherty Paul D. , Arora Hari , Williams Elisabeth M. P.
Published: February 2023

Instrumented mouthguards have been used to detect head accelerations and record kinematic data in numerous sports. Each recording requires validation through time-consuming video verification. Classification algorithms have been posed to automatically categorise head acceleration events and spurious events. However, classification algorithms must be designed and/or validated for each combination of sport, sex and mouthguard system. This study provides the first algorithm to classify head acceleration data from exclusively female rugby union players. Mouthguards instrumented with kinematic sensors were given to 25 participants for six competitive rugby union matches in an inter-university league. Across all instrumented players, 214 impacts were recorded from 460 match-minutes. Matches were video recorded to enable retrospective labelling of genuine and spurious events. Four machine learning algorithms were trained on five matches to predict these labels, then tested on the sixth match. Of the four classifiers, the support vector machine achieved the best results, with area under the receiver operator curve (AUROC) and area under the precision recall curve (AUPRC) scores of 0.92 and 0.85 respectively, on the test data. These findings represent an important development for head impact telemetry in female sport, contributing to the safer participation and improving the reliability of head impact data collection within female contact sport.
Spore dispersal patterns of the ascomycete fungus Ramularia collo-cygni and their influence on disease epidemics
Authors: Havis N. D. , Kaczmarek J. , Jedryczka M. , Hess M. , Fang Z.
Published: February 2023

Ramularia leaf spot is a major economic disease of barley caused by the dothidiomycete fungus Ramulariacollo-cygni. The fungus has a complex life cycle which includes extensive late season spore release events and a seed-borne phase. Predicting disease epidemics during the growing season remains a difficult challenge. To better understand the interaction between spore movement and disease epidemics, spore samplers were set up in Germany (two sites over 4 years), Poland (seven sites over 2 years) and the UK (two sites over 9 years), where the disease has been observed. Spore concentrations were determined using a real time PCR assay, and meteorological data were obtained from co-located automatic stations. Spore release events were seen to peak in June on mainland Europe and July in the UK. The pattern of spore release was broadly similar across countries with earlier peaks in mainland Europe. A relationship was observed in the UK between July spore levels and disease in following winter barley crops. Rainfall and temperature were proposed as significant drivers of spore release in these months. The major environmental parameter associated with spore release across the two UK sites was crop surface wetness, although some site-specific interactions were noted for rainfall and wind movement. Regression analysis of spore patterns and disease epidemics indicates a relationship between spore levels 75–105 days pre harvest and final disease levels in UK winter barley crops. This relationship was not observed in spring barley. The implications on risk forecasts are discussed.
Mental Health Literacy for Supporting Children: A Systematic Review of Teacher and Parent/Carer Knowledge and Recognition of Mental Health Problems in Childhood
Authors: Johnson Catherine L. , Gross Maxine A. , Jorm Anthony F. , Hart Laura M.
Published: February 2023

The level of mental health literacy (MHL) in adults who work with or care for children is likely to influence the timeliness and adequacy of support that children receive for mental health problems. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on mental health literacy for supporting children (MHLSC, recognition/knowledge) among parents and teachers of school aged children (5 to 12 years old). A systematic search was conducted for quantitative studies published between 2000 and June 2021 using three databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO and ERIC) and relevant citations reviewed in Scopus. To be included, studies needed to measure at least either ‘mental health knowledge’ or ‘recognition’. Synthesis proceeded according to study design, adult population, child MHP, then MHL outcome. Study quality was assessed using AXIS. 3322 documents were screened, 39 studies met inclusion criteria. 49% of studies examined teachers’ knowledge or recognition of ADHD; only five studies reported on parent samples. Synthesis found a nascent field that was disparate in definitions, methods and measures. Little research focussed on knowledge and recognition for internalizing problems, or on parents. Methods used for measuring knowledge/recognition (vignette vs screening) were associated with different outcomes and the quality of studies was most often low to moderate. Adults appear to have good recognition of childhood ADHD but their knowledge of internalizing disorders is less clear. Further research is required to develop standard definitions and validated measures so gaps in MHLSC can be better identified across populations who have a role in supporting children with their mental health.
Pyrolysis of tea and coffee wastes: effect of physicochemical properties on kinetic and thermodynamic characteristics
Authors: Ben Abdallah Asma , Ben Hassen Trabelsi Aïda , Navarro María Victoria , Veses Alberto , García Tomás , Mihoubi Daoued
Published: February 2023

Physicochemical properties, kinetic pyrolysis and thermodynamic study of spent green tea, pure spent coffee grounds, spent coffee grounds blended with 50% torrefied barley and coffee husk were experimentally investigated using thermogravimetric analysis under an inert atmosphere to evaluate their thermochemical application. Five isoconversional methods were applied to determine effective activation energy (Ea) of the pyrolysis processes. All methods showed good agreement by determining fluctuating Ea values (150–500 kJ mol−1). Complex Ea profiles with conversion were divided into four stages corresponding to thermal degradation of main biomass constituents (extractives, hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin), indicating that extractives decomposition was the least demanding reaction while lignin decomposition was the most demanding. The kinetic process was verified by reconstruction according to the Friedman parameters. The thermodynamic parameters were evaluated to determine the energy demand and efficiency throughout the process. The values obtained for physicochemical properties such as volatile matter (> 68%) and higher heating value (> 17 MJ kg−1), average Ea (223–319 kJ mol−1) and significant energy efficiency implied that these types of biomass waste have significant reactivity and consequently the highest potential for the production of bioenergy and a range of high-value chemicals and materials.
Hedging cryptocurrency options
Authors: Matic Jovanka Lili , Packham Natalie , Härdle Wolfgang Karl
Published: February 2023

The cryptocurrency market is volatile, non-stationary and non-continuous. Together with liquid derivatives markets, this poses a unique opportunity to study risk management, especially the hedging of options, in a turbulent market. We study the hedge behaviour and effectiveness for the class of affine jump diffusion models and infinite activity Lévy processes. First, market data is calibrated to stochastic volatility inspired-implied volatility surfaces to price options. To cover a wide range of market dynamics, we generate Monte Carlo price paths using an stochastic volatility with correlated jumps model, a close-to-actual-market GARCH-filtered kernel density estimation as well as a historical backtest. In all three settings, options are dynamically hedged with Delta, Delta–Gamma, Delta–Vega and Minimum Variance strategies. Including a wide range of market models allows to understand the trade-off in the hedge performance between complete, but overly parsimonious models, and more complex, but incomplete models. The calibration results reveal a strong indication for stochastic volatility, low jump frequency and evidence of infinite activity. Short-dated options are less sensitive to volatility or Gamma hedges. For longer-dated options, tail risk is consistently reduced by multiple-instrument hedges, in particular by employing complete market models with stochastic volatility.
Unlocking the connection between education, entrepreneurial mindset, and social values in entrepreneurial activity development
Authors: Patrício Lurdes D. , Ferreira João J.
Published: February 2023

The Entrepreneurial University constitutes a phenomenon that highlights the prominent roles played by academic organizations as aggregators of capabilities, enabling the establishing of bridges between innovation and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems. This research therefore sets out to analyze the relationship between the Total Early Stage Entrepreneurial Activities of individual graduates and their entrepreneurial attitudes and social values towards entrepreneurship. This applies data sourced from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report on innovation-driven countries. The main research findings stem from the regression models (Study 1) and fsQCA analysis (Study 2) returning evidence that the likelihood of adult graduates setting up firms or owning young companies rises whenever such individuals deem they hold the knowledge/skills required to start a business. The results also stress the importance of devoting high levels of media attention to entrepreneurship and fostering entrepreneurial cultures capable of fostering economic growth and prosperity. This research makes substantial theoretical contributions to the literature. Firstly, the findings reinforce the applicability and suitability of fsQCA analysis of Global Entrepreneurship Monitor data. Secondly, this study strengthens the credibility of the Institutional Theory and Theory of Planned Behavior theoretical frameworks, correspondingly lending support to the importance of institutional or organizational factors as determinants of entrepreneurship and the need to focus on the linkage between entrepreneurial attitudes, entrepreneurial intentions, and entrepreneurial behaviors.
Haltung zeigen, haben, lernen …
Authors: Georg Eva
Published: February 2023

Der Beitrag lädt zum Nachdenken über den Begriff Haltung und Handlung ein. Die Auseinandersetzung mit Haltung im Bereich Diskriminierung und rechter Gewalt gehört zur Ausbildung von Professionalität in der Sozialen Arbeit. Diese Themen werden anhand der Ergebnisse einer Praxisforschung aufgegriffen.
Pleomorphic Adenoma of Nasal Septum a Case Report
Authors: Tang Guangjun , Du Bo , Lan Youxing , Tian Li
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Pleomorphic adenoma is a common benign tumor of large and small salivary glands. It mainly occurs in the parotid gland, followed by the submandibular gland, sublingual gland and small salivary gland in the oral cavity. It is very rare in the nasal septum.

Patient Concerns

A 27-year-old female patient attended our clinic with Nasal congestion and a diminished sense of smell.

Diagnoses

Endoscopic examination revealed a mass within the right nasal passage. A pathological biopsy revealed pleomorphic adenoma.

Interventions

The nasal septum pleomorphic adenoma was resected by endoscopic approach.

Outcomes

No recurrence was observed for over 41 months of follow-up.

Conclusion

To prevent recurrence, extensive local resection with clear histological margins and long-term endoscopic follow-up with an endoscope are necessary.
Is Politeness Better than Impoliteness? Comparisons of Robot's Encouragement Effects Toward Performance, Moods, and Propagation
Authors: Higashino Kana , Kimoto Mitsuhiko , Iio Takamasa , Shimohara Katsunori , Shiomi Masahiro
Published: February 2023

This study experimentally compared the effects of encouragement with polite/ impolite attitudes from a robot in a monotonous task from three viewpoints: performance, mood, and propagation. Experiment I investigated encouragement effects on performance and mood. The participants did a monotonous task during which a robot continuously provided polite, neutral, or impolite encouragement. Our experiment results showed that polite and impolite encouragement significantly improved performance more than neutral comments, although there was no significant difference between polite and impolite encouragement. In addition, impolite encouragement caused significantly more negative moods than polite encouragement. Experiment II determined whether the robot's encouragement influenced the participants' encouragement styles. The participants behaved similarly to the robot in Experiment I, i.e., they selected polite, neutral, and impolite encouragements by observing the progress of a monotonous task by a dummy participant. The experiment results, which showed that the robot's encouragement significantly influenced the participants' encouragement styles, suggest that polite encouragement is more advantageous than impolite encouragement.
SLIT3 knockdown inhibited TGF-β-induced hepatic stellate cells activation by down-regulating YAP signal
Authors: Fu Xiling , Chang Jiabao , Jiao Damin , Zhu Mengying , Ma Yuqi
Published: February 2023

Objective

Liver fibrosis is a chronic liver disease caused by a variety of pathophysiological. However, there are no effective treatments to combat it. HSCs are a major source of fibrotic cells and exploring the mechanisms of HSC activation may provide new strategies for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Objectives

To explore the role and underlying mechanism of SLIT3 in HSCs fibrosis.

Results

GSE163211 dataset analysis identified aberrant expression of SLIT3 in NASH F1-F4 tissues and SLIT3 expression level was positively correlated with fibrosis-related proteins. In vitro experiments showed that TGF-β induced upregulation of SLIT3 in LX-2 cells. Knockdown of SLIT3 significantly inhibited TGF-β-induced α-SMA, COL1A2, and COL1A1 expression, inhibited excessive cell proliferation and migration, and suppressed YAP activity.

Conclusion

Collectively, our findings suggest that SLIT3 deficiency alleviates TGF-β-induced HSCs activation by inhibiting YAP activity.
Performance Analysis of Axially Loaded Secant Pile Wall Embedded in Sand: An Experimental Investigation
Authors: Basha Ali M. , Zakaria Mohamed H. , El-Nimr Maher T. , Abo-Raya Mohamed M.
Published: February 2023

In urban environments, temporary excavation support systems (ESSs) are intensively recommended during the construction process of structures with underground levels to preserve nearby structures and maintain the excavation sides. Once the foundations and basements are constructed, these systems are rendered useless. As a result, integrating the temporary ESS into the building foundation may have significant benefits. Therefore, the main aim of this paper was to investigate the behavior of Secant Pile Walls (SPWs) through fifteen model tests with an acceptable scale on an axially loaded SPW embedded in medium and dense sand. This study considered several factors to define wall behavior, such as normalized lateral deflection (δh/Ht%), the vertical deflection of the SPW (δvw/Ht%), vertical ground settlement (δv/Ht%), and settlement influence zone (Do). These factors were investigated and analyzed under the influence of a set of parameters including normalized penetration depth (He/Hc), sand relative density (Dr), and surcharge load density (Wsur). The findings demonstrated that SPWs had structural and overall stability features to withstand lateral earth pressures as well as applied axial loads. Generally, increasing the He/Hc ratio further than a limit value of 2.0 for the same surcharge load had a limited impact on the ultimate axial capacity, particularly in the case of dense sand. The location of the pivot point (ε′) extended from 0.24 to 0.41He from the wall tip, with a mean value of 0.34He and 0.29He for the values of Dr = 80 ± 2%, and 60 ± 2%, respectively. Other issues were also discussed for selected samples, including an analysis of the wall's bending moments and any potential wall buckling. Finally, to correlate the experimental data with the theoretical values, a modification factor for the pile static formula was developed by using nonlinear regression analysis with a significant prediction accuracy with an R2 of 0.94.
Expression of TRAIL, IP-10, and CRP in children with suspected COVID-19 and real-life impact of a computational signature on clinical decision-making: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Fröhlich Franziska , Gronwald Benjamin , Bay Johannes , Simon Arne , Poryo Martin , Geisel Jürgen , Tegethoff Sina A. , Last Katharina , Rissland Jürgen , Smola Sigrun , Becker Sören L. , Zemlin Michael , Meyer Sascha , Papan Cihan
Published: February 2023

Purpose

We evaluated the host-response marker score “BV” and its components TRAIL, IP-10, and CRP in SARS-CoV-2 positive children, and estimated the potential impact on clinical decision-making.

Methods

We prospectively analyzed levels of TRAIL, IP-10, CRP, and the BV score, in children with suspected COVID-19. Classification of infectious etiology was performed by an expert panel. We used a 5-point-questionnaire to evaluate the intention to treat with antibiotics before and after receiving test results.

Results

We screened 111 children, of whom 6 (5.4%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2. A total of 53 children were included for the exploratory analysis. Median age was 3.1 years (interquartile range [IQR] 1.3–4.3), and 54.7% (n = 29) were girls. A viral and a bacterial biomarker pattern was found in 27/53 (50.9%) and 15/53 (28.3%), respectively. BV scores differed between COVID-19, children with other viral infections, and children with bacterial infections (medians 29.5 vs. 9 vs. 66; p = 0.0006). Similarly, median TRAIL levels were different (65.5 vs. 110 vs. 78; p = 0.037). We found no differences in IP-10 levels (555 vs. 504 vs. 285; p = 0.22). We found a concordance between physicians’ “unlikely intention to treat” children with a viral test result in most cases (n = 19/24, 79.2%). When physicians expressed a “likely intention to treat” (n = 15), BV test revealed 5 bacterial, viral, and equivocal scores each. Antibiotics were withheld in three cases (20%). Overall, 27/42 (64%) of pediatricians appraised the BV test positively, and considered it helpful in clinical practice.

Conclusion

Host-response based categorization of infectious diseases might help to overcome diagnostic uncertainty, support clinical decision-making and reduce unnecessary antibiotic treatment.
Chitosan scaffolds with mesoporous hydroxyapatite and mesoporous bioactive glass
Authors: Pádua Ana Sofia , Figueiredo Lígia , Silva Jorge Carvalho , Borges João Paulo
Published: February 2023

Bone regeneration is one of the most well-known fields in tissue regeneration. The major focus concerns polymeric/ceramic composite scaffolds. In this work, several composite scaffolds based on chitosan (CH), with low and high molecular weights, and different concentrations of ceramics like mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG), mesoporous hydroxyapatite (MHAp) and both MBG and MHAp (MC) were produced by lyophilization. The purpose is to identify the best combination regarding optimal morphology and properties. The tests of the scaffolds present a highly porous structure with interconnected pores. The compression modulus increases with ceramic concentration in the scaffolds. Furthermore, the 75%MBG (835 ± 160 kPa) and 50%MC (1070 ± 205 kPa) samples are the ones that mostly enhance increases in mechanical properties. The swelling capacity increases with MBG and MC, respectively, to 700% and 900% and decreases to 400% when MHAp concentration increases. All scaffolds are non-cytotoxic at 12.5 mg/mL. The CHL scaffolds improve cell adhesion and proliferation compared to CHH, and the MC scaffold samples, show better results than those produced with just MBG or MHAp. The composite scaffolds of chitosan with MBG and MHAp, have revealed to be the best combination due to their enhanced performance in bone tissue engineering.
Allograft Versus Prosthetic Reconstruction Outcomes Evaluated by Gait Analysis for Lower Extremity Bone Neoplasms Following Surgical Resection: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Filis Panagiotis , Varvarousis Dimitrios N. , Ntritsos Georgios , Dimopoulos Dimitrios , Filis Nikolaos , Giannakeas Nikolaos , Ploumis Avraam
Published: February 2023

Given that patients who suffer from extremity malignancies are primarily young, the validation and refinement of the management techniques for these type of tumors appear essential. Prosthetic reconstruction has already been established as a reliable surgical procedure for patients with lower limb bone neoplasms. Reconstruction with allograft has also been considered a viable treatment alternative for these patients, but evidence regarding the comparison of the efficacy between these techniques is scarce. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the impact of these two procedures on the gait parameters of patients that underwent lower limb tumor resection. The Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were systematically scrutinized in January 2022. The outcomes of interest were gait parameters. Four studies were included in our analysis, from which three included allograft versus prosthetic reconstruction of the knee (distal femur or proximal tibia) and only one that evaluated the proximal femur. Compared to prosthetic reconstruction, allografts non-significantly increased gait velocity (0.04 m/s; 95% CI: − 0.03, 0.10; I2 = 0%) and stride length (0.43% height; 95% CI: − 3.50%, 4.36%; I2 = 27.7%), significantly increased cadence (4.12 stride/min; 95% CI: 1.40, 6.84; I2 = 0%), and non-significantly reduced stance time (− 0.57% cycle time; 95% CI: − 1.16%, 0.02%; I2 = 0%). Our results highlight the potential of allograft reconstruction and suggest that it should not be neglected as a valid treatment option with substantial functional outcomes, comparable to prosthetic reconstructive procedures. Larger studies are required to validate these conclusions.
Service Provision by Child Protection Services — Exploring Variability at Case and Agency Levels in a Norwegian Sample
Authors: Vis Svein Arild , Lauritzen Camilla , Fluke John , Havnen Karen J. Skaale , Christiansen Øivin , Fossum Sturla
Published: February 2023

In this study, we look at the decision to provide services following a child protection investigation in Norway. More specifically, we want to look at variability at the case level and at the agency level in order to identify factors that may impact a decision to provide services.

The study was designed as a cross-sectional archive study that was carried out retrospectively. Included predictors for service provision were presence of abuse, and risk factors related to child, parental and family function. Agency predictors were referral rate and metropolitan location. Variation in service provision was sectioned into case level (N = 883) variation and agency level (N = 16) variation. Five nested multilevel models were estimated. Service provision for families following a child protection investigation was on average 38.4% in the sample. Among the 16 agencies, it varied between 21.9 and 60.0%. This variation is mostly explained by case variables. The strongest were physical abuse (OR = 1.37) and neglect (OR = 1.18).
There is evidence for agency differences with respect to the types of cases being referred. Differences in agency thresholds for service provision when controlling for the referral reason seem to be quite small.
Optimization of the control paper production system of using the extremum seeking control method
Authors: Ermilina Olga , Chemodanov Vladimir
Published: February 2023

Currently the pulp and paper industry is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy in Russia and other countries. An important aspect of the further development of this industry is associated with an increase in the efficiency of paper production and the quality of finished products with an economical and rational use of raw materials, fuel and energy and other material resources. This is facilitated by the use of modern means of automation and process control. It was experimentally established that there is an extreme dependence between the ratio of the speeds of the paper pulp and the paper machine and the standard deviation of the linear density of the paper web, which determines the degree of non-uniformity of the paper gap. The use of a noise-resistant algorithm for extreme control of an inertial object based on the combination of synchronous accumulation and synchronous detection methods with subsequent search for the maximum amplitude of the second harmonic of the filtered signal, aimed at reducing the root-mean-square deviation of the mass of a square meter of paper web, is considered. It is proposed to simultaneously stabilize the mass flow rate of paper pulp and the coordinate of the fall of the paper pulp jet onto the conveyor mesh, which made it possible to increase the efficiency of paper production.
Traceable Multi-view Model Integration: A Transformation Pipeline for Agile Production Systems Engineering
Authors: Rinker Felix , Waltersdorfer Laura , Meixner Kristof , Winkler Dietmar , Lüder Arndt , Biffl Stefan
Published: February 2023

Purpose.

Agile Production Systems Engineering (PSE) is characterised by parallel and iterative engineering of several disciplines. This multi-view engineering requires capabilities for tracing changes to support configuration management of PSE assets. Yet, traditional model transformation approaches in PSE do not preserve local views and hierarchies on concepts of PSE assets, such as plans and configurations. Thus, tracing multi-view changes to PSE assets is challenging.

Method.

Following the Design Science approach, we (i) elicit requirements for tracing multi-view changes to PSE assets from a domain analysis in automotive manufacturing; (ii) introduce and evaluate the Traceable Multi-view Model Transformation (TMvMT) process; and (iii) propose the TMvMT pipeline architecture to provide traceable model integration capabilities for agile PSE.

Results.

In a feasibility study on robot cell models, we evaluate the TMvMT process and architecture regarding the requirements for traceability compared to traditional approaches.

Conclusion.

The proposed TMvMT approach provides traceability of changes in multi-view modelling as a basis through the separation of modelling transformation steps and provision of clear input and output artefacts to achieve traceable configuration management and validation of system designs for production system assets in agile PSE.
Wadati-Konno-Ichikawa-Type Integrable Systems and their Constructions
Authors: Shen Shou-Feng , Wang Guo-Fang , Jin Yong-Yang , Hu Xiao-Rui
Published: February 2023

A standard form of Wadati-Konno-Ichikawa(WKI)-type integrable systems is derived from an $$sl(2,\mathbb {R})$$

s
l
(
2
,
R
)

-valued spectral problem. Each equation in the resulting hierarchy has a bi-Hamiltonian structure furnished by the trace identity. Then, the higher grading affine algebraic construction of some special cases is proposed. We also show that the generalized short pulse equation arises naturally from the negative WKI flow.
Improved control architecture and strategy for iodine ion thruster following in-orbit demonstration and system-level radiation testing
Authors: Boré A. , Proynov P. , Rafalskyi D.
Published: February 2023

This paper describes the general control strategy of the NPT30-I2, the improvements made to the software architecture and hardware following the on-orbit demonstration and the result of a system-level radiation test campaign. It details the iodine ion thruster control architecture, algorithm, and design approach. In addition, it presents data from the in-orbit demonstration. The results of the system-level radiation tests and the redesign of the system to reduce radiation sensitivity will also be discussed.
Social Relationship Link Inference Based on Graph Convolutional Networks
Authors: Zhang Shunyu , Zheng Yu , Li Tianrui
Published: February 2023

In the study of social relationship inference, social relationship link inference aims to infer whether there is a social relationship between users. Most previous works applied the unsupervised graph random walk sampling, which had sampling bias and lost much information. In this paper, a Social Relationship Link Inference Based on Graph Convolutional Networks (SLiGCN) is proposed, which learns the spatiotemporal information of check-ins and the impact of related users’ trajectories. It firstly employs the end-to-end supervised learning and applies a recurrent neural network to extract spatiotemporal sequence features from trajectories. Then the graph convolutional network fuses the features of neighboring nodes and employs the fully connected network to infer social relationship links. Finally, it is evaluated with AUC on three real-world datasets. The experiment results show that, compared with baseline models, it not only avoids hand-crafted feature construction that requires much prior knowledge, but also achieves 10% improvement on average.
Improving Breastfeeding Rates
Authors: Emmott Emily H.
Published: February 2023

Breastfeeding is championed as an effective way to improve global health, associated with improved health outcomes for children and mothers. Various public health strategies to promote breastfeeding have been developed and implemented for over four decades, yet progress has stagnated, and exclusive breastfeeding rates remain low globally. From an evolutionary anthropological perspective, low breastfeeding rates seem like an 'evolutionary puzzle'; breastfeeding is a behaviour which confers survival and fitness advantage to children and mothers, yet so many mothers do not breastfeed exclusively or at all. Is this a globally maladaptive behaviour? Framing breastfeeding as a maternal investment behaviour, an evolutionary perspective directs us to consider the fitness costs of breastfeeding, together with the role of social learning and cultural norms. Indeed, an evolutionary anthropological perspective provides insights to why some breastfeeding-promotion strategies may have been ineffective, while pointing to potentially promising policies and practices which have been overlooked
Crisis Leadership
Authors: Seargeant Philip
Published: February 2023

This Element examines the way that Boris Johnson's government handled the early months of the Covid crisis in the UK, with a particular focus on the role of rhetoric and communication in enacting their leadership strategy. In liberal democracies, persuasive communication is a vital tool for the execution of power, and leadership is often seen to rely on effective communication practices. The Element focuses in particular on the ways in which notions of trust and authority were constructed as part of this strategy, and how these operated as key indexicals meant to provide a foundation for effective persuasion. It examines how, within a few weeks of the start of the lockdown policy, media opinion had begun opining that the government was losing the trust of the electorate due to actions related to this communications strategy, which had the effect of undermining its authority of influence.
The future of automated infection detection: Innovation to transform practice (Part III/III)
Authors: Branch-Elliman Westyn , Sundermann Alexander J. , Wiens Jenna , Shenoy Erica S.
Published: February 2023

Current methods of emergency-room–based syndromic surveillance were insufficient to detect early community spread of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the United States, which slowed the infection prevention and control response to the novel pathogen. Emerging technologies and automated infection surveillance have the potential to improve upon current practice standards and to revolutionize the practice of infection detection, prevention and control both inside and outside of healthcare settings. Genomics, natural language processing, and machine learning can be leveraged to improve identification of transmission events and aid and evaluate outbreak response. In the near future, automated infection detection strategies can be used to advance a true “Learning Healthcare System” that will support near–real-time quality improvement efforts and advance the scientific basis for the practice of infection control.
Mutation-finite quivers with real weights
Authors: Felikson Anna , Tumarkin Pavel
Published: February 2023

We classify all mutation-finite quivers with real weights. We show that every finite mutation class not originating from an integer skew-symmetrisable matrix has a geometric realisation by reflections. We also explore the structure of acyclic representatives in finite mutation classes and their relations to acute-angled simplicial domains in the corresponding reflection groups.
Bones of the Womb: Healing Algorithms of BIPOC Reproductive Trauma with Rituals, Ceremonies, Prayers, Spells, and the Ancestors (The Production of Life Affirming Epistemology of Grief)
Authors: Badruddoja Roksana
Published: February 2023

How do we BIPOC folx survive amid cavernous terror and soul-ripping trauma? In this heart-centered literary story, I embark on a mystical, womanist narration—autohistoria-teoría—to provide the broken-hearted a pathway to better conceptualize and practice irreparable grief. From the incomprehensible pain of walking through the loss of three of my children as a WoC in the American nation-state, I serve as a mirror to BIPOC folx who sit in loss of any kind, and I demonstrate how to piece back together the wandering fragments of our Soul from shattering grief. In this work, I respond to the paucity of BIPOC-centered (un)birth trauma research by raising the volume on BIPOC reproductive trauma. I urgently step away from the multilayered inadequacies and insufficiencies of “western” psychotherapeutic models of trauma healing that are violent to us BIPOC folx and serve to pathologize our grief, and I dedicate myself to excavating critical Indigenous epistemology. I accomplish this with a deliberate and intentional blend of the personal, spiritual, and the scholarly to uncover the ways in which our narratives as BIPOC folx are often erased within material experiences.
Universal Basic Income and Divergent Theories of Gender Justice
Authors: Lenczewska Olga
Published: February 2023

This article assesses the potential for basic income to become a tool for empowering women in the household and in the workplace. Recent debates among feminist political theorists indicate that it is not obvious whether basic income has the potential to push our society toward greater socioeconomic gender justice. I show that arguments for and against basic income put forward by feminist theorists rely on implicit assumptions about how women's work should be conceived—assumptions that are not shared among all of them. I also argue that these beliefs can be sorted into two dichotomies: one concerned with the suitability of remuneration for caregiving, the other with the question of who should be responsible for caregiving. I conclude by explaining the possible causes of the divergences in the views of feminist supporters and critics of UBI, and by recommending ways to arrive at common conceptual grounds.
Estimating spatial variation in origination and extinction in deep time: a case study using the Permian–Triassic marine invertebrate fossil record
Authors: Allen Bethany J. , Clapham Matthew E. , Saupe Erin E. , Wignall Paul B. , Hill Daniel J. , Dunhill Alexander M.
Published: February 2023

Understanding spatial variation in origination and extinction can help to unravel the mechanisms underlying macroevolutionary patterns. Although methods have been developed for estimating global origination and extinction rates from the fossil record, no framework exists for applying these methods to restricted spatial regions. Here, we test the efficacy of three metrics for regional analysis, using simulated fossil occurrences. These metrics are then applied to the marine invertebrate record of the Permian and Triassic to examine variation in extinction and origination rates across latitudes. Extinction and origination rates were generally uniform across latitudes for these time intervals, including during the Capitanian and Permian–Triassic mass extinctions. The small magnitude of this variation, combined with the possibility of its attribution to sampling bias, cautions against linking any observed differences to contrasting evolutionary dynamics. Our results indicate that origination and extinction levels were more variable across clades than across latitudes.