bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation of systemic involvement and presence of pathological skin calcification assessed by ex vivo nonlinear microscopy in Pseudoxanthoma elasticum
Authors: Fésűs Luca , Kiss Norbert , Farkas Klára , Plázár Dóra , Pálla Sára , Navasiolava Nastassia , Róbert Lili , Wikonkál Norbert M. , Martin Ludovic , Medvecz Márta
Published: February 2023

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE (OMIM 264800)) is an autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder mainly caused by mutations in the ABCC6 gene. PXE results in ectopic calcification primarily in the skin, eye and blood vessels that can lead to blindness, peripheral arterial disease and stroke. Previous studies found correlation between macroscopic skin involvement and severe ophthalmological and cardiovascular complications. This study aimed to investigate correlation between skin calcification and systemic involvement in PXE. Ex vivo nonlinear microscopy (NLM) imaging was performed on formalin fixed, deparaffinized, unstained skin sections to assess the extent of skin calcification. The area affected by calcification (CA) in the dermis and density of calcification (CD) was calculated. From CA and CD, calcification score (CS) was determined. The number of affected typical and nontypical skin sites were counted. Phenodex + scores were determined. The relationship between the ophthalmological, cerebro- and cardiovascular and other systemic complications and CA, CD and CS, respectively, and skin involvement were analyzed. Regression models were built for adjustment to age and sex. We found significant correlation of CA with the number of affected typical skin sites (r = 0.48), the Phenodex + score (r = 0.435), extent of vessel involvement (V-score) (r = 0.434) and disease duration (r = 0.48). CD correlated significantly with V-score (r = 0.539). CA was significantly higher in patients with more severe eye (p = 0.04) and vascular (p = 0.005) complications. We found significantly higher CD in patients with higher V-score (p = 0.018), and with internal carotid artery hypoplasia (p = 0.045). Significant correlation was found between higher CA and the presence of macula atrophy (β = − 0.44, p = 0.032) and acneiform skin changes (β = 0.40, p = 0.047). Based on our results, the assessment of skin calcification pattern with nonlinear microscopy in PXE may be useful for clinicians to identify PXE patients who develop severe systemic complications.
Impacts of medication non-adherence to major modifiable stroke-related diseases on stroke prevention and mortality: a meta-analysis
Authors: Mafruhah Okti Ratna , Huang Yen-Ming , Lin Hsiang-Wen
Published: February 2023

Background

Medication adherence is one of the crucial attempts in primary stroke prevention. The available evidence lacks comprehensive reviews exploring the association of medication adherence with stroke prevention.

Objectives

To investigate the effects of non-adherence to medications used to treat the modifiable risk of diseases on stroke-associated outcomes in primary stroke prevention.

Methods

Study records were searched from PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL. Those studies reported risks relevant to stroke-associated outcomes and medication non-adherence for patients diagnosed with four modifiable stroke-related diseases (atrial fibrillation [AF], hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus) but without stroke history were included for meta-analysis and further subgroup, sensitivity, and publication bias analyses. A random effect model was performed to analyse the pooled risk estimates of relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Thirty-nine studies (with 2,117,789 participants in total) designed as cohort or case–control studies were included. Those patients presenting with four stroke-related diseases and categorised as medication non-adherent tended to result in stroke and/or associated death (all pooled RR ≥ 1 and 95% CI did not include 1). The findings of stratification and sensitivity analysis for each stroke-related disease showed a similar trend. Non-adherent patients with AF were prone to stroke occurrence (RR 1.852; 95% CI 1.583–2.166) but inclined to reduced bleeding (RR 0.894; 95% CI 0.803–0.996). The existence of publication bias warrants further interpretation.

Conclusions

Non-adherence to medications for the four stroke-related diseases contributes to the development of stroke and/or mortality in primary stroke prevention. More efforts are needed to improve patients’ medication adherence.
Commercially available CD4 + and CD8 + IFN-γ release assays combined with an HBHA-induced IGRA improve the characterization of the tuberculosis spectrum and monitoring of treatment in children
Authors: Buonsenso Danilo , Delogu Giovanni , del Carmen Pereyra Boza Maria , De Maio Flavio , Palucci Ivana , Martino Laura , Pata Davide , Sanguinetti Maurizio , Valentini Piero , Sali Michela
Published: February 2023

Commercially available Interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs), including the last-generation QuantiFERON TB-Plus (QFT-Plus), are effective in aiding the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) infection but cannot distinguish latent TB subjects from active TB patients. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the performance of an HBHA-based IGRA, combined with commercially available IGRAs, to assess their usefulness as a prognostic biomarkers and aid in the monitoring of TB treatment in children. Following clinical, microbiological, and radiological assessment, children younger than 18 years of age classified as either LTBI or active TB were tested at baseline and during treatment by the QuantiFERON TB-Plus (QFT) assay and an aliquot of whole-blood was stimulated with HBHA. Among the 655 children evaluated, 559 (85.3%) were classified as “Non TB”, 44 patients (6.7%) with active TB, and 52 (7.9%) with LTBI. The median HBHA-IGRA IFN-gamma responses were able to discriminate active TB from LTBI (0.13 IU/ml vs 1.995, (p < 0,0001), those with asymptomatic TB from those with symptomatic TB (1.01 IU/ml vs 0.115 IU/ml, p 0.017), or more severe TB (p 0.022), and significantly raised during successful TB treatment (p < 0.0001). Conversely, CD4 + and CD8 + responses were similar in all groups of patients, although active TB patients had higher CD4 + responses and LTBI higher CD8 + responses.

  Conclusion: HBHA-based IGRA, combined with CD4 + and CD8 + responses assessed by commercially available IGRAs, is a useful support in the characterization of the TB spectrum in children and monitoring of TB-therapy.

What is Known:• Current immune diagnostics are not able to discriminate active and latent Ttuberculosis, including the recently approved QFT-PLUS..• New immunological assays with prognostic value are highly needed.

What is New:• HBHA-based IGRA, combined with CD4+ and CD8+ responses assessed by commercially available IGRAs, is a useful support for the differentiation of active and latent TB in children..• HBHA-based IGRA, combined with CD4+ and CD8+ responses assessed by commercially available IGRAs, is a useful support in the monitoring of TBtherapy in children..
Burden of mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders in the Finnish most preterm children: a national register study
Authors: Leppänen Marika , Pape Bernd , Ripatti Liisi , Karukivi Max , Haataja Leena , Rautava Päivi
Published: February 2023

Etiologies and the whole picture in childhood mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders related to gestational age are unclear. This study included all Finnish children (N = 341,632) born between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2006, whose data including their mothers (N = 241,284) were collected from national registers. Children with unclear gestational age (GA) (N = 1245), severe congenital malformations (N = 11,746), and moderate/severe/undefined cognitive impairment (N = 1140), and those who died during the perinatal period (N = 599) were excluded. The main outcome was the prevalence of mental and behavioral disorders (International Classification of Disorders) at 0 − 12 years of age in association with GA, adjusted for gender and prenatal variables. Out of all included (N = 326,902) children 16.6% (N = 54,270) were diagnosed to have any mental health disorder at 0 − 12 years. Adjusted Odd Ratio (OR) were for any disorder in preterm (< 37 weeks) 1.37 [1.28 − 1.46] and 4.03 [3.08 − 5.26] in extreme preterm (≤ 28 weeks) versus term born children, p < 0.05. The lower the GA at birth, the higher the risk for multiple disorders and earlier onset of disorder, p < 0.05. Adjusted ORs were for male/female 1.94 [1.90 − 1.99], maternal mental health disorder (yes/not) 1.99 [1.92 − 2.07], and smoking during pregnancy (yes/not) 1.58 [1.54 − 1.62], and these risks were more common in preterm versus term born children (p < 0.05). Extreme early birth was a strong risk factor per se for any or multiple and early shown mental health disorders. Other risk factors for mental health accumulated to preterm children.
Verified Propagation Redundancy and Compositional UNSAT Checking in CakeML
Authors: Tan Yong Kiam , Heule Marijn J. H. , Myreen Magnus O.
Published: February 2023

Modern SAT solvers can emit independently-checkable proof certificates to validate their results. The state-of-the-art proof system that allows for compact proof certificates is propagation redundancy ($$\textsf{PR}$$
PR
). However, the only existing method to validate proofs in this system with a formally verified tool requires a transformation to a weaker proof system, which can result in a significant blowup in the size of the proof and increased proof validation time. This article describes the first approach to formally verify $$\textsf{PR}$$
PR
proofs on a succinct representation. We present (i) a new Linear PR (LPR) proof format, (ii) an extension of the tool to efficiently convert $$\textsf{PR}$$
PR
proofs into LPR format, and (iii) , a verified LPR proof checker developed in CakeML. We also enhance these tools with (iv) a new compositional proof format designed to enable separate (parallel) proof checking. The LPR format is backwards compatible with the existing LRAT format, but extends LRAT with support for the addition of $$\textsf{PR}$$
PR
clauses. Moreover, is verified using CakeML ’s binary code extraction toolchain, which yields correctness guarantees for its machine code (binary) implementation. This further distinguishes our clausal proof checker from existing checkers because unverified extraction and compilation tools are removed from its trusted computing base. We experimentally show that: LPR provides efficiency gains over existing proof formats; ’s strong correctness guarantees are obtained without significant sacrifice in its performance; and the compositional proof format enables scalable parallel proof checking for large proofs.
Recent advances in surgical techniques for breast reconstruction
Authors: Tomita Koichi , Kubo Tateki
Published: February 2023

Although the number of patients with breast cancer continues to rise worldwide, survival rates for these patients have significantly improved. As a result, breast cancer survivors are living longer, and quality of life after treatment is of increasing importance. Breast reconstruction is an important component that affects quality of life after breast cancer surgery. With the development of silicone gel implants in the 1960s, autologous tissue transfer in the 1970s, and tissue expanders in the 1980s, breast reconstruction has advanced over the decades. Furthermore, the advent of perforator flaps and introduction of fat grafting have rendered breast reconstruction a less invasive and more versatile procedure. This review provides an overview of recent advances in breast reconstruction techniques.
Anisotropic wood–water interactions determined by gravimetric vapor sorption experiments
Authors: Sánchez-Ferrer Antoni , Engelhardt Max , Richter Klaus
Published: February 2023

Gravimetric vapor sorption experiments were performed on beech wood samples to determine the directional permeability, diffusion and sorption coefficients in the three orthotropic wood directions. Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS) experiments allowed for the direct evaluation of the diffusion coefficient from the analysis of the kinetic sorption profile using a double stretched exponential model with values ranging from 0.10 × 10−10 to 1.52 × 10−10 m2/s and depending on the wood direction of the sample and the RH-values. Moisture sorption isotherms (MSIs) were constructed and fitted to a modified Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer and a Sorption Site Occupancy model, which allowed for the calculation of the sorption coefficient which was found to be between 2.4 and 3.0 mol/(m3 Pa). Dynamic Vapor Transport (DVT) experiments were performed to calculate the permeability coefficient from the vapor flow rate and it ranges between 0.56 × 10−10 and 4.38 × 10−10 mol/(m s Pa) as a function of the flow direction and RH conditions. These results indicate that such an experimental approach is suitable for determining wood–moisture interactions.
Group signatures and more from isogenies and lattices: generic, simple, and efficient
Authors: Beullens Ward , Dobson Samuel , Katsumata Shuichi , Lai Yi-Fu , Pintore Federico
Published: February 2023

We construct an efficient dynamic group signature (or more generally an accountable ring signature) from isogeny and lattice assumptions. Our group signature is based on a simple generic construction that can be instantiated by cryptographically hard group actions such as the CSIDH group action or an MLWE-based group action. The signature is of size $$O(\log N)$$

O
(
log
N
)

, where N is the number of users in the group. Our idea builds on the recent efficient OR-proof by Beullens, Katsumata, and Pintore (Asiacrypt’20), where we efficiently add a proof of valid ciphertext to their OR-proof and further show that the resulting non-interactive zero-knowledge proof system is online extractable. Our group signatures satisfy more ideal security properties compared to previously known constructions, while simultaneously having an attractive signature size. The signature size of our isogeny-based construction is an order of magnitude smaller than all previously known post-quantum group signatures (e.g., 6.6 KB for 64 members). In comparison, our lattice-based construction has a larger signature size (e.g., either 126 KB or 89 KB for 64 members depending on the satisfied security property). However, since the $$O(\cdot )$$

O
(
·
)

-notation hides a very small constant factor, it remains small even for very large group sizes, say $$2^{20}$$

2
20

.
Invasion history of Gyraulus chinensis (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) in Europe: a molecular and literature-based approach
Authors: Saito Takumi , Šlachtová Erika , Nováková Markéta , Horsáková Veronika , Ye Bin , Beran Luboš , Horsák Michal
Published: February 2023

Invasion of alien species is one of the major environmental problems in the globalised world. Therefore, identifying pathways for the introduction and spread of alien species can help to mitigate their impact on invaded ecosystems. This study focused on the freshwater snail Gyraulus chinensis, which invades Europe from eastern Eurasia, where it is native. It was first recorded in Europe about 50 years ago and has since expanded its distribution. However, its origin and the mechanisms of its spread have not yet been studied. Therefore, we performed molecular identification and estimated its origin and dispersal mechanisms based on a literature review, molecular phylogenetics, and population genetics. We found that the haplotypes of G. chinensis in Europe are closely related to southern East Asia, namely Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Ryukyu Islands. The results also suggest multiple introductions, mainly due to the diversity of haplotypes detected in European G. chinensis populations. Currently, the distribution and invasion of the species in the outdoor environments are concentrated in southern Europe, probably due to thermal constraints. However, the species has been recorded in many indoor habitats in the northern part of Europe, indicating a high potential for its spread in the warmer world.
Drinking to Cope is Uniquely Associated with Less Specific and Bleaker Future Goal Generation in Young Hazardous Drinkers
Authors: Shuai Ruichong , Magner-Parsons Bella , Hogarth Lee
Published: February 2023

Groups with mental health and/or substance use problems generate less detailed descriptions of their future goals. As substance use to cope with negative affect is common to both groups, this characteristic might be uniquely associated with less specific goal descriptions. To test this prediction, 229 past year hazardous drinking undergraduates aged 18–25 years wrote about three positive future life goals in an open-ended survey, before reporting their internalizing (anxiety and depression) symptoms, alcohol dependence severity and motivations for drinking: coping, conformity, enhancement and social. Future goal descriptions were experimenter-rated for detail specificity, and participant-self-rated for positivity, vividness, achievability, and importance. Effort in goal writing was indexed by time spent writing and total word count. Multiple regression analyses revealed that drinking to cope was uniquely associated with the production of less detailed goals, and lower self-rated positivity and vividness of goals (achievability and importance were also marginally lower), over and above internalizing symptoms, alcohol dependence severity, drinking for conformity, enhancement and social motives, age, and gender. However, drinking to cope was not uniquely associated with reduced effort in writing goals: time spent and word count. In sum, drinking to cope with negative affect is a unique characteristic predicting the generation of less detailed and bleaker (less positive and vivid) future goals, and this is not due to lower effort in reporting. Future goal generation may play a role in the aetiology of comorbidity of mental health and substance use problems, and therapeutic targeting of goal generation might benefit both conditions.
Prospective Newborn Screening for SCID in Germany: A First Analysis by the Pediatric Immunology Working Group (API)
Authors: Speckmann Carsten , Nennstiel Uta , Hönig Manfred , Albert Michael H. , Ghosh Sujal , Schuetz Catharina , Brockow Inken , Hörster Friederike , Niehues Tim , Ehl Stephan , Wahn Volker , Borte Stephan , Lehmberg Kai , Baumann Ulrich , Beier Rita , Krüger Renate , Bakhtiar Shahrzad , Kuehl Joern-Sven , Klemann Christian , Kontny Udo , Holzer Ursula , Meinhardt Andrea , Morbach Henner , Naumann-Bartsch Nora , Rothoeft Tobias , Kreins Alexandra Y. , Davies E. Graham , Schneider Dominik T. , Bernuth Horst v. , Klingebiel Thomas , Hoffmann Georg F. , Schulz Ansgar , Hauck Fabian
Published: February 2023

Backgr
ound

T-cell receptor excision circle (TREC)-based newborn screening (NBS) for severe combined immunodeficiencies (SCID) was introduced in Germany in August 2019.

Methods

Children with abnormal TREC-NBS were referred to a newly established network of Combined Immunodeficiency (CID) Clinics and Centers. The Working Group for Pediatric Immunology (API) and German Society for Newborn Screening (DGNS) performed 6-monthly surveys to assess the TREC-NBS process after 2.5 years.

Results

Among 1.9 million screened newborns, 88 patients with congenital T-cell lymphocytopenia were identified (25 SCID, 17 leaky SCID/Omenn syndrome (OS)/idiopathic T-cell lymphocytopenia, and 46 syndromic disorders). A genetic diagnosis was established in 88%. Twenty-six patients underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), 23/26 within 4 months of life. Of these, 25/26 (96%) were alive at last follow-up. Two patients presented with in utero onset OS and died after birth. Five patients with syndromic disorders underwent thymus transplantation. Eight syndromic patients deceased, all from non-immunological complications. TREC-NBS missed one patient, who later presented clinically, and one tracking failure occurred after an inconclusive screening result.

Conclusion

The German TREC-NBS represents the largest European SCID screening at this point. The incidence of SCID/leaky SCID/OS in Germany is approximately 1:54,000, very similar to previous observations from North American and European regions and countries where TREC-NBS was implemented. The newly founded API-CID network facilitates tracking and treatment of identified patients. Short-term HSCT outcome was excellent, but NBS and transplant registries will remain essential to evaluate the long-term outcome and to compare results across the rising numbers of TREC-NBS programs across Europe.
Relationships between housing and health for older private renters: evidence from a pilot study in Australia
Authors: Aplin Tammy , Petersen Maree
Published: February 2023

Increasing numbers of older people seek to age at home in their community in western countries including Australia. Whilst this aligns with community aged care policy, the nature and suitability of their housing to enable ageing in place, receives less policy attention. The increasing representation of older tenants in the private rental market, with limited resources and precarious tenure highlights the need to understand ageing in place in a privately rented home. This study aimed to explore the relationships between housing accessibility, financial status, health, and independence for older Australians renting privately. Home visits were conducted with 27 older adults, where the SF8, ADL Staircase, the Housing Enabler, the Financial Capability Questionnaire, and the 30:40 indicator of housing stress were completed. This preliminary research found that older private renters lived in inaccessible homes, with high scores on the Housing Enabler (mean = 185) indicating poor access. Inaccessible housing was correlated with worse physical health, lower perceived independence, less independence in instrumental activities of daily living, and activities of daily living being difficult to perform. Older tenants living with higher levels of financial disadvantage were also found to be less independent and have poorer mental health. The research reveals important policy implications for community aged care, housing, and social security, including removing barriers to enable free and easy access to home modifications for older renters experiencing financial disadvantage. Future research should examine a nationally representative, diverse sample of owners, private renters, and social housing tenants to further understand the influence of the home environment, including tenure, on the health and well-being of older adults as they age in place.
A Systematic Review of Workplace Physical Activity Coaching
Authors: Gawlik A. , Lüdemann J. , Neuhausen A. , Zepp C. , Vitinius F. , Kleinert J.
Published: February 2023

Aim Studies show that about 60 min of moderate physical activity (PA) per day compensate for sitting all day at work. However, the workplace offers an ideal setting for health-promoting interventions such as PA coaching as a person-centered intervention aimed at achieving lasting health behavior changes. Given a good evidence base of health coaching studies in general, this systematic review aims to provide an overview of workplace PA coaching interventions. Methods This review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies published up to July 2021 were considered based on the following inclusion criteria: (1) longitudinal intervention studies, (2) analysis of PA at work, (3) sedentary employees, (4) PA coaching in the workplace as intervention, (5) increasing workplace PA. Results Of 4323 studies found, 14 studies with 17 interventions met inclusion criteria. All 17 interventions indicated an increase in at least one PA outcome. Twelve interventions indicated significant improvements in at least one workplace or total PA outcome. There is a high variation within the different coaching parameters, such as behavior change techniques and communication channels. The study quality showed a moderate to high risk of bias. Conclusions The majority of interventions provided evidence for the effectiveness of workplace PA coaching. Nevertheless, the results are inconclusive with regard to the variety of coaching parameters and thus no general statement can be made about the effectiveness of individual parameters. However, this variety of parameters also leads to a high degree of individualization of workplace PA coaching interventions to increase PA for different groups of employees and different types of workplaces.
Phytoremediation for the indoor environment: a state-of-the-art review
Authors: Matheson S. , Fleck R. , Irga P. J. , Torpy F. R.
Published: February 2023

Poor indoor air quality has become of particular concern within the built environment due to the time people spend indoors, and the associated health burden. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassing from synthetic materials, nitrogen dioxide and harmful outdoor VOCs such benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene and xylene penetrate into the indoor environment through ventilation and are the main contributors to poor indoor air quality with health effects. A considerable body of literature over the last four decades has demonstrate the removal of gaseous contaminants through phytoremediation, a technology that relies on plant material and technologies to remediate contaminated air streams. In this review we present a state-of-the-art on indoor phytoremediation over the last decade. Here we present a review of 38 research articles on both active and passive phytoremediation, and describe the specific chemical removal efficiency of different systems. The literature clearly indicates the efficacy of these systems for the removal of gaseous contaminants in the indoor environment, however it is evident that the application of phytoremediation technologies for research purposes in-situ is currently significantly under studied. In addition, it is common for research studies to assess the removal of single chemical species under controlled conditions, with little relevancy to real-world settings easily concluded. The authors therefore recommend that future phytoremediation research be conducted both in-situ and on chemical sources of a mixed nature, such as those experienced in the urban environment like petroleum vapour, vehicle emissions, and mixed synthetic furnishings off-gassing. The assessment of these systems both in static chambers for their theoretical performance, and in-situ for these mixed chemical sources is essential for the progression of this research field and the widespread adoption of this technology.
Analyzing Ball Bearing Capacitance Using Single Steel Ball Bearings
Authors: Puchtler Steffen , van der Kuip Julius , Kirchner Eckhard
Published: February 2023

A precise modeling of the capacitance of rolling element bearings is of increasing significance over the last years, e.g. in the context of bearing damage estimation in electric drives. The complexity of a steel bearing as an electrical network makes reliable validation of calculation models under realistic operating conditions nearly impossible. A way to reduce complexity in yet realistic conditions is the use of hybrid bearings with a single steel rolling element. This helps to measure only one current path through the bearing at a time and thus, gives a much clearer picture of the contact capacitance of rolling elements in and out of the load zone. The usage of different materials comes with different thermal expansion coefficients and different elasticities, which cause a significant change in load distribution. For the first time, this work considers both of these effects in calculation and validates them with corresponding experiments using single steel ball bearings.
Synergetic Water Demand and Sustainable Supply Strategies in GCC Countries: Data-driven Recommendations
Authors: Al Khoury Ibrahim , Ghanimeh Sophia , Jawad Dima , Atieh Maya
Published: February 2023

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, characterized with limited water resources and high oil/gas revenues, rely heavily on energy-intensive seawater desalination and non-renewable groundwater abstraction. The need to shift solutions to demand-side practices and sustainable supply alternatives has been long advocated; yet this study is the first to “quantify” the impacts of such solutions on the water management system of Qatar – considered a study case of GCC countries. In this research, a scenario-based approach was utilized to predict the impact of water demand control and wastewater reuse (and the resulting synergies) on consumption of desalinated water, extraction of groundwater resources, and development needs of water and wastewater infrastructure. To this effect, country-specific models for Qatar were developed to project annual household water demand, wastewater generation and residential construction growth, up to year 2050. The outcomes showed that tariff reforms and regulated greywater reuse would reduce the annual household demand for desalinated water by up to 27% and 7%, respectively. Also, intensive reuse of Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) would reduce 40–80% of total groundwater abstraction for irrigation by 2050. Finally, adopting an integrated water strategy, with combined demand and supply management targets, creates synergies that would: (1) limit groundwater abstraction to rates close to the aquifers safe yield; and (2) delay the need for expansion of the water and wastewater infrastructure by more than a decade. Data-driven recommendations were provided accordingly.
Temporal-spatial deciphering mental subtraction in the human brain
Authors: Pan Na Clara , Zhao Chengtian , Du Jialin , Zhou Qilin , Xu Cuiping , Liu Chunyan , Yu Tao , Zhang Dan , Wang Yuping
Published: February 2023

Mental subtraction, involving numerical processing and operation, requires a complex interplay among several brain regions. Diverse studies have utilized scalp electroencephalograph, electrocorticogram, or functional magnetic resonance imaging to resolve the structure pattern and functional activity during subtraction operation. However, a high resolution of the spatial-temporal understanding of the neural mechanisms involved in mental subtraction is unavailable. Thus, this study obtained intracranial stereoelectroencephalography recordings from 20 patients with pharmacologically resistant epilepsy. Specifically, two sample-delayed mismatch paradigms of numeric comparison and subtracting results comparison were used to help reveal the time frame of mental subtraction. The brain sub-regions were chronologically screened using the stereoelectroencephalography recording for mental subtraction. The results indicated that the anterior cortex, containing the frontal, insular, and parahippocampous, worked for preparing for mental subtraction; moreover, the posterior cortex, such as parietal, occipital, limbic, and temporal regions, cooperated during subtraction. Especially, the gamma band activities in core regions within the parietal-cingulate-temporal cortices mediated the critical mental subtraction. Overall, this research is the first to describe the spatiotemporal activities underlying mental subtraction in the human brain. It provides a comprehensive insight into the cognitive control activity underlying mental arithmetic.
Predicted Health Literacy Disparities Between Immigrant and US-Born Racial/Ethnic Minorities: a Nationwide Study
Authors: Sepassi Aryana , Garcia Samantha , Tanjasiri Sora , Lee Sunmin , Bounthavong Mark
Published: February 2023

Background

Racial/ethnic minorities in the USA exhibit reduced health literacy (HL) proficiency, leading to increased health disparities. It is unclear how the effect of birth status (immigrant/US-born) affects HL proficiency among racial/ethnic minorities.

Objective

To identify the direct, indirect, and total effects of birth status on HL proficiency among a nationally representative population of racial/ethnic minority adults in the USA.

Design

A cross-sectional study of 2019 data from the Medial Expenditure Panel Survey.

Participants

Participants aged 18 or older reporting as racial/ethnic minorities (Black, Asian, or Hispanic) with non-missing data.

Main Measures

We predicted HL proficiency for each participant using a previously published model. Path analysis was used to estimate the direct, indirect, and total effects of birth status on HL proficiency, accounting for several other covariates. Prevalence ratios were estimated using adjusted Poisson regression to evaluate differences in the “Below Basic” HL category.

Key Results

An estimated weighted 81,092,505 participants were included (57.5% US-born, 42.5% immigrant). More racial/ethnic minority immigrant participants fell into the lowest category of HL proficiency, “Below Basic” (14.3% vs 5.5%, p < 0.05). Results of the path analysis indicated a significant, negative direct effect of birth status on HL proficiency (standardized coefficient = − 0.24, SE = 0.01, 95%CI: − 0.26, − 0.23) in addition to an indirect effect mediated through insurance status, health-system resource use, and English proficiency. The total effect of birth status on HL proficiency was found to be − 0.29. The immigrant participant group had 81% higher prevalence of falling into the “Below Basic” HL category compared to US-born participants (prevalence ratio = 1.81, 95%CI: 1.52, 2.16).

Conclusions

Immigrant status has a strong, negative, direct effect on HL proficiency among racial/ethnic minorities in the USA. This may be a result of barriers that prevent equitable access to resources that improve proper HL proficiency. US policymakers may consider several methods to reduce this disparity at the health-system-, provider-, and patient-levels.
Perceived value of AI-based recommendations﻿ service: the case of voice assistants
Authors: Akdim K , Casaló Luis V.
Published: February 2023

The application of artificial intelligence in services is continuously spreading. In particular, one of the most important recent trends is the development of virtual assistants, more particularly; voice assistants, which provide consumers with various services (e.g. information, music) and with product and service recommendations based on their preferences. There is a need to understand how valuable these recommendations are for consumers. This study contributes to the emerging body of research into consumers’ use of the recommendations that voice assistants make in three key ways: (1) by analysing the roles of the benefits (i.e. convenience, compatibility, personalisation) they derive and costs they expend (i.e. cognitive effort, intrusiveness) in the value creation process related to voice assistants’ recommendations; (2) by evaluating the effect of social presence (the key voice assistant feature) on perceived value of voice assistants’ recommendations, through the benefits and costs associated with voice assistants and (3) by determining how the perceived value of voice assistants’ recommendations affects consumer engagement. An online survey was used to collect data. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyse the conceptual model. The core findings of the study are as follows. First, social presence enhances the benefits (especially personalisation) and reduces the costs (except for cognitive effort) associated with voice assistants. Second, personalisation was shown to be the strongest determinant of the perceived value of voice assistants’ recommendations, but their intrusiveness is a potential inhibitor in the way of increasing their value. Third, a positive relationship was observed between the perceived value of voice assistants’ recommendations and consumer engagement with the assistants.
Key concepts in artificial intelligence and technologies 4.0 in services
Authors: Belk Russell W. , Belanche Daniel , Flavián Carlos
Published: February 2023

The emerging Industry 4.0 technologies that are impacting the global economy also represent an extraordinary opportunity to increase customer value in the service sector. Indeed, the ongoing Fourth Industrial Revolution differs from previous technologies in three main ways: (1) technological developments overcomes humans’ capabilities such that humans or even companies are no longer controlling technology; (2) customers embrace life in new technology-made environments, and (3) the boundaries between human and technology become to be blurred. This document explains these novel insights and defines the key AI-related concepts linked to each of these three distinctive aspects of Technologies 4.0 in services.
Nucleation Sites in the Static Recrystallization of a Hot-Deformed Ni-30 Pct Fe Austenite Model Alloy
Authors: Garcia-Chao Pablo , Eipe Jonathan J. , Krugla Monika , Bos Cornelis , Sietsma Jilt , Kranendonk Winfried , Offerman S. Erik
Published: February 2023

In the present study, the nucleation of static recrystallization (SRX) in austenite after hot deformation is experimentally analyzed using a Ni-30 pct Fe model alloy. In agreement with the predictions by current models, nucleation rate exhibits a strong peak, early during SRX. Whereas such an early peak is explained by current models by the saturation of nucleation sites, this condition is far from reached, even after the peak declines. In addition, triple-junction and grain-boundary sites are shown to make a quantitatively similar contribution to nucleation. However, for a given boundary between deformed grains, nucleation predominantly starts at one of the triple junctions. Triple-junction nucleation initiates by strain-induced boundary migration of the nucleus (bulging) along one of the boundaries at the junction. Annealing twin boundaries contribute negligibly to nucleation through their grain-boundary sites. By contrast, their junctions with the boundaries of the parent grains do play a relevant role. The earlier nucleation at the triple junctions is attributed to the higher dislocation density observed around them, and the energy of the boundary consumed by the bulge. Both the maximum and average number of nuclei formed per boundary between deformed grains increase with increasing boundary length.
CT imaging for occult malignancy in patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a tertiary centre: is it worthwhile?
Authors: Lee Ronan J. , Herlihy Darragh , O’Neill Damien C. , Madden-Doyle Lauren , Morrin Martina , Lee Michael J.
Published: February 2023

Background

Investigating patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism (uVTE) for occult malignancy can prove a diagnostic dilemma and imaging is often used extensively in this patient group.

Aims

The primary objective of this study was to determine the incidence of malignancy on CT and other imaging over a 10-year period. A secondary objective was to evaluate the role of laboratory and other non-imaging tests performed.

Methods

A retrospective key word search of our hospital’s imaging system was performed to identify patients with unprovoked DVT/PE over the last 10 years. All imaging, histology, endoscopy, laboratory tests, and clinical follow-up over 2 years were analysed. Patients with provoked VTE were excluded.

Results

150 patients had uVTE. 9 patients were diagnosed with occult malignancy by different investigations on index hospital admission (3 patients) or subsequently on clinical follow-up (6 patients). Mean age of patients was 62 years. 116 patients had CT body imaging. The incidence of malignancy diagnosed by initial CT imaging was 1.7% with a sensitivity of 22%, specificity 87%, and PPV 12.5%. Overall incidence of malignancy identified by imaging alone during the index hospital admission was 2%. Total incidence of malignancy including index admission and follow-up was 6%. Median time to cancer diagnosis was 12 months.

Conclusion

CT imaging had a low yield for diagnosing malignancy. Extensive imaging strategies increase cost and radiation exposure without improving mortality. Clinical follow-up, history taking, and physical examination guiding appropriate investigations remain the best tool for unmasking occult malignancy in patients with uVTE.
The Role of Morality and Religiosity in Ethnic and Homophobic Prejudice Among Teachers
Authors: D’Urso Giulio , Chavez Daniela Victoria , Strohmeier Dagmar , Trach Jessica
Published: February 2023

The role of moral disengagement strategies and religiosity related to ethnic and homophobic prejudice were investigated in a sample of 550 Italian secondary school teachers (76.4% female, age range: 20–70; M = 46.18) who completed the teachers’ attitudes towards the representation of homosexuality in film and television scale; the Italian version of the moral disengagement scale; the subtle and blatant prejudice scales; and three items to evaluate their religiosity. Evidence suggests that moral disengagement processes matter for subtle ethnic prejudice, but not for blatant ethnic prejudice or homophobic prejudice. Results based on a structural equation model show that teachers who are more prone to use moral disengagement mechanisms have higher levels of subtle ethnic prejudice, while teachers who are older and more religious have higher levels of homophobic prejudice. The results of a multiple group structural equation model showed that high versus low levels of religiosity among teachers did not moderate the strength of these associations. Theoretical and educational implications are discussed.
Equal opportunities for learning and remembering attitudinally opposing information on the internet
Authors: Huang Tsung-Ren , Hsieh Yao-Ming
Published: February 2023

Many social issues are spread and developed through the internet. How do individuals process diverse and controversial information when involved in online discussions? To answer this question, we conducted a large-scale, web-based study in which 5,180 Taiwanese individuals were first exposed to public arguments about four widely discussed social issues and were later tested on whether they could recognize these incidentally learned arguments. During argument exposure, the participants gave more consideration to congenial than uncongenial information under an informational context but became more balanced under a discussional context. During argument recognition, the observed confirmation bias did not translate to better memory of congenial information. In fact, we found an overall negative but negligible congeniality effect. Taken together, our findings suggest that attitudinally opposing pieces of information actually have cognitively equal opportunities to be learned and remembered.
Exploring lived experience of recovery processes in those with psychosis: a systematic review with thematic synthesis of qualitative evidence
Authors: Murray Malcolm D. , Menadue Christopher B.
Published: February 2023

The purpose of the study was to conduct a systematic review of literature which explores lived experiences of the manifestation, appearance of meaning, and interpretation of the recovery process in schizophrenia and determined that there needs treatment shift that is centred on personal recovery processes. The focus of this review is to examine the current recovery research of the lived experience in schizophrenia. Recovery is an idiosyncratic and debated process that emerges from the perspectives of people who experience schizophrenia. Recovery literature is gained from qualitative accounts and synthesising these accounts provides an overview of the evidence base for recovery. A search of Medline, Emcare, Cinahl and Scopus databases discovered 11 studies that were published between 2016 and 2020 that met the scope of the review. Studies were included if they used qualitative methodology to explore how individuals with schizophrenia experience the process of recovery. Studies were subjected to quality assessment using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) Qualitative Research Checklist. Several themes were identified during the qualitative analysis. These themes were linked by a common thread. This “meta-theme” is “connection.” Connection with individual sense of self and connecting with the social world. Connecting with self enhance the capacity of those with schizophrenia to be able to connect interpersonally and intersubjectively with the social world, which is seen to lead to recovery. The reviewed literature supported the theoretical approach that the person with schizophrenia needed to regain their lost self before taking further steps in the recovery process. Further research of schizophrenia as a self – disorder being phenomenologically designed would further highlight the necessity of this for the recovery process. Such research would illuminate recovery being about who you are and not about how sane or normal you are.
Dust Cloud Convections in Inhomogeneously Heated Plasmas in Microgravity
Authors: Schmitz Andreas S. , Schulz Ivo , Kretschmer Michael , Thoma Markus H.
Published: February 2023

Convection is a phenomenon that often occurs in the presence of temperature gradients. In microgravity, free convection can not occur due to the lack of buoyancy. However, during parabolic flights we observed convections of microparticles in a gas discharge within the cylindrical plasma chamber of the setup PK-4. The microparticles and the plasma were exposed to a thermal gradient. There, the cloud convections and dust waves were observed. Analysis by tracking the microparticles’ trajectories showed that the vortices were induced by thermal creep, a gas flow that commonly occurs in gases with low pressures at inhomogeneously heated solid interfaces. This effect has driven a gas convection which in turn caused the convection of the microparticle cloud.
The Revision of Lichen Flora Around Maxwell Bay, King George Island, Maritime Antarctic
Authors: So Jae Eun , Halda Josef P. , Hong Soon Gyu , Hur Jae-Seoun , Kim Ji Hee
Published: February 2023

Since the floristic study of lichens at the Barton and Weaver Peninsulas of King George Island in 2006, there have been intense investigations of the lichen flora of the two peninsulas as well as that of Fildes Peninsula and Ardley Island in Maxwell Bay, King George Island, South Shetland Islands, maritime Antarctic. In this study, a total of 104 species belonging to 53 genera, are identified from investigations of lichens that were collected in austral summer seasons from 2008 to 2016. Phenotypic and molecular analyses were incorporated for taxonomic identification. In particular, 31 species are found to be endemic to the Antarctic and 22 species are newly recorded to the Maxwell Bay region.Lepra dactylina,Stereocaulon caespitosum, andWahlenbergiella striatulaare newly recorded in the Antarctic, and the previously reported taxonCladonia furcatais excluded from the formerly recorded list due to misidentification. We also provide ecological and geographical information about lichen associations and habitat preferences.