bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chiral Supramolecular Polymers Assembled from Conformationally Flexible Amino‐Acid‐Substituted Biphenyldiimides
Authors: Markiewicz Grzegorz , Szmulewicz Adrianna , Majchrzycki Łukasz , Smulders Maarten M. J. , Stefankiewicz Artur R.
Published: November 2022

Hydrogen‐bonded polymers are a class of highly dynamic supramolecular aggregates, whose self‐assembly may be tuned by very mild external or internal stimuli. However, the rational design of chiral supramolecules remains challenging especially when flexible components are involved. The combination of the inherent weakness and dynamic nature of the intermolecular bonds that hold together such assemblies with unrestricted molecular motions introduces additional factors which may affect the self‐assembly process. In this report, the self‐assembly of four amino acid‐derived chiral biphenyldiimides into open‐chain 1D supramolecular polymers is presented. While the primary driving force, COOH···HOOC hydrogen bonding, is responsible for the polymer growth in all cases, the amino acid side chains play an important role in either stabilizing or destabilizing the assemblies obtained, as deduced from studies of the thermodynamics of the self‐assembly process. Furthermore, substantial differences in the structural factors governing the polymerization process between dynamic liquid and static solid are found. This work demonstrates the potential of the rather unexplored class of diimide‐based organic dyes in the formation of well‐organized chiral supramolecular assemblies with tunable properties.
Actual patient position versus safety models: Specific Absorption Rate implications of initial head position for Ultrahigh Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Kopanoglu Emre
Published: November 2022

Specific absorption rate (SAR) relates power absorption to tissue heating, and therefore is used as a safety constraint in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study investigates the implications of initial head positioning on local and whole‐head SAR. A virtual body model was simulated at 161 positions inside an eight‐channel parallel‐transmit (pTx) array. On‐axis displacements and rotations of up to 20 mm/degrees and off‐axis axial/coronal translations were investigated. Single‐channel, radiofrequency (RF) shimming (i.e., single‐spoke pTx) and multispoke pTx pulses were designed for seven axial, five coronal and five sagittal slices at each position (the slices were consistent across all positions). Whole‐head and local SAR were calculated using safety models consisting of a single (centred) body position, multiple representative positions and all simulated body positions. Positional mismatches between safety models and actual positions cause SAR underestimation. For axial imaging, the actual peak local SAR was up to 4.2‐fold higher for both single‐channel and 5‐spoke pTx, 3.5‐fold higher for 3‐/4‐spoke pTx, and 2‐fold higher for RF shimming and 2‐spoke pTx, compared with that calculated using the centred body position. For sagittal and coronal imaging, the underestimation of peak local SAR was up to 5.2‐fold and 3.8‐fold, respectively. Using all body positions to estimate SAR prevented SAR underestimation but yielded up to 11‐fold SAR overestimation for RF shimming. Local SAR of single‐channel and pTx multispoke pulses showed considerable dependence on the initial patient position. RF shimming yielded much lower sensitivity to positional mismatches for axial imaging but not for sagittal and coronal imaging. This was deemed attributable to the higher degrees‐of‐freedom of control offered by the investigated coil array for axial imaging. Whole‐head SAR is less sensitive to positional mismatches compared with local SAR. Nevertheless, whole‐head SAR increased by up to 80% for sagittal imaging. Local and whole‐head SAR were observed to be more sensitive to positional mismatches in the axial plane, because of larger variations in coil‐tissue proximity. Using all possible body positions in the safety model may become substantially over‐conservative and limit imaging performance, especially for the RF shimming mode for axial imaging.
Development of an individual fitness score (IFS) based on the depression treatment guidelines of in the Japanese Society of Mood Disorders
Authors: Fukumoto Kentaro , Kodaka Fumitoshi , Hasegawa Naomi , Muraoka Hiroyuki , Hori Hikaru , Ichihashi Kayo , Yasuda Yuka , Iida Hitoshi , Ohi Kazutaka , Ochi Shinichiro , Ide Kenta , Hashimoto Naoki , Usami Masahide , Nakamura Toshinori , Komatsu Hiroshi , Okada Tsuyoshi , Nagasawa Tatsuya , Furihata Ryuji , Atake Kiyokazu , Kido Mikio , Kikuchi Saya , Yamagata Hirotaka , Kishimoto Taishiro , Makinodan Manabu , Horai Tadasu , Takeshima Masahiro , Kubota Chika , Asami Takeshi , Katsumoto Eiichi , Hishimoto Akitoyo , Onitsuka Toshiaki , Matsumoto Junya , Miura Kenichiro , Yamada Hisashi , Yasui‐Furukori Norio , Watanabe Koichiro , Inada Ken , Otsuka Kotaro , Hashimoto Ryota
Published: November 2022

Aim

Treatment guidelines are designed to assist patients and health care providers and are used as tools for making treatment decisions in clinical situations. The treatment guidelines of the Japanese Society of Mood Disorders establish treatment recommendations for each severity of depression. The individual fitness score (IFS) was developed as a simple and objective indicator to assess whether individual patients are practicing treatment by the recommendations of the depression treatment guidelines of the Japanese Society of Mood Disorders.

Methods

The EGUIDE project members determined the IFS through the modified Delphi method. In this article, the IFS was calculated based on the treatment of depressed patients treated and discharged between 2016 and 2020 at facilities participating in the EGUIDE project. In addition, we compared scores at admission and discharge.

Results

The study included 428 depressed patients (mild n = 22, moderate/severe n = 331, psychotic n = 75) at 57 facilities. The mean IFS scores by severity were statistically significantly higher at discharge than at admission with moderate/severe depression (mild 36.1 ± 34.2 vs. 41.6 ± 36.9, p = 0.49; moderate/severe 50.2 ± 33.6 vs. 55.7 ± 32.6, p = 2.1 × 10–3; psychotic 47.4 ± 32.9 versus 52.9 ± 36.0, p = 0.23).

Conclusion

We developed the IFS based on the depression treatment guideline, which enables us to objectively determine how close the treatment is to the guideline at the time of evaluation in individual cases. Therefore, the IFS may influence guideline‐oriented treatment behavior and lead to the equalization of depression treatment in Japan, including pharmacotherapy.
Retrospective chart review‐based assessment scale for adverse childhood events and experiences
Authors: Yamagishi Mika , Satomura Yoshihiro , Sakurada Hanako , Kanehara Akiko , Sakakibara Eisuke , Okada Naohiro , Koike Shinsuke , Yagishita Sho , Ichihashi Kayo , Kondo Shinsuke , Jinde Seiichiro , Fukuda Masato , Kasai Kiyoto
Published: November 2022

Aim

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are highly prevalent in the general population, and their lifelong impact on physical and mental health is profound. In assessing ACEs, it is vital to consider the pathways and modalities by which an individual internalizes events as an adverse experience and its effects on their biological, psychological, and social function. However, conventional assessments of ACEs are inadequate in that they do not comprehensively assess the source of the adverse event and the pathway and mode of its impact on the individual.

Methods

This study developed an original scale for ACEs that classifies the source of the event and the pathway and mode of its impact on the individual from a retrospective review of medical charts. We also used this scale to investigate the ACEs in 536 patients with psychiatric disorders (depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia).

Results

This scale consisted of 28 items, and its reliability and validity were sufficient. We also found that 45.9% of the patients studied had at least one ACE, ranging from 43.5% to 51.5% for all disorders. Psychological trauma (bullying) from peers was the most common cause at 27.2%.

Conclusion

We developed a retrospective chart review‐based assessment tool for ACEs which enables the examination of the source of the events of ACEs and the pathways and modalities of their impact on the individual. The frequency of ACEs is high regardless of the type of psychiatric disorder, and horizontal trauma (bullying victimization) is as frequent as vertical trauma (parental maltreatment).
Effects of Trichoderma harzianum biofertilizer on growth, yield, and quality of Bupleurum chinense
Authors: Liu Li , Xu Yuansong , Cao Hailu , Fan Ya , Du Kan , Bu Xun , Gao Demin
Published: November 2022

The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides led to a decline in the quality and yield of Bupleurum chinense. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Trichoderma harzianum biofertilizer on the growth, yield, and quality of radix bupleuri and microbial responses. The results showed that T. harzianum biofertilizer promoted the growth of B. chinense and increased the yield and quality of radix bupleuri. In addition, it increased the contents of NH4+–N, NO3−–N, available K, and available P and increased the activities of sucrase and catalase in the rhizosphere soil. High‐throughput analysis showed that the dominant bacteria in the rhizosphere were Proteobacteria (28%), Acidobacteria (23%), and Actinobacteria (17%), whereas the dominant fungi were Ascomycota (49%), Zygomycota (30%), and Basidiomycota (6%). After the application of T. harzianum biofertilizer, the abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria (relative to total bacteria) and Ascomycota and Basidiomycota (relative to total fungi) increased, but the relative abundance of Acidobacteria decreased. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) showed that the relative abundance of Pseudarthrobacter, Streptomyces, Rhizobium, Nocardioides, Minimedusa, and Chaetomium were positively correlated with NO3−–N, NH4+–N, available K, available P, sucrase, and catalase in microbial communities, whereas Aeromicrobium and Mortierella were positively correlated with soil organic matter and urease. These results suggest that T. harzianum biofertilizer could significantly improve the yield and quality of radix bupleuri by changing the structure of soil microbial flora and soil enzyme activity. Therefore, it could be recommended for commercial scale production of Bupleurum.
Preparation and Near‐Infrared Photoelectric Properties of n‐Type Cu3P
Authors: Peng Xue , Lv Yanfei , Xi Junhua , Fu Li , Chen Fei , Su Weitao , Li Jingzhou , Zhao Shichao
Published: November 2022

As intrinsic cuprous phosphide (Cu3P) shows p‐type conductivity, the investigation of n‐type Cu3P (n‐Cu3P) was lacking and hindered its development and application. In this paper, novel n‐type conducting cuprous phosphide (n‐Cu3P) has been prepared by annealing ZnO/Cu3P/Cu structure. The morphology, composition and structure of the thin films were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FSEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometer (EDX), X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) and laser Raman spectroscopy (Raman). The semiconductor conduction type was analyzed by thermal probe method and Hall coefficient method. The transition of conduction type from p‐type to n‐type occurred as ZnO/Cu3P/Cu was annealed at 550 °C. The growth mechanism of n‐Cu3P was discussed. Finally, the infrared absorption and photoelectric properties were investigated. The near‐infrared photoelectronic performance of Cu3P was reported for the first time. The successful preparation of n‐Cu3P is helpful to promote the research and application of Cu3P based electronic devices.
Synthesis and Characterization of Griseofulvin Derivatives as Microtubule‐Stabilizing Agents
Authors: Firdous Farhat , Ibrahim Rida , Furqan Muhammad , Khan Hina , Raza Hadeeqa , Singh Upendra , Emwas Abdul‐Hamid , Jaremko Mariusz , Chotana Ghayoor Abbas , Faisal Amir , Saleem Rahman Shah Zaib
Published: November 2022

Microtubules have been an attractive target of cancer drug discovery due to their highly dynamic nature during mitosis. Griseofulvin, a natural antifungal compound, is known to interfere with microtubule dynamics. In the present study, we prepared and analyzed twenty‐seven novel griseofulvin derivatives. Three of these compounds had GI50 values <10 μM (5.74 to 9.7 μM) in breast cancer cell line CAL‐51. The most promising compound ((2S,6’R)‐4’‐(benzhydrylamino)‐7‐chloro‐4,6‐dimethoxy‐6’‐methyl‐3H‐spiro[benzofuran‐2,1’‐cyclohexan]‐3’‐ene‐2’,3‐dione), was characterized as a microtubule‐stabilizing agent with a GI50 value of 5.74±1.43 μM compared to 10.79±3.06 μM GI50 for parental griseofulvin. It also inhibited the proliferation of other cancer cell lines, including KB‐3‐1 and HCT116, with GI50 values of 1.19±0.34 μM and 2.48±0.40 μM, respectively. Treatment of cancer cells with it resulted in aberrant mitosis causing G2/M arrest. Finally, we show that this compound increased the expression of p53 protein and induced apoptotic cell death.
Stimuli‐Responsive Complexation Based on Twisted Cucurbit[14]uril and p‐Diaminoazobenzene
Authors: Wang Cheng‐hui , Tang Qing , Zhao Jie , Xiao Xin , Tao Zhu , Huang Ying
Published: November 2022

The supramolecular assembly between twisted cucurbit[14]uril (tQ[14]) and p‐diaminoazobenzene (DAAB) has been successfully developed based on host‐guest interactions. Interestingly, as the temperature increases, the assembly dissociates and recovers when the temperature decreases. This shows that the association and dissociation of the supramolecular assembly can be reversibly controlled by the temperature. In addition, the tQ[14]‐DAAB complex also exhibits selective ultraviolet and colorimetric responses for AcO− and F−, the detection limits of the sensor for AcO− and F− are 5.17×10−6 M and 2.31×10−5 M, respectively. The tQ[14]‐DAAB exhibits potential analysis applications.
Synthesis, Spectral Characterization, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities of New Binuclear Copper and Rhodium Complexes
Authors: Ait‐Ramdane‐Terbouche Chafia , Elazara Zakaria Sid , Terbouche Achour , Lakhdari Houria , Khalfaoui Massaab , Boumechhour Abdenour , Mezaoui Djillali
Published: November 2022

Two novel binuclear complexes of Cu (II) and Rh (III) with Bis [4‐hydroxy‐6‐methyl‐3‐{(1E)‐N‐[2‐(ethylamino) ethyl] ethanimidoyl}‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one] (L) were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS), conductivity, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), ultraviolet‐visible spectrophotometry, fluorescence, thermogravimetric analysis ( TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The spectral data indicate that the ligand binds the metal ions via the oxygen atom of the phenolic group, the nitrogen atoms of the azomethine and NH groups. These characterizations suggested the formation of binuclear complexes with octahedral geometry around each metal ion. For a better understanding of the response of complexes to biological activities, the stability constants, potential zeta and size of the complexes were determined. From the results, we can deduce that the complexes have more significant activities than their corresponding ligand. Moderate antioxidant activity recorded with both complexes, superior antibacterial and antifungal activities with Rh (III) complex with MIC value of 0.3125 mg. mL−1 and interesting anticancer activity towards Hep2 cells (IC50=13.77 μM) with Rh (III) and towards Hep2 (IC50=28.35 μM) and K562 cells (IC50=26.34 μM) with Cu (II) complex.
Effect of Copper and Cobalt Metal Complex Redox Mediator Based Xanthan Gum Gel Electrolyte Materials on Performance of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Selvaraj Balamurugan , Shanmugam Ganesan , Kamaraj Santhosh , Thirugnanasambandam Eswaramoorthi , Peters Silda , Gunasekeran Ahalya , Sambandam Anandan , Pillai Renjith S.
Published: November 2022

In this study, we report the first application of (4‐(tert‐butyl) benzyl or 4‐methyl benzyl)‐substituted 2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐benzo[d]‐imidazole coordinated copper and cobalt redox shuttles Cu [((tbb) pbi)2]+1/+2, Cu [(mbpbi)2]+1/+2, Co [((tbb) pbi)3]+2/+3 and Co [(mbpbi)3]+2/+3 based xanthan gum gel electrolytes (XGE‐1, XGE‐2, XGE‐3 and XGE‐4) in fabrication of Dye sensitized solar cells. Interestingly, XGE‐1 and XGE‐2 obtained higher efficiency of 4.08 and 3.04 % under 1sun illumination. Specifically, highly donor moiety 4‐(tert‐butyl)benzyl)‐substituted (on N−H position) 2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐benzo[d]‐imidazole ligands coordinated, Cu [((tbb) pbi)2]+1/+2 gel electrolyte achieved best performance due to its appropriate redox potential of 0.80 V versus Normal Hydrogen Electrode. This high performance also confirmed with the interfacial studies of the devices. As per the computational results, the copper redox mediators conquered lower reorganization energy and free energy about (0.11‐0.20 & 0.18–0.27 eV) due to the effect of ligands structure. Overall, Cu [((tbb) pbi)2]+1/+2 act as redox shuttle for highly proficient DSSCs.
Acoustic detection of gunshots to improve measurement and mapping of hunting activity
Authors: Hedley Richard W. , Joubert Brian , Bains Harsimran K. , Bayne Erin M.
Published: November 2022

Hunting can influence the abundance and distribution of animals and act as a source of conflict among recreational user groups. Thus, land managers benefit from tools that can generate information about when and where hunting occurs. We used passive acoustic monitoring to examine spatiotemporal patterns of hunting‐related gunshots at 91 locations in a protected area in Alberta, Canada. We compared 2 methods for detecting gunshots from recordings: a recognizer that used complex pattern recognition and an energy detector that detected loud sounds regardless of their acoustic features. The recognizer primarily detected faint sounds, and multiple observers showed low levels of agreement (37%) with respect to whether sounds were gunshots or not, suggesting it produced ambiguous data. The recognizer also missed many loud, clear gunshots for unknown reasons. The energy detector, in contrast, detected loud sounds upon which observers showed near‐unanimous agreement (99%) on their identity. Gunshots missed by the energy detector could be because they were too quiet (i.e., too far away to be detected). Thus, despite detecting fewer gunshots overall, the energy detector produced higher quality data that were easier to interpret. We analyzed 249 gunshots detected with the energy detector, and found that hunting was concentrated near vehicle access points and peaked on Saturdays, and that hunters largely abided by local regulations prohibiting Sunday hunting. We compared energy detector results with remote cameras, which revealed similar spatiotemporal patterns of hunting effort. Passive acoustic monitoring has the potential to allow hunting activity to be mapped and monitored with unprecedented resolution.
A data‐driven framework for evolutionary problems in solid mechanics
Authors: Poelstra Klaas , Bartel Thorsten , Schweizer Ben
Published: November 2022

Data‐driven schemes introduced a new perspective in elasticity: While certain physical principles are regarded as invariable, material models for the relation between strain and stress are replaced by data clouds of admissible pairs of these variables. A data‐driven approach is of particular interest for plasticity problems, since the material modeling is even more unclear in this field. Unfortunately, so far, data‐driven approaches to evolutionary problems are much less understood. We try to contribute in this area and propose an evolutionary data‐driven scheme. We present a first analysis of the scheme regarding existence and data convergence. Encouraging numerical tests are also included.
Are there Einsteinian gravities involving covariant derivatives of the Riemann tensor?
Authors: Edelstein José D. , Sánchez Alberto Rivadulla , Rodríguez David Vázquez
Published: November 2022

Abstract

We study the particle content of higher derivative theories of gravity built with contractions of the Riemann tensor and its covariant derivatives. In the absence of the latter, there is a family of theories exhibiting an Einsteinian spectrum known as generalized quasi-topological gravities. In turn, we present a no-go result for the construction of Einsteinian gravities involving covariant derivatives of the Riemann tensor. We find evidences suggesting that (truncated series) finite order Lagrangians with covariant derivatives of the Riemann tensor generically present ghosts in their spectrum. This might be interpreted as a hint of non-locality in any healthy UV completion of General Relativity.
IceCube at the frontier of macroscopic dark matter direct detection
Authors: Bai Yang , Berger Joshua , Korwar Mrunal
Published: November 2022

Abstract

For a class of macroscopic dark matter models, inelastic scattering of dark matter off a nucleus can generate electromagnetic signatures with GeV-scale energy. The IceCube detector, with its kilometer-scale size, is ideal for directly detecting such inelastic scattering. Based on the slow particle trigger for the DeepCore detector, we perform a detailed signal and background simulation to estimate the discovery potential. For order 1 GeV deposited energy in each interaction, we find that IceCube can probe the dark matter masses up to one gram.
Holographic correlation functions at finite density and/or finite temperature
Authors: Georgiou George , Zoakos Dimitrios
Published: November 2022

Abstract

We calculate holographically one and two-point functions of scalar operators at finite density and/or finite temperature. In the case of finite density and zero temperature we argue that only scalar operators can have non-zero VEVs. In the case in which both the chemical potential and the temperature are finite, we present a systematic expansion of the two-point correlators in powers of the temperature T and the chemical potential Ω.

The holographic result is in agreement with the general form of the OPE which dictates that the two-point function may be written as a linear combination of the Gegenbauer polynomials $$ {C}_J^{(1)} $$

C
J

1

(ξ) but with the coefficients depending now on both the temperature and the chemical potential, as well as on the CFT data. The leading terms in this expansion originate from the expectation values of the scalar operator ϕ2, the R-current $$ {\mathcal{J}}_{\phi_3}^{\mu } $$

J

ϕ
3

μ

and the energy-momentum tensor Tμν.

By employing the Ward identity for the R-current and by comparing the appropriate term of the holographic result for the two-point correlator to the corresponding term in the OPE, we derive the value of the R-charge density of the background. Compelling agreement with the analysis of the thermodynamics of the black hole is found. Finally, we determine the behaviour of the two-point correlators, in the case of finite temperature, and in the limit of large temporal or spatial distance of the operators.
The α′2 correction from double field theory
Authors: Hronek Stanislav , Wulff Linus , Zacarías Salomon
Published: November 2022

Abstract

It is known that the order α′ correction to the tree-level effective action for the bosonic and heterotic string can be described in the framework of Double Field Theory (DFT). Here we determine the DFT action and transformations at order α′2 by a direct calculation. The result is vastly simpler than previous proposals. We show that this correction reproduces the known α′2 correction to the heterotic string effective action. The relation of our action to an (implicit) all order proposal coming from the so-called generalized Bergshoeff-de Roo identification is also discussed.
Near-BPS Skyrmions
Authors: Gudnason Sven Bjarke , Barsanti Marco , Bolognesi Stefano
Published: November 2022

Abstract

We consider the Skyrme model in the near-BPS limit. The BPS part is made of the sextic term plus a potential and the deformation is made of the standard massive Skyrme model controlled by a small parameter ϵ ≪ 1. In order to keep the perturbation under theoretical and computational control, we find a model for which BPS Skyrmions have compact support, henceforth denoted as compactons, and the spherically symmetric B = 1 Skyrmion represents the most stable solution. We use the ϵ-expansion scheme to systematically calculate the corrections to the energy and compare with the exact numerical computations in the B = 1 sector. Finally, we use the ϵ-expansion scheme to calculate the bound state of two B = 1 Skyrmions and its binding energy, which corresponds, prior to quantization, to the deuteron in our model.
Cancer mortality in Common Mental Disorders: A 10-year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chierzi Federico , Stivanello Elisa , Musti Muriel Assunta , Perlangeli Vincenza , Marzaroli Paolo , De Rossi Francesco , Pandolfi Paolo , Saponaro Alessio , Grassi Luigi , Belvederi Murri Martino , Fioritti Angelo , Berardi Domenico , Menchetti Marco
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Individuals with Common Mental Disorders (CMDs) may have a higher cancer mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine cancer-related mortality among patients with CMDs and verify which cancer types are predominantly involved.

Methods

We used the Regional Mental Health Registry of the Emilia-Romagna region, in Northern Italy to identify patients aged ≥ 18 years who received an ICD 9-CM diagnosis of CMDs (i.e., depressive and neurotic disorders) over a 10 year period (2008–2017). Information on cause of death was retrieved from the Regional Cause of Death Registry. Comparisons were made with data from the regional population without CMDs.

Results

Among 101,487 patients suffering from CMDs (55.7% depression; 44.3% neurotic disorders), 3,087 (37.8%) died from neoplasms. The total standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was 1.82 (95% CI 1.78–1.86) while the SMR for all neoplasms was 2.08 (95% CI 2.01–2.16). Individuals of both genders, with both depressive and neurotic disorders had a higher risk of death from almost all cancers compared with the regional population.

Conclusion

Patients with CMDs have considerably higher cancer mortality risk than the general population. Higher mortality was observed for a broad range of cancers associated with different aetiologies. It is imperative to promote cancer awareness, prevention and treatment for people with CMDs.
Vanishing social classes? Facts and figures of the Italian labour market
Authors: Cetrulo A. , Sbardella A. , Virgillito M. E.
Published: November 2022

This paper analyses medium-term labour market trends from 1983 to 2018 in Italy relying on the “Rilevazione dei contratti di lavoro” from INPS archive which provides information on average salaries by professional category, age, gender, and geographical origin. Within an overall pattern of exacerbated wage inequalities, documented by means of different indicators, the empirical analysis highlights how thewithin-component of the wage variation prevails in the gender, age and geographical dimensions. By contrast, thebetween-component in terms of professional categories (trainees, blue-collar jobs, white-collar jobs, middle managers, executives) is the only between-variation attribute to prevail, corroborating the role played by a reduced class schema, excluding capitalists and the self-employed, in explaining wage inequality. Regression-based inequality estimations confirm the role played by managerial remuneration, the contradictory located class, in driving divergent patterns. Stratification of wage losses is recorded to be largely concentrated among blue-collar professional categories, women, youth, and in Southern regions.
Characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation admitted to the intensive care unit: a single-center retrospective analysis
Authors: Garcia Borrega Jorge , Böll Boris , Kochanek Matthias , Naendrup Jan-Hendrik , Simon Florian , Sieg Noelle , Hallek Michael , Borchmann Peter , Holtick Udo , Shimabukuro-Vornhagen Alexander , Eichenauer Dennis A. , Heger Jan-Michel
Published: November 2022

High-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) can be associated with adverse events necessitating treatment on the intensive care unit (ICU). Data focusing on patients admitted to the ICU during hospitalization for high-dose chemotherapy and ASCT are scarce. We thus conducted a single-center retrospective analysis comprising 79 individuals who had high-dose chemotherapy and ASCT between 2014 and 2020 and were admitted to the ICU between the initiation of conditioning therapy and day 30 after ASCT. The median age was 57 years (range: 20–82 years); 38% of patients were female. B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (34%) and plasma cell disorders (28%) were the most common indications for high-dose chemotherapy and ASCT. Sepsis represented the major cause for ICU admission (68%). Twenty-nine percent of patients required mechanical ventilation (MV), 5% had renal replacement therapy, and 44% needed vasopressors. The ICU, hospital, 90-day, and 1-year survival rates were 77.2%, 77.2%, 72.2%, and 60.3%, respectively. Stable disease or disease progression prior to the initiation of high-dose chemotherapy (p = 0.0028) and MV (p < 0.0001) were associated with an impaired survival. A total of 36 patients died during observation. The most frequent causes of death were the underlying malignancy (44%) and sepsis (39%). Taken together, the present analysis indicates a favorable overall outcome for patients admitted to the ICU during hospitalization for high-dose chemotherapy and ASCT. Thus, this patient group should not be denied admission and treatment on the ICU.
Relative genericity of controllablity and stabilizability for differential-algebraic systems
Authors: Ilchmann Achim , Kirchhoff Jonas
Published: November 2022

The present note is a successor of Ilchmann and Kirchhoff (Math Control Signals Syst 33:359–377, 2021) on generic controllability and stabilizability of linear differential-algebraic equations. We resolve the drawback that genericity is considered in the unrestricted set of system matrices $$(E,A,B)\in \mathbb {R}^{\ell \times }\times \mathbb {R}^{\ell \times n}\times \mathbb {R}^{\ell \times m}$$

(
E
,
A
,
B
)

∈

R

ℓ
×

×

R

ℓ
×
n

×

R

ℓ
×
m

, while for relative genericity we allow the restricted set $$\Sigma _{\ell ,n,m}^{\le r} := \{(E,A,B)\in \mathbb {R}^{\ell \times n}\times \mathbb {R}^{\ell \times n}\times \mathbb {R}^{\ell \times m} \,\big \vert \,\textrm{rk}\,_{\mathbb {R}} E \le r\}$$

Σ

ℓ
,
n
,
m

≤
r

:
=

{

(
E
,
A
,
B
)

∈

R

ℓ
×
n

×

R

ℓ
×
n

×

R

ℓ
×
m

|

rk

R

E
≤
r
}

, where $$ r\in {\mathbb {N}}$$

r
∈
N

. Our main results are characterizations of generic controllability and generic stabilizability in $$\Sigma _{\ell ,n,m}^{\le r}$$

Σ

ℓ
,
n
,
m

≤
r

in terms of the numbers $$\ell , n, m, r$$

ℓ
,
n
,
m
,
r

.
Developing an Australian utility value set for the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale-4D (ECOHIS-4D) using a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Hettiarachchi Ruvini M. , Arrow Peter , Senanayake Sameera , Carter Hannah , Brain David , Norman Richard , Tonmukayawul Utsana , Jamieson Lisa , Kularatna Sanjeewa
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Preference-based quality of life measures (PBMs) are used to generate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in economic evaluations. A PBM consists of (1) a health state classification system and (2) a utility value set that allows the instrument responses to be converted to QALYs. A new, oral health-specific classification system, the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale-4D (ECOHIS-4D) has recently been developed. The aim of this study was to generate an Australian utility value set for the ECOHIS-4D.

Methods

A discrete choice experiment with duration (DCETTO) was used as the preference elicitation technique. An online survey was administered to a representative sample of Australian adults over 18 years. Respondents were given 14 choice tasks (10 tasks from the DCE design of 50 choice sets blocked into five blocks, 2 practice tasks, a repeated and a dominant task). Data were analyzed using the conditional logit model.

Results

A total of 1201 respondents from the Australian general population completed the survey. Of them, 69% (n = 829) perceived their oral health status to be good, very good, or excellent. The estimated coefficients from the conditional logit models were in the expected directions and were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The utility values for health states defined by the ECOHIS-4D ranged from 0.0376 to 1.0000.

Conclusions

This newly developed utility value set will enable the calculation of utility values for economic evaluations of interventions related to oral diseases such as dental caries among young children. This will facilitate more effective resource allocation for oral health services.
On the role of mechanical signals on sprouting angiogenesis through computer modeling approaches
Authors: Abdalrahman Tamer , Checa Sara
Published: November 2022

Sprouting angiogenesis, the formation of new vessels from preexisting vasculature, is an essential process in the regeneration of new tissues as well as in the development of some diseases like cancer. Although early studies identified chemical signaling as the main driver of this process, many recent studies have shown a strong role of mechanical signals in the formation of new capillaries. Different types of mechanical signals (e.g., external forces, cell traction forces, and blood flow-induced shear forces) have been shown to play distinct roles in the process; however, their interplay remains still largely unknown. During the last decades, mathematical and computational modeling approaches have been developed to investigate and better understand the mechanisms behind mechanically driven angiogenesis. In this manuscript, we review computational models of angiogenesis with a focus on models investigating the role of mechanics on the process. Our aim is not to provide a detailed review on model methodology but to describe what we have learnt from these models. We classify models according to the mechanical signals being investigated and describe how models have looked into their role on the angiogenic process. We show that a better understanding of the mechanobiology of the angiogenic process will require the development of computer models that incorporate the interactions between the multiple mechanical signals and their effect on cellular responses, since they all seem to play a key in sprout patterning. In the end, we describe some of the remaining challenges of computational modeling of angiogenesis and discuss potential avenues for future research.
Efficacy of acute care pathways for older patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ijadi Maghsoodi Abtin , Pavlov Valery , Rouse Paul , Walker Cameron G. , Parsons Matthew
Published: November 2022

Meeting the needs of acute geriatric patients is often challenging, and although evidence shows that older patients need tailored care, it is still unclear which interventions are most appropriate. The objective of this study is to systematically evaluate the hospital-wide acute geriatric models compared with conventional pathways. The design of the study includes hospital-wide geriatric-specific models characterized by components including patient-centered care, frequent medical review, early rehabilitation, early discharge planning, prepared environment, and follow‐up after discharge. Primary and secondary outcomes were considered, including functional decline, activities of daily living (ADL), length-of-stay (LoS), discharge destination, mortality, costs, and readmission. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 20 studies reporting on 15 trials and acutely admitted patients with an average age of 79, complex conditions and comorbidities to acute geriatric-specific pathways (N = 13,595) were included. Geriatric-specific models were associated with lower costs (weighted mean difference, WMD =  − $174.98, 95% CI = -$332.14 to − $17.82; P = 0.03), and shorter LoS (WMD =  − 1.11, 95% CI =  − 1.39 to − 0.83; P < 0.001). No differences were found in functional decline, ADL, mortality, case fatalities, discharge destination, or readmissions. Geriatric-specific models are valuable for improving patient and system-level outcomes. Although several interventions had positive results, further research is recommended to study hospital-wide geriatric-specific models.
Evaluating the user’s experience, adaptivity and learning outcomes of a fuzzy-based intelligent tutoring system for computer programming for academic students in Greece
Authors: Chrysafiadi Konstantina , Virvou Maria , Tsihrintzis George A. , Hatzilygeroudis Ioannis
Published: November 2022

Nowadays, the improvement of digital learning with Artificial Intelligence has attracted a lot of research, as it provides solutions for individualized education styles which are independent of place and time. This is particularly the case for computer science, as a tutoring domain, which is rapidly growing and changing and as such, learners need frequent update courses. In this paper, we present a thorough evaluation of a fuzzy-based intelligent tutoring system (ITS), that teaches computer programming. The evaluation concerns multiple aspects of the ITS. The evaluation criteria are: (i) context, (ii) effectiveness, (iii) efficiency, (iv) accuracy, (v) usability and satisfaction, and (vi) engagement and motivation. In the evaluation process students of an undergraduate program in Informatics of the University of Piraeus in Greece participated. The evaluation method that was used included questionnaires, analysis of log files and experiments. Also, t-tests were conducted to certify the validity of the evaluation results. Indeed, the evaluation results are very positive and show that the incorporated fuzzy mechanism to the presented ITS enhances the system with Artificial Intelligence and through this, it increases the learners’ satisfaction and new knowledge learning and mastering, improves the recommendation accuracy of the system, the efficacy of interactions, and contributes positively to the learners’ engagement in the learning process.
Correlation of reduced temporal muscle thickness and systemic muscle loss in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients
Authors: ten Cate Cecil , Huijs Sandra M. H. , Willemsen Anna C. H. , Pasmans Raphael C. O. S. , Eekers Daniëlle B. P. , Zegers Catharina M. L. , Ackermans Linda , Beckervordersandforth Jan , van Raak Elisabeth P. M. , Anten Monique H. M. E. , Hoeben Ann , Postma Alida A. , Broen Martinus P. G.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Reduced temporal muscle thickness (TMT) has recently been postulated as a prognostic imaging marker and an objective tool to assess patients frailty in glioblastoma. Our aim is to investigate the correlation of TMT and systemic muscle loss to confirm that TMT is an adequate surrogate marker of sarcopenia in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients.

Methods

TMT was assessed on preoperative MR-images and skeletal muscle area (SMA) was assessed at the third lumbar vertebra on preoperative abdominal CT-scans. Previous published TMT sex-specific cut-off values were used to classify patients as ‘patient at risk of sarcopenia’ or ‘patient with normal muscle status’. Correlation between TMT and SMA was assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.

Results

Sixteen percent of the 245 included patients were identified as at risk of sarcopenia. The mean SMA of glioblastoma patients at risk of sarcopenia (124.3 cm2, SD 30.8 cm2) was significantly lower than the mean SMA of patients with normal muscle status (146.3 cm2, SD 31.1 cm2, P < .001). We found a moderate association between TMT and SMA in the patients with normal muscle status (Spearman’s rho 0.521, P < .001), and a strong association in the patients at risk of sarcopenia (Spearman’s rho 0.678, P < .001).

Conclusion

Our results confirm the use of TMT as a surrogate marker of total body skeletal muscle mass in glioblastoma, especially in frail patients at risk of sarcopenia. TMT can be used to identify patients with muscle loss early in the disease process, which enables the implementation of adequate intervention strategies.
Delivering Phenolic Acids in Soy Protein Gels: Noncovalent Interactions Control Gastrointestinal Bioaccessibility
Authors: Marinea Marina , Ellis Ashling , Golding Matt , Loveday Simon M.
Published: November 2022

This study aimed to explore how the delivery of added phenolic acids was affected by the soy protein gel matrix using the INFOGEST static in vitro digestion protocol. Gels were prepared by two consecutive heating steps and by adding glucono–$$\delta$$
δ
–lactone (GDL) as an acidifier or magnesium sulphate (MgSO$$_{4}$$

4

) as a salt coagulant. The addition of phenolic acids in GDL gels doubled their elastic modulus (G’) (p<0.05), without showing the same effect on MgSO$$_{4}$$

4

gels. Nevertheless, the bioaccessibility of phenolic acids was not significantly different between the gel matrices (p>0.05). The release of all phenolics was almost complete (>80%) at the oral phase (pH 7) and significantly lower at gastric phase (pH 3), then at intestinal phase, the release was either increased or significantly reduced depending on the phenolic acid structure. The results of this study suggest that the bioaccessibility of the added phenolic acids is controlled by their interactions with the soy protein gels rather than the protein digestion kinetics of the gels.
Governing digital crisis responses: platform standards and the dilemma of COVID-19 contact tracing
Authors: Buesching Felix B. , Steininger Dennis M. , Veit Daniel J.
Published: November 2022

In response to the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, various developers turned to smartphone-based contact tracing to address the challenges of manual tracing. Due to the presence of network effects, i.e., the effectiveness of contact tracing applications increases with the number of users, information technology standards were critical to the technology’s success. The standardization efforts in Europe led to a variety of trade-offs concerning the choice of an appropriate technological architecture due to the contradictory tensions resulting from the dualism between the need for contact tracing data to contain the pandemic and the need for data minimization to preserve user privacy. Drawing predominantly on the software platform and standards literature, we conduct an interpretive case study to examine the emergence and consequences of this multi-layered decision situation. Our findings reveal how Google and Apple were able to limit the individual leeway of external developers, thereby effectively resolving the European standards war. Furthermore, we identify and discuss the various short-term and long-term trade-offs associated with the standardization of contact tracing applications and translate our findings into recommendations for policy makers with respect to future crisis situations. Specifically, we propose a strategy grounded in our data that enables responsible actors to make goal-oriented and rapid decisions under time constraints.
Algorithm aversion in delegated investing
Authors: Germann Maximilian , Merkle Christoph
Published: November 2022

The tendency of humans to shy away from using algorithms—even when algorithms observably outperform their human counterpart—has been referred to as algorithm aversion. We conduct an experiment with young adults to test for algorithm aversion in financial decision making. Participants acting as investors can tie their incentives to either a human fund manager or an investment algorithm. We find no sign of algorithm aversion: participants care about returns, but do not have strong preferences which financial intermediary obtains these returns. Contrary to what has been suggested, participants are neither quicker to lose confidence in the algorithm after seeing it err. However, we find that participants’ inability to separate skill and luck when evaluating intermediaries slows down their migration to the algorithm.
An Ontological Basis for the Diffusion Theory
Authors: Danielewski Marek
Published: November 2022

Fick’s diffusion equation represents physical reality that has been interpreted by Einstein and Smoluchowski. In this way, the question of interpretation of diffusion is answered in the affirmative. It gives rise to a new question critical for the understanding of our world: how broad is the spectrum of physical reality that diffusion could in principle give a complete account. The answer in this work is based on the elegant mathematical foundations formulated three decades before Fick by French mathematician Augustin Cauchy (~ 1822). It will be shown that the diffusion equation is a consequence of his model of the ideal elastic continuum. Namely, a product of the classical energy and momentum balance equations and their solutions. This demonstrates that the complete ontological construal of the diffusion theory exists. Explicitly, the interpretation of both, the diffusion equation and the flux constative formulae exist. The two terms in the flux equations, the driving forces defined by the potential gradients and the kinetic coefficients in front of the driving forces, are derived in this paper. Some fundamental consequences of all derived equations and relations for physics, chemistry and the prospects are presented. The ontological interpretation of the diffusion equation presented here provides evidence of the common roots of the chemistry and physics.
Thermal response of steel framing members in open car park fires
Authors: Yan Xia , Charlier Marion , Gernay Thomas
Published: November 2022

For open car park structures, adopting a performance-based structural fire design is often justified and allowed because the fire does not reach flashover. However, this design approach requires an accurate assessment of temperatures in structural members exposed to car fires. This paper describes a numerical study on the thermal exposure on steel framing members in open car park fires. Steel temperatures are computed by the coupling of computational fluid dynamics and finite element modeling, and by analytical models from the Eurocodes. In addition, the influence of galvanization on the steel temperature evolution is assessed. Results show that temperatures in unprotected beams and columns are influenced by the section geometry, car fire scenario, modeling approach, and use of galvanization. Galvanization slightly delays and reduces peak temperature. Regarding the different models, CFD-FEM (CFD: computational fluid dynamics, FEM: finite-element method) coupled models predict lower temperatures than the Hasemi model, because the latter conservatively assumes that the fire flame continuously touches the ceiling. Further, the Hasemi model cannot account for the effect of reduced emissivity from galvanization on the absorbed heat flux. Detailed temperature distributions obtained in the steel members can be used to complete efficient structural fire designs based on the member sections, structure layout, and use of galvanization.