bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Transplant Center Decisions to Allocate Kidneys to Candidates With Lower Waiting List Priority
Authors: King Kristen L. , Husain S. Ali , Yu Miko , Adler Joel T. , Schold Jesse , Mohan Sumit
Published: June 2023

Importance

Allocation of deceased donor kidneys is meant to follow a ranked match-run list of eligible candidates, but transplant centers with a 1-to-1 relationship with their local organ procurement organization have full discretion to decline offers for higher-priority candidates and accept them for lower-ranked candidates at their center.

Objective

To describe the practice and frequency of transplant centers placing deceased donor kidneys with candidates who are not the highest rank at their center according to the allocation algorithm.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study used 2015 to 2019 organ offer data from US transplant centers with a 1-to-1 relationship with their local organ procurement organization, following candidates for transplant events from January 2015 to December 2019. Participants were deceased kidney donors with a single match-run and at least 1 kidney transplanted locally and adult, first-time, kidney-only transplant candidates receiving at least 1 offer for a locally transplanted deceased donor kidney. Data were analyzed from March 1, 2022 to March 28, 2023.

Exposure

Demographic and clinical characteristics of donors and recipients.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The outcome of interest was kidney transplantation into the highest-priority candidate (defined as transplanted after zero declines for local candidates in the match-run) vs a lower-ranked candidate.

Results

This study assessed 26 579 organ offers from 3136 donors (median [IQR] age, 38 [25-51] years; 2903 [62%] men) to 4668 recipients. Transplant centers skipped their highest-ranked candidate to place kidneys further down the match-run for 3169 kidneys (68%). These kidneys went to a median (IQR) of the fourth- (third- to eighth-) ranked candidate. Higher kidney donor profile index (KDPI; higher score indicates lower quality) kidneys were less likely to go to the highest-ranked candidate, with 24% of kidneys with KDPI of at least 85% going to the top-ranked candidate vs 44% of KDPI 0% to 20% kidneys. When comparing estimated posttransplant survival (EPTS) scores between the skipped candidates and the ultimate recipients, kidneys were placed with recipients with both better and worse EPTS than the skipped candidates, across all KDPI risk groups.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of local kidney allocation at isolated transplant centers, we found that centers frequently skipped their highest-priority candidates to place kidneys further down the allocation prioritization list, often citing organ quality concerns but placing kidneys with recipients with both better and worse EPTS with nearly equal frequency. This occurred with limited transparency and highlights the opportunity to improve the matching and offer algorithm to improve allocation efficiency.
Association of Place With Adolescent Obesity
Authors: Datar Ashlesha , Nicosia Nancy , Mahler Amy , Prados Maria J. , Ghosh-Dastidar Madhumita
Published: June 2023

Importance

Despite strong evidence linking place and obesity risk, the extent to which this link is causal or reflects sorting into places is unclear.

Objective

To examine the association of place with adolescents’ obesity and explore potential causal pathways, such as shared environments and social contagion.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This natural experiment study used the periodic reassignment of US military servicemembers to installations as a source of exogenous variation in exposure to difference places to estimate the association between place and obesity risk. The study analyzed data from the Military Teenagers Environments, Exercise, and Nutrition Study, a cohort of adolescents in military families recruited from 2013 through 2014 from 12 large military installations in the US and followed up until 2018. Individual fixed-effects models were estimated that examined whether adolescents' exposure to increasingly obesogenic places over time was associated with increases in body mass index (BMI) and probability of overweight or obesity. These data were analyzed from October 15, 2021, through March 10, 2023.

Exposure

Adult obesity rate in military parent’s assigned installation county was used as a summary measure of all place-specific obesogenic influences.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Outcomes were BMI, overweight or obesity (BMI in the 85th percentile or higher), and obesity (BMI in the 95th percentile or higher). Time at installation residence and off installation residence were moderators capturing the degree of exposure to the county. County-level measures of food access, physical activity opportunities, and socioeconomic characteristics captured shared environments.

Results

A cohort of 970 adolescents had a baseline mean age of 13.7 years and 512 were male (52.8%). A 5 percentage point–increase over time in the county obesity rate was associated with a 0.19 increase in adolescents’ BMI (95% CI, 0.02-0.37) and a 0.02-unit increase in their probability of obesity (95% CI, 0-0.04). Shared environments did not explain these associations. These associations were stronger for adolescents with time at installation of 2 years or longer vs less than 2 years for BMI (0.359 vs. 0.046; P value for difference in association = .02) and for probability of overweight or obesity (0.058 vs. 0.007; P value for difference association = .02), and for adolescents who lived off installation vs on installation for BMI (0.414 vs. -0.025; P value for association = .01) and for probability of obesity (0.033 vs. -0.007; P value for association = .02).

Conclusion and Relevance

In this study, the link between place and adolescents' obesity risk is not explained by selection or shared environments. The study findings suggest social contagion as a potential causal pathway.
The American Academy of Pediatrics Obesity Guidelines—A Critical Appraisal
Authors: Skolnik Neil
Published: June 2023

This Viewpoint discusses the American Academy of Pediatrics Obesity Guidelines.
Understanding user‐generated questions in social Q&A: A goal‐framing approach
Authors: Wu Qian , Lee Chei Sian , Goh Dion Hoe‐Lian
Published: June 2023

In social Q&A, user‐generated questions can be viewed as goal expressions shaping the responses. Several studies have identified askers' goals from questions. However, it remains unclear how questions set goals for responders. To fill this gap, this research applies goal‐framing theory. Goal‐frames influence responses by attracting responders' attention to different goals. Eight question cues are used to identify gain, hedonic and normative goal‐frames. A total of 14,599 posts are collected. To investigate the influence of goal‐frames, response networks are constructed. Results reveal that gain goal‐frames attract interactions with questions, while hedonic, and normative goal‐frames promote interactions among responses. Further, topic types influence the effects of goal‐frames. Gain goal‐frames increase interactions with questions in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) topics while hedonic and normative goal‐frames attract interactions in non‐STEM topics. This research leverages responders' perspectives to explain responses to questions, which are influenced by the goals set up by question cues. Beyond that, our findings enrich the empirical knowledge of social Q&A topics, revealing that the influence of questions varies across STEM and non‐STEM topics because the question cues for specifying goals are different in the two topics. Our research opens new directions to investigate questions from responders' perspectives.
Collecting sexual orientation in counseling research: Implications for counselor education
Authors: Westcott Jordan B. , Epstein Dryden , Wiley Benjamin , Westcott Jess M. , Welfare Laura E. , Catalano Chase
Published: June 2023

Sexual orientation is often invisible in counseling research despite increasing LGBQ+ identity in the United States. We used consensual qualitative research to explore considerations from LGBQ+ counseling researchers for collecting sexual orientation. Three domains emerged: risks, benefits, and methodological considerations. Our findings highlight inclusive research practice strategies for LGBQ+ research participants.
The Unintended Consequences of “Lack of Supervision” Child Neglect Laws: How Developmental Science Can Inform Policies about Childhood Independence and Child Protection
Authors: Flynn Rachel M. , Shaman Nicholas J. , Redleaf Diane L.
Published: June 2023

Policies and programs designed to serve children and families are sometimes misaligned with developmental science research. Broad child neglect reporting laws, first adopted by the United States in 1974, have led to families being prosecuted by child protection authorities for allowing children to participate in everyday age‐appropriate activities unsupervised. In this report we describe the challenges of defining child neglect and outline the current landscape of neglect laws in the United States. We then provide a broad overview of some of the developmental milestones children need to reach to participate in unsupervised activities and the benefits of independent activities on child development. Children can often accomplish tasks at a much younger age than law, parents, and caregivers in the U.S. believe. We then turn to the literature from across the world and argue that culture, not innate ability, drives much of the variation in the age at which children can do things on their own. Finally, we make recommendations to parents, caregivers, legislators, advocates, and developmental scientists to better align practice with research. This is a social justice issue that should resonate across party, racial, and class lines. Developmental scientists are needed as advocates and advisors on policies impacting children and families, especially child neglect laws.
Number of zero-modes on magnetized T4/ZN orbifolds analyzed by modular transformation
Authors: Kikuchi Shota , Kobayashi Tatsuo , Nasu Kaito , Takada Shohei , Uchida Hikaru
Published: June 2023

Abstract

We study fermion zero-mode wavefunctions on T4/ZN orbifold with background magnetic fluxes. The number of zero-modes is analyzed by use of Sp(4, ℤ) modular transformation. Conditions needed to realize three generation models are clarified. We also study parity transformation in the compact space which leads to better understanding of relationship between positive and negative chirality wavefunctions.
Stress–strain parameter prediction method for AWJ technology from surface topography
Authors: Valíček Jan , Harničárová Marta , Kušnerová Milena , Palková Zuzana , Kopal Ivan , Borzan Cristina , Czán Andrej , Mikuš Rastislav , Kadnár Milan , Duer Stanislaw , Šepelák Vladimír
Published: June 2023

The presented publication is based on the interaction of the material core and its surface during the machining process with a hydro abrasive flexible cutting tool (AWJ). In the AWJ technology, a cold cut is generated; therefore, there are no thermal stresses on the newly formed surface and, consequently, no significant internal and residual stresses. The cut is identifiable by directly measurable parameters: depth of cut, deviation of the cut path from the normal plane, and surface roughness. These geometric parameters are interdependent at each cut zone point and simultaneously dependent on a newly proposed, indirectly measurable material parameter, Kplmat. Although the deviation angle of the cutting path from the normal plane increases with increasing depth of cut, the ratio of the “material plasticity” Kplmat and the surface roughness Ra of the cutting surface remains equivalent to the ratio of the depth of cut and the deviation of the cutting path from the normal plane. Based on the proposed concept, an entirely new approach to the problem of material surface integrity is presented by the method of identification of mechanical equivalents and their functional transformation. The solution to the subject problem is based on the fact that the technological process of machined material decomposition specifically and identically “copies” the surface properties of the material, i.e. records its technological inheritance. The material properties can then be “read retrospectively” reliably and accurately using the recording.
Unsupervised [18F]Flortaucipir cutoffs for tau positivity and staging in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Quattrini Giulia , Ferrari Clarissa , Pievani Michela , Geviti Andrea , Ribaldi Federica , Scheffler Max , Frisoni Giovanni B , Garibotto Valentina , Marizzoni Moira ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Several [18F]Flortaucipir cutoffs have been proposed for tau PET positivity (T+) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but none were data-driven. The aim of this study was to establish and validate unsupervised T+ cutoffs by applying Gaussian mixture models (GMM).

Methods

Amyloid negative (A−) cognitively normal (CN) and amyloid positive (A+) AD-related dementia (ADRD) subjects from ADNI (n=269) were included. ADNI (n=475) and Geneva Memory Clinic (GMC) cohorts (n=98) were used for validation. GMM-based cutoffs were extracted for the temporal meta-ROI, and validated against previously published cutoffs and visual rating.

Results

GMM-based cutoffs classified less subjects as T+, mainly in the A− CN (<3.4% vs >28.5%) and A+ CN (<14.5% vs >42.9%) groups and showed higher agreement with visual rating (ICC=0.91 vs ICC<0.62) than published cutoffs.

Conclusion

We provided reliable data-driven [18F]Flortaucipir cutoffs for in vivo T+ detection in AD. These cutoffs might be useful to select participants in clinical and research studies.
SUVmean on baseline [18F]PSMA-1007 PET and clinical parameters are associated with survival in prostate cancer patients scheduled for [177Lu]Lu-PSMA I&T
Authors: Hartrampf Philipp E. , Hüttmann Thomas , Seitz Anna Katharina , Kübler Hubert , Serfling Sebastian E. , Schlötelburg Wiebke , Michalski Kerstin , Rowe Steven P. , Pomper Martin G. , Buck Andreas K. , Eberlein Uta , Werner Rudolf A.
Published: June 2023

Background

Quantification of [68 Ga]-labeled PSMA PET predicts response in patients with prostate cancer (PC) who undergo PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy (RLT). Given the increasing use [18F]-labeled radiotracers, we aimed to determine whether the uptake derived from [18F]PSMA-1007 PET can also identify responders and to assess its prognostic value relative to established clinical parameters.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 103 patients with metastatic, castration-resistant PC who were treated with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA I&T. We calculated SUVmean, SUVmax, PSMA-avid tumor volume (TV), and total lesion PSMA (defined as PSMA-TV*SUVmean) on pre-therapeutic [18F]PSMA-1007 PET. Laboratory values for hemoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were also collected prior to RLT. We performed univariable Cox regression followed by multivariable and Kaplan–Meier analyses with overall survival (OS) serving as endpoint. Last, we also computed a risk factor (RF) model including all items reaching significance on multivariable analysis to determine whether an increasing number of RFs can improve risk stratification.

Results

A total of 48 patients died and median OS was 16 months. On univariable Cox regression, SUVmean, CRP, LDH, hemoglobin, and the presence of liver metastases were significantly associated with OS. On multivariable Cox regression, the following significant prognostic factors for OS were identified: SUVmean (per unit, HR, 0.91; P = 0.04), the presence of liver metastases (HR, 2.37; P = 0.03), CRP (per mg/dl, HR, 1.13; P = 0.003), and hemoglobin (per g/dl, HR, 0.76; P < 0.01). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed significant separation between patients with a SUVmean below or above a median SUVmean of 9.4 (9 vs 19 months, HR 0.57; P = 0.03). Of note, patients with only one RF (median OS not reached) showed longest survival compared to patients with two (11 months; HR 2.43 95% CI 1.07–5.49, P = 0.02) or more than two RFs (7 months; HR 3.37 95% CI 1.62–7.03, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

A lower SUVmean derived from [18F]PSMA-1007, higher CRP, lower hemoglobin, and the presence of liver metastases are associated with reduced OS in patients undergoing RLT. An early RF model also demonstrated that an increasing number of those factors is linked to worse outcome, thereby emphasizing the importance of clinical and imaging parameters for adequate risk stratification.
Treatment optimization by monitoring vancomycin concentration in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid in a child with cystoperitoneal shunt-related infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a case report and literature review
Authors: Mizuno Shinsuke , Koyama Junji , Kurosawa Hiroshi , Kasai Masashi
Published: June 2023

Background

Cerebral ventricular shunt infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), especially strains with elevated minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values, have a poor prognosis. Monitoring serum vancomycin (VCM) levels with therapeutic drug monitoring and maintaining high VCM concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are critical to treatment success. However, there have been a few reports about the CSF penetration and the pharmacokinetics of VCM in children.

Case presentation

Here, we report the case of a pediatric patient with cysto-peritoneal shunt-related meningitis caused by MRSA with an MIC of 2 μg/mL. The adequate VCM concentration was maintained by monitoring the VCM concentration in the CSF via the external ventricular drain, and frequent blood taking was avoided. VCM showed a good CSF penetration in our patient, and she was discharged without complications.

Discussion

Therapeutic drug monitoring of VCM concentration in the CSF may result in successful treatment even if MRSA shows a higher MIC. Therapeutic drug monitoring of VCM concentration in the CSF may also reduce the side effects.
Leray Numbers of Tolerance Complexes
Authors: Kim Minki , Lew Alan
Published: June 2023

Let K be a simplicial complex on vertex set V. K is called d-Leray if the homology groups of any induced subcomplex of K are trivial in dimensions d and higher. K is called d-collapsible if it can be reduced to the void complex by sequentially removing a simplex of size at most d that is contained in a unique maximal face. Motivated by results of Eckhoff and of Montejano and Oliveros on “tolerant” versions of Helly’s theorem, we define the t-tolerance complex of K, $${\mathcal {T}}_{t}(K)$$

T
t

(
K
)

, as the simplicial complex on vertex set V whose simplices are formed as the union of a simplex in K and a set of size at most t. We prove that for any d and t there exists a positive integer h(t, d) such that, for every d-collapsible complex K, the t-tolerance complex $${\mathcal {T}}_t(K)$$

T
t

(
K
)

is h(t, d)-Leray. As an application, we present some new tolerant versions of the colorful Helly theorem.
Evaluation of the MOVE online exercise programme for young people aged 13–30
Authors: Barnes Ellie , Hillier-Moses Gemma , Murray Helen , Stevinson Clare , Franks Hester A. , Gossage Lucy
Published: June 2023

Purpose

To evaluate the MOVE exercise programme in supporting the recovery of young people affected by cancer.

Methods

Participants in an 8-week exercise rehabilitation programme delivered online by cancer rehabilitation specialists completed self-reported questionnaires at baseline and after programme completion. Assessments included cancer-related fatigue (FACIT fatigue scale) and health-related quality of life (EORTC-QLC-30). Qualitative data were provided through written accounts of participant experiences and underwent content analysis.

Results

Seventy-one participants commenced the exercise rehabilitation programme and 57 completed the programme and provided data for analysis (63% female; median age 22 years). Statistically significant improvements were observed in post-programme scores for all measured outcomes (cancer-related fatigue, quality of life, physical functioning, role functioning, emotional functioning). Content analysis of written experiences generated ten unique codes. The highest frequency codes were enjoyment (n = 34), motivation (n = 14) and fitness (n = 13).

Conclusions

These findings indicate feasibility of delivery, acceptability to patients and physical and psychological benefits of a personalised online exercise rehabilitation programme for young people living with and beyond cancer. Further research involving a control arm and long-term follow-up would be beneficial.

Implications for cancer survivors

These results support the inclusion of a personalised exercise programme as part of cancer rehabilitation for young people living with and beyond cancer.
Improving school children’s understanding of water scarcity with a co-produced book on groundwater in Central Chile
Authors: Vargas-Payera Sofía , Taucare Matías , Pareja Claudio , Vejar Jessica
Published: June 2023

Water scarcity is a critical issue worldwide, and Chile is no exception. Since 2010, Central Chile has been enduring an ongoing water crisis due to the coupled effects of a severe drought and the overuse of water resources, especially groundwater. Rural communities have been strongly impacted, mainly because wells from which drinking water is supplied show a dramatic drop in water levels, and some have even dried up. The water scarcity scenario requires the integration of actors and disciplines to increase awareness of groundwater; however, how to make this valuable element visible in society is an issue that remains open to debate. This paper describes and reflects on the process of making educational material about groundwater and water scarcity for children to promote public awareness. Based on transdisciplinary and co-designing processes, this work describes the social perceptions of groundwater among children and community leaders, as well as how scientific information and local knowledge of water scarcity could be integrated into a book for the young population. This research finds that educational projects on groundwater resources increase people’s awareness of the role of this hidden resource in the water cycle. Such projects encourage the creation of grounded and contextualised materials that incorporate the knowledge and experience already present in the communities, increasing public awareness of the role of groundwater and associated water scarcity issues, thereby integrating academia and society. This approach could be a tool to lay the foundations for successfully addressing the water crisis in Chile over generations.
Challenges and opportunities for nutrient circularity: an innovation platform approach
Authors: van der Wiel Bernou Zoë , Neuberger Sabine , Darr Dietrich , Wichern Florian
Published: June 2023

To reduce nutrient losses from the food system, it is necessary to improve biomass management and foster change. Such a change is often hindered by a lack of stakeholder interaction. Therefore, a qualitative case study and a practical application of the innovation platform approach in the Dutch-German border region Rhine-Waal were carried out to determine challenges and opportunities in the agro-food-waste system towards circular nutrient management in a nutrient-saturated and intensive animal production-dominated localized area. Twenty-one actors participated in a half-day workshop. A bottom-up approach was chosen as it increases trust between stakeholders and supports the acceptance of research processes. This study identified opportunities and challenges perceived by stakeholders participating in the innovation platform approach to facilitate a transition towards local circular nutrient management. We observed that challenges and opportunities exist at three levels: the individual actor’s level, the system level and the interconnection of the system with its wider environment. With a variety of stakeholders from animal and crop production to the food processing industry being present in the study area, the current demand and supply of biomass is very diverse. This diversity has been identified as a distinct opportunity for the establishment of a biomass exchange network in the area. However, information on demand and supply of nutrients between actors is currently scattered and information sharing hindered by the lack of direct monetary benefits. The lessons learned using the innovation platform approach are a first step towards improving nutrient circularity at a localized scale in nutrient-saturated areas.
Experiences, Knowledge Gaps and Information Needs of Women in Australia with Transfusion Dependent Thalassaemia in Regard to Fertility and Pregnancy
Authors: Matthiesson Hannah K , Berdoukas Vasili , Briganti Esther M
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia can have significant effects on fertility and is also associated with significant risks in pregnancy. However, little is known about the perspectives of women living with the condition with regards to reproductive issues. The aim of this study was to assess the experience, knowledge and information needs of Australian women living with transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia in relation to fertility and pregnancy.

Methods

A cross sectional study using an online anonymous survey, self-administered through REDCap, addressing key issues related to the experience, knowledge and information needs of women with transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia. Descriptive and inferential analysis was conducted using STATA.

Results

Sixty participants were included in the analysis. Two-thirds of sexually active, pre-menopausal women were using contraception. Just under half of the participants who were sexually active had children and half had required some form of assisted reproductive technology to achieve a pregnancy. Less than half identified the importance of contraception as part of ensuring optimised pre-pregnancy care, and less than half had accessed pre-pregnancy care. Although there was good understanding of the increased risk of infertility and pregnancy complications, the specific risks and causes of these risks were poorly understood. Around half of the participants indicated they wanted more information on these medical issues.

Conclusions for practice

Our study demonstrated significant concerns and knowledge gaps in Australian women with transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia with regards to disease-specific issues related to fertility and pregnancy, and a desire for related patient information.
Regularity and symbolic defect of points on rational normal curves
Authors: Jafarloo Iman Bahmani , Malara Grzegorz
Published: June 2023

In this paper we study ideals of points lying on rational normal curves defined in projective plane and projective 3-space. We give an explicit formula for the value of Castelnuovo–Mumford regularity for their ordinary powers. Moreover, we compare the m-th symbolic and ordinary powers for such ideals in order to show whenever the m-th symbolic defect is non-zero.
Effect of Volatile Species on Chemical Vapour Deposition of SiO2 During Corrosion of Chromia- and Alumina-Formers
Authors: Nguyen Thuan Dinh , Zhang Jianqiang , Young David J.
Published: June 2023

Silicon-bearing vapour at low pressure was used to deposit SiO2 during exposure of pure chromium, Fe-30Cr (wt.%) and Kanthal APM alloy to an Ar-10H2O-0.1HCl mixture (vol.%) at 650 °C. Pure Cr formed porous chromia blades on top of a polycrystalline Cr2O3 scale containing SiO2. A model Fe-30Cr alloy formed a scale consisting of a thick, amorphous (Cr,Si)Ox outer layer and a thin, polycrystalline Cr2O3 inner layer. Kanthal alloy formed a thin scale containing a Si-rich oxide outer layer and an inner layer of Fe, Cr, and Al oxides. Amorphous (Cr,Si)Ox nodules formed locally on top of (Cr,Fe)23C6 precipitates at the Kanthal surface.
“No one has a solution, madam”: Experiences of Soweto township secondary school teachers teaching human rights education
Authors: Munongi Lucia
Published: June 2023

This article reports on the experiences of secondary school teachers teaching human rights education in Soweto township in South Africa. The study was anchored in phenomenological design and adopted a qualitative research approach. Twelve participants from four urban public secondary schools in Soweto township were sampled. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews. Findings revealed that the participants’ experiences were negative due to a lack of teaching resources, a lack of training to teach human rights education, and a lack of support from district officials. However, more positively, participants viewed themselves as having a significant role in teaching human rights education despite their challenges. Based on the findings, the article suggests more support from different stakeholders, such as the Department of Education, the South African Police Services (SAPS), human rights organizations, and other non-governmental organizations in relation to teacher training and teaching resources for the effective teaching of human rights education.
Proof Systems for Super- Strict Implication
Authors: Gherardi Guido , Orlandelli Eugenio , Raidl Eric
Published: June 2023

This paper studies proof systems for the logics of super-strict implication $$\textsf{ST2}$$

ST
2

–$$\textsf{ST5}$$

ST
5

, which correspond to C.I. Lewis’ systems $$\textsf{S2}$$

S
2

–$$\textsf{S5}$$

S
5

freed of paradoxes of strict implication. First, Hilbert-style axiomatic systems are introduced and shown to be sound and complete by simulating $$\textsf{STn}$$
STn
in $$\textsf{Sn}$$
Sn
and backsimulating $$\textsf{Sn}$$
Sn
in $$\textsf{STn}$$
STn
, respectively (for $${\textsf{n}} =2, \ldots , 5$$

n
=
2
,
…
,
5

). Next, $$\textsf{G3}$$

G
3

-style labelled sequent calculi are investigated. It is shown that these calculi have the good structural properties that are distinctive of $$\textsf{G3}$$

G
3

-style calculi, that they are sound and complete, and it is shown that the proof search for $$\mathsf {G3.ST2}$$

G
3
.
ST
2

is terminating and therefore the logic is decidable.
Role of organisational readiness and stakeholder acceptance: an implementation framework of adaptive learning for higher education
Authors: Mirata Victoria , Bergamin Per
Published: June 2023

Despite its advantages and potentials, the extent of the implementation of adaptive learning remains limited. Recent studies identified the critical determinants associated with its scaled implementation and proposed various frameworks and strategies to support it. However, little has been done to identify the empirical relationships between such determinants, the strategies for addressing them, and a scaled implementation as the desired outcome. Identifying such relationships can however help elucidate the processes involved in the implementation process of adaptive learning and, therefore, better explain the reasons for its slow implementation. The current study aims to identify the relationships between critical factors associated with the successful implementation of adaptive learning, strategies that address such factors, and the desired outcomes. Based on the identified relationships, the study presents an empirically supported implementation framework for adaptive learning. We used the secondary analysis of qualitative data, which were previously collected from 51 participants in an international Delphi study conducted in two universities in Switzerland and South Africa. For coding, we used inductive coding techniques suitable for identifying connections (e.g., causal relationships) between the identified factors. We conclude by turning the attention of implementation researchers and educational leaders to the key role of organisational readiness and the stakeholder acceptance of adaptive learning during the implementation process.
Attachment and Gambling Severity Behaviors Among Regular Gamblers: A Path Modeling Analysis Exploring the Role of Alexithymia, Dissociation, and Impulsivity
Authors: Topino Eleonora , Griffiths Mark D. , Gori Alessio
Published: June 2023

Gambling disorder is viewed by many as a behavioral addiction involving significant functional impairment and a deterioration in the quality of life. The aim of the present study was to explore the factors that can influence problematic gambling by specifically focusing on the role of attachment, alexithymia, dissociation, and impulsivity. The sample comprised 368 regular gamblers (59% males, 41% females; Mage=33.5 years). They completed an online survey consisting of the South Oaks Gambling Screen, Relationship Questionnaire, Twenty-Items Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Dissociative Experiences Scale‐II, and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale–11. Path modeling was performed to analyze the collected data. Results showed a significant multiple mediation model: CMIN/DF = 4.447, GFI = 0.984, NFI = 0.964, CFI = 0.971, SRMR = 0.046. Fearful and preoccupied attachment patterns showed significant and positive associations with problematic gambling, and which were mediated by alexithymia, dissociation, and impulsivity. These results provide useful information to orient clinical practice and preventive intervention.
Assessment of reanalysis datasets against radiosonde observation over the Eastern Mediterranean region
Authors: Hassan Rokaya Mohamed , Salah Zeinab , Karacostas Theodore , Abdel-Wahab Mohamed Magdy
Published: June 2023

Four meteorological components (geopotential height Z, air temperature T, dew point temperature Td, and relative humidity RH) collected from ERA-5 and ERA-Interim were compared with the observations of nine radiosonde stations with different climatic changes, at different isobaric levels (850, 700, 500, and 200 hPa) during the period 2000–2017, in order to assess the accuracy of the aforementioned reanalysis datasets. The results showed that both reanalysis datasets have a strong correlation with the observed variables, except with dew point temperature and relative humidity in the upper troposphere. The mean values of geopotential height and temperature from both grid dataset are generally consistent with the radiosonde values, whereas considerable bias in the mean Td and RH exists and increases upwards. The study clearly proved that the reanalysis datasets can be used to compensate for the lack of radiosonde observation. Furthermore, air temperature (during 1959–2021) showed an increasing trend from the surface to the lower troposphere, while the temperature decreased in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. Finally in this study, the impact of the North Atlantic Oscillation Index (NAOI) on the air temperature was also examined, and a negative relationship was found between NAOI and temperature at the levels: surface, 850, 700, and 500 hPa, while a positive relationship was found, only in winter, at 200 hPa. At the level of 100 hPa, the correlation is positive for both seasons.
Inverse planning optimization with lead block effectively suppresses dose to the mandible in high-dose-rate brachytherapy for tongue cancer
Authors: Akino Yuichi , Shiomi Hiroya , Tsujimoto Tomomi , Hamatani Noriaki , Hirata Takero , Oda Michio , Takeshita Ami , Shimamoto Hiroaki , Ogawa Kazuhiko , Murakami Shumei
Published: June 2023

Purpose

In this study, we developed in-house software to evaluate the effect of the lead block (LB)-inserted spacer on the mandibular dose in interstitial brachytherapy (ISBT) for tongue cancer. In addition, an inverse planning algorithm for LB attenuation was developed, and its performance in mandibular dose reduction was evaluated.

Methods

Treatment plans of 30 patients with tongue cancer treated with ISBT were evaluated. The prescribed dose was 54 Gy/9 fractions. An in-house software was developed to calculate the dose distribution based on the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group No.43 (TG-43) formalism. The mandibular dose was calculated with consideration of the LB attenuation. The attenuation coefficient of the lead was computed using the PHITS Monte Carlo simulation. The software further optimized the treatment plans using an attraction–repulsion model (ARM) to account for the LB attenuation.

Results

Compared to the calculation in water, the D2 cc of the mandible changed by − 2.4 ± 2.3 Gy (range, − 8.6 to − 0.1 Gy) when the LB attenuation was considered. The ARM optimization with consideration of the LB resulted in a − 2.4 ± 2.4 Gy (range, − 8.2 to 0.0 Gy) change in mandibular D2 cc.

Conclusions

This study enabled the evaluation of the dose distribution with consideration of the LB attenuation. The ARM optimization with lead attenuation further reduced the mandibular dose.
Supporting Post-Stroke Language and Cognition with Pharmacotherapy: Tools for Each Phase of Care
Authors: Stockbridge Melissa D. , Keser Zafer
Published: June 2023

Purpose of Review

There is enormous enthusiasm for the possibility of pharmacotherapies to treat language deficits that can arise after stroke. Speech language therapy remains the most frequently utilized and most strongly evidenced treatment, but the numerous barriers to patients receiving the therapy necessary to recover have motivated the creation of a relatively modest, yet highly cited, body of evidence to support the use of pharmacotherapy to treat post-stroke aphasia directly or to augment traditional post-stroke aphasia treatment. In this review, we survey the use of pharmacotherapy to preserve and support language and cognition in the context of stroke across phases of care, discuss key ongoing clinical trials, and identify targets that may become emerging interventions in the future.

Recent Findings

Recent trials have shifted focus from short periods of drug therapy supporting therapy in the chronic phase to longer terms approaching pharmacological maintenance beginning more acutely. Recent innovations in hyperacute stroke care, such as tenecteplase, and acute initiation of neuroprotective agents and serotonin reuptake inhibitors are important areas of ongoing research that complement the ongoing search for effective adjuvants to later therapy.

Currently there are no drugs approved in the United States for the treatment of aphasia. Nevertheless, pharmacological intervention may provide a benefit to all phases of stroke care.
Cardiovascular Impact of Androgen Deprivation Therapy: from Basic Biology to Clinical Practice
Authors: Kim Janice , Freeman Kendall , Ayala Alyssa , Mullen McKay , Sun Zijie , Rhee June-Wha
Published: June 2023

Purpose of the Review

There have been increasing reports of cardiovascular complications of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) leading to worse outcomes among patients with prostate cancer. While this may result from the direct effects of androgen suppression in the cardiovascular systems, there are ADT-type-specific distinct cardiovascular complications suggestive of mechanisms beyond androgen-mediated. Thus, it is critical to understand the biological and clinical impact of ADT on the cardiovascular system.

Recent Findings

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists cause increased cardiovascular events compared to GnRH antagonists. Androgen receptor antagonists are linked to an increased risk of long QT syndrome, torsades de pointes, and sudden cardiac death. Androgen synthesis inhibitors are associated with increased rates of hypertension, atrial tachyarrhythmia, and, in rare incidences, heart failure.

ADT increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The risk among ADT drugs differs and must be evaluated to develop a medically optimal plan for prostate cancer patients.
Kin term mimicry hypothesis
Authors: Pawłowski Bogusław , Chmielińska Anna
Published: June 2023

Adaptive mimicry in animals is a well-known phenomenon. Here, we propose that a similarly adaptive strategy in humans is using kin terms for people who are not closely genetically related. Irrespective of the initiator attributing a kin term to a non-kin, we call this kin term mimicry (KTM). The emergence of human sociality and language allowed not only easy kin recognition, but also led to strong positive emotions related to such kin names as “mother,” “father,” “brother,” “sister,” “aunt” or “uncle.” Although the phenomenon of using kin terms of genetically unrelated people is well known in the social sciences, here we discuss it in the light of evolution. We notice this is an evolutionary adaptive cooperation strategy, which allows us to predict in which ecological or social circumstances it will be more prevalent. We postulate specific testable factors that affect the prevalence of kin mimicry. We also discuss who is more likely to be an initiator of calling non-kin a fictive kin, and who benefits from such behavior. The KTM hypothesis postulates that an individual or social group initiating or bestowing kin terms usually receives more benefits (economic and/or psychological support) from such mimicry.
Spaces of Decoupling in the Netherlands and Poland: Emerging Local Governance Networks for Hosting Non-EU Migrants in Peripheral and Shrinking Areas
Authors: Meijer Marlies , Popławska Joanna Zuzanna , Szytniewski Bianca
Published: June 2023

A significant share of migration studies is dedicated to understanding how large cities in Europe deal with the influx of international migrants, forced and by choice. Rural and peripheral regions, however, are hardly identified as receiving areas for migrant newcomers. Here, economic degradation, population decline and liveability are at the centre of academic debate. Nevertheless, peripheral—and shrinking—areas are increasingly regarded as favourable locations for hosting non-EU migrants, in particular asylum seekers, refugees and recognised refugees. In our study, we combined the two debates by examining how declining small peripheral cities and rural communities in the Netherlands and Poland deal with the arrival and settlement of non-EU migrants. We identified different spaces of decoupling to better understand how local policy discourses on migration governance relate to national ones. From our study, it appears that in these spaces of decoupling, alternative, cross-regional governance networks are formed to host migrant newcomers, and in some cases, migration is framed as a panacea for the decline. Within these networks, the leading efforts of non-governmental organisations and volunteers stand out and are more prominent than in urban contexts.
Tecovirimat for the treatment of severe Mpox in Germany
Authors: Hermanussen Lennart , Brehm Thomas Theo , Wolf Timo , Boesecke Christoph , Schlabe Stefan , Borgans Frauke , Monin Malte B. , Jensen Björn-Erik Ole , Windhaber Stefan , Scholten Stefan , Jordan Sabine , Lütgehetmann Marc , Wiesch Julian Schulze zur , Addo Marylyn M. , Mikolajewska Agata , Niebank Michaela , Schmiedel Stefan
Published: June 2023

Background

In May 2022, a multi-national mpox outbreak was reported in several non-endemic countries. The only licensed treatment for mpox in the European Union is the orally available small molecule tecovirimat, which in Orthopox viruses inhibits the function of a major envelope protein required for the production of extracellular virus.

Methods

We identified presumably all patients with mpox that were treated with tecovirimat in Germany between the onset of the outbreak in May 2022 and March 2023 and obtained demographic and clinical characteristics by standardized case report forms.

Results

A total of twelve patients with mpox were treated with tecovirimat in Germany in the study period. All but one patient identified as men who have sex with men (MSM) who were most likely infected with mpox virus (MPXV) through sexual contact. Eight of them were people living with HIV (PLWH), one of whom was newly diagnosed with HIV at the time of mpox, and four had CD4+ counts below 200/µl. Criteria for treatment with tecovirimat included severe immunosuppression, severe generalized and/or protracted symptoms, a high or increasing number of lesions, and the type and location of lesions (e.g., facial or oral soft tissue involvement, imminent epiglottitis, or tonsillar swelling). Patients were treated with tecovirimat for between six and 28 days. Therapy was generally well-tolerated, and all patients showed clinical resolution.

Conclusions

In this cohort of twelve patients with severe mpox, treatment with tecovirimat was well tolerated and all individuals showed clinical improvement.
Dynapenic abdominal obesity and incident multimorbidity: findings from the English longitudinal study on ageing
Authors: Veronese Nicola , Koyanagi Ai , Soysal Pinar , Sapienza Vitalba , Ragusa Francesco Saverio , Bolzetta Francesco , Dominguez Ligia J. , Barbagallo Mario , Smith Lee
Published: June 2023

Background

Dynapenic abdominal obesity (DAO) (i.e., impairment in muscle strength and high waist circumference) is gaining interest, as it is associated with several important adverse health outcomes. However, the association between DAO and multimorbidity is largely unclear. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the association between DAO at baseline and new onset multimorbidity over ten years of follow-up.

Methods

People participating in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing were included. DAO was defined as waist circumference > 102 cm in men and > 88 cm in women, and a concomitant presence of dynapenia (handgrip strength defined as < 27 kg for men and < 16 kg for women). Multimorbidity was defined as having two or more chronic conditions. The association between DAO and incident multimorbidity was assessed using a multivariable logistic regression analysis, reporting the data as odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Overall, 3302 participants (mean age: 63.4 years, males: 50.3%) without multimorbidity at baseline were followed-up for ten years. After adjusting for several variables, compared to participants without dynapenia nor abdominal obesity, the presence of abdominal obesity (OR = 1.505; 95%CI: 1.272–1.780; p < 0.0001) and DAO (OR = 1.671; 95%CI: 1.201–2.325; p = 0.002) significantly increased the risk of multimorbidity. Compared to no dynapenia nor abdominal obesity, DAO was associated with significantly higher risk for arthritis and diabetes.

Conclusions

DAO was significantly associated with a higher risk of incident multimorbidity, over 10 years of follow-up. The results of our study suggest that addressing DAO can potentially decrease risk for multimorbidity.
Induction of systemic resistance in Theobroma cacao L. for the management of “witches’ broom” caused by Moniliophthora perniciosa
Authors: Morato Luis Demetrio Delgado , González Andree Steven Álvarez , Cardona María Bianney Bermúdez
Published: June 2023

The pathogen Moliniophthora perniciosa can cause losses in the cocoa crop of more than 90% when integrated disease management is not carried out in the crop. In the present study, the effect of sucrose as a resistance inducer in cocoa trees (Theobroma cacao L.), was evaluated for the management of the “witches’ broom” disease caused by Moniliophthora perniciosa. The experiment was developed in the municipality of Chaparral, Tolima, Colombia (854 m.a.s.l.). The treatments corresponded to 0.9 M sucrose: injected (T1), foliar spray (T2) and without sucrose (T3). A completely randomized block design with three treatments was established. The results showed that the incidence and severity of the disease in the trees treated with sucrose were lower. The polyphenol oxidase enzyme presented its highest activity in T3, while peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in T2. It was observed that sucrose as an inducer, can alter metabolic pathways involved in the defense mechanisms of cocoa trees, reducing the incidence and severity, thus establishing an alternative for the management of “witches' broom” disease in producing countries.