bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the relationship between sustainable entrepreneurship and the United Nations sustainable development goals: A comprehensive literature review
Authors: Shabbir Muhammad Salman
Published: April 2023

This research study aims to investigate the relationship between entrepreneurship and sustainable development, as well as explore how entrepreneurship can contribute to addressing the challenges associated with sustainable development. The significance of this topic lies in the fact that sustainable development is crucial for the long‐term well‐being of societies and the planet, and entrepreneurship has the potential to play a vital role in achieving sustainable development goals. Through a systematic literature review, this study evaluates how sustainable business activities can help achieve Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8‐Decent Work and Economic Growth). The study employs the Scopus indexing online database and VOSviewer, a data mining tool, to identify scholarly literature related to sustainable entrepreneurship and SDG‐8 published between 2015 and 2022. The bibliometric study indicates a significant growth in the scientific literature on this topic in recent years. The study identifies five research subjects, including current trends in the literature on SDGs, economic development, socioeconomic growth, durability, higher education, and other related topics. By conducting a thorough inquiry into the literature, this study aims to contribute to the understanding of the relationship between entrepreneurship and sustainable development, and provide insights into how entrepreneurship can be leveraged to achieve sustainable development goals. Ultimately, this research has important implications for policymakers, businesses, and individuals interested in promoting sustainable development and creating a more equitable and prosperous world.
Synthesis, Computational Studies, Molecular Docking, Anti‐inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of α‐Aminophosphonates Incorporating an Azo Chromophore for Polyester Printing Application
Authors: Hekal Hend A. , Kassab Refaie M. , Abd El Salam Hayam A. , Shaban Elkhabiry , Atlam Faten M.
Published: April 2023

Bioisosteres of amino acids called α‐aminophosphonates have a variety of therapeutic properties. A set of procedures involving amine, aldehydes and triethylphosphite have been utilized to synthesize these compounds in presence of Lewis acid catalysts such as lithium perchlorate via the Kabachnik‐Fields reaction. The diazonium salt of different aromatic amines affords new α‐aminophosphonate azo dyes, IIIa‐f in high yields. The structure of the newly synthesized compounds was elucidated by FT‐IR, 1HNMR, 13C‐NMR and elemental analysis. The anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant of the newly dyes was also examined. Most of the synthesized α‐aminophosphonate compounds displayed an excellent to moderate activity against COX‐1 and COX‐2. To demonstrate the relationship between the theoretical and the experimental characteristics, DFT/6‐311G++(d, p) calculations were performed to investigate the electrical and geometric properties derived from the stable structure of the compounds. The optimized dyes with printing paste conditions, were used to silk screen printing polyester, as well as their printing properties, light, washing, perspiration, rubbing, and sublimation fastness were tested. Meanwhile, the improved dyes demonstrated acceptable fastness results.
Synergistically Augmented ZnO via Cobalt and Copper Simultaneous Doping for Pollutant Reduction
Authors: Kedir Haji , Tsegaye Dereje , Abebe Buzuayehu , Murthy H. C. Ananda , Ravikumar C R , Reddy S. Giridhar
Published: April 2023

Continuous electron‐hole transfer and the ability of nanoscale materials to absorb visible light are critical for pollutant catalytic reduction. Cobalt and copper co‐doped ZnO composites were shaped by the sol‐gel solution combustion (SG‐SC) approach. The x‐ray diffraction analysis confirmed the crystalline nature and interstitial doping of copper and cobalt in the zinc oxide lattice and the development of ZnO‐CuO local contact. The PL and DRS‐UV‐vis investigations showed the NCs’ superior charge transfer and considerable redshift (from 3.17 to 2.21 eV) properties over ZnO. TEM and SEM‐EDS analyses confirmed the foam‐type surface morphology, elemental composition, and dopant distribution. The NCs showed greater potency than ZnO NPs in the catalytic reduction reactions of 4‐nitrophenol and methylene blue. Thus, the SG‐SC approach has the potential for industrially scalable catalytic pollutant reduction applications.
Rethinking Text Features in the Digital Age: Teaching Elementary Students to Navigate Digital Stories, Websites, and Videos
Authors: Bruner Lori , Hutchison Amy
Published: April 2023

While reading digital texts requires many of the same foundational literacy skills as reading printed texts, it also requires skills that go beyond print‐based reading. In this article, we argue that the skills children need to read, understand, and communicate about digital texts is a Core Disciplinary Practice that should be addressed in the elementary grades. To do so, we explain the idea of reading digital texts as a disciplinary literacy practice, explore the features of digital texts that make them qualitatively different from printed texts, and offer approaches for explicitly teaching children how to read and interact with digital texts in ways that support their comprehension and prepare them for future disciplinary learning. In the final section, we provide teachers with three examples of digital texts they might integrate into a K‐2 science unit and offer strategies for teaching children to navigate the unique features of these texts.
The RNA interactome in the Hallmarks of Cancer
Authors: Gabryelska Marta M. , Conn Simon J.
Published: April 2023

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules are indispensable for cellular homeostasis in healthy and malignant cells. However, the functions of RNA extend well beyond that of a protein‐coding template. Rather, both coding and non‐coding RNA molecules function through critical interactions with a plethora of cellular molecules, including other RNAs, DNA, and proteins. Deconvoluting this RNA interactome, including the interacting partners, the nature of the interaction, and dynamic changes of these interactions in malignancies has yielded fundamental advances in knowledge and are emerging as a novel therapeutic strategy in cancer. Here, we present an RNA‐centric review of recent advances in the field of RNA–RNA, RNA–protein, and RNA–DNA interactomic network analysis and their impact across the Hallmarks of Cancer.

This article is categorized under:

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA–Protein Complexes
The Investigation of Overpower ΔT Triggered Mechanism and Optimizing Strategy During Reactor Trip Experiment
Authors: Yuan Zhaojun , Wu Yuting , Cheng Yanhua , Shang Chaohao , Mao Yulong , Yan Yalun
Published: April 2023

In some nuclear power plants, the overpower ΔT protection signal may be triggered during the reactor trip test unexpectedly, which may guide operators’ unexpected operations. A reactor trip protection control logic model is established to simulate the response of overpower ΔT protection channel and the onsite data in the period of reactor trip test, such as nuclear power, ΔI, etc., are used as inputs for this model. The results show that protection signals simulated by the model are almost consistent with the process of triggering protection signal in plant. According to the simulation, the drastic change of core ΔI during the reactor trip process is the main cause of triggering overpower ΔT protection signal. In order to reveal the mechanism of ΔI change in the process of reactor trip and develop corresponding strategies, a two-group three-dimensional transient neutron code (SMART) is adopted to study the physical process of reactor trip test. The effects of initial core state parameters on ΔI evolution during reactor trip are studied. And it is concluded that the initial ΔI and R bank position are the main factors affecting the extreme value of ΔI in the process of reactor trip. To avoid unnecessary overpower ΔT triggering in reactor trip test, a xenon oscillation method is proposed and proved to be effective according to SMART’s simulation results.
Analysis of Nuclear Power Economy and Its Influencing Factors
Authors: Nie Liming , Liu Sa , Wu Xiukun , Li Zhe
Published: April 2023

The improvement of nuclear power economy is indispensable to the safe and efficient development of nuclear power. This paper explores the scope of economic evaluation of nuclear power based on literature and actual project operation. The evaluation scope includes power plant level, grid level and external level and this paper proposes a corresponding evaluation indicators based on the above analysis. This paper qualitatively analyzes the characteristics and influencing factors of nuclear power economy based on the current situation of nuclear power economy in China. Considering the difference between economic evaluation standard and actual operation, the typical influencing factors of economic evaluation indicators of power plant level are quantitatively evaluated. The economy of grid level and external level is analyzed by referring to foreign literature. Finally, suggestions on improving the economic efficiency of nuclear power are put forward from the aspects of economic evaluation standards and policies.
Research on Calculation Method and Additionality of Carbon Emission Reduction of Nuclear Energy Heating Based on Project Perspective
Authors: Lu Chunhua , An Changle , Sun Quantuo , Li Zhe
Published: April 2023

Nuclear energy has broad prospects for development driven by the goal of achieving peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality, but the independent contribution of nuclear energy in low-carbon development has not obtained corresponding economic benefits. Studying the so-called “economic dilemma” problem of nuclear energy heating projects in the face of carbon trading market will reveal the influencing factors of this problem, and provide a method and paradigm reference for nuclear energy heating projects, that is, through active participation Carbon emissions trading to improve economics. This paper establishes a project-based calculation method for carbon emission reductions of nuclear energy heating, and conducts a systematic additionality analysis by taking a nuclear heating project in Shandong, China as an example. The method follows the principles of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and the Chinese Certified Emission Reduction (CCER). The findings show that: (1) The carbon emission reduction of nuclear energy extraction and heating projects in Shandong region of China is about 274,100 tons/year, and its order of magnitude is highly suitable for carbon market demand. (2) The levelized heating cost of the case is about 49.20 yuan/GJ. Through the analysis of the change of coal price in the calculation parameters of the alternative scheme, it is found that the economics of the nuclear energy heating project is seriously affected by the “baseline” and the results of parameter selection. It is very easy to create the illusion that the levelized heating cost of the nuclear extraction steam heating project is higher than the “uneconomical” illusion of the alternative. (3) The empirical analysis results show that the nuclear energy heating project has the additionality of obtaining carbon emission reduction benefits, but when the economics of the nuclear energy project has no obvious disadvantage compared with the alternative, its demonstration should focus on analyzing its advanced technology, barriers to marketing. As the emission reductions of CCER projects are consumed year by year in a stagnant state, nuclear energy heating projects will have the opportunity to provide a stable supply of voluntary certified emission reductions for China’s carbon market. Finally, based on this research, some suggestions are put forward, such as building a data monitoring and statistical system for carbon emission reduction of nuclear energy projects, and a pilot project for the transformation of economic benefits of carbon emission reduction in nuclear energy projects.
Research of Corrosion Products Migration Behavior in PWR Primary Circuit Under Extended Low Power Operation Mode
Authors: Li Changying , Meng Shuqi , Ruan Tianming , Yan Yalun
Published: April 2023

In order to improve the flexibility of response to power grid demand, both newly built and in-service nuclear power units need to demonstrate the feasibility of ELPO (Extended Low Power Operation) and design schemes. During ELPO, the change of local thermal hydraulic conditions caused by the change of core power will have a great impact on the migration behavior of corrosion products in the primary circuit of PWR (Pressurized Water Reactor). Corrosion products deposited in the core will affect the heat transfer of fuel cladding, axial power distribution and critical heat flux. Corrosion products deposited outside the reactor, such as the main tubes, will affect the dose rate of personnel and pose challenges to radiation protection. A model for simulating the migration of corrosion products in the primary circuit of a PWR was established. The variation trends of the total amount of fuel CRUD (Chalk Rivers Unidentified Deposit), the total amount of fouling outside the reactor, the removal amount of corrosion products, the coolant source term and the main tubes deposition source term of a PWR before and after ELPO were compared. The results show that ELPO mode can inhibit the deposition of corrosion products in the core, and make more corrosion products deposit outside the core or be removed by CVCS (Chemical and Volume Control System). Because ELPO mode accelerates the migration of activated corrosion products to other regions, the coolant source term increases slightly. For the source term of main tubes sediment, ELPO model can reduce its total activity, thus reducing the personnel dose rate.
Study on Calculation Method of Corrosion Product Source Term in Lead-Bismuth Fast Reactor Coolant System
Authors: Wan Haixia
Published: April 2023

In the coolant system of lead-bismuth fast reactor, the corrosion products produce great occupational radiation dose to the workers, especially in the process of maintenance and repair of nuclear facilities. Therefore, it is very important to accurately calculate the corrosion product source term caused by the reaction between coolant and structural materials. The generation, migration, decay and deposition of corrosion products are described by the corrosion characteristics of lead-bismuth alloy on stainless steel in coolant loop, and the mathematical equilibrium equation is established. The equation is used to calculate the corrosion product source term of the coolant loop in the 20MWth lead-bismuth fast reactor and the variation laws of the corrosion product with time are obtained. The results show that the radioactivity of the corrosion products mainly comes from nuclides such as 51Cr, 54Mn, 58Co and 60Co, and the short-lived nuclides such as 51Cr and 58Co decay gradually after shutdown, long-lived nuclides such as 54Mn and 60Co are the main sources of radioactivity.
Study on the Steady-State Performance of the Fuel Rod in M2LFR-1000 Using KMC-Fueltra
Authors: Yang Guangliang , Wang Weixiang , Feng Wenpei , Ding Tao , Chen Hongli
Published: April 2023

Operating conditions in the liquid metal fast reactor, like higher power density, higher temperature gradient, and higher burnup, are more severe to the fuel rod comparing to the light water reactor. The integrity and safety of the fuel rod is very essential to the reactor safety. In this study, the fuel rod designed for M2LFR-1000, which is a typical pool type lead cooled fast reactor, is evaluated using a fuel performance analysis code named KMC-Fueltra. Irradiation behaviors and material properties for the MOX fuel and T91 cladding are established and introduced into the code. The steady-state performance of the fuel rod is analyzed. Results concerning both fuel and cladding performance are discussed based on indicative design limits collected from the open literatures. This study is useful to improve the conceptual design of the M2LFR-1000.
The Dynamic Response Analysis Method of Steel Containment in Floating Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Ren Weizhe , Zhang Shuyou , Song Danrong , Zhang Meng , Wang Wei
Published: April 2023

During the operation of the floating nuclear power plant, if the floating nuclear power plant is anchored near the shore for power generation, it may be impacted by runaway ships. If the impact causes damage to the tank of the floating nuclear power plant and water inflow, and even damage to the containment structure, it will seriously threaten the structural safety of the floating nuclear power plant and even threaten nuclear safety. This paper uses the explicit dynamics method to establish two models of dry/wet impact. It assumes that the 5000T container ship will laterally impact the reactor compartment of the floating nuclear power plant at a speed of 2 m/s, and the effects of the fluid domain (water and air domain) are ignored/counted in the calculation process. Then, comparing the effects of the above two models of dry/wet impact on the calculation duration, the damage and water ingress state of the floating nuclear power plant, the stress of the steel containment (including support). Studies have shown that if the relevant personnel do not need to understand the effect of water intrusion into the damaged cabin, the influence of water and air domain on the impact simulation results can be ignored, and the dry model can be directly used for calculation.
Decoupling and Coupling Simulation Analysis in Small Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Tian Peiyu , Li Yi , Xing Tianyang , Liang Tiebo , Wang Changshuo
Published: April 2023

As the development of computer science technology and the requirement of thorough research, more researchers are setting their eyes on coupling method because of the tight coupling in NPP (nuclear power plant) system. However there were few researches studying the difference between decoupling and coupling methods and the importance of coupling method. This research respectively establishes the primary and secondary loop decoupling models and the two loops coupling model based on the small NPP by APROS. Then the differences between the decoupling and coupling models is studied under the steady state and dynamic state which contains the ramp load variation and load shedding. The results show that there are small differences between these models in the main parameter values under the steady state. But the differences between decoupling models and coupling model are large. Therefore the NPP system needs be modeled by coupling method as to study its dynamic characteristic.
Study on the 3-D Natural Circulation Characteristics of LFR Under Steady State by Using Ansys Fluent
Authors: Dai Jianing , Yan Yulin , Li Erhao , Gong Zhengyu , Zhang Ling , Gu Zhixing
Published: April 2023

As one of the Generation IV reactors, Lead-based Fast Reactor (LFR) has been considered to be great promising owing to its advantages in nuclear safety, sustainable development of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal. Owing to the excellent thermal expansion characteristics of Lead-based coolant materials, the primary cooling system of LFR can operate in natural circulation driven mode. The CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics)-based thermal-hydraulics and safety analyses of nuclear reactors, especially liquid metal pool-type reactors have attracted great attentions in recent years. In this paper, the entire 3-D geometric model of a 10 MWth natural circulation driven LFR primary cooling system was established and simulated by ANSYS Fluent, in which the mesh was partitioned by utilizing structured meshing technology, and the porous medium model was utilized to fine the reactor core simulation. The results showed that the above LFR can operate safely in natural circulation mode, and has excellent natural circulation characteristics for the primary cooling system.
Study and Resolution of Pressurizer Pressure Great Fluctuation Problem in CRP1000 RGL04 Test
Authors: Wang Kai , Li Bing-wen , Zhou Ming-jia , Hu You-sen , Mao Yu-long
Published: April 2023

RGL04 Test is the highest risky test during CPR1000 power operation,which is difficult to control the state and easily results in house load, turbine trip and reactor trip. Pressurizer pressure great fluctuation problem has occurred in some of CPR1000 units, and the pressure exceeds the allowed operation range during test transient. The paper discusses the reason of the problem and the resolution is given: according to the different overheating degree of core, groups of on-off heater are actuated, or the proper power reduction rate is chosen to satisfy the operation requirement.
Research on Public Communication of Small Reactor
Authors: Zhu Rongxu , Zhao Feng , Zhang Xiaofeng , Guo Jiandi , Zhang Meng
Published: April 2023

Based on the conclusions of small reactor environmental impact assessment and social stability risk assessment of small reactors, this paper conducts a special study on the public communication of small reactors. This article discusses the work content, scope and form of public communication of small reactor, and give suggestions on the scope and form of public publicity, public participation and information disclosure. It is matched with small reactor public communication theoretical system and operation manual.

The research on the public communication work of small reactor can provide necessary theoretical basis and technical support for the specific public communication work of small reactor. Provide decision support for local policies and construction departments to implement public communication. It is hoped that this study can provide some reference for the public communication of small reactors in the exploratory stage.
Numerical Simulation of the Transient Flow Characteristics and Thermal Stratification Phenomena in the Passive Residual Heat Removal System of NHR-200-II
Authors: Geng Yiwa , Liu Xiongbin
Published: April 2023

The NHR-200-II nuclear heating reactor is a multi-purpose small integral pressurized water reactor (iPWR) developed by the Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology (INET) of Tsinghua University. The design of NHR-200-II features a reactor core with thermal power of 200MW, in-vessel hydraulically-driven control rods and passive residual heat removal (PRHR) systems, et.al. Passive residual heat removal experiments were conducted in a scaled integral test facility for NHR-200-II. The PRHR experiments in the scaled facility were simulated by a layered RELAP5 system model to study the flow characteristics of the PRHR system in different primary fluid temperatures and different valve states. The phenomenon of reversed flow occurred in some primary heat exchangers in the numerical simulations when the primary fluid temperature was higher than certain level, which was consistent to the experiments. The simulated uneven outlet temperature distribution of the primary heat exchangers was also consistent with the experimental data when the isolation valves for the steam generator was kept open. Thermal stratification effect in the headers of the PRHR system played an important role in the phenomenon of uneven outlet temperature distributions, and the layered RELAP5 model was proven to be an efficient method for preliminary estimation of thermal stratification effect in the headers.
Research on the Optimization of Commercial PWR’S Financial Evaluation Model
Authors: Bo Meifang , Zheng Baojun , Zhang Shengli , Ren Zhengxu , Liu Bojie
Published: April 2023

Considering industry standards, policies, market environment, actual costs of nuclear power plants (NPPs) and technical characteristics of nuclear power, and combining with industrial circumstances when these industry standards were published, we analyzed the limitations of current commercial PWR’s fianancial evaluation methods. Taking HPR1000 as a case study, we deeply estimated the generation cost and cash flow. Moreover, optimization direction of the financial evaluation model after comparative analysis was proposed. This research aims to provide reference to similar NPPs’financial evaluation and basis of investment decision-making for investors, owners and general contractors.
On neutrino-mediated potentials in a neutrino background
Authors: Blas Diego , Esteban Ivan , Gonzalez-Garcia M. C. , Salvado Jordi
Published: April 2023

Abstract

The exchange of a pair of neutrinos with Standard Model weak interactions generates a long-range force between fermions. The associated potential is extremely feeble, ∝ $$ {G}_F^2/{r}^5 $$

G
F
2

/

r
5

for massless neutrinos, which renders it far from observable even in the most sensitive experiments testing fifth forces. The presence of a neutrino background has been argued to induce a correction to the neutrino propagator that enhances the potential by orders of magnitude. In this brief note, we point out that such modified propagators are invalid if the background neutrino wavepackets have a finite width. By reevaluating the 2-ν exchange potential in the presence of a neutrino background including finite width effects, we find that the background-induced enhancement is reduced by several orders of magnitude. Unfortunately, this pushes the resulting 2-ν exchange potential away from present and near-future sensitivity of tests of new long-range forces.
Making Palladio Digitally Explicit: Geometrical Parameters in Door’s Ornaments
Authors: Giovannini Elisabetta Caterina
Published: April 2023

The Book I of Andrea Palladio's "The Four Books on Architecture", in which, after a brief discourse on the five orders and on those rules which are essential to building, private houses, streets, bridges, squares, xysti, and temples are discussed, contains the rules of Palladio's design. Over the years, many scholars have investigated how to make explicit the reasoning on the theory of architectural proportions in Palladio. A multitude of studies were done concerning five orders proportions and about the compositive rules of Villas. This ongoing research aims to make the treatise of Andrea Palladio explicit visually and mathematically by starting from his text and images. The study, at this stage, concentrates on proportional and graphical analysis for door’s ornaments. The study made it possible to identify the molding elements’ philological construction and the relationship between their geometric construction made up of alignments, recurring intervals, equal subdivisions, and successive partitions.
Bombus terrestris terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) and hybrids with the endemic Bombus xanthopus spotted on Capraia Island (Tuscan Archipelago, Italy): some conservation management implications
Authors: Boni Chiara Benedetta , Coppola Francesca , Quaranta Marino , Giannini Francesca , Felicioli Antonio
Published: April 2023

Expansion of wild and managed allochthonous species leads to potential negative consequences for the endemic wildlife, such as resource competition, pathogens spread, hybridization and native species replacements. On Capraia Island, the last sighting of Bombus terrestris terrestris dates back to 1917. All subsequent surveys carried out on the island only reported the presence of B. xanthopus and B. pascuorum melleofacies with B. t. terrestris apparently no longer existing in the area. In 2021 B. t. terrestris was again detected on the island raising two main hypotheses: (i) B. t. terrestris has always been present with a low population density, such as not to be detected in previous investigations, or (ii) its presence is the result of a more recent recolonization. The recolonization event may be promoted by either intentional or unintentional introduction or it may be the result of a natural migration from the mainland or surrounding islands. Hybridization between B. t. terrestris × B. xanthopus on Capraia Island has been also ascertained by the detection of hybrid queens, workers and males. These new finding provides insight on the distribution range of B. t. terrestris in the Tuscan Archipelago and raise concern on the conservation of the endemic B. xanthopus population.
Patients in high- and low-revision hospitals have similar outcomes after primary knee arthroplasty: 1-year postoperative results from the Danish prospective multicenter cohort study, SPARK
Authors: Mørup-Petersen Anne , Krogsgaard Michael Rindom , Laursen Mogens , Madsen Frank , Winther-Jensen Matilde , Odgaard Anders
Published: April 2023

Purpose

It is well-known that revision rates after primary knee arthroplasty vary widely. However, it is uncertain whether hospital revision rates are reliable indicators of general surgical quality as defined by patients. The SPARK study compared primary knee arthroplasty surgery at three high-volume hospitals whose revision rates differed for unknown reasons.

Methods

This prospective observational study included primary knee arthroplasty patients (total, medial/lateral unicompartmental and patellofemoral) in two low-revision hospitals (Aarhus University Hospital and Aalborg University Hospital Farsø) and one high-revision hospital (Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev-Gentofte). Patients were followed from preoperatively (2016–17) to 1-year postoperatively with patient-reported outcome measures including Oxford Knee Score (OKS), EQ-5D-5L and Copenhagen Knee ROM (range of motion) Scale. The surgical outcomes were compared across hospitals for patients with comparable grades of radiographic knee osteoarthritis and preoperative OKS. Statistical comparisons (parametric and non-parametric) included all three hospitals.

Results

97% of the 1452 patients who provided baseline data (89% of those included and 56% of those operated) responded postoperatively (90% at 1 year). Hospitals’ utilization of unicompartmental knee arthroplasties differed (Aarhus 49%, Aalborg 14%, and Copenhagen 22%, p < 0.001). 28 patients had revision surgery during the first year (hospital independent, p = 0.1) and were subsequently excluded. 1-year OKS (39 ± 7) was independent of hospital (p = 0.1), even when adjusted for age, sex, Body Mass Index, baseline OKS and osteoarthritis grading. 15% of patients improved less than Minimal Important Change (8 OKS) (Aarhus 19%, Aalborg 13% and Copenhagen 14%, p = 0.051 unadjusted). Patients with comparable preoperative OKS or osteoarthritis grading had similar 1-year results across hospitals (OKS and willingness to repeat surgery, p ≥ 0.087) except for the 64 patients with Kellgren–Lawrence grade-4 (Aarhus 4–6 OKS points lower). 86% of patients were satisfied, and 92% were “willing to repeat surgery”, independent of hospital (p ≥ 0.1). Hospital revision rates differences diminished during the study period.

Conclusions

Patients in hospitals with a history of differing revision rates had comparable patient-reported outcomes 1 year after primary knee arthroplasty, supporting that surgical quality should not be evaluated by revision rates alone. Future studies should explore if revision rate variations may depend as much on revision thresholds and indications as on outcomes of primary surgery.

Level of evidence

Level II (Prospective cohort study).
Health impact of borders: general reflections and a case study from the Polish–German border
Authors: Kuntosch Julia , Ruebsam Marie-Luise , Orsson Jakub , Orsson Dorota , Hahnenkamp Klaus , Hartleib Jörg , Flessa Steffen
Published: April 2023

Background and objective

Political, economic, communicative and cultural borders still limit the accessibility of acute healthcare services for patients so that they frequently have to accept longer distances to travel to the next provider within their own country. In this paper, we analyze the impact of borders and opening of borders on acute medical care in hospitals and on patients in border regions.

Methods

We develop a conceptual framework model of cross-border healthcare and apply it to the Polish–German border area. The model combines the distance decay effect, a catchment area analysis, economies of scale and the learning curve.

Results

Borders have a major impact on acute medical care in hospitals and on patients. Setting of new borders will reduce the accessibility of health facilities for patients or require the establishment of new hospitals. Reopening borders might induce a vicious circle leading to the insolvency of a hospital which might result in poorer health for some patients.

Conclusion

Strong effort should be invested to overcome political and cultural borders to improve the health of the population in border regions. Similarly, increased cross-border acute healthcare must be seen in the context of rural health and the special situation of small rural hospitals in rural peripheral areas.
Application of UPLC-MS/MS Method for Analysis of Apigenin, Apigenin 7-Glucoside and Chlorogenic Acid in Goat Serum
Authors: Karaźniewicz-Łada Marta , Wójtowski Jacek Antoni , Główka Franciszek , Danków Romualda , Pikul Jan , Gryszczyńska Agnieszka , Foksowicz-Flaczyk Joanna , Mikołajczak Przemysław Łukasz
Published: April 2023

UPLC-MS/MS method was developed for determination of bioactive compounds including chlorogenic acid (CA), apigenin (AP) and apigenin 7-glucoside (AP7G) in goat serum. The analytes were separated on Kinetex C18 analytical column and a mobile phase consisting 0.1% formic acid in water and methanol with gradient elution. Detection of analytes was performed using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization in positive mode. The lower limit of quantitation was 0.5 ng mL–1 for AP and AP7G and 2.5 ng mL–1 for CA. The inter- and intra-day precision of the method expressed as relative standard deviation was in the range of 1.22–14.5%. The accuracy of the method expressed as the relative error was in the range of 0.147–14.6%. The extraction recoveries of the compounds were 76.2–89.5%. The validated method was successfully applied for analysis of the compounds in the serum of sixty goats, half of which were fed with fodder with the addition of an herbal mixture. The higher concentration values of all analyzed compounds were reported in the serum of the animals fed with herbs compared to the control group receiving standard fodder.
Sustainable successes in third-party food delivery operations in the digital platform era
Authors: Chan Hau-Ling , Cheung Ting-Ting , Choi Tsan-Ming , Sheu Jiuh-Biing
Published: April 2023

In the digital era, third-party food delivery operations are very popular all around the world. However, to achieve a sustainable operation for food delivery businesses is a challenging issue. Motivated by the fact that there is a lack of consolidated view towards the topic in the literature, we conduct a systematic literature review to identify how to achieve a sustainable operation for third-party food delivery and highlight the recent advances in this important area with the discussion of real-world practices. In this study, first, we review the relevant literature and apply the triple bottom line (TBL) framework to classify prior studies into economic sustainability, social sustainability, environmental sustainability, and multi-dimensional sustainability. We then identify three major research gaps, including inadequate investigation on the restaurant’s preferences and decisions, superficial understanding on the environmental performance, and limited examination on the multi-dimensional sustainability in the third-party food delivery operations. Finally, based on the reviewed literature and observed industrial practices, we propose five future areas that deserve an in-depth further investigation. They are namely applications of digital technologies, behaviors and decisions of the restaurants, risk management, TBL, and post-coronavirus pandemic.
Target parameters and bias in non-causal change-score analyses with measurement errors
Authors: Sjölander Arvid , Gabriel Erin E. , Ciocănea-Teodorescu Iuliana
Published: April 2023

In studies where the outcome is a change-score, it is often debated whether or not the analysis should adjust for the baseline score. When the aim is to make causal inference, it has been argued that the two analyses (adjusted vs. unadjusted) target different causal parameters, which may both be relevant. However, these arguments are not applicable when the aim is to make predictions rather than to estimate causal effects. When the scores are measured with error, there have been attempts to quantify the bias resulting from adjustment for the (mis-)measured baseline score or lack thereof. However, these bias results have been derived under an unrealistically simple model, and assuming that the target parameter is the unadjusted (for the true baseline score) association, thus dismissing the adjusted association as a possibly relevant target parameter. In this paper we address these limitations. We argue that, even if the aim is to make predictions, there are two possibly relevant target parameters; one adjusted for the baseline score and one unadjusted. We consider both the simple case when there are no measurement errors, and the more complex case when the scores are measured with error. For the latter case, we consider a more realistic model than previous authors. Under this model we derive analytic expressions for the biases that arise when adjusting or not adjusting for the (mis-)measured baseline score, with respect to the two possible target parameters. Finally, we use these expressions to discuss when adjustment is warranted in change-score analyses.
Fostering Friendship and Dating Skills Among Adults on the Autism Spectrum: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Polish Version of the PEERS® for Young Adults Curriculum
Authors: Płatos Mateusz , Wojaczek Kinga , Laugeson Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2023

PEERS® for Young Adults is an evidence-based program aimed at teaching social skills needed to establish and maintain close relationships, including friendship and romantic relationships. The study investigated the effects of the Polish adaptation of the curriculum on the social functioning of adults on the autism spectrum. Fifteen young adults (aged 18–32, M = 23.5) were randomly allocated to an immediate or delayed (control) treatment condition. By self and parent report, individuals who participated in the PEERS® program showed significant improvements in social skills, social cognition, and social knowledge, but limited gains in social engagement. The effects were maintained over six months after the treatment. The intervention was well-accepted and deemed feasible by young adults, their parents, and peers involved in the program.
Thermodynamic Data for Sn(IV) Species in Aqueous Solution: A Matter of Controversy and Error
Authors: May Peter M. , Filella Montserrat
Published: April 2023

Critically assessed data regarding Sn(IV) dioxides and hydroxy complexes have recently been challenged. Differences as large as nine orders of magnitude occur in certain of the published solubility products and other equilibrium constants, despite supposedly being derived from the same ‘reliable’ measurements. We show how these differing conclusions depend on the assignments of uncertainty in the respective experimental observations and that the divergence is due to error propagation in identifiable thermodynamic analyses. The use of Sn4+ as a ‘basis’/‘master’ species in thermodynamic modelling is deprecated. Automatic methods which enable the necessary calculations to be properly evaluated, as well as easily repeated, help uncover such mistakes. The results from the comprehensive NEA review are substantially confirmed.
Same but different. Incidental and symptomatic lower grade gliomas show differences in molecular features and survival
Authors: Demetz Matthias , Krigers Aleksandrs , Moser Patrizia , Kerschbaumer Johannes , Thomé Claudius , Freyschlag Christian F.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Data on differences in overall survival and molecular characteristics between incidental (iLGG) and symptomatic lower grade Glioma (sLGG) are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate differences between patients with iLGG and sLGG.

Methods

All adult patients with a histologically proven diffuse (WHO°II) or anaplastic (WHO°III) glioma who underwent their first surgery at the authors’ institution between 2010 and 2019 were retrospectively included. Tumor volume on pre- and postoperative MRI scans was determined. Clinical and routine neuropathological data were gained from patients’ charts. If IDH1, ATRX and EGFR were not routinely assessed, they were re-determined.

Results

Out of 161 patients included, 23 (14%) were diagnosed as incidental findings. Main reasons for obtaining MRI were: headache(n = 12), trauma(n = 2), MRI indicated by other departments(n = 7), staging examination for cancer(n = 1), volunteering for MRI sequence testing(n = 1). The asymptomatic patients were significantly younger with a median age of 38 years (IqR28-48) vs. 50 years (IqR38-61), p = 0.011. Incidental LGG showed significantly lower preoperative tumor volumes in T1 CE (p = 0.008), FLAIR (p = 0.038) and DWI (p = 0.028). Incidental LGG demonstrated significantly lower incidence of anaplasia (p = 0.004) and lower expression of MIB-1 (p = 0.008) compared to sLGG. IDH1-mutation was significantly more common in iLGG (p = 0.024). Incidental LGG showed a significantly longer OS (mean 212 vs. 70 months, p = 0.005) and PFS (mean 201 vs. 61 months, p = 0.001) compared to sLGG.

Conclusion

Our study is the first to depict a significant difference in molecular characteristics between iLGG and sLGG. The findings of this study confirmed and extended the results of previous studies showing a better outcome and more favorable radiological, volumetric and neuropathological features of iLGG.
Opportunities and conditions to learn (OCL): A conceptual framework
Authors: Perry Laura B. , Thier Michael , Beach Paul , Anderson Ross C. , Thoennessen Niklas-Max , Roberts Philip
Published: April 2023

“Opportunity to learn” has evolved into an umbrella phrase for describing a large range of settings, resources, structures, and processes. The aim of this study is to develop a conceptual framework that can accommodate a wide range of opportunities to learn, not just those provided by teachers in classrooms. An inclusive framework can bring together diverse studies about opportunity to learn, increasing synergies and uncovering interconnections, and making more visible marginalized forms of learning. It can also be used as a framework for holding governments, education authorities, and policy makers accountable for providing equitable opportunities and conditions to learn. This article presents a three-dimensional conceptual framework of opportunities and conditions to learn (OCL) that captures (a) notions of what opportunities exist and where those opportunities exist and opportunities offered by whom, as well as (b) a spate of conditions that can shape those opportunities.
Using web archives for an explorative study of the web presence of German parties during the European election 2019
Authors: Ertel Florence , Donig Simon , Eckl Markus , Gassner Sebastian , Göler Daniel , Rehbein Malte
Published: April 2023

In the digital age, political science is faced with a shift of election campaigns and political discourse to digital or virtual arenas. Because the internet is a highly volatile medium and online content can become inaccessible after the campaign season, new challenges for research arise as well as the need for the preservation of online content. Moreover, the sheer volume of data researchers have to deal with has reached levels where traditional methods are being highly challenged. This paper puts forth a web harvesting workflow with a strong focus on granular extraction of unstructured information (publication dates) for automated analysis. As our approach is methodological, we would like to point out the benefits that researches in political science may draw from adapting our methodology. We demonstrate this by analysing an event-based web crawl of German parties participating in the election campaign for the European Parliamentary Election in 2019. We employ distant reading methods to generate topic models, which are subsequently evaluated by hermeneutic analysis of a subset of the data.
Fundamentals, real-time uncertainty and CDS index spreads
Authors: Audzeyeva Alena , Wang Xu
Published: April 2023

The high level of economic uncertainty linked to the pace of the recovery process can persist after a crisis and has implications for the market pricing of firms’ credit risk reflected in credit default swap (CDS) spreads. This paper examines the role of key proxies for the economic state and its real-time uncertainty in determining Northern American CDX index spreads. Focusing on the recovery period following the 2007–2009 global financial crisis, we find that measures of economic output, employment, inflation, and economic uncertainty, all significantly influence CDX spreads, beyond the impact of conventional determinants. Furthermore, our results provide evidence that the sensitivity of investment-grade and high-yield CDX differs across economic aspects. Moreover, our out-of-sample predictive analysis identifies indicators and uncertainty measures with significant predictive content for quarter-ahead CDX spreads. Taken together, our findings indicate that academic modelers and practitioners employing more accurate representations of the macroeconomy in CDS modeling and analysis can improve upon the models that rely solely on the typically employed economic output variables or on broad data aggregation.
A Defense and Development of the Volitional Self-Contradiction Interpretation
Authors: Kleingeld Pauline
Published: April 2023

Kant’s Formula of Universal Law (FUL) is generally believed to require you to act only on the basis of maxims that you can will without contradiction to become universal laws. In “Contradiction and Kant’s Formula of Universal Law” (2017), I have proposed to read the FUL instead as requiring that, for any maxim on which you act, you can will two things simultaneously, without volitional self-contradiction: (1) willing the maxim as your own action principle and (2) willing that it become a universal law. In the present essay, I reply to comments by Mark Timmons, Michael Walschots, Paola Romero, and Stefano Lo Re. In response to their comments concerning the application of the FUL, I expand the interpretive framework of the Volitional Self-Contradiction Interpretation. I argue that Kant also constructs the diagnostic volitional self-contradiction as a contradiction between (1) willing a tested maxim to become a universal law and (2) willing what humans, qua finite rational beings, necessarily will, namely the means to their actual and possible future ends. I also clarify how the two ways in which Kant specifies the test are related. Furthermore, I clarify the relation between the Volitional Self-Contradiction interpretation and other interpretations of the FUL, in particular the ‘Practical Contradiction’ and ‘Logical Contradiction’ interpretations, as well as its difference from the Golden Rule. I also address the objection that the volitional self-contradiction is superfluous, clarify the relation between the Formula of Universal Law and the Formula of the Law of Nature, and explain why the will of an immoral agent does not contain a volitional self-contradiction of the type at issue.