bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Redefining Human–Robot Symbiosis: a bio-inspired approach to collaborative assembly
Authors: Barravecchia Federico , Bartolomei Mirco , Mastrogiacomo Luca , Franceschini Fiorenzo
Published: August 2023

The advent of collaborative robotics has enabled humans and robots to collaborate closely in carrying out manufacturing activities. Together, they can leverage their unique strengths and capabilities to tackle complex tasks. This partnership between humans and robots is often described as symbiotic in literature, but this concept is frequently oversimplified to a simple exchange of mutual benefits. In reality, symbiosis encompasses a wide range of interactions, some of which may be beneficial while others might be detrimental.

To effectively manage Human–Robot Symbiosis, it is important to understand its underlying principles. In this view, this paper has two main objectives: (i) to reinterpret collaborative tasks in assembly processes based on the characteristics of symbiotic relationships; and (ii) to propose a new approach for evaluating assembly tasks inspired by the bio-inspired features of collaborative human–robot systems.

Overall, the results of this study represent a step towards achieving a deeper understanding of the principles of Human–Robot Symbiosis, useful to develop effective solutions for enhancing collaboration between humans and robots in assembly processes.
Uncertainty assessment of proarrhythmia predictions derived from multi-level in silico models
Authors: Kopańska Karolina , Rodríguez-Belenguer Pablo , Llopis-Lorente Jordi , Trenor Beatriz , Saiz Javier , Pastor Manuel
Published: August 2023

In silico methods can be used for an early assessment of arrhythmogenic properties of drug candidates. However, their use for decision-making is conditioned by the possibility to estimate the predictions’ uncertainty. This work describes our efforts to develop uncertainty quantification methods for the predictions produced by multi-level proarrhythmia models. In silico models used in this field usually start with experimental or predicted IC50 values that describe drug-induced ion channel blockade. Using such inputs, an electrophysiological model computes how the ion channel inhibition, exerted by a drug in a certain concentration, translates to an altered shape and duration of the action potential in cardiac cells, which can be represented as arrhythmogenic risk biomarkers such as the APD90. Using this framework, we identify the main sources of aleatory and epistemic uncertainties and propose a method based on probabilistic simulations that replaces single-point estimates predicted using multiple input values, including the IC50s and the electrophysiological parameters, by distributions of values. Two selected variability types associated with these inputs are then propagated through the multi-level model to estimate their impact on the uncertainty levels in the output, expressed by means of intervals. The proposed approach yields single predictions of arrhythmogenic risk biomarkers together with value intervals, providing a more comprehensive and realistic description of drug effects on a human population. The methodology was tested by predicting arrhythmogenic biomarkers on a series of twelve well-characterised marketed drugs, belonging to different arrhythmogenic risk classes.
Clinical trials of neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors for early-stage operable colon and rectal cancer
Authors: Veen Torhild , Kanani Arezo , Lea Dordi , Søreide Kjetil
Published: August 2023

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have become first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) with deficient mismatch repair (dMMR). Despite the remarkable response reported in preliminary trials, the role of ICI in patients with early-stage, operable CRC remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate trials on neoadjuvant ICI in operable CRC.

Materials and methods

Scoping review of clinical trial registries (Clinicaltrials.gov and EU clinical trial registers) and PubMed/Medline database of trials on neoadjuvant ICI for operable CRC was done up to December 2022.

Results

Some 40 trials investigating neoadjuvant ICI for early-stage, operable CRC were identified, including five published trials and three conference abstracts. Preclinical phase I/II trial predominated with only three clinical phase III trials. Few trials investigated neoadjuvant ICI as the only intervention (monotherapy). Trials in rectal cancer were designed for combined ICI with chemo(radio)therapy, only 8 trials stating an MSI/dMMR status for inclusion, one designed for MSS/pMMR only and, the rest agnostic for MMR status. Thirty-eight (95%) trials investigated programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) or programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors. PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors were combined with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor or with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) inhibitor, in two trials each, respectively. Pathological complete response as primary outcome after surgery was the most frequently used study endpoint. In rectal cancer, six trials included a “watch and wait” strategy for patients with complete clinical response. No “watch and wait” study design for colon cancer after neoadjuvant ICI were identified.

Conclusion

High response rates from neoadjuvant ICI in early-stage colon and rectal cancer are reported in phase I/II studies. Contemporary trial designs are heterogeneous, with few comparable inclusion criteria, use of several drug combinations and durations and, wide variation of endpoints reported. Harmonizing clinical and translational aspects including survival data is needed for improved future trial designs with clinical impact.
GWAS reveals genomic associations with swine inflammation and necrosis syndrome
Authors: Gerhards Katharina , Becker Sabrina , Kuehling Josef , Lechner Mirjam , Bathke Jochen , Willems Hermann , Reiner Gerald
Published: August 2023

The recently identified swine inflammation and necrosis syndrome (SINS) occurs in high prevalence from newborn piglets to fattening pigs and resembles an important concern for animal welfare. The primary endogenous syndrome affects the tail, ears, teats, coronary bands, claws and heels. The basis of clinical inflammation and necrosis has been substantiated by histopathology, metabolomic and liver transcriptomic. Considerable variation in SINS scores is evident in offspring of different boars under the same husbandry conditions. The high complexity of metabolic alterations and the influence of the boar led to the hypothesis of a polygenic architecture of SINS. This should be investigated by a genome-wide association study. For this purpose, 27 sows were simultaneously inseminated with mixed semen from two extreme boars. The mixed semen always contained ejaculate from a Pietrain boar classified as extremely SINS susceptible and additionally either the ejaculate from a Pietrain boar classified as SINS stable or from a Duroc boar classified as SINS stable. The 234 piglets were phenotyped on day 3 of life, sampled and genetically assigned to the respective boar. The piglets showed the expected genetic differentiation with respect to SINS susceptibility. The suspected genetic complexity was confirmed both in the number and genome-wide distribution of 221 significantly associated SNPs, and led to 49 candidate genes. As the SNPs were almost exclusively located in noncoding regions, functional nucleotides have not yet been identified. The results suggest that the susceptibility of piglets to SINS depends not only on environmental conditions but also on genomic variation.
Development and validation of nomograms to recurrence and survival in patients with early-stage cervical adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Xintao , Shi Wenpei , Pu Xiaowen , Hu Yan , Chen Ruiying , Zhu Haiyan
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Cervical adenocarcinoma is one of the most common types of cervical cancer and its incidence is increasing. The biological behavior and treatment outcomes of cervical adenocarcinoma (CA) differ from those of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We sought to develop a model to predict recurrence and cancer-specific survival (CSS) deaths in CA patients.

Methods

131 patients were included in model development and internal validation, and patients from the SEER database (N = 1679) were used for external validation. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to select predictors of relapse-free survival (RFS) and CSS and to construct the model, which was presented as two nomograms. Internal validation of the nomograms was performed using the bootstrap resampling method.

Results

Age, FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage, size of the tumor, lymph metastasis and depth of invasion were identified as independent prognostic factors for RFS, while age, FIGO stage, size of the tumor and number of positive LNs were identified as independent prognostic factors for CSS. The nomogram of the recurrence model predicted 2- and 5-year RFS, with optimism adjusted c-statistic of 75.41% and 74.49%. Another nomogram predicted the 2- and 5-year CSS with an optimism-adjusted c-statistic of 83.22% and 83.31% after internal validation; and 68.6% and 71.33% after external validation.

Conclusions

We developed and validated two effective nomograms based on static nomograms or online calculators that can help clinicians quantify the risk of relapse and death for patients with early-stage CA.
Source tracing of Anthonomus grandis captured in areas of the USA where the species had previously been eradicated
Authors: Raszick Tyler J. , Perkin Lindsey C. , Shirley Xanthe A. , Ruiz-Arce Raul , Kramer Zoey A. , Suh Charles P.-C. , Sword Gregory A.
Published: August 2023

Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is comprised of two subspecies: the boll weevil (A. g. grandis) and the thurberia weevil (A. g. thurberiae). The thurberia weevil is generally regarded as a non-pest variant of the species, whereas the boll weevil is an important economic pest of commercial cotton. In the USA, a nationwide eradication program has been largely successful against the boll weevil, but reintroductions of eradicated zones remain a threat. In 2015, A. grandis was trapped in the functionally eradicated Winter Garden growing region in Texas, where it had not been found since 2012. Weevils established in the area and triggered a multi-year, multi-million-dollar mitigation effort. In 2017, the species was trapped in Hidalgo County, New Mexico, another area where it had been previously eradicated. In this study, we obtained specimens from both trapping events and used double digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing to obtain genetic data in homology with previously published A. grandis population genetic data. We conducted source tracing to match the captured weevils to previously described populations to determine a likely source population. We also compared the accuracy of the approach to other diagnostic methods currently used by the United States Department of Agriculture. The results suggested that a small founder population of weevils dispersed from the Lower Rio Grande Valley population in southern Texas and northern Tamaulipas and established in the Winter Garden. In Hidalgo Co., NM, the weevils were found to be genetically indistinct from non-pest populations of thurberia weevil associated with Arizona wild cotton (Gossypium thurberi). Thurberia weevils in Arizona remain unlikely to threaten commercial growers. Improved rapid diagnostic tools may be desirable to enable better assessment of trap captures and allow for a reduction in the application of mitigation efforts when the non-pest variant is identified.
High neuroticism is associated with common late adverse effects in a nationwide sample of long-term breast cancer survivors
Authors: Dahl Alv A. , Smedsland Solveig K. , Vandraas Kathrine F. , Bøhn Synne K. , Falk Ragnhild S. , Kiserud Cecilie E. , Reinertsen Kristin V.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Neuroticism is a basic personality trait characterized by negative emotions triggered by stress such as a breast cancer diagnosis and its treatment. Due to lack of relevant research, the purpose of this study was to examine if high neuroticism is associated with seven common late adverse effects (LAEs) in long-term (≥ 5 years) breast cancer survivors (BCSs).

Methods

All female Norwegian BCSs aged 20–65 years when diagnosed with stage I–III breast cancer in 2011 or 2012 were invited to a questionnaire study in 2019 (N = 2803), of whom 48% participated (N = 1355). Neuroticism was self-rated using the abridged version of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and scores dichotomized into high and low neuroticism. LAEs were defined by categorization of ratings on the EORTC QLQ-C30 (cognitive function, pain, and sleep problems) and QLQ-BR23 (arm problems) questionnaires, and categorizations of scale scores on mental distress, fatigue, and neuropathy. Associations between high neuroticism and LAEs were explored using multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

High neuroticism was found in 40% (95%CI 37–42%) of BCSs. All LAEs were significantly more common among BCSs with high compared to low neuroticism. In multivariable analyses, high neuroticism was positively associated with all LAEs except neuropathy. Systemic treatment, somatic comorbidity, and not being in paid work were also significantly associated with all LAEs.

Conclusions

High neuroticism is prevalent and associated with increased risks of LAEs among BCSs. Identification of high neuroticism could improve the follow-up care of BCSs as effective interventions for the condition exist.
Behavioral Health Care Delivery Through Street Medicine Programs in California
Authors: Su Kimberly Y. , Feldman Brett J. , Feldman Corinne T. , Saluja Sonali , Coulourides Kogan Alexis M. , Cousineau Michael R.
Published: August 2023

Mental health and substance use disorders are prevalent among people experiencing homelessness. Street Medicine can reach unhoused people who face barriers to accessing healthcare in more traditional medical settings including shelter-based clinics. However, there is little guidance on best practices for mental health and substance use treatment through Street Medicine. The aim of the study was to describe behavioral health care through Street Medicine by analyzing data from the California Street Medicine Landscape survey and follow-up qualitative interviews. Most street medicine programs utilize non-psychiatrists to diagnose and treat mental health and substance use disorders, though the capacity to provide the level of care needed varies. There is a lack of street-based psychiatric clinicians and programs have difficulty making referrals to mental health and addiction services. This report shows that Street Medicine could serve as a strategy to expand access to behavioral health care for the unhoused.
Inclusion of the gender equality sustainable development goal in engineering teaching and research
Authors: Peña Marta , de les Valls Elisabet Mas
Published: August 2023

This work explores how gender mainstreaming can be included in the teaching and research of engineering, a framed discipline belonging to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (known with the acronym STEM), an area of ​​knowledge known for having (especially in the Western countries) a low proportion of female students. There is little research and manuals that address gender-specific issues in this area of ​​knowledge and how they could be addressed. During the 2018/2019 academic year, a pilot project on gender mainstreaming was carried out at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC) as part of these actions. For this purpose, 41 voluntary teachers from 8 Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees of the UPC have been recruited. Social and gender relevance of the subjects, inclusive methodology, classroom management and assessment have been considered in this research. One of the tools obtained from this study is a guide of recommendations to be used by the teaching and research staff to introduce the changes that make possible the effective incorporation of the gender equality Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) in engineering teaching and research. The recommendations proposed in this work derive from the research carried out for this project. The work, therefore, paves the way for further insight into the specific gender bias in engineering and is an essential tool for people involved in teaching and research in the engineering field from a critical spirit.
DAScheduler: Dependency-Aware Scheduling Algorithm for Containerized Dependent Jobs
Authors: Alelyani Abdullah , Datta Amitava , Hassan Ghulam Mubashar
Published: August 2023

Containers have emerged recently as a cloud technology for improving and managing cloud resources. They improve resource sharing by allowing instances to run on top of the host’s operating system. Container-based virtualization runs and manages hosted instances via the host kernel. Resource sharing can cause resource contention. In addition, dependent jobs, which may be deployed across multiple hosts, require frequent communication, resulting in a high volume of network traffic and network contention. The majority of existing research focuses on load balancing, with no consideration for the fact that network contention also plays a significant role in container performance. In this research, we propose a Dependency-aware Scheduling algorithm (DAScheduler) that deploys jobs into containers while accounting for both load balancing and job dependencies. The experimental results show that DAScheduler reduces network traffic by more than half and balances the loads. In comparison to one of the existing state-of-the-art techniques, DAScheduler improves overall cloud performance.
Should Severity Assessments in Healthcare Priority Setting be Risk- and Time-Sensitive?
Authors: Sandman Lars , Liliemark Jan
Published: August 2023

Background: Severity plays an essential role in healthcare priority setting. Still, severity is an under-theorised concept. One controversy concerns whether severity should be risk- and/or time-sensitive. The aim of this article is to provide a normative analysis of this question. Methods: A reflective equilibrium approach is used, where judgements and arguments concerning severity in preventive situations are related to overall normative judgements and background theories in priority-setting, aiming for consistency. Analysis, discussion, and conclusions: There is an argument for taking the risk of developing a condition into account, and we do this when we consider the risk of dying in the severity assessment. If severity is discounted according to risk, this will ‘dilute’ severity, depending on how well we are able to delineate the population, which is dependent on the current level of knowledge. This will potentially have a more far-reaching effect when considering primary prevention, potentially the de-prioritisation of effective preventive treatments in relation to acute, less-effective treatments. The risk arguments are dependent on which population is being assessed. If we focus on the whole population at risk, with T0 as the relevant population, this supports the risk argument. If we instead focus on the population of as-yet (at T0) unidentified individuals who will develop the condition at T1, risk will become irrelevant, and severity will not be risk sensitive. The strongest argument for time-sensitive severity (or for discounting future severity) is the future development of technology. On a short timescale, this will differ between different diagnoses, supporting individualised discounting. On a large timescale, a more general discounting might be acceptable. However, we need to also consider the systemic effects of allowing severity to be risk- and time-sensitive.
Effects of Interaction Qualities Beyond Task Quality: Disentangling Instructional Support and Cognitive Demands
Authors: Prediger Susanne , Erath Kirstin , Quabeck Kim , Stahnke Rebekka
Published: August 2023

Instructional quality dimensions of cognitive demands and instructional support have been shown to have an impact on students’ learning gains. Existing operationalizations of these dimensions have mostly used comprehensive ratings that combine various subdimensions of task quality and interaction quality. The current study disentangles interaction quality in a video data corpus study (of 49 middle school classrooms sharing the same tasks) to identify those quality features that predict students’ learning gains in conceptual understanding. The regression analysis reveals that quality features of students’ individual engagement do not predict individual student learning, whereas teachers’ support of learning content-relevant vocabulary predicts the small groups’ learning. For at-risk students, the collective time spent on conceptual practices (i.e. explaining meanings of concepts) on students’ learning is significantly predictive. The observation that different operationalizations (for similar aspects of interaction quality) lead to different impacts on the learning gains contributes to ongoing research efforts to refine and increase insight into aspects of interaction quality.
A survey of Asian Eye Institutions on perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in cataract surgery
Authors: Garg Prashant , Khor Wei-Boon , Roy Aravind , Tan Donald Tiang-Hwee ,   For the APAX consortium, Ke Yao , Zhu Xiangjia , Young Alvin L. , Aravind Haripriya , Sharma Namrata , Heryati Susi , Hutauruk Johan A. , Sitompul Ratna , Nishida Kohji , Oie Yoshinori , Yamaguchi Takefumi , Kamal Khairidzan Mohd. , Jeeva Irfan , Abaño Jessica Marie R. , Siong Ruben Lim Bon , Hyon Joon Young , Seo Kyoung Yul , Chang Shu-Wen , Hu Fung-Rong , Liu Catherine Jui-Ling , Sun Chi Chin , Kasetsuwan Ngamjit , Prabhasawat Pinnita , Cung Le Xuan , Nguyen Quoc Dat
Published: August 2023

Purpose

To determine current institutional practice patterns for the use of perioperative antibiotics and other measures to prevent infection after cataract surgery in Asia.

Methods

An online survey-based study of leading eye institutions in China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam was conducted. The survey was administered to 26 representative key opinion leaders from prominent tertiary eye institutions that are also national academic teaching institutions in Asia. Survey responses were collated and anonymized during analysis.

Results

All surveyed institutions used povidone iodine for the preoperative antiseptic preparation of the eye, with notable variations in the concentration of povidone iodine used for conjunctival sac instillation. Preoperative topical antibiotics were prescribed by 61.5% and 69.2% of institutions in low-risk and high-risk cases, respectively. Regarding the use of intra-operative antibiotics, 60.0% and 66.7% of institutions administered intracameral antibiotics in low-risk and high-risk patients, respectively. Postoperative topical antibiotics use patterns were generally very similar in low-risk and high-risk patients. Over half of the institutions (52.2% and 68.0% in low-risk and high-risk patients, respectively) also indicated prolonged postoperative use of topical antibiotics (> 2 weeks). Not all surveyed institutions had established policies/protocols for perioperative antibiotic use in cataract surgery, endophthalmitis surveillance, and/or a monitoring program for emerging antimicrobial resistance.

Conclusion

There are variations in antimicrobial prophylaxis approaches to preoperative, intra-operative and postoperative regimens in cataract surgery in Asia. More evidence-based research is needed to support the development of detailed guidelines for perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce postoperative infections.
A Becker–Döring Type Model for Cell Polarization
Authors: Pohl Lorena , Niethammer Barbara
Published: August 2023

We propose a model for cell polarization based on the Becker–Döring equations with the first coagulation coefficient equal to zero. We show convergence to equilibrium for power-law coagulation and fragmentation rates and obtain a loss of mass in the limit$$t \rightarrow \infty $$t→∞depending on the initial mass and the relative strengths of the coagulation and fragmentation processes. In the case of linear rates, we further show that large clusters evolve in a self-similar manner at large times by comparing limits of appropriately rescaled solutions in different spaces.
Beyond glycemia: Comparing tirzepatide to GLP-1 analogues
Authors: Andraos John , Muhar Harleen , Smith Shawn R.
Published: August 2023

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor analogs (GLP-1 RAs) have been an innovative and instrumental drug class in the management of both type 2 diabetes and obesity. Tirzepatide is a novel agent that acts as an agonist for both GLP-1 receptors and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) receptors, another incretin that lowers glucose and appetite. Although previous studies showed a lack of therapeutic benefit for GIP agonists, current studies show that the glucose lowering and weight loss effects of tirzepatide are at least as effective as GLP-1 RAs with a similar adverse effect profile. Some studies, though not conclusive, predict that tirzepatide may in fact be more potent than GLP-1 RAs at reducing weight. A thorough review of the studies that led to tirzepatide’s approval allows for comparisons between tirzepatide and GLP-1 RAs; it also allows for predictions of tirzepatide’s eventual place in therapy - an agent used preferentially over GLP-1 RAs in patients with or without diabetes desiring to lose weight.
Stereospecific formation of vanadium mandelato complexes with [Fe(2,2′-bipyridine)3]2+ as a counter ion
Authors: Schwendt Peter , Gyepes Róbert , Tatiersky Jozef , Filo Juraj , Bujdoš Marek , Zákutná Dominika , Krivosudský Lukáš
Published: August 2023

Two vanadium complexes of mandelic acid having [Fe(bpy)3]2+as counterion, [Fe(bpy)3][V2O4(rac-mand)2]·4.9H2O·0.1CH3CN (1, FeV2L2) and (H3O)[Fe(bpy)3]4[V3O7(S-mand)2]3·28H2O (2, FeV3L2) (bpy = 2,2’-bipyridine,mand2– = mandelato ligand, C8H6O32–) have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and spectral methods. The FeSO4—bpy—KVO3—H2mand—H2O—CH3CN system exhibits a stereospecific behaviour: while from the system including racemic mandelic acid only the complex of the V2L2type (1) could be obtained in crystalline form, the system withS-mandelic acid afforded the V3L2(2) complex as the single crystalline product. All vanadium atoms exhibit tetragonal pyramidal coordination geometry with oxygen donor atoms of the oxido ligands and carboxylate anion. The stereospecific behaviour was investigated using the51 V NMR spectroscopy, which revealed different composition of systems with racemic mandelic acid andS-mandelic acid after some preliminary period (≈ 15 days). The compound2is chiral non-racemic compound (space groupP21212), the structure of which contains Δ-[Fe(bpy)3]2+cations and [V3O7(S-mand)2]3–anions.

Graphical abstract
Development and Validation of a Machine Learning Algorithm Using Clinical Pages to Predict Imminent Clinical Deterioration
Authors: Steitz Bryan D. , McCoy Allison B. , Reese Thomas J. , Liu Siru , Weavind Liza , Shipley Kipp , Russo Elise , Wright Adam
Published: August 2023

Background

Early detection of clinical deterioration among hospitalized patients is a clinical priority for patient safety and quality of care. Current automated approaches for identifying these patients perform poorly at identifying imminent events.

Objective

Develop a machine learning algorithm using pager messages sent between clinical team members to predict imminent clinical deterioration.

Design

We conducted a large observational study using long short-term memory machine learning models on the content and frequency of clinical pages.

Participants

We included all hospitalizations between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center that included at least one page message to physicians. Exclusion criteria included patients receiving palliative care, hospitalizations with a planned intensive care stay, and hospitalizations in the top 2% longest length of stay.

Main Measures

Model classification performance to identify in-hospital cardiac arrest, transfer to intensive care, or Rapid Response activation in the next 3-, 6-, and 12-hours. We compared model performance against three common early warning scores: Modified Early Warning Score, National Early Warning Score, and the Epic Deterioration Index.

Key Results

There were 87,783 patients (mean [SD] age 54.0 [18.8] years; 45,835 [52.2%] women) who experienced 136,778 hospitalizations. 6214 hospitalized patients experienced a deterioration event. The machine learning model accurately identified 62% of deterioration events within 3-hours prior to the event and 47% of events within 12-hours. Across each time horizon, the model surpassed performance of the best early warning score including area under the receiver operating characteristic curve at 6-hours (0.856 vs. 0.781), sensitivity at 6-hours (0.590 vs. 0.505), specificity at 6-hours (0.900 vs. 0.878), and F-score at 6-hours (0.291 vs. 0.220).

Conclusions

Machine learning applied to the content and frequency of clinical pages improves prediction of imminent deterioration. Using clinical pages to monitor patient acuity supports improved detection of imminent deterioration without requiring changes to clinical workflow or nursing documentation.
Partizipation in Lehr-Lern-Arrangements: Literaturreview und kritische Würdigung des Partizipationskonzepts
Authors: Kärner Tobias , Jüttler Michael , Fritzsche Yannick , Heid Helmut
Published: August 2023

Der Beitrag hat die Untersuchung und Bewertung partizipativer Elemente von Lehr-Lern-Arrangements sowie die kritische Würdigung des Partizipationskonzepts zum Ziel. Hierzu werden die Ergebnisse einer Literaturanalyse von insgesamt 56 wissenschaftlichen Beiträgen vorgestellt und diskutiert. Der Fokus liegt hierbei auf lernerseitigen Einflussmöglichkeiten auf Entscheidungen – die Lernziele und -inhalte, die didaktisch-methodische Gestaltung, Strukturierung und Organisation des Unterrichts sowie die Prüfungsformen und die Kriterien zur Bewertung von Leistungen betreffend – und auf konkreten Realisierungsformen partizipativer Praxis. Weiterhin werden Korrelate partizipativer Elemente mit emotional-motivationalen, unterrichts- und beziehungsbezogenen sowie leistungsbezogenen Lernendenvariablen zusammenfassend berichtet. Der Beitrag schließt mit einer Diskussion des gesichteten Forschungsstands sowie forschungsmethodischen und konzeptionellen Gedanken ab.
Soziale Selektivität bei der Vergabe der integrativen schulischen Maßnahmen reduzierte individuelle Lernziele, Nachteilsausgleich und integrative Förderung
Authors: Sahli Lozano Caroline , Wüthrich Sergej , Wicki Matthias , Brandenberg Kathrin
Published: August 2023

Ausgehend von der sozialen Selektivität bei der äußeren Differenzierung und der zunehmenden Verlagerung der Selektionsprozesse in die Regelschulklassen hinein wird der Frage nachgegangen, inwiefern unterschiedliche integrative schulische Maßnahmen entlang der sozialen Herkunft vergeben werden. Dies ist insofern relevant, weil die Maßnahmen Lernzielreduktion, Nachteilsausgleich und integrative Förderung unterschiedliche Zielgruppen fokussieren und sich unterschiedlich auf inhaltliche und formale Bildungsergebnisse auswirken können. Die Studie basiert auf einer Stichprobe aus der Schweiz von insgesamt 1126 Schüler*innen der 5./6. Klassenstufe aus 66 Schulklassen aus dem Kanton Bern. Von den Schüler*innen hatten 71 eine Lernzielreduktion, 51 einen Nachteilsausgleich und 86 integrative Förderung. Die Analysen zeigten, dass Schüler*innen aus Familien mit höherem Sozialstatus häufiger von einem Nachteilsausgleich profitierten, und dies selbst unter Kontrolle von individuellen, kognitiven und schulischen Leistungsmerkmalen. Maßnahmen wie die Lernzielreduktion hingegen wurden häufiger an Schüler*innen aus Familien mit niedrigerem sozialem Status vergeben. Diese Selektivität birgt das Risiko, dass integrative Maßnahmen, die eigentlich dazu gedacht sind, Bildungsungleichheiten zu reduzieren, diese im Gegenteil noch verstärken können. Entsprechend sollten Schulleitungen, Lehr- und Fachpersonen Chancen und Risiken potenziell stigmatisierender Maßnahmen wie die der Lernzielreduktion sorgfältig abwägen und für mögliche soziale Herkunftseffekte bei der Vergabe „vorteilhafterer“ Maßnahmen wie dem Nachteilsausgleich sensibilisiert werden.
Formation of Peripheral Coarse Grain in Thin-Walled Al–Mg–Si Extrusion Profiles
Authors: Goik P. , Schiffl A. , Höppel H. W.
Published: August 2023

Investigations on microstructure and texture development during processing of Al–Mg–Si sheet and extrusion profiles focused on describing and modelling the changes in the bulk. However, understanding the evolution of microstructure in the sub-surface region is highly relevant, as this governs material performance under corrosion and bending deformation, which are crucial applications in mobility and transportation. The aim of this study was to correlate the effect of alloy composition and extrusion parameters to the formation of texture and peripheral coarse grain (PCG) layer. For this, five alloys of the AA6xxx class with varying content of dispersoid forming elements were extruded at increasing extrusion speeds into thin-walled hollow profiles. The microstructure at a plane section was investigated by means of EBSD and characterized in terms of distinct texture component distribution. It was shown that with increasing grain boundary mobility, through adapting dispersoid content and extrusion speed, the PCG layer grows into a fine-grained bulk. This growth of the PCG layer is only counter-acted upon, when the grain boundary mobility in the bulk is high enough, so that extensive growth of Cube oriented grains occurs. The PCG layer shows distinct orientations related to $$\langle 101\rangle ||\rm{TD}$$

⟨
101
⟩
|
|
TD

, so that a possible mechanism for the orientation selection during grain growth is proposed.
MAGLIO study: epideMiological Analysis on invasive meninGococcaL disease in Italy: fOcus on hospitalization from 2015 to 2019
Authors: Tascini Carlo , Iantomasi Raffaella , Sbrana Francesco , Carrieri Ciro , D’Angela Daniela , Cocchio Silvia , Polistena Barbara , Spandonaro Federico , Montuori Eva Agostina , Baldo Vincenzo
Published: August 2023

This study analyzed hospital admissions for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in epidemiological and economic terms in Italy from 2015 to 2019. The volume of acute admissions for meningococcal diagnosis was analyzed in the period from 2015 to 2019. IMD admissions were identified by ICD-9-CM diagnoses. Costs were assessed using current DRG tariffs. In 2019, a total of 237 admissions for meningococcal disease were recorded in Italy. The mean age of patients was 36.1 years. Lumbar puncture was reported in only 14% of hospital discharge forms. From 2015 to 2019, there was a mean annual reduction of − 1.2% nationally for IMD hospitalizations. For 2019, the total costs for acute inpatient admissions were €2,001,093. Considering annual incidence due to IMD, a significant decrease was noted in the age group from 0 to 1 year (p = 0.010) during 2015–2019. For all years, mortality associated with meningeal syndrome was lower compared to septic shock with or without meningitis. From 2015 to 2019, hospitalizations for IMD appear to be decreasing slightly in Italy, even if mortality remains high. Favorable trends in hospitalizations for IMD were seen in the 0–1-year age group, which may be attributable to increased vaccination. Costs of hospitalizations for IMD remain high.
Work ability and work status changes in long-term Hodgkin lymphoma survivors with focus on late adverse effects
Authors: Dahl Alv A. , Smeland Knut B. , Eikeland Siri , Fagerli Unn-Merete , Bersvendsen Hanne S. , Fosså Alexander , Kiserud Cecilie E.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

We studied work-related issues in long-term survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma [HLSs] who had undergone treatment according to contemporary stage risk-adapted approaches. At survey, work changes and problems since diagnosis, comparisons of HLSs with low/moderate versus high work ability, associations between work issues, and late adverse effects [LAEs] were examined.

Methods

This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study included HLSs treated from 1997 to 2006 and alive at the end of 2016. They completed a mailed questionnaire including work and health-related issues.

Results

Among 518 invited HLSs, 297 (58%) completed the work-related issues, and 48% of them were females. Mean age at survey was 45.9 years, and mean time was 16.7 years since diagnosis. At follow-up, 71% of the HLSs held paid work and 19% were on disability pension. Only 3% of HLSs did not hold paid work at any time after diagnosis. In total, 43% HLSs had low/moderate and 57% high work ability at follow-up. Low/moderate work ability was significantly associated with older age, female sex, more LAEs, disability pension, lower household income, distressed personality, obesity, fatigue, and mental disorders. More LAEs were significantly associated with more work problems.

Conclusions

Many HLSs manage to stay in the work force. Several health problems and LAEs amenable for interventions are significantly associated with low/moderate work ability and emphasize the importance of focus on these issues in long-term follow-up.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

HLSs in paid work at diagnosis can be optimistic as to their future participation in work life. Screening and treatment for health problems such as LAEs may improve work ability.
Three-way interaction: severity of tufted grass fungal infection affects Botanophila fly reproduction
Authors: Stawrakakis Krzysztof , Kasprzykowski Zbigniew , Lembicz Marlena
Published: August 2023

The interaction between Botanophila flies and Epichloë fungi is one of the few interactions in which grass-associated fungi are ‘pollinated’ by flies. We analysed the gains and losses for both interaction partners and the time factors determining cost dynamics. A hypothesis regarding the relationship between changes in the severity of grass infection with Epichloë fungus, size of fungal sexual structures (stromata), and fly presence (expressed as egg and larvae numbers) was tested. During a 3-year study conducted on permanent field plots, fungal infection of wild grass tussocks of Holcus lanatus and fly visits to fungal stromata were monitored. An increase in the number of shoots with stromata and a reduction in stromata size were observed. From one year to another, flies deposited fewer eggs on stromata, and larval body mass decreased. We explain these results by the deterioration of grass condition due to increased Epichloë infection, which resulted in higher maintenance costs for the fungal parasite.
Evaluating the safety profile of anti-platelet therapy in patients undergoing elective inguinal hernia repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Davey Matthew G. , Joyce William P.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

There remains no consensus surrounding the safety of prescribing anti-platelet therapies (APT) prior to elective inguinal hernia repair (IHR).

Aims

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the safety profile of APT use in patients indicated to undergo elective IHR.

Methods

A systematic review was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Meta-analyses were performed using the Mantel–Haenszel method using the Review Manager version 5.4 software.

Results

Five studies including outcomes in 344 patients were included. Of these, 65.4% had APT discontinued (225/344), and 34.6% had APT continued (119/344). The majority of included patients were male (94.1%, 288/344). When continuing or discontinuing APT, there was no significant difference in overall haemorrhage rates (odds ratio (OR): 1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29–11.78, P = 0.130) and in sensitivity analysis using only RCT data (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.03–12.41, P = 0.760). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in reoperation rates (OR: 6.27, 95% CI: 0.72–54.60, P = 0.590); however, a significant difference was observed for readmission rates (OR: 5.67, 95% CI: 1.33–24.12, P = 0.020) when APT was continued or stopped pre-operatively. There was no significant difference in the estimated blood loss, intra-operative time, transfusion of blood products, rates of complications, cerebrovascular accidents, myocardial infarctions, or mortality observed.

Conclusion

This study illustrates the safety of continuing APT pre-operatively in patients undergoing elective IHR, with similar rates of haemorrhage, reoperation, and readmission observed. Clinical trials with larger patient recruitment will be required to fully establish the safety profile of prescribing APT in the pre-operative setting prior to elective IHR.
Mechanism of COVID-19-Induced Cardiac Damage from Patient, In Vitro and Animal Studies
Authors: Jones Elizabeth A. V.
Published: August 2023

Purpose of Review

Though patient studies have been important for understanding the disease, research done in animals and cell culture complement our knowledge from patient data and provide insight into the mechanism of the disease. Understanding how COVID causes damage to the heart is essential to understanding possible long-term consequences.

Recent Findings

COVID-19 is primarily a disease that attacks the lungs; however, it is known to have important consequences in many other tissues including the heart. Though myocarditis does occur in some patients, for most cases of cardiac damage, the injury arises from scarring either due to myocardial infarction or micro-infarction.

The main focus is on how COVID affects blood flow through the coronaries. We review how endothelial activation leads to a hypercoagulative state in COVID-19. We also emphasize the effects that the cytokine storm can directly have on the regulation of coronary blood flow. Since the main two cell types that can be infected in the heart are pericytes and cardiomyocytes, we further describe the known effects on pericyte function and how that can further lead to microinfarcts within the heart. Though many of these effects are systemic, this review focuses on the consequences on cardiac tissue of this dysregulation and the role that it has in the formation of myocardial scarring.
Keine Vergütung ohne Einhaltung der Personalvorgaben in G-BA-Richtlinien – Obacht bei TAVIs
Authors: Nölling Torsten
Published: August 2023

Das Bundessozialgericht (BSG) hat mit Urteil vom 26.04.2022 (Az: B 1 KR 26/21 R) entschieden, dass ein Krankenhaus bereits dann keinen Anspruch auf die gesamte Vergütung hat, wenn die Vorgaben der Qualitätssicherungsrichtlinien des Gemeinsamen Bundesausschusses (G-BA) auch nur in einzelnen Behandlungsabschnitten nicht erfüllt werden. Es hat damit seine bereits bestehende Rechtsprechung (BSG, B 1 KR 28/15 R) weiterentwickelt. Diese Rechtsprechung sollten die Verantwortlichen im Bereich der Kardiologie insbesondere im Hinblick auf die Vorgaben der MHI-Richtlinie beachten. Deren Struktur- und Personalvorgaben führen zu einer durchgehenden Anwesenheitspflicht von Perfusionist:innen bei der Durchführung von TAVIs. Eine Vorgabe, die in der Vergangenheit häufig nicht beachtet wurde. Zukünftig werden Krankenkassen verstärkt auf die Einhaltung der Personal- und Strukturvorgaben der G‑BA-Richtlinien achten und ggf. die Vergütung verweigern oder zurückfordern.
Reflexivity of the Space of Transversal Distributions
Authors: Kališnik J.
Published: August 2023

For any smooth, Hausdorff and second-countable manifold N one can define the Fréchet space $$\mathord {\mathcal {C}^{\infty }}(N)$$

C

∞

(
N
)

of smooth functions on N and its strong dual $$\mathcal {E}'(N)$$

E

′

(
N
)

of compactly supported distributions on N. It is a standard result that the strong dual of $$\mathcal {E}'(N)$$

E

′

(
N
)

is naturally isomorphic to $$\mathord {\mathcal {C}^{\infty }}(N)$$

C

∞

(
N
)

, which implies that both $$\mathord {\mathcal {C}^{\infty }}(N)$$

C

∞

(
N
)

and $$\mathcal {E}'(N)$$

E

′

(
N
)

are reflexive locally convex spaces. In this paper we generalise that result to the setting of transversal distributions on the total space of a surjective submersion $$\pi :P\rightarrow M$$

π
:
P
→
M

. We show that the strong $$\mathord {\mathcal {C}^{\infty }_{c}}(M)$$

C

c
∞

(
M
)

-dual of the space $$\mathcal {E}'_{\pi }(P)$$

E

π
′

(
P
)

of $$\pi $$
π
-transversal distributions is naturally isomorphic to the $$\mathord {\mathcal {C}^{\infty }_{c}}(M)$$

C

c
∞

(
M
)

-module $$\mathord {\mathcal {C}^{\infty }}(P)$$

C

∞

(
P
)

.
Application and effectiveness of Methylobacterium symbioticum as a biological inoculant in maize and strawberry crops
Authors: Torres Vera Rocío , Bernabé García Antonio José , Carmona Álvarez Francisco José , Martínez Ruiz Jesús , Fernández Martín Félix
Published: August 2023

The effectiveness of Methylobacterium symbioticum in maize and strawberry plants was measured under different doses of nitrogen fertilisation. The biostimulant effect of the bacteria was observed in maize and strawberry plants treated with the biological inoculant under different doses of nitrogen fertiliser compared to untreated plants (control). It was found that bacteria allowed a 50 and 25% decrease in the amount of nitrogen applied in maize and strawberry crops, respectively, and the photosynthetic capacity increased compared with the control plant under all nutritional conditions. A decrease in nitrate reductase activity in inoculated maize plants indicated that the bacteria affects the metabolism of the plant. In addition, inoculated strawberry plants grown with a 25% reduction in nitrogen had a higher concentration of nitrogen in leaves than control plants under optimal nutritional conditions. Again, this indicates that Methylobacterium symbioticum provide an additional supply of nitrogen.
Oral Dissolving Film of Rivastigmine: Optimization Using Factorial Design
Authors: Farghaly Dalia A. , Afifi Samar A. , Aboelwafa Ahmed A. , Mohamed Magdy I.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Due to impairments in memory and judgment, it is difficult for dementia patients to understand why they need medicine. Moreover, they often have swallowing difficulties. In this investigation, an oral dissolving film of rivastigmine tartrate (RT-ODF) was developed, offering a unique and convenient formulation for dementia patients.

Methods

RT-ODF was developed using a solvent-casting technique. Sodium alginate and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose were used as film-forming polymers, and glycerol was used as a plasticizer. A full factorial design (32) was employed to estimate the impact of two factors at three levels: polymer concentration (1, 1.5, and 2% w/v) and plasticizer concentration (30, 40, and 50% w/v) on the responses, i.e., the tensile strength (TS), the disintegration time (DT), and the quantity of drug released (Q10 min).

Results

The optimized formula (A1) that had the highest desirability value (0.923) exhibited the lowest tensile strength (3.67 ± 0.72 MPa), the shortest disintegration time (20 ± 2.0 s), and the highest percentage of drug released after 10 min (97.12 ± 2.01%). It was composed of 1% w/v sodium alginate (ALG-Na) and plasticized with 30% w/v glycerol. The pharmacokinetic study revealed that the RT-ODFs enhanced the drug’s bioavailability by 1.91-fold relative to the reference product (Exelon® capsule).

Conclusion

Oral dissolving films of rivastigmine tartrate could be a promising approach to promote drug bioavailability and convenience for geriatric patients.