bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutzung von Routinedaten unterschiedlicher gesetzlicher Krankenkassen: Ein Erfahrungsbericht aus der TIM-HF2-Studie zur Datenerschließung, -validierung und -aufbereitung
Authors: Winkler Hanna , Koehler Friedrich , Reinhold Thomas , Willich Stefan N. , Prescher Sandra
Published: June 2023

Hintergrund

Im Rahmen der randomisierten, kontrollierten und klinischen Studie „TIM-HF2“ wurde der Nutzen von Telemonitoring bei chronischer Herzinsuffizienz untersucht. Die gesundheitsökonomische Evaluation dieser Intervention basierte auf Routinedaten von gesetzlichen Krankenkassen. Da die Teilnehmenden unabhängig von ihrer Krankenkassenzugehörigkeit rekrutiert wurden, ergab sich eine Vielzahl von potenziellen datenliefernden Krankenkassen. Daraus resultierten sowohl organisatorische als auch methodische Herausforderungen von der Mitwirkung der Datengeber bis hin zur Datenaufbereitung.

Methode

Von der Studienplanung über die Datenakquise bis hin zur Datenprüfung und -aufbereitung wird die konkrete Vorgehensweise in der TIM-HF2-Studie beschrieben. Es werden mögliche Probleme für die Datenvollständigkeit und Datenqualität identifiziert und erfolgte Lösungsansätze dargestellt.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt waren die Teilnehmenden bei 49 unterschiedlichen gesetzlichen Krankenkassen versichert, die für insgesamt 1450 Teilnehmende Routinedaten lieferten. Etwa die Hälfte aller initialen Datenlieferungen erfolgte korrekt. Die häufigsten Probleme in der Datenaufbereitung traten bei der maschinellen Lesbarkeit der Daten auf. Erfolgsfaktoren für eine hohe Datenvollständigkeit waren die engmaschige Kommunikation mit den datenliefernden Krankenkassen sowie ein hoher zeitlicher und personeller Einsatz für intensive Datenprüfung und -aufbereitung.

Diskussion

Basierend auf den Erfahrungen der TIM-HF2-Studie ist eine große Heterogenität in der Vorhaltung und Übermittlung von Routinedaten erkennbar. Für einen effizienteren Datenzugang, zur Verbesserung der Datenqualität und zur schnelleren Nutzbarkeit für Forschungszwecke wäre eine allgemeingültige Datenbeschreibung wünschenswert.
Point-of-care diagnostics for rapid determination of prostate cancer biomarker sarcosine: application of disposable potentiometric sensor based on oxide-conductive polymer nanocomposite
Authors: Yamani Hend Z. , Safwat Nardine , Mahmoud Amr M. , Ayad Miriam F. , Abdel-Ghany Maha F. , Gomaa Mohammed M.
Published: June 2023

One of the most important reasons for an increased mortality rate of cancer is late diagnosis. Point-of-care (POC) diagnostic sensors can provide rapid and cost-effective diagnosis and monitoring of cancer biomarkers. Portable, disposable, and sensitive sarcosine solid-contact ion-selective potentiometric sensors (SC-ISEs) were fabricated as POC analyzers for the rapid determination of the prostate cancer biomarker sarcosine. Tungsten trioxide nanoparticles (WO3 NPs), polyaniline nanoparticles (PANI NPs), and PANI-WO3 nanocomposite were used as ion-to-electron transducers on screen-printed sensors. WO3 NPs and PANI-WO3 nanocomposite have not been investigated before as ion-to-electron transducer layers in potentiometric SC sensors. The designated sensors were characterized using SEM, XRD, FTIR, UV-VIS spectroscopy, and EIS. The inclusion of WO3 and PANI in SC sensors enhanced the transduction at the interface between the screen-printed SC and the ion-selective membrane, offering lower potential drift, a longer lifetime, shorter response time, and better sensitivity. The proposed sarcosine sensors exhibited Nernstian slopes over linear response ranges 10−3–10−7 M, 10−3–10−8 M, 10−5–10−9 M, and 10−7–10−12 M for control, WO3 NPs, PANI NPs, and PANI-WO3 nanocomposite-based sensors, respectively. From a comparative point of view between the four sensors, PANI-WO3 nanocomposite inclusion offered the lowest potential drift (0.5 mV h−1), the longest lifetime (4 months), and the best LOD (9.95 × 10−13 M). The proposed sensors were successfully applied to determine sarcosine as a potential prostate cancer biomarker in urine without prior sample treatment steps. The WHO ASSURED criteria for point-of-care diagnostics are met by the proposed sensors.

Graphical abstract
A Lie Bracket for the Momentum Kernel
Authors: Frost Hadleigh , Mafra Carlos R. , Mason Lionel
Published: June 2023

We prove results for the study of the double copy and tree-level colour/kinematics duality for tree-level scattering amplitudes using the properties of Lie polynomials. We show that the ‘S-map’ that was defined to simplify super-Yang–Mills multiparticle superfields is in fact a Lie bracket. A generalized KLT map from Lie polynomials to their dual is obtained by studying our new Lie bracket; the matrix elements of this map yield a recently proposed ‘generalized KLT matrix’, and this reduces to the usual KLT matrix when its entries are restricted to a basis. Using this, we give an algebraic proof for the cancellation of double poles in the KLT formula for gravity amplitudes. We further study Berends–Giele recursion for biadjoint scalar tree amplitudes that take values in Lie polynomials. Field theory amplitudes are obtained from these ‘Lie polynomial amplitudes’ using numerators characterized as homomorphisms from the free Lie algebra to kinematic data. Examples are presented for the biadjoint scalar, Yang–Mills theory and the nonlinear sigma model. That these theories satisfy the Bern–Carrasco–Johansson amplitude relations follows from the structural properties of Lie polynomial amplitudes that we prove.
Automated signal intensity analysis of the spinal cord for detection of degenerative cervical myelopathy — a matched-pair MRI study
Authors: Hohenhaus Marc , Klingler Jan-Helge , Scholz Christoph , Volz Florian , Hubbe Ulrich , Beck Jürgen , Reisert Marco , Würtemberger Urs , Kremers Nico , Wolf Katharina
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Detection of T2 hyperintensities in suspected degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is done subjectively in clinical practice. To gain objective quantification for dedicated treatment, signal intensity analysis of the spinal cord is purposeful. We investigated fully automated quantification of the T2 signal intensity (T2-SI) of the spinal cord using a high-resolution MRI segmentation.

Methods

Matched-pair analysis of prospective acquired cervical 3D T2-weighted sequences of 114 symptomatic patients and 88 healthy volunteers. Cervical spinal cord was segmented automatically through a trained convolutional neuronal network with subsequent T2-SI registration slice-by-slice. Received T2-SI curves were subdivided for each cervical level from C2 to C7. Additionally, all levels were subjectively classified concerning a present T2 hyperintensity. For T2-positive levels, corresponding T2-SI curves were compared to curves of age-matched volunteers at the identical level.

Results

Forty-nine patients showed subjective T2 hyperintensities at any level. The corresponding T2-SI curves showed higher signal variabilities reflected by standard deviation (18.51 vs. 7.47 a.u.; p < 0.001) and range (56.09 vs. 24.34 a.u.; p < 0.001) compared to matched controls. Percentage of the range from the mean absolute T2-SI per cervical level, introduced as “T2 myelopathy index” (T2-MI), was correspondingly significantly higher in T2-positive segments (23.99% vs. 10.85%; p < 0.001). ROC analysis indicated excellent differentiation for all three parameters (AUC 0.865–0.920).

Conclusion

This fully automated T2-SI quantification of the spinal cord revealed significantly increased signal variability for DCM patients compared to healthy volunteers. This innovative procedure and the applied parameters showed sufficient diagnostic accuracy, potentially diagnosing radiological DCM more objective to optimize treatment recommendation.

Trial registration

DRKS00012962 (17.01.2018) and DRKS00017351 (28.05.2019)
Kisspeptin neuron projections to oxytocin neurons are not necessary for parturition in the mouse
Authors: Kumar Shalini S. , Bouwer Gregory T. , Jackson Meliame K. , Perkinson Michael R. , McDonald Fiona J. , Brown Colin H. , Augustine Rachael A.
Published: June 2023

Oxytocin is synthesized by hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) neurons and is released from the posterior pituitary gland to trigger uterine contractions during parturition. In rats, oxytocin neuron innervation by periventricular nucleus (PeN) kisspeptin neurons increases over pregnancy and intra-SON kisspeptin administration excites oxytocin neurons only in late pregnancy. To test the hypothesis that kisspeptin neurons excite oxytocin neurons to trigger uterine contractions during birth in C57/B6J mice, double-label immunohistochemistry for kisspeptin and oxytocin first confirmed that kisspeptin neurons project to the SON and PVN. Furthermore, kisspeptin fibers expressed synaptophysin and formed close appositions with oxytocin neurons in the mouse SON and PVN before and during pregnancy. Stereotaxic viral delivery of caspase-3 into the AVPV/PeN of Kiss-Cre mice before mating reduced kisspeptin expression in the AVPV, PeN, SON and PVN by > 90% but did not affect the duration of pregnancy or the timing of delivery of each pup during parturition. Therefore, it appears that AVPV/PeN kisspeptin neuron projections to oxytocin neurons are not necessary for parturition in the mouse.
Some global topological properties of a free boundary problem appearing in a two dimensional controlled ruin problem
Authors: Grandits Peter
Published: June 2023

In this paper a two-dimensional Brownian motion (modeling the endowment of two companies), absorbed at the boundary of the positive quadrant, with controlled drift, is considered. The volatilities of the Brownian motions are different. We control the drifts of these processes and allow that both drifts add up to the maximal value of one. Our target is to choose the strategy in a way, s.t. the probability that both companies survive is maximized. It turns out that the state space of the problem is divided into two sets. In one set the first company gets the full drift, and in the other set the second one. We describe some topological properties of these sets and their separating curve.
Calculation of Dynamical Response Functions Using a Bound-State Method
Authors: Walet Niels R. , Singh Jagjit , Kirscher Johannes , Birse Michael C. , Grießhammer Harald W. , McGovern Judith A.
Published: June 2023

We investigate a method to extract response functions (dynamical polarisabilities) directly from a bound-state approach applied to calculations of perturbation-induced reactions. The use of a square-integrable basis leads to a response in the form of a sum of $$\delta $$
δ
functions. We integrate this over energy and fit a smooth function to the resulting stepwise-continuous one. Its derivative gives the final approximation to the physical response function. We show that the method reproduces analytical results where known, and analyse the details for a variety of models. We apply it to some simple models, using the stochastic variational method as the numerical method. Albeit we find that this approach, and other numerical techniques, have some difficulties with the threshold behavior in coupled-channel problems with multiple thresholds, its stochastic nature allows us to extract robust results even for such cases.
Oral squamous carcinoma cell lysates provoke exacerbated inflammatory response in gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Sordi Mariane Beatriz , Panahipour Layla , Gruber Reinhard
Published: June 2023

Objectives

To study whether damaged epithelial cells and gingival fibroblast could affect the expression of inflammatory cytokines in healthy cells.

Materials and methods

Cell suspensions were submitted to different treatments to obtain the lysates: no treatment (supernatant control), sonication, and freeze/thawing. All treatments were centrifuged, and the supernatants of the lysates were used for experimentation. Cell viability assays, RT-qPCR of IL1, IL6 and IL8, IL6 immunoassay, and immunofluorescence of NF-kB p65 were applied to verify the inflammatory crosstalk of damaged cells over healthy plated cells. Furthermore, titanium discs and collagen membranes were treated with lysates and checked for IL8 expression by RT-qPCR.

Results

Lysates obtained upon sonication or freeze/thawing of oral squamous carcinoma cell lines provoked a robust increase in the expression of IL1, IL6, and IL8 by gingival fibroblasts, which was confirmed by IL6 immunoassays. Lysates obtained from the gingival fibroblasts failed to increase the expression of inflammatory cytokines in oral squamous carcinoma cells. Additionally, oral squamous carcinoma cell lysates caused the activation of the NF-kB signalling cascade in gingival fibroblasts as indicated by the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65. Finally, oral squamous carcinoma cell lysates adhered to the titanium and collagen membrane surfaces and increased IL8 expression by gingival fibroblasts growing in these materials.

Conclusions

Injured oral epithelial cells can release factors that incite gingival fibroblasts to become pro-inflammatory.

Clinical relevance

Injuries affecting the oral mucosa generate epithelial fragments that may reach the underlying connective tissue and provoke inflammation. These injuries are routinely caused by mastication, sonication for teeth cleaning, teeth preparation, prostheses maladaptation, and implant drilling.
Reference blood pressure values obtained using the auscultation method for 2-year-old Japanese children: from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study
Authors: Fujita Naoya , Mezawa Hidetoshi , Pak Kyongsun , Uemura Osamu , Yamamoto-Hanada Kiwako , Sato Miori , Saito-Abe Mayako , Miyaji Yumiko , Yang Limin , Nishizato Minaho , Ohya Yukihiro , Ishikura Kenji , Hamasaki Yuko , Sakai Tomoyuki , Yamamoto Kazuna , Ito Shuichi , Honda Masataka , Gotoh Yoshimitsu ,   the Japan Environment, Children’s Study Group, Kamijima Michihiro , Yamazaki Shin , Kishi Reiko , Yaegashi Nobuo , Hashimoto Koichi , Mori Chisato , Yamagata Zentaro , Inadera Hidekuni , Nakayama Takeo , Sobue Tomotaka , Shima Masayuki , Nakamura Hiroshige , Suganuma Narufumi , Kusuhara Koichi , Katoh Takahiko
Published: June 2023

Background

Reference blood pressure (BP) values for Japanese children based on a large number of measurements by auscultation have not yet been established.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from a birth-cohort study. The data from the sub-cohort study conducted for children at the age of 2 years in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study from April 2015 to January 2017 were analyzed. BP was measured via auscultation using an aneroid sphygmomanometer. Each participant was measured in triplicate, and the average value of two consecutive measurements with a difference of less than 5 mmHg was recorded. The reference BP values were estimated using the lambda–mu–sigma (LMS) method and compared with those obtained via the polynomial regression model.

Results

Data from 3361 participants were analyzed. Although the difference between the estimated BP values by the LMS and the polynomial regression model was small, the LMS model was more valid based on the results of the fit curve of the observed values and regression models for each model. For 2-year-old children with heights in the 50th percentile, the 50th, 90th, 95th, and 99th percentile reference values of systolic BP (mmHg) for boys were 91, 102, 106, and 112, and that for girls were 90, 101, 103, and 109, respectively, and those of diastolic BP for boys were 52, 62, 65, and 71, and that for girls were 52, 62, 65, and 71, respectively.

Conclusion

The reference BP values for 2-year-old Japanese children were determined based on auscultation and were made available.
Combining remote sensing techniques and field surveys for post-earthquake reconnaissance missions
Authors: Giardina Giorgia , Macchiarulo Valentina , Foroughnia Fatemeh , Jones Joshua N. , Whitworth Michael R. Z. , Voelker Brandon , Milillo Pietro , Penney Camilla , Adams Keith , Kijewski-Correa Tracy
Published: June 2023

Remote reconnaissance missions are promising solutions for the assessment of earthquake-induced structural damage and cascading geological hazards. Space-borne remote sensing can complement in-field missions when safety and accessibility concerns limit post-earthquake operations on the ground. However, the implementation of remote sensing techniques in post-disaster missions is limited by the lack of methods that combine different techniques and integrate them with field survey data. This paper presents a new approach for rapid post-earthquake building damage assessment and landslide mapping, based on Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data. The proposed texture-based building damage classification approach exploits very high resolution post-earthquake SAR data integrated with building survey data. For landslide mapping, a backscatter intensity-based landslide detection approach, which also includes the separation between landslides and flooded areas, is combined with optical-based manual inventories. The approach was implemented during the joint Structural Extreme Event Reconnaissance, GeoHazards International and Earthquake Engineering Field Investigation Team mission that followed the 2021 Haiti Earthquake and Tropical Cyclone Grace.
Modelling the reduction of quartz in a quartz–carbon pellet
Authors: Metherall Brady , Breward Christopher J. W. , Please Colin P. , Oliver James M. , Sloman Benjamin M.
Published: June 2023

Traditional refining of silicon generates carbon dioxide emissions that are released into the atmosphere. An alternative process under experimental exploration uses quartz particles coated in a layer of porous carbon as the raw material, instead of lumps of quartz and carbon. The quartz–carbon pellets are processed at a lower temperature than in an industrial furnace, and hence, different chemical reactions are dominant, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions. The quartz core shrinks as it is consumed, and the carbon is converted to silicon carbide, which can subsequently be processed into silicon. We develop a model for chemical and transfer processes within a single quartz–carbon pellet. We derive governing equations for the concentration of silicon monoxide, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, and conservation equations on the moving quartz interface. Furthermore, we then focus on a reduced model in an industrially relevant distinguished limit, and solve numerically the resulting leading-order system. We show examples of reaction-limited behaviour as well as diffusion-limited behaviour. Both regimes are physically admissible due to the large potential range of the parameters. Finally, we sweep through the parameter space, and characterize the dynamics based on the utilization of the carbon and the silicon yield. We find that the diffusion-limited regime is best for carbon utilization and silicon yield, as the silicon monoxide reacts with the carbon before it is transported out of the pellet.
Understanding the Risks and Individual Difference Factors Associated with Engagement in Monetised (Play-to-Earn) Gaming
Authors: Delic Amelia , Delfabbro Paul , King Daniel L.
Published: June 2023

Play-to-earn (P2E) is a new form of monetised gaming based on blockchain and crypto-currency technology. Such games offer opportunities to combine gaming with speculative investment through the purchase of tradable in-game currencies and assets (non-fungible tokens). In this paper, we investigate the profile of people most likely to be attracted to this emerging form of gaming. A sample of 560 participants aged between 18-65 (M = 28.3, SD = 8.3) were recruited via Prolific to complete an online survey that included measures of gaming (Petry’s Internet Gaming Disorder Scale) and gaming risk (Problem Gambling Severity Index), measures of gaming motivation and impulsivity. Other existing engagement in gaming monetization as well as digital asset ownership was also assessed. P2E interest was associated with higher gambling risk scores, but not with internet gaming disorder. P2E gamers also scored higher on extrinsic motivation and monetised gaming was generally associated with higher impulsivity. The results suggest that P2E may be attractive to those with a pre-existing interest in financially risky activities. Policy implications include the increasing need to monitor the growth of digital asset technology and the increasing convergence of gambling, financial speculation and gaming and the potential for increasing financial harm in gaming populations.
Perceived impacts of the Fridays for Future climate movement on environmental concern and behaviour in Switzerland
Authors: Fritz Livia , Hansmann Ralph , Dalimier Blanche , Binder Claudia R.
Published: June 2023

Calling for increased action on climate change, Fridays for Future (FFF) quickly gained momentum around the world and became highly visible through strikes and protests in more than 150 countries. Considering its scale and magnitude, questions about the impact of this newly emerging climate movement arise. This article is based on a survey investigating the perception of Swiss residents (N = 1206) of how the FFF movement and Greta Thunberg’s climate activism changed their environmental awareness and behaviour. We found that the Swiss public by and large perceives Greta Thunberg and the FFF movement positively, and a considerable share of participants report that Greta Thunberg (30%) and the FFF activism (23%), respectively, positively influenced their environmental concern and behaviour. Structural equation modelling revealed that the strength of the behaviour change motivation depended mainly on how a participant evaluated the FFF movement and Greta Thunberg. The latter was influenced positively by general environmental attitudes, and education level and negatively by the acceptance of justifications for environmentally harmful behaviours. Participants reported environmentally positive changes most frequently in private sphere behaviours, particularly in the domains of mobility, consumption and waste, whereas few changes in public sphere behaviour were reported. Next to increased awareness and motivation gains, also the reinforcement of existing pro-environmental behaviour was reported. Although the influence on sympathisers was stronger, some of those sceptical of the climate strike movement also reported behaviour changes, indicating that the unconvinced have to some extent been reached.
De ontwikkeling van een training om Gezonde School-adviseurs te stimuleren contextgericht te werken: een proces in cocreatie
Authors: Bartelink Nina , van Dongen Bonnie , Renders Carry , van Vlokhoven Boukje , van Koperen Marije , Kremers Stef , van Assema Patricia
Published: June 2023

Samenvatting

Gezonde School-adviseurs (GSA) van de GGD ondersteunen scholen bij het implementeren van de Gezonde School-aanpak. Omdat iedere school uniek is, is een contextgerichte manier van ondersteunen noodzakelijk. Om GSA’s bewust te maken van en aan te moedigen om te werken met zo’n contextgerichte aanpak is een training ontwikkeld. Wij beschrijven hoe deze training door middel van cocreatie tot stand is gekomen en reflecteren op dit proces. Het ontwikkelproces bestond uit drie fasen: 1) inventarisatie van taken en behoeften van GSA, 2) ontwikkeling van de training, en 3) een pilottest van de training. Alle fasen hebben plaatsgevonden in cocreatie tussen onderzoekers, GSA’s uit de praktijk en het landelijke programmateam Gezonde School. Evaluatie van de twee gehouden pilots laat zien dat de ontwikkelde training goed wordt ontvangen (algemeen rapportcijfer: respectievelijk 7,4 en 8,4). Een reflectie op het ontwikkelingsproces laat zien hoe groot het belang is van cocreatie gedurende het gehele proces. Hierdoor kon continu rekening worden gehouden met de dagelijkse praktijk van de GSA’s en hun wensen en behoeften. Ook kon er zo voor gezorgd worden dat de training goed aansluit bij het huidige landelijke deskundigheidsbevorderingsaanbod voor GSA’s en de Gezonde School-aanpak in het algemeen.
Sharing the knowledge: exploring cultural heritage through an ontology-based platform
Authors: Casillo Mario , De Santo Massimo , Mosca Rosalba , Santaniello Domenico
Published: June 2023

The exponential growth of data has made ontology modeling an up-and-coming research area for knowledge representation. One of the domains of interest is represented by Cultural Heritage, in which modeling of environments, such as archaeological parks, could lead to their protection and enhancement. In this scenario, the valuable dataset on the Naples Urban Archaeological Park (PAUN) is of particular interest. Due to its peculiarity, the database could benefit from innovative techniques for retrieving the information, representing a large part of the information contained within the DatabencArt platform, which collects data on Campania's cultural heritage. This paper aims to introduce an ontology-based approach to improve data retrieval, which could help expert users in the field (archaeologists, art historians, geologists, etc.). Scholars need to be able to easily compare the information. To this end, a semantic search is able to transform a vast amount of data into linked concepts. We mapped all concepts according to the ArCo ontology and equipped the DatabencArt platform with a semantic query layer, making the information accessible through ArCo ontology's properties. To evaluate the proposed approach, we designed an experimental campaign involving expert users to assess the results obtained in the system's queries through Sparql queries. The obtained results are promising.
Effects of Water Table Fluctuation on Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Wetland Soils in the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Pärn Jaan , Soosaar Kaido , Schindler Thomas , Machacova Katerina , Muñoz Waldemar Alegría , Fachín Lizardo , Aspajo José Luis Jibaja , Negron-Juarez Robinson I. , Maddison Martin , Rengifo Jhon , Dinis Danika Journeth Garay , Oversluijs Adriana Gabriela Arista , Fucos Manuel Calixto Ávila , Vásquez Rafael Chávez , Wampuch Ronald Huaje , García Edgar Peas , Sohar Kristina , Horna Segundo Cordova , Gómez Tedi Pacheco , Muñoz Jose David Urquiza , Espinoza Rodil Tello , Mander Ülo
Published: June 2023

Amazonian swamp forests remove large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) but produce methane (CH4). Both are important greenhouse gases (GHG). Drought and cultivation cut the CH4 emissions but may release CO2. Varying oxygen content in nitrogen-rich soil produces nitrous oxide (N2O), which is the third most important GHG. Despite the potentially tremendous changes, GHG emissions from wetland soils under different land uses and environmental conditions have rarely been compared in the Amazon. We measured environmental characteristics, and CO2, CH4 and N2O emissions from the soil surface with manual opaque chambers in three sites near Iquitos, Peru from September 2019 to March 2020: a pristine peat swamp forest, a young forest and a slash-and-burn manioc field. The manioc field showed moderate soil respiration and N2O emission. The peat swamp forests under slight water table drawdown emitted large amounts of CO2 and CH4. A heavy post-drought shower created a hot moment of N2O in the pristine swamp forest, likely produced by nitrifiers. All in all, even small changes in soil moisture can create hot moments of GHG emissions from Amazonian wetland soils, and should therefore be carefully monitored.
Are the Arab Gulf States Ready for HIV/AIDS Discussions? A Qualitative Thematic Analysis
Authors: Alageel Samah , Alomair Noura
Published: June 2023

Introduction

There is a lack of awareness of HIV/AIDS nature, mode of transmission, and prevention amongst Muslims, with socio-cultural and religious factors contributing to the lack of awareness. This research was aimed at examining people’s perceptions and views of HIV/AIDS awareness content in the Gulf Council Cooperation (GCC) region.

Methods

We performed a qualitative thematic analysis of comments posted on an HIV/AIDS educational video by “Salamatak” programme in the GCC region on three social media platforms (YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram).

Results

A total of 486 comments were included in the analysis. Public responses to HIV/AIDS awareness content varied depending on perceived commonality of HIV and religiosity in the GCC community. Some comments were against the video, and public outrage towards the video content prevailed. The main reasons for this outrage were the absence of the moral/religious message and lack of cultural sensitivity. However, some comments supported a harm reduction approach, emphasising that the promotion of abstinence only is unrealistic and ineffective for HIV prevention. It was apparent from the public’s response to the video that stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS are highly prevalent in the community.

Conclusions

Religiously and culturally sensitive sexual health content is lacking in the region, and the need for tailored intervention was highlighted in our findings. Stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV are common in the GCC countries.

Policy Implications

A collaborative effort between policymakers, public health practitioners, opinion makers, and researchers is needed to tackle the HIV epidemic and reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV in the region.
Allergy to the cat—from diagnosis to management
Authors: Jensen-Jarolim Erika , Jensen Sebastian Alexander , Bergmann Karl-Christian
Published: June 2023

Background

In allergology practice, efficient counselling of cat owners is often frustrating because the topic of allergen avoidance is mostly a “no-go” and there are only few studies on allergen immunotherapy that prove its efficacy. In the end, what patients are mostly offered in allergy consultations are allergen reduction measures and symptomatic therapy.

Results

Sensitisation to the main cat allergen Fel d 1 occurs more frequently in atopic conditions and then represents a risk for allergic rhinitis and asthma. Current guidelines are therefore cautious about the first-time acquisition of a cat in the first months of life in atopic families. However, sensitisation occurs in many cases even without contact with an own cat at home.

Conversely, it has been observed in adult patients that in the case of high Fel d 1 exposure immunological tolerance can also develop through the induction of specific IgG4. The fact that many cat allergic patients keep their animals despite diagnosis is, however, partly due to the psychological phenomenon of coping.

Conclusion

In this review, we present current literature and facts that should make everyday life easier for patients, even without giving up the animal. We also review best practices in the management of cat allergy and present new management options and concepts from the development pipeline that our patients are eagerly awaiting.
Applying Systems Thinking to Inform Decentralized Clinical Trial Planning and Deployment
Authors: Betcheva Lidia , Kim Jennifer Y. , Erhun Feryal , Oraiopoulos Nektarios , Getz Kenneth
Published: June 2023

Recently, there has been a growing interest in understanding how decentralized clinical trial (DCT) solutions can mitigate existing challenges in clinical development, particularly participant burden and access, and the collection, management, and quality of clinical data. This paper examines DCT deployments, emphasizing how they are integrated and how they may impact clinical trial oversight, management, and execution. We propose a conceptual framework that employs systems thinking to evaluate the impact on key stakeholders through a reiterative assessment of pain points. We conclude that decentralized solutions should be customized to meet patient needs and preferences and the unique requirements of each clinical trial. We discuss how DCT elements introduce new demands and pressures within the existing system and reflect on enablers that can overcome DCT implementation challenges. As stakeholders look for ways to make clinical research more relevant and accessible to a larger and more diverse patient population, further robust and granular research is needed to quantify the impact of DCTs empirically.
Microstructure evolution and strain hardening behavior of thermomechanically processed low-C high-manganese steels: an effect of deformation temperature
Authors: Kozłowska Aleksandra , Stawarczyk Piotr , Grajcar Adam , Radwański Krzysztof , Matus Krzysztof , Samek Ludovic
Published: June 2023

Effects of reduced (– 40 °C), ambient (20 °C), and elevated (200 °C) deformation temperatures on the microstructure evolution and strain hardening behavior of two low-C thermomechanically processed high-manganese steels were studied. The microstructure was characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The temperature-dependent tendency of austenite to strain-induced ε/α′-martensitic transformation and mechanical twinning was qualitatively and quantitatively assessed using the EBSD technique. The steel containing 26 wt% of Mn showed the beneficial strength–ductility balance at reduced deformation temperature -40 °C due to the intense Transformation-Induced Plasticity (TRIP) effect which resulted in the formation of significant ε- and α′-martensite fractions during tensile deformation. The mechanical properties of steel containing 27 wt% of Mn were more beneficial at elevated deformation temperature 200 °C due to the occurrence of intense Twinning-Induced Plasticity (TWIP) effect expressed by the presence of significant fraction of mechanical twins. Moreover, at the highest deformation temperature 200 °C, the evidence of thermally activated processes affecting the mechanical behavior of the higher Mn steel was identified and described.
Algorithmic Credit Scoring in Vietnam: A Legal Proposal for Maximizing Benefits and Minimizing Risks
Authors: Lainez Nicolas , Gardner Jodi
Published: June 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) and big data are transforming the credit market around the world. Algorithmic credit scoring (ACS) is increasingly used to assess borrowers’ creditworthiness, using technology to glean non-traditional data from smartphones and analyze them through machine-learning algorithms. These processes promise efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness compared with traditional credit scoring. However, this technology raises public concerns about opacity, unfair discrimination, and threats to individual privacy and autonomy. Many countries in Southeast Asia are introducing ACS in consumer finance markets, although—even with the significant concerns raised—there is an ongoing and concerning lag in oversight and regulation of the process. Regulation is vital to delivering big data and AI promises in the financial services market, while ensuring fairness and public interest. This article utilizes Vietnam, where the lending industry deploys ACS but in a situation of legal limbo, as a case-study to analyze the consequences of this technology. Vietnam is one of the foremost Southeast Asian countries in which ACS usage is spreading rapidly, and this provides an excellent opportunity to review the regulation, or lack thereof, and determine the implications that this may have for other countries that are currently introducing ACS in consumer finance markets. The article concludes with a proposal to regulate ACS in Vietnam based on international regulation and guidelines on ACS, data privacy, and AI to enable a transparent, accessible, and fair process.
Quantifying the Implementation and Cost of a Multisite Antibiotic Stewardship Intervention for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria
Authors: Amenta Eva , Grigoryan Larissa , Rajan Suja S. , Ramsey David , Kramer Jennifer R. , Walder Annette , Chou Andrew , Van John N. , Krein Sarah L. , Hysong Sylvia , Naik Aanand D. , Trautner Barbara W.
Published: June 2023

Objective:

The intensity of an antibiotic stewardship intervention to achieve clinical impact is not known. We conducted a multisite dissemination project of an intervention to reduce treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) and studied: (1) the association between implementation metrics and clinical outcomes and (2) the cost of implementation.

Design/Setting/Participants:

A central site facilitated a multimodality intervention to decrease unnecessary urine cultures and antibiotic treatment in patients with ASB at 4 Veterans Affairs medical centers.

Methods:

The intervention consisted of a decision support aid algorithm and interactive teaching cases that provided in the moment audit and feedback on how to manage ASB. Implementation outcomes included minutes spent in intervention delivery, number of healthcare professionals reached, and number of sessions delivered. Clinical outcomes included days of antibiotic therapy (DOT), length of antibiotic therapy (LOT), and number of urine cultures ordered per 1000 bed days. Personnel reported weekly time logs.

Results:

Minutes spent in intervention delivery were inversely correlated with two clinical outcomes, DOT (R −0.3, P = .04) and LOT (R −0.3, P = .02). Number of healthcare professionals reached and number of sessions delivered were not correlated with clinical outcomes of DOT (R –0.003, P = .98, R = −0.059, P = .69) or LOT (R +0.073, P = .62, R −0.102, P = .49). Physician champions spent an average of 3.8% of effort on the intervention. The implementation cost was USD 22,299/year per site on average.

Conclusions:

The amount of time local teams spent in delivery of an antibiotic stewardship intervention was correlated with the desired decrease in antibiotic use. Implementing this successful antibiotic stewardship intervention required minimal time.
Management of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS in Senegal: Acceptability, feasibility and benefits of group interpersonal therapy
Authors: Bernard Charlotte , Font Hélène , Ziadeh Salaheddine , Tine Judicaël M. , Diaw Abibatou , Ndiaye Ibrahima , Samba Oumar , Bottai Thierry , Jacquesy Laurent , Verdeli Helena , Ngom Ndeye F. , Dabis François , Seydi Moussa , de Rekeneire Nathalie ,   The IeDEA West Africa Cohort Collaboration
Published: June 2023

Depression is highly prevalent in people living with HIV (PLWH) and has negative consequences for daily life and care. We evaluated for the first time the acceptability, feasibility and benefits of group interpersonal therapy (IPT), combined with a task-shifting approach, to treat depression in PLWH in Senegal. PLWH with depression received group IPT following the World Health Organization protocol. Acceptability and feasibility criteria were defined from the literature data. The PHQ-9, the WHODAS, and the 12-item-stigma scale were used, pre- and post-treatment, including a 3-month follow-up, to assess depressive symptom severity, functioning and stigma, respectively. General linear mixed models were used to describe changes in outcomes over time. Of 69 participants, 60 completed group IPT. Refusal to enroll and dropout rates were 6.6 and 12.7%, respectively. Ninety-seven percent of participants attended at least seven out of eight sessions. Patients and facilitators endorsed group IPT, with willingness to recommend it. Depressive symptoms and disability improved drastically and sustainably. We showed that group IPT is well accepted and feasible in Senegal as treatment for depression in PLWH. Combined with a task-shifting approach, it can narrow the gap in mental health treatment. Implementation may be enhanced by refining patient identification procedures and increasing treatment accessibility.
Socioeconomic disparities in the prevalence of multidrug resistance in Enterobacterales
Authors: Brown Dylan R. , Henderson Heather I. , Ruegsegger Laura , Moody James , van Duin David
Published: June 2023

We examined the association between multidrug resistance and socioeconomic status (SES), analyzing microbiological and ZIP-code–level socioeconomic data. Using generalized linear models, we determined that multidrug resistance is significantly and persistently more prevalent in samples taken from patients residing in low-income ZIP codes versus high-income ZIP codes in North Carolina.
Why Do In-State Plaintiffs Invoke Diversity Jurisdiction?
Authors: Dodson Scott
Published: June 2023

The traditional rationale of federal diversity jurisdiction is to protect out-of-state parties from the risk of an appearance of state-court bias in favor of an in-state adversary. Yet a strikingly high percentage—more than 50 percent—of original domestic-diversity cases are filed by in-state plaintiffs. Why these in-state plaintiffs invoke diversity jurisdiction is a question that has largely been ignored in the literature. Drawing on docket data and an original dataset based on responses to a survey sent to more than twelve thousand attorneys who represented in-state plaintiffs in domestic-diversity cases, I find that these plaintiffs can be grouped into roughly three categories. The first category is composed of tort cases, filed by individual plaintiffs against corporate defendants, that are eligible for consolidation with an existing federal multi-district litigation. The second category is composed of in-state corporate plaintiffs represented by attorneys who tend to represent defendants in federal court and who invoke diversity jurisdiction primarily based on perceptions of advantages of federal procedure, efficiencies and conveniences of federal practice, and superior quality of federal court. The third category is composed of in-state plaintiffs represented by attorneys who tend to represent plaintiffs in state court and who invoke diversity jurisdiction to preempt the defendant’s likely removal of the case. My findings offer grounds for reforming diversity jurisdiction in more tailored and nuanced ways than have previously been proposed.
Trivial source character tables of , part II
Authors: Farrell Niamh , Lassueur Caroline
Published: June 2023

We compute the trivial source character tables (also called species tables of the trivial source ring) of the infinite family of finite groups $\operatorname{SL}_{2}(q)$ for q even over a large enough field of odd characteristics. This article is a continuation of our article Trivial Source Character Tables of$\operatorname{SL}_{2}(q)$, where we considered, in particular, the case in which q is odd in non-defining characteristic.
Investigation of cardiovascular risk parameters in adolescents with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Can Ummugulsum , Akdu Sadinaz , Bağcı Zafer , Buyukinan Muammer
Published: June 2023

Background:

Metabolic syndrome leading to type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases is a chronic multifactorial syndrome, associated with low-grade inflammation status. In our study, we aimed at assessing the serum levels of follistatin (FST), pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), and platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) in adolescent patients with metabolic syndrome.

Methods:

This study was performed in 43 (19 males, 24 females) metabolic syndrome adolescents and 37 lean controls matched for age and sex. The serum levels of FST, PECAM-1, and PAPP-A were measured by using ELISA method.

Results:

Serum FST and PAPP-A levels in metabolic syndrome were significantly higher than those of controls (p < 0.005 and p < 0.05). However, there was no difference in serum PECAM-1 levels between metabolic syndrome and control groups (p = 0.927). There was a significant positive correlation between serum FST and triglyceride (r = 0.252; p < 0.05), and PAPP-A and weight, (r = 0.252; p < 0.05) in metabolic syndrome groups. Follistatin was determined statistically significant in both univariate (p = 0,008) and multivariate (p = 0,011) logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions:

Our findings indicated a significant relationship between FST and PAPP-A levels and metabolic syndrome. These findings offer the possibility of using these markers in diagnosis of metabolic syndrome in adolescents as the prevention of the future complications.
Sex significantly predicts medial temporal volume when controlling for the influence of ApoE4 biomarker and demographic variables: A cross-ethnic comparison
Authors: Garcia Patricia , Mendoza Lisandra , Padron Dilianna , Duarte Andres , Duara Ranjan , Loewenstein David , Greig-Custo Maria , Barker Warren , Curiel Rosie , Rosselli Monica , Rodriguez Miriam
Published: June 2023

Objective:

To explore the relationship between age, education, sex, and ApoE4 (+) status to brain volume among a cohort with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).

Method:

One hundred and twenty-three participants were stratified into Hispanic (n = 75) and White non-Hispanic (WNH, N = 48). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted with age, education, sex, and ApoE4 status as predictor variables and left and right combined MRI volumes of the hippocampus, parahippocampus, and entorhinal cortex as dependent variables. Variations in head sizes were corrected by normalization with a total intracranial volume measurement.

Results:

Bonferroni-corrected results indicated that when controlling for ApoE4 status, education, and age, sex was a significant predictor of hippocampal volume among the Hispanic group (β = .000464, R2 = .196, p < .01) and the WNH group (β = .000455, R2 = .195, p < .05). Education (β = .000028, R2 = .168, p < .01) and sex (β = .000261, R2 = .168, p < .01) were significant predictors of parahippocampal volume among the Hispanic MCI group when controlling for the effects of ApoE4 status and age. One-way ANCOVAs comparing hippocampal and parahippocampal volume between males and females within groups revealed that females had significantly larger hippocampal volumes (p < .05). Hispanic females had significantly larger hippocampal (p < .001) and parahippocampal (p < .05) volume compared to males. No sex differences in parahippocampal volume were noted among WNHs.

Conclusions:

Biological sex, rather than ApoE4 status, was a greater predictor of hippocampal volume among Hispanic and WNH females. These findings add to the mixed literature on sex differences in dementia research and highlight continued emphasis on ethnic populations to elucidate on neurodegenerative disparities.
Israel: a novel wedge issue in Canadian electoral politics
Authors: Dufresne Yannick , Levin Jamie , Paquin Jonathan , Rancourt Marc-Antoine
Published: June 2023

This article investigates the relationship between partisan foreign policy positions on Israel and the voting behavior of religious minorities in Canada. It discusses Stephen Harper's strong pro-Israeli stance in foreign policy when the Conservatives were in power and focuses on two main explanations accounting for such politicization of Israel, namely moral obligations and political clientelism. These hypotheses are tested using the 1968–2015 Canadian Election Study (CES) surveys and the 2011–2015 Vox Pop Labs election data. The results suggest that the Israeli issue had an impact on the support for the Conservatives among voters from religious minorities. Considering the effect of this foreign policy positions, Jewish Canadians are shown to be more supportive of the Conservatives, while the opposite pattern is observed among Muslim Canadians. The implications of these findings are then discussed.