bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short‐term outcomes of pancreatoduodenectomy in older individuals over a 9‐year period using real‐world data: A multilevel analysis based on a nationwide administrative database in Japan
Authors: Mori Yasuhisa , Okawara Makoto , Shibao Kazunori , Kohi Shiro , Tamura Toshihisa , Sato Norihiro , Fujino Yoshihisa , Fushimi Kiyohide , Matsuda Shinya , Hirata Keiji
Published: November 2023

Background

We aimed to evaluate the short‐term outcomes of pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) in older individuals.

Methods

Data from the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database on 62 275 patients who underwent PD from 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2020 were analyzed. Patients were divided into five age groups: <70, 70–74, 75–79, 80–84, and ≥85 years. The associations between postoperative outcomes and age were investigated using multilevel analysis. The mean differences in length of hospital stay and cost were also compared.

Results

The rate of PD in older individuals increased annually. Compared with the youngest age group (< 70 years), the incidence rate ratios for in‐hospital mortality were 1.52 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.30–1.76), 2.07 (1.82–2.37), 2.29 (1.94–2.71), and 2.92 (2.20–3.87) in the 70–74, 75–79, 80–84, and ≥ 85‐year‐old age groups, respectively (all p < .001). Postoperative complications, length of postoperative hospital stay, and cost increased significantly with increasing age.

Conclusions

These real‐world data emphasize the higher levels of morbidity, mortality, and cost in older patients. Careful attention should be paid when considering the indication for PD in older individuals.
Advanced Diffusion‐Weighted MRI for Cancer Microstructure Assessment in Body Imaging, and Its Relationship With Histology
Authors: Fokkinga Ella , Hernandez‐Tamames Juan A. , Ianus Andrada , Nilsson Markus , Tax Chantal M. W. , Perez‐Lopez Raquel , Grussu Francesco
Published: November 2023

Diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW‐MRI) aims to disentangle multiple biological signal sources in each imaging voxel, enabling the computation of innovative maps of tissue microstructure. DW‐MRI model development has been dominated by brain applications. More recently, advanced methods with high fidelity to histology are gaining momentum in other contexts, for example, in oncological applications of body imaging, where new biomarkers are urgently needed. The objective of this article is to review the state‐of‐the‐art of DW‐MRI in body imaging (ie, not including the nervous system) in oncology, and to analyze its value as compared to reference colocalized histology measurements, given that demonstrating the histological validity of any new DW‐MRI method is essential. In this article, we review the current landscape of DW‐MRI techniques that extend standard apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), describing their acquisition protocols, signal models, fitting settings, microstructural parameters, and relationship with histology. Preclinical, clinical, and in/ex vivo studies were included. The most used techniques were intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM; 36.3% of used techniques), diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI; 16.7%), vascular, extracellular, and restricted diffusion for cytometry in tumors (VERDICT; 13.3%), and imaging microstructural parameters using limited spectrally edited diffusion (IMPULSED; 11.7%). Another notable category of techniques relates to innovative b‐tensor diffusion encoding or joint diffusion‐relaxometry. The reviewed approaches provide histologically meaningful indices of cancer microstructure (eg, vascularization/cellularity) which, while not necessarily accurate numerically, may still provide useful sensitivity to microscopic pathological processes. Future work of the community should focus on improving the inter‐/intra‐scanner robustness, and on assessing histological validity in broader contexts.

Level of Evidence

NA

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Glioma Tumor Grading Using Radiomics on Conventional MRI: A Comparative Study of WHO 2021 and WHO 2016 Classification of Central Nervous Tumors
Authors: Moodi Farzan , Khodadadi Shoushtari Fereshteh , Ghadimi Delaram J. , Valizadeh Gelareh , Khormali Ehsan , Salari Hanieh Mobarak , Ohadi Mohammad Amin Dabbagh , Nilipour Yalda , Jahanbakhshi Amin , Rad Hamidreza Saligheh
Published: November 2023

Background

Glioma grading transformed in World Health Organization (WHO) 2021 CNS tumor classification, integrating molecular markers. However, the impact of this change on radiomics‐based machine learning (ML) classifiers remains unexplored.

Purpose

To assess the performance of ML in classifying glioma tumor grades based on various WHO criteria.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

A neuropathologist regraded gliomas of 237 patients into WHO 2016 and 2021 from 2007 criteria.

Field Strength/Sequence

Multicentric 0.5 to 3 Tesla; pre‐ and post‐contrast T1‐weighted, T2‐weighted, and fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery.

Assessment

Radiomic features were selected using random forest‐recursive feature elimination. The synthetic minority over‐sampling technique (SMOTE) was implemented for data augmentation. Stratified 10‐fold cross‐validation with and without SMOTE was used to evaluate 11 classifiers for 3‐grade (2, 3, and 4; WHO 2016 and 2021) and 2‐grade (low and high grade; WHO 2007 and 2021) classification. Additionally, we developed the models on data randomly divided into training and test sets (mixed‐data analysis), or data divided based on the centers (independent‐data analysis).

Statistical Tests

We assessed ML classifiers using sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Top performances were compared with a t‐test and categorical data with the chi‐square test using a significance level of P < 0.05.

Results

In the mixed‐data analysis, Stacking Classifier without SMOTE achieved the highest accuracy (0.86) and AUC (0.92) in 3‐grade WHO 2021 grouping. The results of WHO 2021 were significantly better than WHO 2016 (P‐value<0.0001). In the 2‐grade analysis, ML achieved 1.00 in all metrics. In the independent‐data analysis, ML classifiers showed strong discrimination between grade 2 and 4, despite lower performance metrics than the mixed analysis.

Data Conclusion

ML algorithms performed better in glioma tumor grading based on WHO 2021 criteria. Nonetheless, the clinical use of ML classifiers needs further investigation.

Level of Evidence

3

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Impact of oxidation on rheology and tribology of sustainable lubricants for electromechanical drive systems
Authors: Güney D. C. , Joukov V. , Albrecht J. , Weber K.
Published: November 2023

The rheological and tribological properties of environmentally compatible lubricants of different bases (native oil, synthetic ester, polyalkylene glycol‐containing oil) compared to a conventional, mineral oil‐based lubricant are investigated in order to develop toxicologically harmless and technically suitable lubricants for electromechanical drives. The aging of the oil is also considered. The results of this study reveal that the properties of polyalkylene glycol‐containing and synthetic ester‐based lubricants have the potential to act as substitutes for lubricants containing mineral oil. By examining and improving the properties of sustainable lubricants, gear oils that are partially or totally non‐mineral oil based will be highly attractive in the future.
Trendbericht Chemiedidaktik 2023
Authors: Rosenberg Dominique , Rautenstrauch Hanne
Published: November 2023

Experimente und Unterrichtskonzepte zu den Themen Nachhaltigkeit, Lebensmittelchemie und Elektrochemie kommen in der experimentell‐konzeptionellen chemiedidaktischen Forschung am häufigsten vor, Katalyse dagegen wenig. Lehr‐Lern‐Forschung befasste sich im letzten Jahr verstärkt damit, wie Lehrkräfte digitale Medien in den Unterricht einbinden. Sehr heterogen waren die Untersuchungen, wie Inklusion und Differenzierung im naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht gelingen.
Pioniere der Düfte und Aromen
Authors: Wienhaus Otto , Beyer Lothar , Hammer Janine
Published: November 2023

Etherische Öle aus Pflanzen zu gewinnen, war im 19. Jahrhundert für Drogisten und Apotheker zunächst eine Nebenbeschäftigung. Doch daraus entwickelten sie die Grundlagen für die moderne Duft‐ und Aromenindustrie. Einer der ersten Aromenhersteller ist die Firma Schimmel & Co., gegründet vor 200 Jahren. Ihre Nachfolger – Bell Flavors & Fragrances in Miltitz bei Leipzig und Miltitz Aromatics in Bitterfeld‐Wolfen – feiern nun ihr 30‐jähriges Bestehen.
Ethik der Chemie: Wissen, wie zu handeln ist
Authors: Merz Klaus
Published: November 2023

Forschende in den Naturwissenschaften sollten Kriterien für die Motive ihres Forschens und die Folgen kennen. Ethische Aspekte zeigen sich an Beispielen wie Atombomben, Gentechnik und seltenen Erden.
„Flexibilität im Job hatte immer Priorität“
Authors: Tietze Alexandra
Published: November 2023

Matthias Bahlmann ist Chemiker sowie Vater von zwei Kindern und freut sich, wenn sie gerne vom Papa ins Bett gebracht werden.
Meyer‐Galow‐Preis: Mehr Ammoniak pro Anlage
Authors: Blicker Luca
Published: November 2023

Ein Bauteil macht Anlagen, die Ammoniak herstellen, produktiver. Der Meyer‐Galow‐Preis für Wirtschaftschemie würdigt die bewährte Erfindung.
A hybrid Lagrangian–Eulerian particle finite element method for free‐surface and fluid–structure interaction problems
Authors: Fu Cheng , Cremonesi Massimiliano , Perego Umberto
Published: November 2023

The dynamics of fluid flows with free surfaces and interacting with highly deformable structures is a complex problem, attracting considerable attention. The Particle Finite Element Method (PFEM) is one of the various numerical methods recently proposed in the literature to simulate this type of problems. It is a mesh‐based Lagrangian approach, particularly suited for problems with fast changes in the domain topology, since the fluid boundaries and the Fluid–Structure Interaction (FSI) interface are naturally tracked by the position of the mesh nodes. However, when nonhomogeneous boundary conditions are imposed on velocities or when there are regions where the topology varies moderately, for example, in confined portions of the fluid domain characterized by fixed boundaries, an Eulerian formulation turns out to be more convenient. To exploit the advantages of both formulations, an adaptive hybrid Lagrangian–Eulerian approach is presented in this work. According to the proposed method, nodes on the fluid free‐surface and on the FSI interface are treated as Lagrangian, while the remaining nodes can be either Eulerian or Lagrangian. Furthermore, to increase the efficiency of the method, an algorithm to automatically detect runtime the transition zone between the two kinematic descriptions is devised. To validate the proposed approach, several numerical examples are developed and their results are compared to those available in the literature.
Psychometric properties of the persian version of the nursing clinical reasoning scale
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Touba , Mirfarhadi Nastaran , Pouralizadeh Moluk , Tabrizi Kian Norouzi , Fallahi‐Khoshknab Masoud , Khankeh Hamid reza , Shokooh Forozan
Published: November 2023

Aim

The aim of this study was to translate the Nursing Clinical Reasoning Scale (NCRS) into Persian and evaluate its psychometric properties.

Design

This study was a methodological and cross‐sectional study.

Methods

This methodological study was conducted in 2020 in a teaching hospital. After obtaining necessary permission from its developers, NCRS was translated into Persian through the method proposed by the World Health Organization. Then, its face, content, and construct validity and reliability were assessed. For construct validity assessment through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, 300 nurses (two 150‐nurse samples), who had randomly been selected, completed the instrument. Reliability also assessed through the internal consistency and the stability methods. Data were analysed using the SPSS (v. 20.0) and the AMOS (v. 5.0) software.

Results

The content validity indices of NCRS and its items were 0.97 and more than 0.79, respectively. Exploratory factor analysis revealed an assessment and confirmation factor and an implementation and reflection factor for the scale which together explained 57.30% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis also confirmed this two‐factor structure (χ2/df = 2.11, NNFI = 0.952, RMSEA = 0.053, CFI = 0.91, GFI = 0.94, IFI = 0.95, and NFI = 0.96). The Cronbach's alpha and the intraclass correlation coefficient values of the scale were 0.96 and 0.94, respectively.

Public Contribution

The Persian NCRS can help nursing policy makers and mentors identify the need for developing nurses' and nursing students' CR skills and implement need‐based educational courses to improve these skills. Moreover, it helps determine whether the educational programmes are effective in improving nurses' CR skills and clinical competence.
Heparin versus normal saline for the care of peripheral intravenous catheters in children: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Weiying , Wei Biqiong , Chai Mengqi , Chen Dan
Published: November 2023

Aim

To conduct a meta‐analysis to evaluate the role of heparin versus normal saline lock in the care of peripheral intravenous catheters.

Design

A meta‐analysis.

Methods

This meta‐analysis searched nine databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on heparin versus normal saline for the care of peripheral intravenous catheters in children up to April 5, 2023. The quality of included RCTs was evaluated using the risk of bias tool of Cochrane library. RevMan5.3 software was used for data analysis.

Results

Ten RCTs with a total of 1255 children were involved. Meta‐analysis indicated that heparin lock reduced the incidence of blockage of peripheral intravenous catheter [OR = 2.01, 95% CI (1.42,2.84), p < 0.001], prolonged the duration of peripheral intravenous catheter indwelling[MD = ‐0.43, 95% CI (−0.75, −0.11), p = 0.008]. There were no statistical differences in the incidence of phlebitis [OR = 1.02, 95% CI (0.59, 1.74), p = 0.95 W].

Public contribution

Heparin may have more benefits in the nursing care of peripheral intravenous catheters compared with normal saline.
Microwave‐assisted hydrothermal green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles incorporated with hyaluronic acid methacrylate/gelatin methacrylate hydrogels for wound healing applications
Authors: Nejati Omid , Tışlı Büşra , Yaşayan Gökçen , Zaman Buse Tuğba , Torkay Gülşah , Dönmez Mustafa , Kayın İnci , Bakırdere Sezgin , Bal‐Öztürk Ayça
Published: November 2023

Wound healing is a topic of significant interest in current times, owing to the escalating incidence of chronic diseases associated with impaired healing, as well as the growing number of elderly individuals within the population. Amongst the various approaches for fabrication of wound healing dressings, the utilization of selenium‐based nanoparticles has garnered considerable attention due to selenium's numerous advantages, including antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. With this perspective, we focused on the fabrication and characterization of hydrogels incorporated with selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). In this work, we have developed a microwave‐assisted hydrothermal synthesis strategy for synthesis of the SeNPs that employ non‐toxic precursors, thereby reducing the risk of environmental toxicity and providing a cost‐effective alternative to conventional chemical and hydrothermal methods. Subsequently, we have successfully incorporated SeNPs into hyaluronic acid methacrylate/gelatin methacrylate‐based hydrogels. Hyaluronic acid and gelatin are selected to support the healing process further, and these polymers are methacrylated in order to further control mechanical properties of the hydrogel and improve the stability of the dressing. The nanoparticles and the nanoparticle‐incorporated hydrogels were characterized by various techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering instruments. Mechanical behaviors, swelling and degradation properties of the dressings were evaluated. Afterwards, we have conducted cell culture studies with SeNPs‐loaded hydrogels to determine the efficacy of SeNPs in wound healing. According to experimental findings, in vitro scratch assay suggests that a hydrogel dressing containing SeNPs (HG‐SeNp2) support the cell migration more compared to other samples incorporated with nanoparticles and to the control study at 24 h, and the wound closure percentage was found to be statistically significant compared with the control study. This dressing hold promise as effective wound dressings that can facilitate and expedite the process of wound healing.
A toughening indole‐based epoxy film with efficient anti‐counterfeiting properties driven by cation–π interaction
Authors: Tang Qiaolin , Yuan Lu , Kang Ming , Huang Ying , Yang Li , Yin Qiang , Chang Guanjun
Published: November 2023

A strong and tough indole‐based epoxy film driven by cation–π interaction is designed, evading the trade‐off between stiffness and extensibility in epoxy resins. The film with high strength, toughness and effective anti‐counterfeiting properties induced by cation–π interaction is promising in the development of the fields of aerospace and electronic devices. © 2023 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Lichen Planus: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Mathur Mahesh , Thakur Neha , Jaiswal Sunil , Das Gautam , Shah Swati , Maharjan Srijana , Paudel Supriya , Shrestha Anjali , Upadhyay Hari Prasad
Published: November 2023

Background

Lichen Planus (LP) is a chronic dermatosis affecting the skin and mucous membranes. Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with LP is a trigger predisposing to Metabolic Syndrome.

Objectives

To study the association of Metabolic Syndrome in patients with LP.

Materials and Methods

A hospital-based prospective case-control study was conducted from April 2021 to January 2023 including 75 histopathologically confirmed patients with LP and 82 age and sex-matched controls according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Metabolic Syndrome was diagnosed using Modified National Cholesterol Education Programme Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, version 26. The chi-square test was used for data analysis.

Results

The majority (30.6%) of the patients belonged to the age group 31–40 years. The mean age of patients with LP was 46.13 ± 14.9 years. Female predominance (69.3%) was observed in our study. Patients with classic LP (54.6%) were predominantly observed. Metabolic Syndrome was significantly prevalent in LP patients than in controls (32% vs. 13.4%, p = 0.005, OR 3.037) and was significantly associated with morphology (only oral mucosal involvement, 61.5%, p 0.027, OR 3.9), severity (severe LP, 58.6%, p < 0.001, OR 7.79), and duration of the disease (≥6 months, 55.5%, p 0.001, OR 5.42). 71% of Metabolic Syndrome was observed in females (p 0.847). Among patients with metabolic syndrome, the majority belonged to the age group between 31 and 40 years (37.5%, p 0.378). Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure values (≥130/85 mm of Hg), Serum Triglycerides (≥150 mg/dl), and Low-Density Lipoprotein (>130 mg/dl) were significantly elevated, and High-Density Lipoprotein (<40 mg/dl) was significantly low in LP than in controls (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The study showed a significant association of Metabolic Syndrome in patients with LP. Thus, patients with LP need to be screened to avoid complications associated with Metabolic Syndrome that is, Diabetes Mellitus, Cardiovascular Disease, colorectal cancer, and stroke.
A Cucurbit[8]uril‐Based Supramolecular Framework Material for Reversible Iodine Capture in the Vapor Phase and Solution
Authors: Lu Yun , Yu Zhichao , Zhang Tingting , Pan Dingwu , Dai Jingjing , Li Qing , Tao Zhu , Xiao Xin
Published: November 2023

The safe and efficient management of hazardous radioactive iodine is significant for nuclear waste reprocessing and environmental industries. A novel supramolecular framework compound based on cucurbit[8]uril (Q[8]) and 4‐aminopyridine (4‐AP) is reported in this paper. In the single crystal structure of Q[8]‐(4‐AP), two 4‐AP molecules interact with the outer surface of Q[8] and the two other 4‐AP molecules are encapsulated into the Q[8] cavity to form the self‐assembly Q[8]‐(4‐AP). Iodine adsorption experiments show that the as‐prepared Q[8]‐(4‐AP) not only has a high adsorption capacity (1.74 g· g−1) for iodine vapor but also can remove the iodine in the organic solvent and the aqueous solution with the removal efficiencies of 95% and 91%, respectively. The presence of a large number of hydrogen bonds between the iodine molecule and the absorbent, as seen in the single crystal structure of iodine‐loaded Q[8]‐(4‐AP) (I2@Q[8]‐(4‐AP)), is thought to be responsible for the exceptional iodine adsorption capacity of the material. In addition, the adsorption‐desorption tests reveal that the self‐assembly material has no significant loss of iodine capture capacity after five cycles, indicating that it has sufficient reusability.
A Polarization‐Sensitive Photodetector with Patterned CH3NH3PbCl3 Film
Authors: Sun Jie , Ding Liming
Published: November 2023

Perovskite photodetectors with polarization‐sensitive properties have gained significant attention due to their potential applications in fields such as imaging and remote sensing. Most perovskite photodetectors concentrate on iodine (I) or bromine (Br)‐based materials, primarily due to their straightforward fabrication techniques. The utilization of chloride (Cl)‐based perovskites with wider bandgaps, such as CH3NH3PbCl3, is relatively limited. In this work, polarized perovskite photodetectors are prepared by a patterned spatially confined method with polarization sensitivity and excellent optoelectronic properties. The patterned perovskite photodetectors (PP‐PDs) not only exhibit outstanding photoelectric conversion performance but also demonstrate polarization sensitivity. PP‐PDs showcase remarkable performance, including on/off ratios of 3.4 × 104, an extremely low dark current of 1.56 × 10−11 A, and a rapid response time of microseconds. The responsivity and detectivity of PP‐PDs reach 10.6 A W−1 and 3 × 1012 Jones, respectively, positioning them as among the highest‐performing MAPbCl3‐based photodetectors reported to date. Furthermore, polarization layered imaging sensing is achieved using stepwise scanning of the device. This work provides innovative ideas for realizing high‐performance polarized perovskite photodetectors.
Preparation and characterization of UiO‐66‐NH2 adsorbed triethyl phosphate: Flame retardancy and smoke suppression for epoxy resins
Authors: Cui Yumeng , Zhang Bo , Zhang Jing , Zhou Mengwei , Jiao Yunhong , Qu Hongqiang
Published: November 2023

The zirconium‐based metal–organic framework material (UiO‐66‐NH2) was synthesized by solvothermal method, and its excellent adsorption performance was used to combine it with the phosphorus‐based flame retardant triethyl phosphate (TEP) and to improve the flame retardant and smoke suppression properties of epoxy resin (EP). The morphology, chemical composition, and structure of the synthesized flame retardant were analyzed by scanning electron microscope, energy dispersion spectrum, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and x‐ray diffractometer. The cone calorimeter measurement of EP composite materials shows that EP composite materials have good flame retardant and smoke suppression properties. Compared with EP, after the UiO‐66‐NH2 flame retardant which adsorbs TEP is added, the peak heat release rate, total heat release, peak smoke release rate, total smoke production, carbon monoxide release rate, and carbon dioxide release rate of EP composites have been reduced. From the results of thermal analysis and scanning electron microscope, it can be seen that the synthesized flame retardant can act both in the condensed phase and in the gas phase. Thereby, the combustion of the matrix and the diffusion of the toxic gas, smoke and heat generated during the combustion are inhibited, and the flame retardant and smoke suppression effects are achieved.

Highlights

Make full use of the excellent adsorption performance of MOF.

TEP was fully adsorbed in UiO‐66‐NH2 pores.

UiO‐66‐NH2 in synergy with TEP improves EP flame retardancy.
Introduction
Authors: Uchida Yukiko , Rappleye Jeremy
Published: November 2023

What is happiness? What makes people authentically happy? Is it an ecstatic feeling of bliss? Or a calm sense of harmony? Is it fleeting or enduring? Cyclical or progressive? Or is it perhaps less of a moment-to-moment feeling, and more of a cognitive evaluation: reflective retrospection on a job well-done, or even an entire life well-lived? Does happiness derive from a sense of safety and stability? Good health? Being surrounded by a loving family and deep friendships? Or does it arise from looking forward with a sense of hope for the future? Are any one of these factors in isolation sufficient? Or does happiness arise from particular combinations of these diverse elements? And, more broadly, is it the individual that strives to obtain a happy life, or is it an entire society that makes individual happiness possible? While happiness is a common pursuit for the myriad collectives—past and present—that constitute our shared humanity, and among the most enduring research themes across the humanities and social sciences, uncertainties around what it means to ‘be happy’ abound.
Happiness: A World Map
Authors: Uchida Yukiko , Rappleye Jeremy
Published: November 2023

Before discussing an alternative approach, we first clarify dominate understandings of happiness and well-being. How is happiness currently being imagined? How does this view of happiness shape views of our own society and the wider world? Why has such a view evolved and become dominant? As discussed in the previous chapter, the past decade has witnessed a remarkable shift away from GDP as proxy for happiness and well-being. Existing assumptions are being critically examined, and new conceptualizations put forth. In this chapter, we aim to sketch the broader historical and intellectual contexts leading up to the current surge in interest around these themes. This discussion sets the stage for the next chapter, wherein we look more deeply at key definitions, new forms of measurement, and—most importantly—inherent limitations therein.
Measuring Happiness, Making Policy
Authors: Uchida Yukiko , Rappleye Jeremy
Published: November 2023

In the last chapter, we sketched a general evolution in thinking about happiness, from objective GDP to subjective measurements of individuals. We briefly touched upon some of the potential limitations, but did not go deeply into definitions or forms of measurement. In this chapter, we make that deeper move: first clarifying key definitions that recur throughout this volume, then looking at how different forms of measurement feature in contemporary policymaking discussions. The key distinctions are macro/micro and subjective/objective. Within, say, subjective happiness, there are a range of important differences as well, that is, between hedonic and eudemonic perspectives. Understanding these differences is crucial to lay the groundwork for clarity in thinking about cultural difference in happiness and well-being. This prepares the way for the next chapter, wherein we elaborate the Interdependent Approach.
Interdependence: Alternative for the Twenty-First Century?
Authors: Uchida Yukiko , Rappleye Jeremy
Published: November 2023

The last two chapters have elaborated the interdependent approach, first conceptualizing it, then relating examples of its cultural manifestations. We now turn to examine the potential significance of the interdependent mode for contemporary problems we—collectively—face at the global level. Instead of viewing the interdependent mode as a mere empirical descriptor of happiness and well-being across East Asia, in this chapter we gesture to its potential import globally. The crux of our argument is that WEIRD globalization has placed a heavy burden on contemporary youth, encouraging forms of subjectivity, development, and well-being that are difficult, if not impossible, to sustain in the contemporary economic and environmental climate. In the search for alternatives that can respond to these challenges—most of all, the sustainability imperative—we present emerging evidence that underscores the potential of the interdependent approach, not just for East Asia but globally. In this way, we advance the discussion from ‘alternatives to us’ to ‘alternatives for us’ (Geertz, 1973), resisting a relativist argument in favor of a pragmatic search for new solutions to shared problems. We also address temporal change in this chapter, resisting an a-historical, cultural essentialist reading of interdependence. Cultural change is constantly unfolding, and our role—at least as we see it—is to attempt to shape that change in a pragmatically useful direction in the face of an uncertain twenty-first century.
The New Production of Expert Knowledge in Education: An Overview
Authors: Grek Sotiria
Published: November 2023

Over more than half a century, the dominance of International Organisations (IOs) in the production of global metrics has transformed global governance. However, amidst the avid critics and unapologetic fans of ‘governing by numbers’, it is still surprising that we know so little about the ways in which global processes of quantification are reconfiguring their work in the fast-moving field of global challenges. Metrics have infiltrated not only IOs’ organisational cultures and the environments these organisations inhabit; crucially, they are reshaping the ways IOs co-exist, compete and survive in an increasingly datafied, yet uncertain world. This introductory chapter outlines briefly some of the transformations of IO expert knowledge production over the last 50 years and gives an overview of the book’s main arguments and structure.
Integrating GEO, network pharmacology, and in vitro assays to explore the pharmacological mechanism of Bruceae Fructus against laryngeal cancer
Authors: Wu Zhongbiao , Zhu Zhongyan , Fu Liyuan
Published: November 2023

The goal of this study is to look into the pharmacological mechanism of Bruceae Fructus in conjunction with GEO, network pharmacology, and in vitro assays for the treatment of laryngeal cancer to provide theoretical support for its therapeutic use. The active components and matching targets of Bruceae Fructus were retrieved from the TCMSP database, while genes linked with laryngeal cancer were obtained from the GEO, GeneCards, DisGeNET, and DrugBank databases. Besides, the components and targets were supplemented by literatures in PubMed database. Cytoscape software was used to create the active ingredients–target network diagram. The String database was used to build the PPI network. Following that, the core targets were subjected to GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis using the DAVID database. Finally, AutoDock was used to perform molecular docking between the core components and the core targets. To investigate the biological effects of beta-sitosterol, the viability of laryngeal cancer cells was assessed after beta-sitosterol therapy using the MTS technique. Following that, how beta-sitosterol affected colony formation after 14 days of culture of treated cells was researched. Flow cytometry was utilized to detect apoptosis to examine the influence of beta-sitosterol on laryngeal cancer cell apoptosis, and then detected mRNA and protein expression levels of 10 key genes by RT-qPCR and Western Blot assay. There were 1258 laryngeal cancer–related genes and 15 Bruceae Fructus components, with beta-sitosterol and luteolin serving as key components. Bruceae Fructus’ primary targets against laryngeal cancer were IL6, JUN, TNF, IL2, IL4, IFNG, RELA, TP53, CDKN1A, and AKT1. GO enrichment yielded 41 CC, 78 MF, and 383 BP. Platinum drug resistance, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, the p53 signaling pathway, apoptosis, the HIF-1 signaling pathway, and 147 additional pathways have been added to KEGG. The results of molecular docking revealed that the core components had a high affinity for the core target. The results of the cell experiment indicate that beta-sitosterol suppressed Hep-2 cell activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Besides, beta-sitosterol has powerful antiproliferative properties in Hep-2 cells. Flow cytometry results showed that beta-sitosterol promoted laryngeal cancer cell apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. The results of RT-qPCR and Western Blot assay showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of TP53, JUN, TNF-α, CDKN1A, and IL-2 were significantly up-regulated after beta-sitosterol treatment, while the mRNA and protein expression levels of RELA, AKT1, IL-6, IFNG, and IL-4 were significantly down-regulated. This study integrating GEO, network pharmacology, and in vitro assays investigated the probable mechanism of Bruceae Fructus’ anti-laryngeal cancer activity, which can give a theoretical foundation for additional future animal experiments.
Holding Retail Corporations Accountable for Food Waste: A Due Diligence Framework Informed by Business and Human Rights Principles
Authors: Rao Madhura , Bernaz Nadia , de Boer Alie
Published: November 2023

Retail corporations orchestrate much of what happens in today’s food supply chains. From setting sky-high cosmetic standards for fresh produce to bundling off close-to-expiry products at discounted prices, retail’s contribution to food waste often extends beyond its in-store numbers. By occupying a powerful position in a globalised food system, these corporations enable chronic overproduction and consequently, the removal of surplus food from supply chains. This, in turn, contributes to the unfair distribution and overexploitation of food resources, further exacerbating the globally pervasive problem of food insecurity. To realise the right to food and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal of halving global per capita food waste by 2030, we argue that retail corporations must be held accountable for their direct and indirect contribution to food waste. We posit that to make a tangible difference, they must move away from the current voluntary corporate social responsibility approach to food waste reduction and instead invest in robust due diligence mechanisms and transparent reporting systems in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the upcoming EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. Based on Pillar II of the Guiding Principles, we propose a five-step approach to accountability for food waste that may lead to serious actions towards the relaxation of cosmetic standards, abolition of unfair trading practices, and improvement in demand forecasting, thereby reducing the volume of food that ends up as waste.
Diversity of movement patterns of Longnose Gar tracked in coastal waters of western Lake Ontario
Authors: Croft-White Melanie V. , Larocque Sarah M. , Reddick David T. , Smith Paul D. , Cooke Steven J. , Midwood Jonathan D.
Published: November 2023

Understanding the spatial ecology of fish is critical for effective conservation and management. Gar (Lepisosteidae spp.) are an ancient lineage of freshwater fishes that have long been thought of as having high site fidelity with limited large-scale movements. We acoustically tagged Longnose Gar (L. osseus) in a large freshwater embayment (Hamilton Harbour) and tracked the movements of 12 individuals within this system and throughout the coastal waters of Lake Ontario for up to 4 years. Three distinct movement patterns were observed: migrants (N = 7), which moved throughout much of western Lake Ontario and had a maximum displacement of 184 km (linear distance); residents (N = 3), which remained in or near the original tagging location (an industrial slip with year-round warmwater outfall); and sporadic migrants (N = 2), which showed both migratory and resident behavioural patterns in different years. Seasonally, gar were most active during the summer and then fall, with more restricted home ranges and movements during winter suggestive of more quiescent behaviour. This study represents the first use of acoustic telemetry to track Longnose Gar movements year-round in a large lake and confirmed that a majority of tracked fishes make large-scale movements in Lake Ontario. Such results reframe the presumption that gar are more resident fishes with restricted space use.
Anthropogenic landscape change and amphibian diversity in tropical montane biodiversity hotspots: insights from satellite remote sensing in the Madagascar highlands
Authors: Monteiro Antonio T. , Rosa Sophia , Andreone Franco , Ndriantsoa Serge , Rakotonanahary Tsanta , Dawson Jeff , Rabemananjara Falitiana C. E. , Rabibisoa Nirhy H. C. , Lucas Richard , Crottini Angelica
Published: November 2023

The magnitude of anthropogenic landscape change in tropical montane biodiversity hotspots and its relationship with biodiversity is a global issue that remains ‘locked-in’ in the broad narrative of tropical change in Africa. Over a montane biodiversity hotspot of Madagascar highlands (Ankaratra Massif), we conducted analysis on land cover change with Landsat satellite sensor data to identify the magnitude of change (1995–2016) and on the habitat change–amphibian diversity relationship to understand links with biodiversity. The results evidenced that 17.8% of the biodiversity hotspot experienced change in land cover in only 20 years. That pressured the already threatened forests, particularly since 2005. Of the total forest area in 1995 (2062.7 ha), 21.5% was cleared by 2016 (1618.3 ha). Changes in forest cover followed a bidirectional pattern. While in the period 1995–2005, forests expanded at a rate of 2.0% year−1 (from 2062.7 to 2524.8 ha), the area declined between 2005 and 2016 at a rate of − 4.1% year−1, fourfold the rate reported nationally for Madagascar (− 1.1% year−1). Forest-to-shrubland transitions emerged as being of increasing concern to forest integrity. We identified a significant link between habitat change and amphibian diversity, but only for species richness. Counter to expectations, no significant relationship was found between species richness and deforestation rates, and between microendemism rates and any of the habitat change variables. Species richness responded to the spatiotemporal variability in vegetation dynamics represented by the standard deviation of the Normalized Differenced Vegetation Index (NDVI_std). Species richness was strongly negatively related to NDVI_std in the short-term (R2 = 0.91, p = 0.003) and long-term (R2 = 0.69, p = 0.03), increasing where the spatiotemporal variability in NDVI was lower. The magnitude of changes in this biodiversity hotspot suggests that region-specific assessments are necessary in the context of the tropical change narrative in Africa and should consider conservation policies tailored for local conditions. Reducing deforestation and land conversion rates through a management plan codesigned with local communities is urgent. Habitat change appears to impact on amphibian diversity by altering the functional attributes of the habitat and not just by reducing habitat extent. NDVI_std seems a relevant indirect metric for monitoring such change although other biophysical attributes obtained from satellite sensor data should be integrated and explored.
Faecal sludge pyrolysis as a circular economic approach to waste management and nutrient recovery
Authors: Nicholas Hannah , Winrow Elinor , Devine Aisling , Robertson Iain , Mabbett Ian
Published: November 2023

The disposal of faecal sludge from non-networked sanitation amenities leads to contamination of the surrounding environment and increasing public health problems across developing countries. Permanent solutions to deal with faecal sludge are required to solve the sanitation crisis and achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” by 2030. Full-scale pyrolysis of faecal sludge in developing countries is fast becoming a safe and long-term option. Pyrolysis not only eliminates pathogens within the sludge but produces biochar as an end product which has the potential as a soil amendment to increase crop yield. In general, faecal sludge biochars have high pH values, high ash contents, and high macro-and micronutrient concentrations. Compared to biochar from lignocellulosic materials, faecal sludge biochar contains less carbon and exhibits lower porosities, and lower surface areas. However, evaluating the properties of faecal sludge biochar is difficult due to the different technologies used in collection, storage, and transportation of the feedstock. Differences in faecal sludge characteristics based on location, climate, age of the sludge, type of sanitation technology and seasonality are also factors in determining the properties of faecal sludge biochars. These factors contribute to the difficulty in describing faecal sludge biochar properties in general terms, and there is an argument to be made that characteristics of large-scale faecal sludge biochar should be determined on a case-by-case basis. The conclusion of this review is that future research should concentrate on short-term and long-term field studies of faecal sludge biochar application to different soil types.
The Gender Wage Gap and Parenthood: Occupational Characteristics Across European Countries
Authors: Adsera Alícia , Querin Federica
Published: November 2023

Different strands of research analyse gender occupational differences and how they relate to differential earnings, especially among parents juggling family demands. We use rich data from PIAAC across a subset of European countries and match occupational characteristics to individuals’ jobs using the O*NET database to analyse, first, whether there are gender differences in the occupational characteristics of jobs, particularly among parents, and second, whether the return to key occupational characteristics varies by gender. Compared to men, women’s jobs generally require more contact with others, less autonomy in decision-making, and less time pressure. In addition, positions held by mothers involve both less leadership expectations and less intensive use of machines than those held by fathers. Further, mothers receive a lower return to both of these occupational characteristics than fathers do. Finally, even though gaps in occupational characteristics such as leadership jointly with the differential sorting of mothers and fathers across sectors explain part of the gender wage gap in Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition models, especially in Continental Europe, a large share remains unexplained particularly in Eastern and Southern European countries.
Extending rely-guarantee thinking to handle real-time scheduling
Authors: Jones Cliff B. , Burns Alan
Published: November 2023

The reference point for developing any artefact is its specification; to develop software formally, a formal specification is required. For sequential programs, pre and post conditions (together with abstract objects) suffice; rely and guarantee conditions extend the scope of formal development approaches to tackle concurrency. In addition, real-time systems need ways of both requiring progress and relating that progress to some notion of time. This paper extends rely-guarantee ideas to cope with specifications of—and assumptions about—real-time schedulers. Furthermore it shows how the approach helps identify and specify fault-tolerance aspects of such schedulers by systematically challenging the assumptions.
Mindfulness Processes that Mitigate COVID-Related Stressors in Caregivers in the United States
Authors: Wen Nicole J. , Lo Sharon L. , Miller Alison L.
Published: November 2023

Mitigating the effects of COVID-19 on child development involves understanding the impact of the pandemic on caregiver well-being and factors that protect against stress associated with the virus and measures used to reduce disease transmission. Mindfulness has become popularized in the West, with promising evidence that it may reduce caregiver stress. There is limited research examining the specific elements of mindfulness as it relates to caregiving instead of studying mindfulness as a singular construct. We examined whether the number of COVID-related stressors was related to caregivers’ stress, and whether this stress was reduced by their reported level of mindfulness. We examined whether four mindfulness processes: self-compassion, nonreactivity, nonjudging, and acting with awareness – buffered the impact of stressors on caregivers’ stress one month later in a sample of caregivers in the United States (N = 330). When accounting for other mindfulness processes, acting with awareness was the only significant moderator of COVID-related stressors and caregivers’ stress one month later. We discuss implications for recommendations to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on caregivers’ stress through reducing stress and thus promoting well-being in caregivers.
Impact of graft reperfusion on cardiac function assessed by transesophageal echocardiography during liver transplantation: an observational retrospective study
Authors: González-Suárez Susana , Corbett Matthew , Hernández-Martínez Alberto
Published: November 2023

Cardiovascular instability is common during the reperfusion phase of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), and some patients experience a postreperfusion syndrome (PRS). However, there are no reports comparing the cardiac dysfunction between patients with PRS and those without. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate cardiac dysfunction in patients exhibiting PRS. This observational retrospective study included 34 patients who underwent OLT and were monitored with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The right ventricular/left ventricular (RV/LV) end diastolic area, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by Simpson method, pulsed Doppler of the mitral valve, and tissue Doppler motion of the mitral annulus were determined. Echocardiographic measurements were registered at the beginning of surgery and at 1 and 30 min after vascular unclamping. Patients with PRS (PRS group) were identified, and their echocardiographic parameters of ventricular function were compared with those in patients without PRS (non-PRS group). To check the evolution of diastolic-systolic dysfunction, general linear model-repeated measures were estimated. No patient presented systolic/diastolic dysfunction on the basal echocardiogram. One minute after vascular unclamping, the incidence of RV dilation was 4.5 times greater in patients with PRS (Cramer´s V > 0.6), and the incidence of RV systolic dysfunction was 62.5% in patients with PRS compared to 15.40% in patients without PRS (Cramer´s V = 0.45). The incidence of LV systolic dysfunction was 25% in patients with PRS compared to 0% in those without (Cramer´s V = 0.45), and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was 4.8 times greater in patients with PRS (Cramer´s V = 0.45). No patient presented diastolic dysfunction type III. There were significant differences between groups in the evolutionary pattern at 1 and 30 min after unclamping for RV dilation (p = 0.008) and for TAPSE (p = 0.014). Liver graft reperfusion may alter cardiac function. Cardiac dysfunction was more frequent in patients with PRS. These patients exhibited temporary dysfunction of the RV associated with a varying degree of LV diastolic-systolic dysfunction. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05175534). January 03, 2022; “retrospectively registered”.