bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The high school effect on students’ mobility choices
Authors: Usala Cristian , Porcu Mariano , Sulis Isabella
Published: April 2023

This paper looks into the relationship between students’ university choices and their secondary school background. The main aim is to assess the role of secondary schools in steering university applications toward local or non-local institutions, also in the light of the tertiary education supply available in students’ areas of residence. With this aim, we classify students’ mobility choices by using a robust definition of local and non-local universities that accounts for the uncertainty in the definition of students’ local areas and their characteristics. In this framework, we apply a multilevel model to jointly consider the high school effect on the probability of students belonging to one specific category of mobility (local, forced non-local, free non-local) conditional upon students’ macro areas of residence, their chosen university and field of study. The findings highlight that high schools have a relevant role in affecting students’ mobility choices, especially when considering local universities. The magnitude of the effect depends on students’ macro area of residence. In particular, this result highlights that schools may pursue specific guidance policies to address students’ choices toward local universities; furthermore, it suggests that their influence on students is stronger in areas hosting the most important universities.
Scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia (SARA): Übersetzung und kulturelle Anpassung an den deutschsprachigen Raum
Authors: Silberbauer Julia , Schidl Sonja , Diermayr Gudrun , Schmitz-Hübsch Tanja , Greisberger Andrea
Published: April 2023

Hintergrund/Ziel

Die Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) ist ein praxistaugliches Assessment für die Einschätzung des Schweregrades einer Ataxie und für die Evaluierung von Therapiemaßnahmen. Um im deutschsprachigen Raum über eine entsprechend internationalen Vorgaben übersetzte Version zu verfügen, war das Ziel dieser Arbeit, die SARA ins Deutsche zu übersetzen und für den deutschsprachigen Raum kulturell anzupassen.

Methode

Der Übersetzungsprozess beinhaltete 6 Schritte. Dabei wurde die Verständlichkeit der Übersetzung in Interviews mit den späteren Nutzer*innen überprüft.

Ergebnisse

Neun Physiotherapeut*innen und sechs Ärzt*innen mit unterschiedlichen Arbeitsumgebungen wurden interviewt. Sieben Personen waren in Deutschland und je vier in Österreich bzw. der Schweiz tätig. Die Interviews führten zu einer Präzisierung der übersetzten Version. Im länderspezifischen Vergleich wurden keine Auffälligkeiten der Verständlichkeit festgestellt.

Schlussfolgerung

Mit dieser Arbeit ist eine von der Mitautorin der Originalpublikation autorisierte deutsche Version der SARA verfügbar. Die Ergebnisse liefern außerdem methodische Erkenntnisse zum Übersetzungsprozess von beobachtungsbasierten standardisierten Assessments.
Human Cancer Cell Radiation Response Investigated through Topological Analysis of 2D Cell Networks
Authors: Tirinato Luca , Onesto Valentina , Garcia-Calderon Daniel , Pagliari Francesca , Spadea Maria-Francesca , Seco Joao , Gentile Francesco
Published: April 2023

Clonogenic assays are routinely used to evaluate the response of cancer cells to external radiation fields, assess their radioresistance and radiosensitivity, estimate the performance of radiotherapy. However, classic clonogenic tests focus on the number of colonies forming on a substrate upon exposure to ionizing radiation, and disregard other important characteristics of cells such their ability to generate structures with a certain shape. The radioresistance and radiosensitivity of cancer cells may depend less on the number of cells in a colony and more on the way cells interact to form complex networks. In this study, we have examined whether the topology of 2D cancer-cell graphs is influenced by ionizing radiation. We subjected different cancer cell lines, i.e. H4 epithelial neuroglioma cells, H460 lung cancer cells, PC3 bone metastasis of grade IV of prostate cancer and T24 urinary bladder cancer cells, cultured on planar surfaces, to increasing photon radiation levels up to 6 Gy. Fluorescence images of samples were then processed to determine the topological parameters of the cell-graphs developing over time. We found that the larger the dose, the less uniform the distribution of cells on the substrate—evidenced by high values of small-world coefficient (cc), high values of clustering coefficient (cc), and small values of characteristic path length (cpl). For all considered cell lines, $$sw>1$$

s
w
>
1

for doses higher or equal to 4 Gy, while the sensitivity to the dose varied for different cell lines: T24 cells seem more distinctly affected by the radiation, followed by the H4, H460 and PC3 cells. Results of the work reinforce the view that the characteristics of cancer cells and their response to radiotherapy can be determined by examining their collective behavior—encoded in a few topological parameters—as an alternative to classical clonogenic assays.
The Relationship Between Forgiveness and Health Outcomes Among People Living with HIV: A Cross-Sectional Study in France
Authors: Toussaint Loren L. , Skalski-Bednarz Sebastian Binyamin , Lanoix Jean-Philippe , Konaszewski Karol , Surzykiewicz Janusz
Published: April 2023

Research to date has shown that HIV infection is a highly stressful experience for individuals, and one of the key adaptive resources after such painful experiences may be forgiveness. The aim of the present study was to examine the associations between dispositional forgiveness (assessed using Mullet’s Forgivingness Questionnaire and Toussaint’s Forgiveness Scale), perceived stress (single-item measure of stress symptoms), health perception (EuroQol visual analogue version of the scale) and life satisfaction (Satisfaction With Life Scale) in people living with HIV (PLWH) in France. Paper surveys were completed by 222 PLWH aged 18–78 (57% male). Multiple regression analysis revealed that sensitivity to circumstances, unconditional forgiveness, self-forgiveness, and forgiveness of others were significant predictors of health and happiness. Mediation analysis showed that these relationships are completely mediated by perceived stress. The present findings suggest that forgiveness and perceived stress may be important variables for healing in PLWH. Interventions designed to improve forgiveness and self-forgiveness may result in improved health and life satisfaction in PLWH.
Seismic vibration mitigation of steel storage tanks by metafoundations endowed with linear and bistable columns
Authors: Guner Tugberk , Bursi Oreste S. , Broccardo Marco
Published: April 2023

This paper presents the seismic mitigation of typical storage tanks where extreme loading conditions are considered by safe shutdown earthquakes. To reproduce the main dynamic properties of the superstructure, a standard structural model was considered, where both the presence of the impulsive mode and of the convective mode were considered. Thus, to protect the tank from strong earthquakes, finite locally resonant multiple-degrees-of-freedom (MDoFs) metafoundations were designed and developed; and resonator parameters together with bistable columns were optimized by means of an improved time domain multiobjective optimization procedure. Also, the stochastic nature of the seismic input was taken into account. Therefore, it is proposed: (i) a linear metafoundation endowed with one/two layers and multiple cells, linear springs, and linear viscous dampers; and (ii) a relevant foundation equipped with columns operating in an elastic buckled state. With this arrangement, additional flexibility and dissipation against horizontal seismic loadings are activated. It was shown in both cases, how each metafoundation can be successfully optimized via a sensitivity-based parameter technique. Thus, the performance of the optimized metafoundations was assessed by means of time history analyses; and results were compared with a storage tank endowed with both rigid foundation solutions. Finally, single cells were analysed in the frequency domain while finite lattices and periodic metafoundations in the linear and bistable regime were characterized by means of dispersion relationships.
Two Azores shipwrecks and insect biological invasions during the Age of Discovery
Authors: Panagiotakopulu Eva , Garcia Ana Catarina
Published: April 2023

Insect faunas from a Spanish and a Dutch shipwreck, Angra D and Angra C, recovered from a bay on Terceira island, Angra do Heroísmo, in the Azores, and dated to c. 1650 CE, provide information about the onboard ecology of seventeenth century shipping vessels and the role of these ships and of contemporary maritime routes in biological invasions. In addition to evidence for foul conditions, there is evidence for similar insect faunas on both these ships. The assemblages include the earliest records of the now cosmopolitan synanthropic scuttle fly Dohrniphora cornuta (Bigot) which was probably introduced through trade from southeast Asia to Europe. The presence of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.) from Angra D, in the context of other sixteenth and seventeenth century records from shipwrecks, gives information about its spread to North America and Europe through transatlantic and transpacific trade, hitching a ride with traded commodities. The insect data point to the importance of introduced taxa on traded commodities and ballast, transported from port to port, and the role of ports of call like Angra in the Azores, as hot spots for biological invasions.
Novel insights on atomic synchronization for sort-based group-by on GPUs
Authors: Gurumurthy Bala , Broneske David , Schäler Martin , Pionteck Thilo , Saake Gunter
Published: April 2023

Using heterogeneous processing devices, like GPUs, to accelerate relational database operations is a well-known strategy. In this context, the operation is highly interesting for two reasons. Firstly, it incurs large processing costs. Secondly, its results (i.e., aggregates) are usually small, reducing data movement costs whose compensation is a major challenge for heterogeneous computing. Generally, for computation on GPUs, one relies either on sorting or hashing. Today, empirical results suggest that hash-based approaches are superior. However, by concept, hashing induces an unpredictable memory access pattern conflicting with the architecture of GPUs. This motivates studying why current sort-based approaches are generally inferior. Our results indicate that current sorting solutions cannot exploit the full parallel power of modern GPUs. Experimentally, we show that the issue arises from the need to synchronize parallel threads that access the shared memory location containing the aggregates via . Our quantification of the optimal performance motivates us to investigate how to minimize the overhead of atomics. This results in different variants using atomics, where the best variants almost mitigate the atomics overhead entirely. The results of a large-scale evaluation reveal that our approach achieves a 3x speed-up over existing sort-based approaches and up to 2x speed-up over hash-based approaches.
Efficacy of salvage therapies after failure of adjuvant anti-PD-1 monotherapy for melanoma in the Chinese population: a multi-institutional cohort study
Authors: Jia Dong-Dong , Xu Yu , Li Ting , Yang Ji-Long , Chen Yong , Li Tao
Published: April 2023

The majority of melanoma patients experience relapse during adjuvant therapy or after the end of therapy. Sixty-one patients from 3 melanoma centres who experienced recurrence and received adjuvant pembrolizumab for resected stage III/IV melanoma were enrolled. Disease characteristics, recurrence characteristics, subsequent management and outcomes were retrospectively analysed. Sixty-one patients were enrolled in this study. The median time to first relapse from the commencement of adjuvant pembrolizumab was 8 months (1–22 months). The first recurrences were locoregional alone in 25 patients (41%), distant alone in 29 (47.5%) and concurrent locoregional and distant relapse in 7 (11.5%). At the first recurrence, 4 patients (80%) who underwent resection alone experienced further relapse of disease. Three (60%) patients who were treated with adjuvant pembrolizumab following surgery, 2 (100%) patients who were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, 2 (66.7%) patients who were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and pembrolizumab combined and 3 (100%) patients who were treated with adjuvant radiotherapy and pembrolizumab combined had further recurrence. Of the three patients treated with adjuvant BRAF/MEKi following the first relapse, none had yet recurred. Of the 8 patients treated with pembrolizumab alone, only one patient (12.5%) who recurred after ceasing adjuvant PD1 had a partial response. The overall response rate to BRAF/MEKi was 75%, 3/4; to pembrolizumab in combination with an oral multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, it was 22.2%, 2/9; to chemotherapeutic agents alone, it was 33.3%, 1/3; and to chemotherapeutic agents combined with pembrolizumab, it was 37.5%, 3/8. The patient treated with imatinib had progressive disease after 3 months of treatment. Of the 6 patients who received temozolomide combined with pembrolizumab, 3 (3/6, 50%) had a partial response. The median OS of the patients who relapsed locoregionally only was longer than that of the patients who relapsed distally at the first recurrence (35 months and 14 months, respectively; P < 0.01). The outcomes of the patients with disease recurrence during or after the completion of 1 year of adjuvant anti-PD1 therapy were poor despite multimodality treatment.
Mining definitions in Kissat with Kittens
Authors: Fleury Mathias , Biere Armin
Published: April 2023

Bounded variable elimination is one of the most important preprocessing techniques in SAT solving. It benefits from discovering functional dependencies in the form of definitions encoded in the CNF. While the common approach pioneered in SatELite relies on syntactic pattern matching, our new approach uses cores produced by an embedded SAT solver, Kitten. In contrast to a similar semantic technique implemented in Lingeling based on BDD algorithms to generate irredundant CNFs, our new approach is able to generate DRAT proofs. We further discuss design choices for our embedded SAT solver Kitten. Experiments with Kissat show the effectiveness of this approach.
Gender wage inequality: new evidence from penalized expectile regression
Authors: Bonaccolto-Töpfer Marina , Bonaccolto Giovanni
Published: April 2023

The Machado-Mata decomposition building on quantile regression has been extensively analyzed in the literature focusing on gender wage inequality. In this study, we generalize the Machado-Mata decomposition to the expectile regression framework, which, to the best of our knowledge, has never been applied in this strand of the literature. In contrast, in recent years, expectiles have gained increasing attention in other contexts as an alternative to traditional quantiles, providing useful statistical and computational properties. We flexibly deal with high-dimensional problems by employing the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator. The empirical analysis focuses on the gender pay gap in Germany and Italy. We find that depending on the estimation approach (i.e. expectile or quantile regression) the results substantially differ along some regions of the wage distribution, whereas they are similar for others. From a policy perspective, this finding is important as it affects conclusions about glass ceiling and sticky floors.
Damage evolution of the coating/substrate system TiN/X2CrNi18-9 under high indentation loads: experimental and numerical study
Authors: Bahri Amir , Ellouz Manel , Klöcker Michaela , Elleuch Khaled , Kordisch Thomas
Published: April 2023

Hard coatings, in particular TiN, are widely used as coatings for cutting tools and in the agri-food industry. In the literature, however, few characterizations of hard coatings can be found which define the minimum applied load when the coating starts to fail. In the present study TiN coating was deposited on stainless steel X2CrNi18-9. Vickers and Brinell indentation tests with a wide load range were performed. The main results revealed that the increase of the applied load in Vickers and Brinell indentation influenced the coating and coating/substrate damage evolution. SEM investigation of the Vickers indentation area shows five modes of damage: inclined cracks, radial cracks, lateral cracks, edge cracks, and shear steps. Each damage mode occurs at a specific load range. Parallel cracks already appeared at the edges of the indents at the lowest load of 2 N. For Brinell indentation, cracks start in the coating only at loads higher than F = 307 N. The SEM examinations present damage modes such as circumferential cracks in the border and additional circular cracks in the center of the indent, creating a crack network. Numerical simulations of Brinell indentation were carried out in order to determine the stress distribution in the indent. The comparison of the numerical simulation results with the experimental findings revealed that the coating started to fail at a stress range above 5735 MPa which corresponds to a normal load range of higher than 307 N in Brinell indentation tests. At a load of 613 N cracks were observed.
GDF15 as a key disease target and biomarker: linking chronic lung diseases and ageing
Authors: Wan Yang , Fu Jianhua
Published: April 2023

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), a member of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, is expressed in several human organs. In particular, it is highly expressed in the placenta, prostate, and liver. The expression of GDF15 increases under cellular stress and pathological conditions. Although numerous transcription factors directly up-regulate the expression of GDF15, the receptors and downstream mediators of GDF15 signal transduction in most tissues have not yet been determined. Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor family receptor α-like protein was recently identified as a specific receptor that plays a mediating role in anorexia. However, the specific receptors of GDF15 in other tissues and organs remain unclear. As a marker of cell stress, GDF15 appears to exert different effects under different pathological conditions. Cell senescence may be an important pathogenetic process and could be used to assess the progression of various lung diseases, including COVID-19. As a key member of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype protein repertoire, GDF15 seems to be associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, although the specific molecular mechanism linking GDF15 expression with ageing remains to be elucidated. Here, we focus on research progress linking GDF15 expression with the pathogenesis of various chronic lung diseases, including neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary hypertension, suggesting that GDF15 may be a key biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis. Thus, in this review, we aimed to provide new insights into the molecular biological mechanism and emerging clinical data associated with GDF15 in lung-related diseases, while highlighting promising research and clinical prospects.
A Lucas Critique of Mortgage Lending: Theory, Evidence, and Implications
Authors: Smith Brent C. , Yezer Anthony M.
Published: April 2023

Mortgage risk assessment is based on hazard models using data on “seasoned” mortgages, endorsed in previous years. These models assume that the lender’s pricing decision has no effect on the parameters of the hazard function. This paper argues that, when indicators of creditworthiness that can be influenced by applicants have a significant effect on credit cost, applicants behave strategically to influence the information disclosed to lenders. This gives rise to a Lucas Critique in which models generally perform well but occasionally fail because applicants are able and motivated to behave strategically.
Thrombus containing lesions strategies during primary percutaneous coronary interventions in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: insights from ORPKI National Registry
Authors: Rakowski Tomasz , Węgiel Michał , Malinowski Krzysztof P. , Siudak Zbigniew , Zasada Wojciech , Zdzierak Barbara , Tokarek Tomasz , Rzeszutko Łukasz , Dudek Dariusz , Bartuś Stanisław , Surdacki Andrzej , Dziewierz Artur
Published: April 2023

In the era of potent P2Y12 inhibitors, according to current guidelines, treatment with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPIs) should be limited to bail-out and/or highly thrombotic situations. Similarly, the recommendation for aspiration thrombectomy (AT) is downgraded to very selective use. We examine the prevalence, and predictors of GPI and AT use in STEMI patients referred to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Data on 116,873 consecutive STEMI patients referred to primary PCI in Poland between 2015 and 2020 were analyzed. GPIs were administered in 29.3%, AT was used in 11.6%, and combined treatment with both in 6.1%. There was a mild trend toward a decrease in GPI and AT usage during the analyzed years. On the contrary, there was a rapid growth of the ticagrelor/prasugrel usage rate from 6.5 to 48.1%. Occluded infarct-related artery at baseline and no-reflow during PCI were the strongest predictors of GPI administration (OR 2.3; 95% CI 2.22–2.38 and OR 3.47; 95% CI 3.13–3.84, respectively) and combined usage of GPI and AT (OR 4.4; 95% CI 4.08–4.8 and OR 3.49; 95% CI 3.08–3.95 respectively) in a multivariate logistic regression model. Similarly, the administration of ticagrelor/prasugrel was an independent predictor of both adjunctive treatment strategies. In STEMI patients in Poland, GPIs are selectively used in one in four patients during primary PCI, and the combined usage of GPI and AT is marginal. Despite the rapid growth in potent P2Y12 inhibitors usage in recent years, GPIs are selectively used at a stable rate during PCI in highly thrombotic lesions.
On Damping of Plasmons and Plasmon-Polaritons in Metallic Nanostructures and Its Influence onto Numerical Simulations
Authors: Krzemińska Zofia , Jacak Janusz E. , Jacak Witold A.
Published: April 2023

We show that the damping of plasmons in metallic nanoparticles highly exceeds that caused by scattering of electrons on defects, phonons, and other electrons and on boundaries of particles. The radiation losses in far-field zone due to the Lorentz friction is especially high at nanometre scale of metal confinement (e.g. attains the maximum at ca. 100 nm diameter of particle, Au in vacuum). This causes a different e-m response of such size structures in comparison to conventional solution of Maxwell-Fresnel equations using the bulk dielectric function for metal. The strong discrepancy occurs also if plasmons are coupled in near-field zone to nearby-located absorbing medium, e.g. semiconductor substrate. This coupling cannot be accounted for by classical electrodynamic treatment (e.g. by numerical solution of Maxwell equations by finite element method for differential equation solution) and needs the application of quantum Fermi golden rule to estimate plasmon damping and related modifications of dielectric functions both of metallic nanoparticles and of absorbing medium. Similarly, the perfect cancellation of radiative losses of plasmon-polaritons in metallic nano-chains is beyond classical Maxwell equation modelling, as it reveals the perfect vanishing of Lorentz friction losses in chain segments by radiative contribution from other segments in near-, medium- and far-field zones. This demonstrates that nano-plasmonic effects cannot be reliably numerically modelled using material parameters from conventional packets referred to optical constants measured in bulk.
An adaptable research platform for ex vivo normothermic machine perfusion of the liver
Authors: Magbagbeola M. , Rai Z. L. , Doyle K. , Lindenroth L. , Dwyer G. , Gander A. , Stilli A. , Davidson B. R. , Stoyanov D.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper presents an assessment of a low-cost organ perfusion machine designed for use in research settings. The machine is modular and versatile in nature, built on a robotic operating system (ROS2) pipeline allowing for the addition of specific sensors for different research applications. Here we present the system and the development stages to achieve viability of the perfused organ.

Methods

The machine’s perfusion efficacy was assessed by monitoring the distribution of perfusate in livers using methylene blue dye. Functionality was evaluated by measuring bile production after 90 min of normothermic perfusion, while viability was examined using aspartate transaminase assays to monitor cell damage throughout the perfusion. Additionally, the output of the pressure, flow, temperature, and oxygen sensors was monitored and recorded to track the health of the organ during perfusion and assess the system’s capability of maintaining the quality of data over time.

Results

The results show the system is capable of successfully perfusing porcine livers for up to three hours. Functionality and viability assessments show no deterioration of liver cells once normothermic perfusion had occurred and bile production was within normal limits of approximately 26 ml in 90 min showing viability.

Conclusion

The developed low-cost perfusion system presented here has been shown to keep porcine livers viable and functional ex vivo. Additionally, the system is capable of easily incorporating several sensors into its framework and simultaneously monitor and record them during perfusion. The work promotes further exploration of the system in different research domains.
Proteomic Profiling Reveals Specific Molecular Hallmarks of the Pig Claustrum
Authors: Pirone Andrea , Ciregia Federica , Lazzarini Giulia , Miragliotta Vincenzo , Ronci Maurizio , Zuccarini Mariachiara , Zallocco Lorenzo , Beghelli Daniela , Mazzoni Maria Rosa , Lucacchini Antonio , Giusti Laura
Published: April 2023

The present study, employing a comparative proteomic approach, analyzes the protein profile of pig claustrum (CLA), putamen (PU), and insula (IN). Pig brain is an interesting model whose key translational features are its similarities with cortical and subcortical structures of human brain. A greater difference in protein spot expression was observed in CLA vs PU as compared to CLA vs IN. The deregulated proteins identified in CLA resulted to be deeply implicated in neurodegenerative (i.e., sirtuin 2, protein disulfide-isomerase 3, transketolase) and psychiatric (i.e., copine 3 and myelin basic protein) disorders in humans. Metascape analysis of differentially expressed proteins in CLA vs PU comparison suggested activation of the α-synuclein pathway and L1 recycling pathway corroborating the involvement of these anatomical structures in neurodegenerative diseases. The expression of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase and dihydropyrimidinase like 2, which are linked to these pathways, was validated using western blot analysis. Moreover, the protein data set of CLA vs PU comparison was analyzed by Ingenuity Pathways Analysis to obtain a prediction of most significant canonical pathways, upstream regulators, human diseases, and biological functions. Interestingly, inhibition of presenilin 1 (PSEN1) upstream regulator and activation of endocannabinoid neuronal synapse pathway were observed. In conclusion, this is the first study presenting an extensive proteomic analysis of pig CLA in comparison with adjacent areas, IN and PUT. These results reinforce the common origin of CLA and IN and suggest an interesting involvement of CLA in endocannabinoid circuitry, neurodegenerative, and psychiatric disorders in humans.
The Use of Robots in the Workplace: Conclusions from a Health Promoting Intervention Using Social Robots
Authors: Lopes Sara L. , Ferreira Aristides I. , Prada Rui
Published: April 2023

Workplace wellness programs constitute a preventive measure to help avoid healthcare costs for companies, with additional benefits for employee productivity and other organizational outcomes. Interventions using social robots may have some advantages over other conventional telemedicine applications, since they can deliver personalized feedback and counseling. This investigation focused on a health-promoting intervention within work environments, and compared the efficacy of the intervention on two distinct groups, one guided by a human agent and the other by a robot agent. Participants (n = 56) were recruited from two Portuguese organizations and led through eight sessions by the social agent, the goal being to encourage health behavior change and adoption of a healthier lifestyle. The results indicate that the group led by the robot agent revealed better post-intervention scores than the group led by the human agent, specifically with regard to productivity despite presenteeism and regard of their level of mental well-being. No effects were found concerning the work engagement level of participants in either group. By demonstrating the potential of using social robots to establish therapeutic and worth relationships with employees in their workplaces, this study provides interesting new findings that contribute to the literature on health behavior change and human–robot interaction.
Wheel–rail contact model for railway vehicle–structure interaction applications: development and validation
Authors: Montenegro P. A. , Calçada R.
Published: April 2023

An enhancement in the wheel–rail contact model used in a nonlinear vehicle–structure interaction (VSI) methodology for railway applications is presented, in which the detection of the contact points between wheel and rail in the concave region of the thread–flange transition is implemented in a simplified way. After presenting the enhanced formulation, the model is validated with two numerical applications (namely, the Manchester Benchmarks and a hunting stability problem of a suspended wheelset), and one experimental test performed in a test rig from the Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI) in Japan. Given its finite element (FE) nature, and contrary to most of the vehicle multibody dynamic commercial software that cannot account for the infrastructure flexibility, the proposed VSI model can be easily used in the study of train–bridge systems with any degree of complexity. The validation presented in this work proves the accuracy of the proposed model, making it a suitable tool for dealing with different railway dynamic applications, such as the study of bridge dynamics, train running safety under different scenarios (namely, earthquakes and crosswinds, among others), and passenger riding comfort.
A Playful Way to Promote Team Flow: Evaluation of a Positive Psychological Board Game for Team Building
Authors: Kloep Leonie , Helten Anna-Lena , Peifer Corinna
Published: April 2023

Modern work in team structures makes team building interventions increasingly important. A phenomenon known to have a positive effect on efficient teamwork, i.e. team performance and team satisfaction, is the experience of flow – on both individual level and team level. Approaches in positive psychology can contribute to efficient teamwork by fostering the existing potentials and resources of team members and thereby increasing individual flow and team flow at work. The present study introduces a newly developed intervention in the form of a board game based on a variety of positive psychological constructs demonstrably associated with individual flow and team flow. The aim of the game is to enhance the players’ flow and team flow experiences at work. Twelve teams from different companies with a total of 65 participants played the game. The frequency of flow and team flow at work were assessed at three time points: before playing, two weeks after playing, and four weeks after playing, with 34 participants having completed the questionnaires at all three assessment points. We found a positive effect of the board game on team flow experience at work two weeks after playing. We assume that the game enhanced the team’s feeling of togetherness and open communication thereby also enhancing team members’ flow experiences.
Suitability evaluation of land reclamation as arable land in coal mining area based on catastrophe theory
Authors: Li Yinghui
Published: April 2023

Niumasi Coal Mine (located in Shaodong City, Hunan Province, China) was an important producing area of high-quality coking coal in Hunan Province. After large-scale mining of underground coal seams in the area, there has been a large area of surface subsidence and serious land damage. The damaged land urgently needs to be reclaimed. In this paper, the suitability of land reclamation as arable land in Niumasi coal mining area was comprehensively evaluated, and a catastrophe progression model (CPM) for the suitability evaluation of land reclamation as arable land in coal mining area was put forward with the help of the catastrophe theory. The suitability classification was divided into four grades: suitable, moderately suitable, less suitable, and unsuitable. Eleven parameters including terrain slope grade, effective thickness of soil layer, soil parent materials, soil contamination, organic content, alkali hydrolyzable nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), available potassium (K), ground collapse, land destruction extent, and conditions of irrigation and drainage were selected as evaluation indicators, and the classification standards of each evaluation indicator was determined. Using MATLAB software to generate a total of 1200 samples (300 samples per level) between the arrays corresponding to each level of standards according to the normal distribution principle, of which 800 samples were used as training samples to establish the catastrophe progression criteria, and 400 samples as test samples to verify the reliability of the proposed criteria. According to CPM, the suitability status of the four land samples in Shuijingtou working area of Niumasi Coal Mine were identified. The evaluation results show that the suitability level of three lands are all ‘Moderately suitable’, and one sample is ‘Unsuitable’. Mining coal has the greatest damage to paddy fields, followed by the dry farming lands and vegetable lands, and the least impact to the forest lands. CPM can not only evaluate the suitability of land reclamation, and comprehensively compare the suitability degrees, but also can assess the damage degree of coal mining to different types of lands. This paper aims to provide a new idea for the study of quantitative evaluation methods of land reclamation suitability. The results have reference and guiding significance for the comprehensive evaluation of the suitability of land reclamation as arable land in coal mining areas.

Article highlights

The catastrophe theory can be used to evaluate the suitability of land reclamation as arable land in coal mining area. A catastrophe progression model for the suitability evaluation of land reclamation as arable land in coal mining area was put forward.

Using MATLAB software to establish the catastrophe progression criteria according to the normal distribution principle.

The results have reference and guiding significance for the comprehensive evaluation of the suitability of land reclamation as arable land in coal mining areas.
Incorporating Human Body Variance in an Analytically Focused Undergraduate Biomechanics Course
Authors: Schley Sara , Chua Mel , Le Doux Joseph , van Montfrans Veronica , Fernandez Todd
Published: April 2023

Human bodies vary widely: height, weight, blood volume, handedness, strength, and variations from disabilities, trauma, genetics, etc. Engineers must be trained to include human variance when designing human-interactive systems. Typically, this is not incorporated into mathematical and modeling focused courses. In the spring of 2019, one of three sections of an introduction to biomechanics course was modified to adopt interactive group problem solving and add human body parameter variation to the problems that students solved. Problems were solved for multiple body sizes. Initial evidence suggests this was successful in increasing students’ consideration of human variation and user needs in mathematical modeling and in increasing their mention of specific body parameters and parameter variation. This can be implemented by a wide variety of instructors without special training in pedagogy or in universal design, especially when a course already features interactive small group problem solving, even during a large lecture by having students’ pair to solve equations briefly. Future steps might consider other parameters of diversity, inclusion, or equity topics. We were pleased to see that small changes in pedagogical approach can pay significant dividends encouraging students to situate analytic work in realistic engineering contexts.
Thromboembolism Early After Glucocorticoid Administration in Patients with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Authors: Shiroshita Kohei , Okayama Mikio , Soma Hiroki , Sato Yuki , Hayashi Hiroyoshi , Shiozawa Yuka , Okamoto Shinichiro , Sadahira Ken
Published: April 2023

Pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis (PE/DVT) are well-known lethal complications in autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). However, the impact of their treatment is unclear. Here, we describe three elderly Japanese patients with AIHA who developed PE/DVT early after glucocorticoid administration. All patients presented with active hemolysis and high D-dimer levels upon admission. Thromboembolism was confirmed within 2 weeks after starting glucocorticoid, suggesting that both active hemolysis and glucocorticoid administration synergistically contributed to the development of PE/DVT. Clinicians should consider that such synergism may increase the risk of thromboembolism in patients with AIHA, and prophylactic anticoagulation is worth considering in patients after starting glucocorticoid.
Statistical fragility of reporting hemidiaphragmatic paralysis after brachial plexus blocks in randomized controlled trials: a systematic review
Authors: Luo Quehua , Liu Yang , Zhu Yi , Wang Zhipeng , Zheng Junyi , Yao Weifeng
Published: April 2023

To characterize the fragility index (FI) of statistically significant results reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis (HDP) after brachial plexus blocks. A systematic review of RCTs retrieved from the PubMed-Medline, Embase, and Web of Science electronic databases was conducted. All alternative RCTs published between January 2012 and October 2022 were identified. Only RCTs with two parallel arms designs, and reporting HDP as the primary outcome, statistical significance, and superiority results were selected. The FI was calculated according to Fisher’s exact test using previously described methods. In addition, the risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool for randomized trials. The 23 RCTs that fulfilled the inclusion criteria had a median FI of 4 (interquartile range [IQR]2–8) and a median Fragility Quotient of 0.077 (IQR 0.038- 0.129). However, in 13 (56.5%) trials, the calculated FI value was ≤ 4. In 3/23 (13.0%) trials, the number of patients who dropped-out exceeded the FI value. Most trials (91.3%) had an overall low risk of bias. This systematic review revealed that the statistical results of RCTs investing HDP after brachial plexus blocks have tended to be fragile in the past decade. The FI should be an important aid in the interpretation of clinical results in combination with the P-value, particularly when statistically significant results are dependent on a small number of events. Future RCTs with larger sample sizes are needed to obtain more robust results in this field.
Synergies and Trade-offs Between the Food Policy Objectives: Evidence from the Dairy Sector of Senegal
Authors: Zamani Omid , Gunarathne Anoma
Published: April 2023

This study investigates the effects of genetic improvement policies on dairy production, with a particular emphasis on Artificial Insemination projects. Furthermore, we evaluate the major barriers and challenges of Artificial Insemination projects including water scarcity. Using the data-driven synthetic control method, we found evidence that the Artificial Insemination projects caused milk production to increase by 59 thousand tons on average from 2008 to 2018. This could be correlated with food security (i.e., synergies), but increased dairy production may also place strain on Senegal’s water resources (i.e. trade-offs). To achieve a more efficient outcome, Senegalese dairy policies should consider the negative externalities of these projects on water resources.
14 COVID-19 and Mental Health: Comparing the mental health between African Americans and Whites in 2019 (before COVID-19) and 2020 (during COVID-19) using NSDUMH in the United States
Authors: Khudur Khulud , Hopkins Johns
Published: April 2023

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The purpose of this study is to compare the mental health of African Americans to Whites during 2019 and 2020 using the a National Survey on Drug Use and Mental Health (NSDUMH). METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Secondary data analysis from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The data consisted of 55,772 observations, 3,090 variables. This study will consist of the United State adult data population from 2019 and 2020 using the National Survey on Drug Use and Mental Health (NSDUMH). RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The results of this research will be produced from the following analysis. The analysis will consist of a secondary data analysis from the National Survey on Drug Use and Mental Health (NSDUMH). The primary independent variable of interest is race. All the indicator (race, sex, insurance, etc). Dependent variable is the mental health of African Americans and Whites. This is the variable in the NSDUMH labeled as the Major Depressive Episodes (MDE). The data analysis will be conducted using univariate analysis describing the study population. Bivariate analysis will be performed using chi-square. Since our dependent variable will be dichotomous we will be using several logistic regressions. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Strengthen mental health and psychosocial support services as part of strengthening preparedness, response and resilience to COVID-19 and future public health emergencies. Also adopt the updated Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan for the future.
17 Data Loofah: A web-based app for efficiently identifying erroneous data
Authors: Fine Jeffrey R. , Taylor Sandra L.
Published: April 2023

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The goal was to create and deploy an intuitive, easy-to-use tool that clinical investigators can apply to their data to identify erroneous or inconsistent data entries. Investigators can then correct any errors prior to sharing the data with their statistician for analysis. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We developed an interactive shiny app, the Data Loofah, using R Studio that researchers or data analysts can use to examine data. After an investigator uploads data, the app reports which variables are numeric or categorical. Means, standard deviation, median, 25th and 75th quantiles, range and number of missing values are reported for numeric variables. Counts and percentages of categorical variables are summarized. Graphical displays further enhance identification of errors. Access to the Data Loofah is through a secure, university-maintained website with access restricted to university personnel. Supporting materials consisting of instructional step-by-step handouts and videos were developed to assist investigators in the use of the app. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We will integrate use of the Data Loofah into our Clinical and Translational Science Program’s biostatistics consultative practice. Investigators will use the Data Loofah to pre-screen their data prior to sending it to a statistician, identify errors and inconsistencies, and facilitate making necessary corrections. Statisticians will also use the Data Loofah to review data with investigators prior to starting analyses. Through use of this app, investigators are expected to develop a better understanding of their data specifically and more generally about requirements for preparing data for statistical analysis. Most significantly, regular use of the Data Loofah is expected to result in higher quality data and more efficient use of statistician resources due to reduced effort for data cleaning. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Data cleaning is a time-consuming task and finding data errors can be difficult for data analysts not familiar with clinical variables under study. Further, failure to identify data errors can lead to erroneous results. By facilitating identification of data errors by clinical investigators, the Data Loofah will improve and enhance research output.
19 Development of the Puerto Rico Neoplasm and CNS Tumor Registry (PUNCTURE)
Authors: Philippi Julio Rosado , Frontera Natasha L. , Espinosa Aixa de Jesus , Wojna Valerie , Boria David Blas , Parez-Berenguer Juan L. , Hoang Kimberly , Alawieh Ali , Mayol Del Valle Miguel
Published: April 2023

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: To describe and compare clinical data and outcomes for patients with CNS tumors and tumor mimics in Puerto Rico who are undergoing surgical and nonsurgical management. Thus, increasing data from an underrepresented group which can serve as a foundation for investigating determinants of outcomes. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: This proposal will examine patient charts, radiology and pathology reports, financial data, and treatment details from the electronic medical record of patients receiving surgical and nonsurgical treatment for CNS tumors and mimics in the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus and all associated institutions. Data will be analyzed retrospectively between January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2022, and prospectively for ten years until December 31, 2032. Patients with primary and metastatic CNS tumors and tumor mimics in the brain, meninges, ventricles, spinal cord, cranial nerves, orbit, facial sinuses, bony skull, vasculature will be included. The registry will include patients from birth onward. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We plan to compare different surgical and non-surgical techniques and devices in terms of technical and clinical outcomes after surgical interventions for CNS tumors. We are collaborating with the CNS Tumor Outcome Registry at Emory (CTORE) and plan to continue collaboration with other institutions. Combining our data, we aim to develop predictive models of patient outcomes after surgical and nonsurgical intervention for CNS pathologies using supervised and unsupervised machine learning strategies. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: There is a significant lack of literature on CNS intervention outcomes in Puerto Rico. This registry will provide the platform for cost-analysis studies for techniques and clinical protocols applicable to pre-operative, intra-operative, post-operative, and conservative management of patients, in Puerto Rico and beyond.