bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MYD88L265P and MYD88other variants show different molecular characteristics and prognostic significance in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Qin Yan , Qiu Tian , Xie Zucheng , Chen Xinrui , Liu Peng , Yang Jianliang , He Xiaohui , Gui Lin , Zhou Shengyu , Jiang Hongxin , Zhang Changgong , Yang Sheng , Tang Le , Shi Yuankai
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the clinical and molecular differences between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients with MYD88L265P and MYD88other.

Methods

DLBCL patients with MYD88 variations were collected from the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CHCAMS), and Suzhou Municipal Hospital from February 6th, 2007 to May 20th, 2022. Clinicopathological parameters and treatment outcomes between MYD88L265P and MYD88other were investigated.

Results

A total of 132 patients with MYD88 variations from a cohort of 475 DLBCL patients were included, among which, 78 were MYD88L265P, while 54 were MYD88other. MYD88L265P was more common in non-GCB subtype than MYD88other (83% vs. 60%, P = 0.004). Besides, MYD88L265P was significantly related to higher proportion of testicle/ central nervous system involvement (31% vs. 6%, P < 0.001), PIM1 mutation (71% vs. 39%, P < 0.001), and PIM1 hypermutation (28% vs. 11%, P = 0.018), compared with MYD88other. Compared with MYD88L265P, MYD88other were more likely to have higher percentage of advanced stage (60% vs. 42%, P = 0.044), extranodal site ≥ 2 (45% vs. 28%, P = 0.044), elevated LDH (55% vs. 35%, P = 0.033), positive CD10 expression (36% vs. 16%, P = 0.009), BCL-6 translocation (20% vs. 8%, P = 0.033), and NOTCH pathway gene alteration (24% vs. 13%, P = 0.040). In non-GCB DLBCL subtype, patients with MYD88other were significantly associated with worse progression free survival (PFS) than those with MYD88L265P when treated initially with R-CHOP/R-CHOP-like regimen (P = 0.010).

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicate that DLBCL patients with MYD88L265P and MYD88other are likely to be two subgroups with different clinical and molecular characteristics. The survival of patients with MYD88other is not superior than those with MYD88L265P, even poorer when focusing on the non-GCB subtype.
Prognostic factors after resection of locally advanced non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm: an analysis from the German Cancer Registry Group of the Society of German Tumor Centers
Authors: Abdalla Thaer S. A. , Klinkhammer-Schalke Monika , Zeissig Sylke Ruth , Tol Kees Kleihues-van , Honselmann Kim C. , Braun Rüdiger , Bolm Louisa , Lapshyn Hryhoriy , Litkevych Stanislav , Zemskov Sergii , Begum Nehara , Kulemann Birte , Hummel Richard , Wellner Ulrich Friedrich , Keck Tobias , Deichmann Steffen
Published: April 2023

Objective

The available literature regarding outcome after pancreatic resection in locally advanced non-functional pNEN (LA-pNEN) is sparse. Therefore, this study evaluates the current survival outcomes and prognostic factors in after resection of LA-pNEN.

Materials and methods

This population-based analysis was derived from 17 German cancer registries from 2000 to 2019. Patients with upfront resected non-functional non-metastatic LA-pNEN were included.

Results

Out of 2776 patients with pNEN, 277 met the inclusion criteria. 137 (45%) of the patients were female. The median age was 63 ± 18 years. Lymph node metastasis was present in 45%. G1, G2 and G3 pNEN were found in 39%, 47% and 14% of the patients, respectively. Resection of LA-pNEN resulted in favorable 3-, 5- and 10-year overall survival of 79%, 74%, and 47%. Positive resection margin was the only potentially modifiable independent prognostic factor for overall survival (HR 1.93, 95% CI 1.71–3.69, p value = 0.046), whereas tumor grade G3 (HR 5.26, 95% CI 2.09–13.25, p value < 0.001) and lymphangiosis (HR 2.35, 95% CI 1.20–4.59, p value = 0.012) were the only independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival.

Conclusion

Resection of LA-pNEN is feasible and associated with favorable overall survival. G1 LA-pNEN with negative resection margins and absence of lymph node metastasis and lymphangiosis might be considered as cured, while those not fulfilling these criteria might be considered as a high-risk group for disease progression. Herein, negative resection margins represent the only potentially modifiable prognostic factor in LA-pNEN but seem to be influenced by tumor grade.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in super elderly (> 90 years of age): safety and outcomes
Authors: Ramírez-Giraldo Camilo , Rosas-Morales Camila , Vásquez Fiamma , Isaza-Restrepo Andrés , Ibáñez-Pinilla Milcíades , Vargas-Rubiano Saul , Vargas-Barato Felipe
Published: April 2023

Background

Nonagenarian patients are an age group in progressive growth. In this age group, indications for surgical procedures, including cholecystectomy, will be increasingly frequent, as biliary pathology and its complications are frequent in this population group. The main objective of this study was to analyze the safety and outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients older than 90 years.

Methods

A retrospective observational cohort study was designed. This study involved 600 patients that were classified in 4 age groups for analysis (under 50 years, 50–69 years, 70–89 years, and over 90 years). Demographic, clinical, paraclinics, surgical, and outcome variables were compared according to age group. A multivariate analysis, which included variables considered clinically relevant, was performed to identify factors associated with mortality and complications classified with the Clavien–Dindo scale.

Results

The patients evaluated had a median age of 65.0 (IQR 34.0) years and there was a female predominance (61.8%). A higher complication rate, conversion rate, subtotal cholecystectomy rate, and prolonged hospital stay were found in nonagenarians. The overall mortality rate was 1.6%. Mortality in the age group over 90 years was 6.8%. Regression models showed that age over 90 years (RR 4.6 CI95% 1.07–20.13), presence of cholecystitis (RR 8.2 CI95% 1.29–51.81), and time from admission to cholecystectomy (RR 1.2 CI95% 1.10–1.40) were the variables that presented statistically significant differences as risk factors for mortality.

Conclusion

Cholecystectomy in nonagenarian patients has a higher rate of complications, conversion rate, subtotal cholecystectomy rate, and mortality. Therefore, an adequate perioperative assessment is necessary to optimize comorbidities and improve outcomes. Also, it is important to know the greatest risk for informed consent and choose the surgical equipment and schedule of the procedure.
Biomechanics after spinal decompression and posterior instrumentation
Authors: Burkhard Marco D. , Calek Anna-Katharina , Fasser Marie-Rosa , Cornaz Frédéric , Widmer Jonas , Spirig José Miguel , Wanivenhaus Florian , Farshad Mazda
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study was to elucidate segmental range of motion (ROM) before and after common decompression and fusion procedures on the lumbar spine.

Methods

ROM of fourteen fresh-frozen human cadaver lumbar segments (L1/2: 4, L3/4: 5, L5/S1: 5) was evaluated in six loading directions: flexion/extension (FE), lateral bending (LB), lateral shear (LS), anterior shear (AS), axial rotation (AR), and axial compression/distraction (AC). ROM was tested with and without posterior instrumentation under the following conditions: 1) native 2) after unilateral laminotomy, 3) after midline decompression, and 4) after nucleotomy.

Results

Median native ROM was FE 6.8°, LB 5.6°, and AR 1.7°, AS 1.8 mm, LS 1.4 mm, AC 0.3 mm. Unilateral laminotomy significantly increased ROM by 6% (FE), 3% (LB), 12% (AR), 11% (AS), and 8% (LS). Midline decompression significantly increased these numbers to 15%, 5%, 21%, 20%, and 19%, respectively. Nucleotomy further increased ROM in all directions, most substantially in AC of 153%. Pedicle screw fixation led to ROM decreases of 82% in FE, 72% in LB, 42% in AR, 31% in AS, and 17% in LS. In instrumented segments, decompression only irrelevantly affected ROM.

Conclusions

The amount of posterior decompression significantly impacts ROM of the lumbar spine. The here performed biomechanical study allows creation of a simplified rule of thumb: Increases in segmental ROM of approximately 10%, 20%, and 50% can be expected after unilateral laminotomy, midline decompression, and nucleotomy, respectively. Instrumentation decreases ROM by approximately 80% in bending moments and accompanied decompression procedures only minorly destabilize the instrumentation construct.
Joint inversion of groundwater flow, heat, and solute state variables: a multipurpose approach for characterization and forecast of karst systems
Authors: Kavousi Alireza , Reimann Thomas , Wöhling Thomas , Birk Steffen , Luhmann Andrew J. , Kordilla Jannes , Noffz Torsten , Sauter Martin , Liedl Rudolf
Published: April 2023

Characterization of karst systems and forecast of their state variables are essential for groundwater management and engineering in karst regions. These objectives can be met by the use of process-based discrete-continuum models (DCMs). However, results of DCMs may suffer from inversion nonuniqueness. It has been demonstrated that the joint inversion of observations regulated by different natural processes can tackle the nonuniqueness issue in groundwater modeling. However, this has not been tested for DCMs thus far. This research proposes a methodology for the joint inversion of hydro-thermo-chemo-graphs, applying to two small-scale sink-to-spring experiments at Freiheit Spring, Minnesota, USA. In order to address conceptual uncertainty, a multimodel approach was implemented, featuring seven mutually exclusive variants. Spring hydro-thermo-chemo-graphs, for all the variants simulated by MODFLOW-CFPv2, were jointly inverted using a weighted least squares algorithm. Subsequently, models were compared in terms of inversion and forecast performances, as well as parameter uncertainties. Results reveal the suitability of the DCM approach for simultaneous inversion and forecast of hydro-physico-chemical behavior of karst systems, even at a scale of meters and seconds. The estimated volume of the tracer conduit passage ranges from approximately 46–51 m3, which is comparable to the estimate from the flood-pulse method. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the thermograph and hydrograph contain more information about aquifer characteristics than the chemograph. However, this finding can be site-specific and should depend on the analysis scale, the considered conceptual models, and the hydrological state, which are potentially affected by minor unaccountable processes and features.
Perceived usefulness of, engagement with, and effectiveness of virtual reality environments in learning industrial operations: the moderating role of openness to experience
Authors: Wong Eugene Yin-cheung , Hui Ray Tak-yin , Kong Hao
Published: April 2023

The development of virtual reality (VR) in enhancing the effectiveness of the learning process, with its interactive, immersive, and intuitive pedagogical environment, has become a necessity for corporations with increasingly complex operations. However, VR users’ perceptions, openness and learning effectiveness are seldom comprehensively evaluated, particularly in learning complex industrial operations. In this study, grounded in the technology acceptance model, a moderated mediation model of perceived usefulness, ease of use, openness to experience, and engagement in VR-based learning was developed. The model was empirically validated using responses collected from 321 users who were trained on aircraft and cargo terminal operations powered by a novel VR-based learning platform. A survey to measure openness to experience and a pre-training performance test were carried out, followed by a post-training survey of learners’ intrinsic factors, including the influence of perceived usefulness, openness to experience, and attitude towards learning. The study revealed that learners with an open attitude towards experiencing new technology tend to perceive VR technology as a useful platform for training. In addition, the learners with more positive views of VR technology-supported training were more engaged in learning.
A ring trial to harmonize Toxoplasma gondii microsatellite typing: comparative analysis of results and recommendations for optimization
Authors: Joeres M. , Cardron G. , Passebosc-Faure K. , Plault N. , Fernández-Escobar M. , Hamilton C. M. , O’Brien-Anderson L. , Calero-Bernal R. , Galal L. , Luttermann C. , Maksimov P. , Conraths F. J. , Dardé M. L. , Ortega-Mora L. M. , Jokelainen P. , Mercier A. , Schares G.
Published: April 2023

A ring trial among five European laboratories was organized to reach consistency in microsatellite (MS) typing of the zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Three sample sets were circulated and analyzed by each laboratory following a previously published method that is based on fragment length polymorphism of 15 MS markers. The first sample set compared typing results in general and focused on effects of DNA concentration; the second sample set focused on the polymorphic fingerprinting markers that can differentiate T. gondii strains within the same archetypal lineage; and the third set focused on non-archetypal genotypes. Methodological variations between laboratories, including the software programs used to determine MS fragment length, were collated using a questionnaire. Overall, lineage-level typing results reached a high level of agreement, especially in samples with the highest DNA concentrations. However, laboratory-specific differences were observed for particular markers. Major median differences in fragment length, of up to 6 base pairs, were related to the fluorophore used to label fragment-specific primers. In addition, primer pairs with identical sequences obtained from different suppliers resulted in fragments of differing length. Furthermore, differences in the way the sequencing profiles were assessed and interpreted may have led to deviating results in fragment length determination. Harmonization of MS typing, for example, by using the same fluorophores or by numerical adjustments applied to the fragment-lengths determined, could improve the uniformity of the results across laboratories. This is the first interlaboratory comparison, providing guidelines (added as a supplement) for the optimization of this technique.
Treatment satisfaction with molidustat in CKD-related anemia in non-dialysis patients: a post-hoc analysis of two clinical trials
Authors: Yamamoto Hiroyasu , Yamada Takashi , Miyazaki Ken , Yamashita Takuto , Kato Takuya , Ohara Kenichi , Nakamura Yusuke , Akizawa Tadao
Published: April 2023

Background

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are the standard treatment for patients with renal anemia to increase hemoglobin (Hb) levels and reduce the need for blood transfusions. However, treatments targeting high Hb levels require high doses of ESAs administered intravenously, which is associated with an elevated risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Furthermore, there have been some problems such as hemoglobin variability and low achievement of target hemoglobin due to the shorter half-lives of ESAs. Consequently, erythropoietin-promoting medications, such as hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) inhibitors, have been developed. This study aimed to evaluate changes in the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medicine version II (TSQM-II) domain scores relative to baseline in each trial, to assess patient satisfaction with molidustat versus darbepoetin alfa.

Methods

This post-hoc analysis of two clinical trials compared treatment satisfaction with an HIF-PH inhibitor, molidustat, versus a standard ESA, darbepoetin alfa, as part of therapy in patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal anemia.

Results

Exploratory outcome data using the TSQM-II showed that both arms in both trials had enhanced treatment satisfaction over the course of the study period, as well as improvements in most TSQM-II domains at week 24 of treatment. Molidustat was associated with convenience domain scores at multiple time points depending on the trial. More patients were highly satisfied with the convenience of molidustat than that of darbepoetin alfa. Patients treated with molidustat had increased global satisfaction domain scores compared with those treated with darbepoetin alfa; however, the differences in global satisfaction domain scores were not significant.

Conclusion

These patient-reported satisfaction outcomes support the use of molidustat as a patient-centered treatment option for CKD-related anemia.

Registration of clinical trials

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03350321 (November 22, 2017).

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03350347 (November 22, 2017).
Generating EQ-5D-3L health utility scores from the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale: a perinatal mapping study
Authors: Camacho Elizabeth M. , Shields Gemma E. , Chew-Graham Carolyn A. , Eisner Emily , Gilbody Simon , Littlewood Elizabeth , McMillan Dean , Watson Kylie , Fearon Pasco , Sharp Deborah J.
Published: April 2023

Background

Perinatal depression (PND) describes depression experienced by parents during pregnancy or in the first year after a baby is born. The EQ-5D instrument (a generic measure of health status) is not often collected in perinatal research, however disease-specific measures, such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) are widely used. Mapping can be used to estimate generic health utility index values from disease-specific measures like the EPDS.

Objective

To develop a mapping algorithm to estimate EQ-5D utility index values from the EPDS.

Methods

Patient-level data from the BaBY PaNDA study (English observational cohort study) provided 1068 observations with paired EPDS and EQ-5D (3-level version; EQ-5D-3L) responses. We compared the performance of six alternative regression model types, each with four specifications of covariates (EPDS score and age: base, squared, and cubed). Model performance (ability to predict utility values) was assessed by ranking mean error, mean absolute error, and root mean square error. Algorithm performance in 3 external datasets was also evaluated.

Results

There was moderate correlation between EPDS score and utility values (coefficient:  – 0.42). The best performing model type was a two-part model, followed by ordinary least squared. Inclusion of squared and cubed covariates improved model performance. Based on graphs of observed and predicted utility values, the algorithm performed better when utility was above 0.6.

Conclusions

This direct mapping algorithm allows the estimation of health utility values from EPDS scores. The algorithm has good external validity but is likely to perform better in samples with higher health status.
Consumer identity but not food availability affects carabid diet in cereal crops
Authors: Guenay-Greunke Yasemin , Trager Harald , Bohan David A. , Traugott Michael , Wallinger Corinna
Published: April 2023

Understanding trophic interactions in agroecosystems is crucial for harnessing ecosystem services such as pest control, thus enabling a reduction in pesticide use. Carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) have the potential to regulate not only insect pests but also weed seeds and slugs. The aim of this study was to investigate the food choice of different carabid species in the experimental setting of a cereal field with varying seed and slug prey availability during the season. In addition to varying food availability, the effects of species identity and season on carabid food choice should also be closely examined. Therefore, the gut contents of 1,120 beetles of eight carabid species were screened for the DNA of plants, aphids, springtails, earthworms and slugs via diagnostic multiplex PCR and a nested metabarcoding approach for plant species identification. Plant DNA was detected far more often (72%) than the various animal prey types (less than 12.5% each). Within the plant detections, 80 weed species were identified in the metabarcoding, with Galinsoga parviflora/quadriradiata (Galinsoga spp.—quickweeds) as the most frequently detected species. Carabid food choice was driven by their species identity and seasonality, while no effect of increased availability of seeds and slugs on their food choice was detected. While weed seeds seem to be an important food source for carabids, their availability does not directly affect the carabid diet. The importance of consumer identity and seasonality highlight the need for a diverse carabid species community for resilient pest control services.
A probabilistic framework for the estimation of resilience of process plants under Na-Tech seismic events
Authors: Kalemi Bledar , Caputo Antonio C. , Corritore Daniele , Paolacci Fabrizio
Published: April 2023

Industrial plants are complex structures, highly vulnerable with respect to seismic loading. Past seismic events have demonstrated the devastating impact and huge economic losses that an industrial plant can experience not only due to physical damage of equipment, but also due to interruption of the production processes. In order to quantify these economic losses, plant seismic resilience evaluation is required. The current paper presents a probabilistic process flow-based framework for assessment of industrial plant resilience and economic losses in case of seismic events. Uncertainties are considered in the ability of plant equipment to withstand the perturbation, and also in the recovery process including equipment recovery durations and recovery costs. Monte Carlo Simulation is used to account for the uncertainties of the model. A black carbon plant is used as a case study to show the applicability of the model. Results and capability of the proposed model shows that it can be a useful tool for decision makers, plant owners, insurance companies, emergency managers and plant designers in their decision making process.
Some Further Aspects of Stable Boundary-Layer Simulation in a Stratified-Flow Wind Tunnel
Authors: Hancock Philip E. , Hayden Paul
Published: April 2023

It is demonstrated that the vertical profile of gradient Richardson number, Ri, can be shaped by control of the working-section inlet temperature profile. In previous work (Hancock and Hayden in Boundary-Layer Meteorol 168:20–57, 2018; 175:93–112, 2020; 180:5–26, 2021) the inlet temperature profile had been specified but without control of the profile of $$Ri$$

Ri

in the developed-flow region of the working section. Control of the inlet temperature profile is provided by 15 inlet heaters (spread uniformly across the height of the working section), allowing control of the temperature gradient over the bulk of the boundary layer, and the overall temperature level above that of the surface. The bulk Richardson number for the 11 cases covers the range 0.01–0.17 (there is no overlying inversion). In the upper $$\approx$$
≈
2/3 of the boundary layer the Reynolds stresses and turbulent heat flux are controlled by the gradient in mean temperature, while in the lower $$\approx$$
≈
1/3 they are controlled both by this gradient and by the level above the surface temperature. In three examples, $$Ri$$

Ri

is approximately constant at 0.07, 0.10 and 0.13 across the bulk of the layer. The previous observation of horizontally homogenous behaviour in the temperature profiles in the top $$\approx$$
≈
2/3 of the boundary layer but not in the lower $$\approx$$
≈
1/3 is repeated here, except when, tentatively, Ri does not exceed 0.05 over the bulk of the boundary layer. Favourable validation comparisons are made against two sets of local scaling systems and field data over the full depth of the boundary layer, over the range 0.006 $$\le Ri \le$$

≤
R
i
≤

0.3, or, in terms of height and local Obukhov length, 0.005 $$\le z/L \le$$

≤
z
/
L
≤

1.
Confirming Mathematical Conjectures by Analogy
Authors: Nappo Francesco , Cangiotti Nicolò , Sisti Caterina
Published: April 2023

Analogy has received attention as a form of inductive reasoning in the empirical sciences. Its role in mathematics has, instead, received less consideration. This paper provides a novel account of how an analogy with a more familiar mathematical domain can contribute to the confirmation of a mathematical conjecture. By reference to case-studies, we propose a distinction between an incremental and a non-incremental form of confirmation by mathematical analogy. We offer an account of the former within the popular framework of Bayesian confirmation theory. As for the non-incremental notion, we defend its role in rationally informing the prior credences of mathematicians in those circumstances in which no new mathematical evidence is introduced. The resulting framework captures many important aspects of the use of analogical inference in the domain of pure mathematics.
Natralization without associationist reduction: a brief rebuttal to Yoshimi
Authors: Lopes Jesse
Published: April 2023

Yoshimi has attempted to defuse my argument concerning the identification of network abstraction with empiricist abstraction - thus entailing psychologism - by claiming that the argument does not generalize from the example of simple feed-forward networks. I show that such details of networks are logically irrelevant to the nature of the abstractive process they employ. This is ultimately because deep artificial neural networks (ANNs) and dynamical systems theory applied to the mind (DST) are both associationisms - that is, empiricist theories that derive the principles of thought from the causal history of the organism/system. On this basis, I put forward a new aspect of the old argument by noting that ANNs & DST are the causal bases of the phenomena of passive synthesis, whereas the language of thought hypothesis (LOT) and the symbolic computational theory of mind (CTM) are the causal bases of the phenomena of active synthesis. If the phenomena of active synthesis are not distinct in kind from and are thus reducible to those of passive synthesis, psychologism results. Yoshimi’s program, insofar as it denies this fundamental phenomenological distinction, is revealed to be the true anti-pluralist program, by essentially denying the causal efficacy of the mechanistic foundations of active synthesis by referring phenomenology exclusively to associationism for its causal foundation.
Graphical abstracts are associated with greater Altmetric attention scores, but not citations, in sport science
Authors: Bennett Hunter , Slattery Flynn
Published: April 2023

This paper aimed to determine if papers published with a Graphical abstract (GA) in the sport science field were associated with higher Altmetric attention scores and more citations than papers published without. A multivariate negative binomial mixed effects model was used to determine whether Altmetric attention scores and citation counts were different between articles published with or without a GA longitudinally over five timepoints. Included articles were published between January 2019 and December 2020 from three journals ranked within the top quartile of the category of “Sport Science”. Of 562 articles, 96 were published with a GA. Articles with GA were associated with higher Altmetric attention score than those without (incidence rate ratio 1.89 [95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25–2.85]; p = 0.003; small effect), with no difference in citations (incidence rate ratio 0.97 [95% CI 0.72–1.30]; p = 0.829; trivial effect). This study suggests that publishing with a GA is associated with increased Altmetric attention scores, but not citations, in sport science. This may indicate that GAs improve research dissemination amongst the public, which is important in practical fields.
Associated factors of osteoporosis and vascular calcification in patients awaiting kidney transplantation
Authors: Lv Junhao , Xie Wenqin , Wang Suya , Zhu Yilin , Wang Yaomin , Zhang Ping , Chen Jianghua
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Pretransplant osteoporosis and vascular calcification probably increase the risk of fractures and cardiovascular events after kidney transplantation. In the present study, we investigated the related risk factors of osteoporosis and vascular calcification among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients awaiting kidney transplantation.

Methods

A total of 221 ESRD patients (age, 43.4 ± 14.3 years; 125 males and 96 females; median dialysis duration, 61.0 m) awaiting kidney transplantation were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Serum levels of bone turnover markers and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were analyzed from fasting morning blood samples. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure bone mineral density (BMD). Vascular calcification was evaluated by lateral abdominal radiography and plain radiographic films of the pelvis and hands.

Results

The osteoporosis prevalence was 27.6% in this cohort of kidney transplantation candidates, and the prevalence of vascular calcification was 51.1%. The related factors for osteoporosis and vascular calcification were similar and included older age, longer dialysis duration, parathyroid hyperplasia, and higher levels of iPTH and bone turnover markers. In the multivariable regression model, age and iPTH were independent risk predictors of both vascular calcification and osteoporosis. There were strong, positive correlations between iPTH and all bone turnover markers. The moderate and severe hyperparathyroidism (iPTH 600–1499 pg/ml and iPTH 1500 pg/ml) were related to reduced serum albumin and hemoglobin levels.

Conclusion

The involvement of high iPTH levels in vascular calcification, osteoporosis, and malnutrition indicated the need of treating hyperparathyroidism early in patients awaiting kidney transplantation. Prospective studies are needed to further examine the utility of bone turnover markers.
Comparison of the upper airway morphology between Dutch and Chinese adults with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Shi Xiaoxin , Chen Hui , Lobbezoo Frank , de Lange Jan , van der Stelt Paul , Berkhout Erwin , Guo Jing , Ge Shaohua , Li Guoju , Li Yanzhong , Aarab Ghizlane
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is complex and may vary between different races. It has been suggested that the anatomical balance between skeletal tissues and soft tissues around the upper airway is a key pathophysiologic factor of OSA. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the anatomical balance of the upper airway between Dutch and Chinese patients with OSA based on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study performed in two centers and included Dutch and Chinese adults with OSA. CBCT scans in the supine position were obtained for both Dutch and Chinese OSA groups. The primary outcome variable was the anatomical balance of the upper airway, defined as the ratio of the tongue area and the maxillomandibular enclosure area.

Results

A total of 28 Dutch adults (mean age ± SD of 46.6 ± 14.1 years, body mass index [BMI] of 26.8 ± 3.5 kg/m2, and apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] of 15.7 ± 7.1 events/h) and 24 Chinese adults (age 41.0 ± 12.4 years, BMI 26.5 ± 3.3 kg/m2, and AHI 16.5 ± 7.8 events/h). There were no significant differences in AHI, age, BMI, and sex between the two groups (P = 0.14–0.76). The Dutch group had a significantly larger tongue area and tongue length compared to the Chinese group (P = 0.01 and P < 0.01). On the other hand, the Chinese group had a smaller maxilla length compared to the Dutch group (P < 0.01). However, the anatomical balance of the upper airway of both groups was not significantly different (P = 0.16).

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this study, no significant difference was found in the anatomical balance of the upper airway between Dutch and Chinese patients with mild to moderate OSA.

Trial registration

The present study was registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03463785.
Integrating sustainability into production scheduling in hybrid flow-shop environments
Authors: Mokhtari-Moghadam Ali , Pourhejazy Pourya , Gupta Deepak
Published: April 2023

Global energy consumption is projected to grow by nearly 50% as of 2018, reaching a peak of 910.7 quadrillion BTU in 2050. The industrial sector accounts for the largest share of the energy consumed, making energy awareness on the shop floors imperative for promoting industrial sustainable development. Considering a growing awareness of the importance of sustainability, production planning and control require the incorporation of time-of-use electricity pricing models into scheduling problems for well-informed energy-saving decisions. Besides, modern manufacturing emphasizes the role of human factors in production processes. This study proposes a new approach for optimizing the hybrid flow-shop scheduling problems (HFSP) considering time-of-use electricity pricing, workers’ flexibility, and sequence-dependent setup time (SDST). Novelties of this study are twofold: to extend a new mathematical formulation and to develop an improved multi-objective optimization algorithm. Extensive numerical experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of the developed solution method, the adjusted multi-objective genetic algorithm (AMOGA), comparing it with the state-of-the-art, i.e., strength Pareto evolutionary algorithm (SPEA2), and Pareto envelop-based selection algorithm (PESA2). It is shown that AMOGA performs better than the benchmarks considering the mean ideal distance, inverted generational distance, diversification, and quality metrics, providing more versatile and better solutions for production and energy efficiency.
Accuracy of automated 3D cephalometric landmarks by deep learning algorithms: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Serafin Marco , Baldini Benedetta , Cabitza Federico , Carrafiello Gianpaolo , Baselli Giuseppe , Del Fabbro Massimo , Sforza Chiarella , Caprioglio Alberto , Tartaglia Gianluca M.
Published: April 2023

Objectives

The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the accuracy of automated landmarking using deep learning in comparison with manual tracing for cephalometric analysis of 3D medical images.

Methods

PubMed/Medline, IEEE Xplore, Scopus and ArXiv electronic databases were searched. Selection criteria were: ex vivo and in vivo volumetric data images suitable for 3D landmarking (Problem), a minimum of five automated landmarking performed by deep learning method (Intervention), manual landmarking (Comparison), and mean accuracy, in mm, between manual and automated landmarking (Outcome). QUADAS-2 was adapted for quality analysis. Meta-analysis was performed on studies that reported as outcome mean values and standard deviation of the difference (error) between manual and automated landmarking. Linear regression plots were used to analyze correlations between mean accuracy and year of publication.

Results

The initial electronic screening yielded 252 papers published between 2020 and 2022. A total of 15 studies were included for the qualitative synthesis, whereas 11 studies were used for the meta-analysis. Overall random effect model revealed a mean value of 2.44 mm, with a high heterogeneity (I2 = 98.13%, τ2 = 1.018, p-value < 0.001); risk of bias was high due to the presence of issues for several domains per study. Meta-regression indicated a significant relation between mean error and year of publication (p value = 0.012).

Conclusion

Deep learning algorithms showed an excellent accuracy for automated 3D cephalometric landmarking. In the last two years promising algorithms have been developed and improvements in landmarks annotation accuracy have been done.
Die Berücksichtigung von Gesundheit in deutschen (Sport‑)Curricula
Authors: Pöppel Katharina , Webner Greta
Published: April 2023

Hintergrund

Gesundheit stellt in Deutschland kein Schulfach an allgemeinbildenden Schulen dar und dennoch soll schulische Bildung einen Beitrag zur Gesundheitsförderung leisten. Die Auslegung dieser Zielsetzung reicht von einer gesundheitsförderlichen Wirkung durch Bewegung per se bis zum Anspruch eines reflexiven Gesundheitsverständnisses, das sich durch das Konstrukt Health Literacy (HL) beschreiben lässt.

Ziel der Arbeit und Methode

Zur Prüfung, inwieweit ein reflexives Gesundheitsverständnis in der schulischen Bildung Deutschlands gemäß HL-Ansatz angelegt ist, werden 33 gegenwärtig gültige Kerncurricula allgemeinbildender Schulen in Deutschland inhaltsanalytisch ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Vor allem der Biologie- und der Sportunterricht ab dem Primarbereich zielen auf eine Förderung gesundheitsbezogener Kompetenzen ab. Die Analyse ergibt, dass eine sportmotorisch ausgerichtete und somit handlungsorientierte Förderung von HL im Fach Sport dominiert. Darüber hinaus soll der Sportunterricht nur in wenigen Bundesländern gleichermaßen zum Verstehen, Auswerten, Kommunizieren und Entscheiden hinsichtlich dieser Inhalte anregen.

Schlussfolgerung

Es bleibt unklar, ob gesundheitsbezogene Inhalte im Zentrum des Unterrichts stehen sollen oder der Gesundheitsbezug lediglich als Etikett dient. Dennoch birgt v. a. der Sportunterricht das Potenzial, Heranwachsende frühzeitig und umfassend für gesundheitsbezogene Themen zu sensibilisieren.
Towards a dynamic value network perspective of sustainable business models: the example of RECUP
Authors: Reinecke Pauline C. , Küberling-Jost Jill A. , Wrona Thomas , Zapf Alice K.
Published: April 2023

Sustainability research has increasingly emphasized the importance of value networks in the design and development of sustainable business models (SBM). This is because SBMs must incorporate economic, environmental and social goals to achieve their desired impacts, hence designing such models requires firms to develop an understanding of value creation from the perspective of all key stakeholders in their networks in order to co-create economic, social and ecological value. To advance our understanding of how value network activities shape SBM development, we conducted a longitudinal case study of RECUP, a born sustainable startup with a circular economy business model that has developed and worked with a broad value network to achieve a major reduction in waste from linear consumption. We identify three sets of value network activities that supported the continuous development of the firm’s value proposition and contributed to mutual value creation among stakeholders from business, politics and society: B2B-partnering, political agenda-setting and mobilizing end-consumers. Our contributions to research on SBM innovation and design include demonstrating how value network activities initially emerge through experimentation and consolidate over time through iterative learning processes. Such learning and adaption through dynamic value network activities is especially important, we argue, when value-creating factors are not sufficiently known in advance by startups and/or their stakeholders.
Formation of tungsten-doped molybdenum selenide electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation reaction
Authors: Ullah Nabi , Guziejewski Dariusz
Published: April 2023

Reaction medium (1,3-butane-diol) plays a vital role for the final morphology of W-Mo15Se19 electrocatalyst during synthetic strategy based on single-step solvothermal method. Smoothness of the electrocatalyst may govern its electrochemical application. High ECSA (0.055 mF/cm2), low Rct, low Tafel slope (99.0 mV/dec), and excellent long-term stability for 3600 s may attribute to its large surface area due to negligible agglomeration. W-Mo15Se19 delivers a current density of 1.65 mA/mg at an overpotential of 0.65 V (Ag/AgCl) in 0.75 M methanol and 1 M KOH, at a scan rate of 50 mV/s.
Towards becoming a service-dominant enterprise: an actor engagement perspective
Authors: Chou Hsin-Hui , Huang Chao-Chin , Tu Pei-Yun
Published: April 2023

Service-dominant logic (SDL) has become an important thinking, in which service fuels growth of the firm. However, existing evidence offers little explanation of how service emerges as dominant logic. This paper investigates how a firm evolves to become an SDL enterprise. Drawing on theoretical notions of SDL and actor engagement, a case study of Homekoo is performed. The findings show that “service mindset” is the key that drives a firm to embrace SDL, and that technology can act as a “boundary spanner” to coordinate value co-creation practices across different levels, which enhances existing knowledge of actor-to-actor (A2A) interaction.
On the Use of a Hybrid Metallic-Composite Design to Increase Mechanical Performance of an Automotive Chassis
Authors: Garofano A. , Acanfora V. , Fittipaldi F. , Riccio A.
Published: April 2023

Thanks to the introduction of high-performance composite materials, 'metal replacement' approaches are successfully gaining ground even in the most challenging engineering applications. Among these, one of the most recent application challenges is improving the driving range of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) by adopting innovative materials to lighten the mass of structural components, thus reducing energy requirements and enabling the use of smaller and less expensive batteries. Hence, in the present work, the employment of laminated composite panels in an electric minibus chassis is investigated as an effective way to reduce the global mass of the chassis’ structure and, at the same time, to increase its structural performances in terms of torsional stiffness and crashworthiness. By replacing specific steel tubulars with carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminated composite structures, different chassis configurations were numerically developed and detailed simulations to compare both masses and mechanical responses were carried out. The paper proves that with this approach it is possible to lighten the chassis up to 9%, while achieving a 7% increase in torsional stiffness and a 9% increase in Specific Energy Absorption (SEA).
Analysis of Wood Bonding Failures that Initiated Before Adhesive Solidification: Air Fingers and Cavitation
Authors: Lukowsky Dirk , Nguyen Hoa
Published: April 2023

Bond line openings while an adhesive is still viscous (liquid or paste-like) leave characteristic marks. Air fingers and cavitation develop on the surface of the adhesive when joint parts are fully or partially separated before solidifying of the adhesive. Therefore, the observation of air fingers or cavitation provides important clues on the root cause of the failure of bond lines. There is still limited knowledge about the factors that lead to the formation of either air fingers or cavitation. Additionally, a resoftening of thermoplastic adhesives by high temperatures may be confused with air fingers or cavitation that developed before the initial curing. To improve the understanding of the adhesive structures, we assemble some experiments on this phenomenon. Air fingers dominate when air easily penetrates the adhesive, the adhesive thickness is high, and the adhesive has a low viscosity (early in the process). Cavitation dominates when the adhesive layer is thin, when the viscosity is high (late in the process) or when the air ingress is restricted.
Reusable unit process life cycle inventory for manufacturing: high speed laser directed energy deposition
Authors: Ehmsen Svenja , Yi Li , Glatt Moritz , Linke Barbara S. , Aurich Jan C.
Published: April 2023

The unit process life cycle inventory is a modeling approach to estimate the energy demand and resource requirements of a unit process. Thus, a model of the unit process life cycle inventory for a specific manufacturing process can be used for quantifying the environmental impacts of specific products manufactured by that process. Within the approach, reusable models are developed for specific manufacturing processes. In this paper, the development and validation of a unit process life cycle inventory model for high-speed laser directed energy deposition is presented. This additive manufacturing process offers great potential for the industry due to its fast process speed. However, high-speed laser directed energy deposition has a high energy consumption and resource demand. Assessing the energy demand for individual manufactured products is a time-intensive process that requires expert knowledge. Thus, the development of an adaptable unit process life cycle inventory model enables more convenient assessment and improvement of its energy and resource efficiencies for producing different products. For the development of the model, the subsystems of a high-speed laser directed energy deposition machine are analyzed separately, e. g. the laser generator, the trajectory system, the powder feeder, and the suction system. Afterward, the energy and material demand of these subsystems are described in mathematical models. Finally, the model is validated by comparing the energy demands of three demonstration parts, measured by experiments, and predicted by the model.
Experimentelle georeferenzierte Bevölkerungszahl auf Basis der Bevölkerungsfortschreibung und Mobilfunkdaten
Authors: Hadam Sandra
Published: April 2023

Kleinräumige und aktuelle Bevölkerungszahlen sind für politische Entscheidungsfindungen unerlässlich. Die Bevölkerungsfortschreibung ermöglicht die Angabe aktueller Einwohnerzahlen auf geografischer Ebene der Gemeinden. Die Einwohnerzahl wird hierbei auf Basis des Zensus 2011 anhand von Angaben der Statistiken zu Geburten und Sterbefällen sowie der Wanderungsstatistik laufend fortgeschrieben. Um den wachsenden Bedarf an kleinräumigeren Bevölkerungszahlen kurzfristig zu decken, wird die Bevölkerungsfortschreibung mit einem neuen experimentellen Lösungsansatz ergänzt.

Im Projekt Experimentelle georeferenzierte Bevölkerungszahl auf Basis der Bevölkerungsfortschreibung und Mobilfunkdaten werden im Rahmen eines Verteilungsverfahrens die Ergebnisse der Bevölkerungsfortschreibung von der Gemeindeebene anhand von Mobilfunkdaten bundesweit auf INSPIRE-konforme 1 × 1 km Gitterzellen umverteilt und mittels einer interaktiven Karte frei nutzbar zur Verfügung gestellt. Mobilfunkdaten bieten aufgrund ihres starken Zusammenhangs mit der Bevölkerungsverteilung sowie ihrer hohen zeitlichen und räumlichen Auflösung eine geeignete Datengrundlage für die kleinräumige Verteilung der amtlichen Einwohnerzahl. Auf Basis zusätzlicher Geodaten der deutschen Landesvermessung, wie bspw. dem Landbedeckungsmodell für Deutschland, werden die resultierenden experimentellen georeferenzierten Bevölkerungszahlen auf Plausibilität geprüft und Verbesserungen in der Mobilfunkdatenaufbereitung hergeleitet und umgesetzt. Im Ergebnis resultieren bundesweit experimentelle georeferenzierte Bevölkerungszahlen, die in urbanen, dicht besiedelten Regionen plausibel erscheinen, jedoch im ländlichen, weniger dicht besiedelten Raum zu systematischen Fehlschätzungen neigen.
Job flourishing research: A systematic literature review
Authors: A’yuninnisa Rizqi N. , Carminati Lara , Wilderom Celeste P.M.
Published: April 2023

Research on job flourishing is still in its infancy, relies on a plethora of different theories, and shows inconsistent results, but has already shown numerous beneficial effects on various organizational outcomes. In this state-of-the-art review, we identify the theoretical frameworks used to examine (the dynamics of) job flourishing, including its predictors and outcomes, and offer an integrated approach that is, thus far, missing. We selected and analyzed 40 empirical studies and derived from them a comprehensive multilevel conceptual model with matching propositions. This review extends our current knowledge of organizational psychology literature by suggesting how to combine the evidence obtained so far on how job flourishing arises and unfolds in organizational work contexts and its effects (e.g., on job performance, turnover intention, etc.). Rooted therein, we provide both directions for impactful future research and recommendations for managers on how to foster this desirable mental-health state at work.