bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Refitting the Context: A Reconsideration of Cultural Change among Early Homo sapiens at Fumane Cave through Blade Break Connections, Spatial Taphonomy, and Lithic Technology
Authors: Falcucci Armando , Giusti Domenico , Zangrossi Filippo , De Lorenzi Matteo , Ceregatti Letizia , Peresani Marco 
Published: December 2024

AbstractHigh-resolution stratigraphic frameworks are crucial for unraveling the biocultural processes behind the dispersals of Homo sapiens across Europe. Detailed technological studies of lithic assemblages retrieved from multi-stratified sequences allow archaeologists to precisely model the chrono-cultural dynamics of the early Upper Paleolithic. However, it is of paramount importance to verify the integrity of these assemblages before building explanatory models of cultural change. In this study, multiple lines of evidence suggest that the stratigraphic sequence of Fumane Cave in northeastern Italy experienced minor post-depositional reworking, establishing it as a pivotal site for exploring the earliest stages of the Aurignacian. By conducting a systematic search for break connections between blade fragments and applying spatial analysis techniques, we identified three well-preserved areas of the excavation containing assemblages suitable for renewed archaeological investigations. Subsequent technological analyses, incorporating attribute analysis, reduction intensity, and multivariate statistics, have allowed us to discern the spatial organization of the site during the formation of the Protoaurignacian palimpsest A2–A1. Moreover, diachronic comparisons between three successive stratigraphic units prompted us to reject the hypothesis of techno-cultural continuity of the Protoaurignacian in northeastern Italy after the onset of the Heinrich Event 4. Based on the variability of the lithic and osseous artifacts, the most recent assemblage analyzed, D3b alpha, is now ascribed to the Early Aurignacian, aligning the evidence from Fumane with the current understanding of the development of the Aurignacian across Europe. Overall, this study demonstrates the high effectiveness of the break connection method when combined with detailed spatial analysis and lithic technology, providing a methodological tool particularly amenable to be applied to sites excavated in the past with varying degrees of recording accuracy.
A Wireless, Wearable Ultrasound for Assessing Left Ventricular Assist Device Hemodynamics: A Case Series
Authors: Kenny Jon-Emile S. , Horner Christine , Elfarnawany Mai , Yang Zhen , Eibl Andrew M. , Eibl Joseph K. , Sajgalik Pavol , Schettle Sarah D. , Stulak John M. , Clavell Alfredo L. , Johnson Bruce D. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractOptimizing left ventricular assist device (LVAD)–patient interaction is important. This is typically accomplished via an outpatient ramp test, monitored by echocardiography and/or invasive measures. We have developed a wireless, wearable Doppler ultrasound that we hypothesized would detect relatively small (i.e., ± 5%) changes in LVAD pump speed (Rpm∆) with the patient in the upright position. From the wearable ultrasound, peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), total velocity time integral (VTI), Doppler pulsatility index, and the internal jugular vein spectrum were synchronously captured. Rpm∆ was best reflected in the EDV and Doppler pulsatility index, whereas the PSV and total VTI showed variable responses. The internal jugular spectrum of one patient was consistent with high central venous pressure throughout the procedure. A wireless, wearable Doppler ultrasound synchronously insonating the common carotid artery and internal jugular vein provides novel and promising insights during LVAD Rpm∆.
Transplantation eines lateralen humanen Spendermeniskus
Authors: Di Maria Fabrizio , Scheffler Sven 
Published: December 2024

Zusammenfassung
Der Außenmeniskus spielt eine zentrale Rolle für die Stabilität, Funktion und Belastbarkeit des Knies. Die Behandlung von Patienten, die sich einer totalen oder segmentalen lateralen Meniskektomie unterzogen haben, stellt eine Herausforderung dar, insbesondere bei jungen und aktiven Patienten. Im Großen und Ganzen ist die Wirksamkeit der Meniskustransplantation (MAT) inzwischen weithin als ein akzeptiertes Verfahren anerkannt, das zur Schmerzlinderung und Wiederherstellung der Funktion führt. Das Hauptproblem des langfristigen Therapieerfolges ist die sukzessive Transplantatextrusion. Es gibt verschiedene chirurgische Verfahren der lateralen MAT, die versuchen, diese Problematik zu adressieren.
In diesem Artikel wird eine neue Variante der arthroskopisch assistierten lateralen MAT unter Verwendung einer Kombination von Wurzelrefixation, transtibialer Rekonstruktion der meniskotibialen Verankerung und Weichteilfixierungen vorgestellt. Zu diesem Zweck wird eine Vier-Punkt-Fixierung verwendet, um die Anatomie und Biomechanik des meniskotibialen Gelenks wiederherzustellen. Zusätzlich wird die postoperative Rehabilitation detailliert beschrieben.
The influence of zonal air supply on thermal comfort in a classroom located in a hot and humid environment: a case study from Jeddah—Saudi Arabia
Authors: Jastaneyah Zuhair , Kamar Haslinda Mohamed , Hashmi Ahmad , Ghaleb F. A. , Al Garalleh Hakim 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIn hot and humid regions, many classrooms depend on air conditioning systems equipped with mixing ventilation to maintain acceptable indoor temperatures. However, this method often proves inadequate in delivering satisfactory thermal comfort due to elevated temperature and poor air distribution. This research explores the potential of zonal air supply strategies to enhance thermal comfort in a classroom situated in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. During July 2024, field data—including measurements of airflow velocity, air temperature, relative humidity, and globe temperature—were collected to find key thermal comfort indices: Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied (PPD). In addition, a survey was administered to assess students’ thermal perceptions. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were utilized to predict air temperature, velocity, and humidity distribution, evaluating the impact of zonal air supply designs on thermal comfort within the classroom. Parametric analysis was used to identify the most effective zonal air supply configuration for reducing PMV and PPD values. The findings show that, under existing ventilation conditions, PMV and PPD indices at different heights exceed the recommended limits established by ASHRAE Standard-55, indicating thermal discomfort during peak temperature periods. Further investigation demonstrated that introducing a 4-zonal air supply system could reduce PMV by 16–32% and PPD by 32–36%, thereby significantly improving thermal comfort in the classroom.
AI ethics unwrapped: an empirical investigation of ethical principles in collaborative ideation processes
Authors: Cociancig Christina , Heuer Hendrik , Breiter Andreas 
Published: December 2024

AbstractMotivated by ongoing criticism of the practical operationalization of ethical principles in artificial intelligence (AI) development, this study targets the ethical practice of AI developers in Germany. We focus on design as a key technological practice and developers as designers of AI-based systems when we investigate the socially, historically, and contextually influenced practice of AI ethics in the design process. We embed our methodology in value sensitive design (VSD), conduct design thinking workshops prototyping AI tools for hypothetical use cases, and ground our analysis on established ethical guidelines for AI. The results of this study reveal not only awareness of ethical principles in developers, more importantly, a strong influence of ethics on design decisions. Developers adapt their designs with technical interventions in favor of those using and being affected by their solutions. Our contribution is threefold: we establish a fine-grained categorization system of ethical principles based on AI ethics guidelines and VSD. We corroborate previous empirical research examining the prompted and self-reported influence and prioritization of ethical principles. Finally, we synthesize our findings with tangible design recommendations for AI ethics by design. We focus on recommendations for human involvement, privacy, and non-discrimination: encourage participatory AI design and avoid end-to-end automation in cases where humans are impacted; empower developers to integrate technical interventions from the onset of the design process to establish AI privacy by design; and support developers in emphasizing non-discriminatory AI, especially in contexts historically associated with discrimination.
Inquiring About the Future: The Rationality of Hopefulness
Authors: Vazard Juliette 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
What is epistemically required of the rationally hopeful? In this paper, I propose that, as a subject becomes hopeful that p, she also adopts an inquiring attitude toward the question of whether p. Moreover, remaining rationally hopeful requires maintaining an inquiring attitude toward those possibilities we are hopeful about. On top of being led by a particular practical goal (that of attaining p), I suggest that the hopeful agent is also led by the epistemic goal of knowing whether p. Adding the “inquiry” criteria to rational hopefulness helps explain our intuition that there is something wrong with being hopeful that p and not disposed to inquire into whether p. It also helps us further distinguish hopefulness from other positive attitudes we adopt in the face of uncertainty, such as optimism, and faith.
Impact of diagnostic stewardship on catheter-associated urinary tract infections and patient outcomes
Authors: Sansom Sarah E. , Goldstein Audrey , Stein Brian D. , Schoeny Michael E. , Seguin Alexandra , Kniuksta Ruth , Tomich Alexander , Hayden Mary K. , Lin Michael Y. , Segreti John 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackground:Diagnostic stewardship of urine cultures from patients with indwelling urinary catheters may improve diagnostic specificity and clinical relevance of the test, but risk of patient harm is uncertain.Methods:We retrospectively evaluated the impact of a computerized clinical decision support tool to promote institutional appropriateness criteria (neutropenia, kidney transplant, recent urologic surgery, or radiologic evidence of urinary tract obstruction) for urine cultures from patients with an indwelling urinary catheter. The primary outcome was a change in catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) rate from baseline (34 mo) to intervention period (30 mo, including a 2-mo wash-in period). We analyzed patient-level outcomes and adverse events.Results:Adjusted CAUTI rate decreased from 1.203 to 0.75 per 1,000 catheter-days (P = 0.52). Of 598 patients triggering decision support, 284 (47.5%) urine cultures were collected in agreement with institutional criteria and 314 (52.5%) were averted. Of 314 patients whose urine cultures were averted, 2 had a subsequent urine culture within 7 days that resulted in a change in antimicrobial therapy and 2 had diagnosis of bacteremia with suspected urinary source, but there were no delays in effective treatment.Conclusion:A diagnostic stewardship intervention was associated with an approximately 50% decrease in urine culture testing for inpatients with a urinary catheter. However, the overall CAUTI rate did not decrease significantly. Adverse outcomes were rare and minor among patients who had a urine culture averted. Diagnostic stewardship may be safe and effective as part of a multimodal program to reduce unnecessary urine cultures among patients with indwelling urinary catheters.
The drivers of multilevel governance as a mode of policymaking: the case of asylum-seekers' reception in Italy
Authors: Caponio Tiziana , Pettrachin Andrea , Ponzo Irene 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
This article analyses modes of policymaking related to asylum-seekers' reception in Italy and other European Union (EU) countries during the decade of the so-called 2015 asylum crisis. It shows that, while most EU countries experienced shifts towards more hierarchical modes of policymaking on asylum, Italy pursued a unique experience of multilevel governance (MLG) between 2014 and 2016, which was then dismantled in 2017. By looking at this MLG experience as a ‘heuristic case’, the article contributes to an ongoing debate about the drivers of MLG as a mode of policymaking. The existing literature suggests that MLG modes of policymaking are driven by institutional and structural factors or pressure by subnational and supranational actors for more participatory policymaking processes. Complementing and challenging these theoretical explanations we generate some hypotheses about additional factors that drive the emergence and dismantling of MLG. First, we argue that both supranational actors and subnational authorities, typically considered to be agents promoting MLG, can also advocate for more hierarchical modes of policymaking. Second, we argue that a fundamental prerequisite for MLG to emerge or persist is an overall convergence of political priorities and goals among the actors involved in multilevel policymaking. Both the kind of pressures made by supranational and subnational actors and actors' political priorities can be decisively shaped by dynamics of multilevel party politics. These findings are derived from analyses of 147 interviews with key actors involved in Italian asylum policymaking in the 2010s.
A Disrupting Strategic Metal: The Norwegian Aluminium Industry Meets World War II
Authors: Sogner Knut 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis article offers a new interpretation of the coming of state ownership in aluminium-related big businesses in Norway. It shows that the Norwegian aluminium business of the late 1930s and the 1940s was undertaken by a Scandinavian business elite fully capable of filling capital requirements after the war. This elite had, however, entangled itself in the German war effort in Norway mainly by supporting the building of new aluminium plants under the German occupiers’ control. This left it morally vulnerable to the increasing emphasis during the war on aluminium as a strategic metal. The Allied war effort—especially evident in US attitudes—had come to see the cartelized aluminium industry of the 1930s as working against the national interest by impacting national production capacity in a negative way. The Allies bombed the major new plant in Norway in 1943, and after the war the US acted restrictively toward Norwegian capital assets in the US. By pursuing ownership after 1945, the Norwegian state performed strategic ownership roles in large corporations, thereby also protecting these entities from the possible wrath of the US against private owners.
Outbreak investigations of Salmonella and frozen raw breaded chicken: the mitigation of a significant public health issue in Canada
Authors: Kerr Ashley , Smith Courtney R. , Kandar Rima , Kearney Ashley , Chau Kelvin , Adhikari Bijay , Cutler Jennifer , Galanis Eleni , Gaulin Colette , Hamel Meghan , Hobbs Leigh , Kershaw Tanis , Kirsch Penelope , Mah Victor , McCormick Rachel , Nesbitt Andrea , Orr Alison , Smadi Hanan , Taylor Marsha , Hexemer April 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
In May 2017, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) became the primary subtyping method for Salmonella in Canada. As a result of the increased discriminatory power provided by WGS, 16 multi-jurisdictional outbreaks of Salmonella associated with frozen raw breaded chicken products were identified between 2017 and 2019. The majority (15/16) were associated with S. enteritidis, while the remaining outbreak was associated with S. Heidelberg. The 16 outbreaks included a total of 487 cases with ages ranging from 0 to 98 years (median: 24 years); 79 hospitalizations and two deaths were reported. Over the course of the outbreak investigations, 14 frozen raw breaded chicken products were recalled, and one was voluntarily withdrawn from the market. After previous changes to labelling and the issuance of public communication for these products proved ineffective at reducing illnesses, new industry requirements were issued in 2019, which required the implementation of measures at the manufacturing/processing level to reduce Salmonella to below detectable amounts in frozen raw breaded chicken products. Since implementation, no further outbreaks of Salmonella associated with frozen breaded chicken have been identified in Canada, a testament to the effectiveness of these risk mitigation measures.
National outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O145:H28 associated with pre-packed sandwiches, United Kingdom, May–June 2024
Authors: Quinn Orlagh , Yanshi  , King Grace , Hoban Ann , Sawyer Clare , Douglas Amy , Painset Anaïs , Charlett Andre , Nelson Andrew , Rees Carys , Byers Chloe , Williams Christopher , Brown Colin , Mohan Kitty , Brown Claire , Jenkins Claire , Neill Claire , Leckenby Genna , Larkin Lesley , Allison Lesley , Olufon Oluwakemi , Nickbakhsh Sema , Mannes Trish , Inns Thomas , Balasegaram Sooria 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a group of bacteria that causes gastrointestinal illness and occasionally causes large foodborne outbreaks. It represents a major public health concern due to its ability to cause severe illness which can sometimes be fatal. This study was undertaken as part of a rapid investigation into a national foodborne outbreak of STEC O145. On 22 May 2024, United Kingdom (UK) public health agencies and laboratories identified an increase in stool specimens submissions and patients testing positive for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Whole genome sequencing (WGS) identified serotype O145:H28 stx2a/eae belonging to the same five single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) single linkage cluster as the causative agent. By 3 July 2024, 288 cases had been linked to the cluster. Most cases were adults (87%) and females (57%), 49% were hospitalized with a further 10% attending emergency care. Descriptive epidemiology and analytical studies were conducted which identified consumption of nationally distributed pre-packed sandwiches as a common food exposure. The implicated food business operators voluntarily recalled ready-to-eat sandwiches and wraps containing lettuce on 14 June 2024.
Beyond the Tragedy: Illuminating Challenges in Disaster Management and Mental Health Support in Resource-Constrained Environments
Authors: Abidi Syed Muhammad Aqeel 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIn the aftermath of the 2022 Pakistan flooding, disaster management faced critical challenges, particularly in mental health support. This study analyzed an incident where eighteen internally displaced individuals lost their lives in a bus fire. The current approach involves a comprehensive analysis of the incident, exploring the difficulties encountered in managing relief efforts, and providing mental health support. The study aims were to evaluate existing mental health support mechanisms, to identify challenges in disaster management, and to propose recommendations for future preparedness. Recommendations include enhancing disaster response training, integrating mental health services into primary health care, and prioritizing community resilience. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of disaster management in resource-constrained regions.
Anatomical, behavioral, and cognitive teratogenicity associated with valproic acid: a systematic review
Authors: Valentino Kyle , Teopiz Kayla M. , Kwan Angela T.H. , Le Gia Han , Wong Sabrina , Rosenblat Joshua D. , Mansur Rodrigo B. , Lo Heidi K.Y. , McIntyre Roger S. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundRecent guidance from UK health authorities strongly cautions against the use of valproic acid (VPA) in persons under 55 because of reevaluated risk of teratogenicity.ObjectiveTo summarize the extant literature documenting VPA-associated anatomical, behavioral, and cognitive teratogenicity.MethodPubmed, Medline, Cochrane Library, PsychInfo, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Collected data covered study design, participant characteristics, anatomical, behavioral, or cognitive effects, and folic acid outcomes.Results122 studies were identified meeting inclusion comprised of studies evaluating anatomical (n = 67), behavioral (n = 28), and cognitive (n = 47) teratogenicity. Twenty studies were identified reporting on the risk mitigation effects of folic acid supplementation. Prenatal VPA exposure is associated with anatomical teratogenicity including major congenital malformations (odds ratio [OR] 2.47–9.30; p < 0.005). Behavioral teratogenicity including autism (OR 1.70–4.38), impaired motor development (OR 7.0), and ADHD (OR 1.39) are also significantly associated with VPA exposure. VPA was associated with intellectual disability and low IQ (hazard ratio [HR] 2.4–4.48, verbal intelligence: Spearman’s ρ = −0.436, respectively). Teratogenic effects were dose-dependent across all domains and were significant when compared with controls and other antiepileptic drugs (eg, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, and levetiracetam). Folic acid supplementation does not significantly reduce the hazard associated with VPA.ConclusionsVPA is significantly associated with anatomical, behavioral, and cognitive teratogenicity. Folic acid supplementation does not abrogate the risk of teratogenicity associated with VPA exposure. Available evidence supports recommendations to reduce VPA exposure in women of reproductive age.
Do petitions work? A follow-up study of Japanese local assembly petitions, following their adoption
Authors: Lee Sumin , Kim Minkyu 
Published: December 2024

AbstractMany democracies have questioned the policy effectiveness of parliamentary petitions because the legislative approval of petitions does not legally bind follow-up measures that lead to petition realization. This study examines the connection between a legislature's adoption of petitions and ex-post policy implementation, using data from an original mail survey of previous petitioners at the prefectural level in Japan. Regression analysis and empirical insights from case studies suggest that the disclosure and transparency of the petition process, especially the issuance of progress reports, enhance officials' commitment to petitions' broad goals, leading to greater accountability, which, in turn, facilitates increased petition realization. These findings imply that citizens in Japan can expect democratic responsiveness to function, partly through the parliamentary petition system after an election.