bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Should Patients Be Allowed to Pay Out of Pocket? The Ethical Dilemma of Access to Expensive Anti-cancer Treatments in Universal Healthcare Systems: A Dutch Case Study
Authors: Bomhof C. H. C. , Bunnik Eline M. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractWith the increasing prices of newly approved anti-cancer treatments contributing to rising healthcare costs, healthcare systems are facing complex economic and ethical dilemmas. Especially in countries with universal access and mandatory health insurance, including many European countries, the organizing of funding or reimbursement of expensive new treatments can be challenging. When expensive anti-cancer treatments are deemed safe and effective, but are not (yet) reimbursed, ethical dilemmas arise. In countries with universal healthcare systems, such as the Netherlands, this gives rise to a rather new ethical dilemma: should patients be allowed to pay out of pocket, using private funds, for medical treatments? On the one hand, to allow patients to pay for treatments out of pocket would be in line with the medical-ethical principles of beneficence and autonomy. On the other hand, allowing patients to pay out of pocket for anti-cancer treatments may lead to unequal access to medical treatments and could be considered unfair to patients who are less well-off. Thus, it could undermine the values of equality and solidarity, on which the Dutch healthcare system is built. Furthermore, out-of-pocket payments could potentially lead to financial hardship and distress for patients, which would conflict with the principle of non-maleficence. Does this mean that patients can rightfully be denied access to approved but not (yet) reimbursed anti-cancer treatments? In this article, we will use the Dutch healthcare system, which is based on equal access and solidarity, as a case study to draw attention to this—currently relatively unknown and unresolved—dilemma and to clarify the values at stake. This article contributes to current discussions about the societal problem of rising healthcare costs by informing policymakers, healthcare professionals, and ethicists about the ethical dilemma of out-of-pocket payments in universal healthcare systems, and aims to support health authorities, policymakers and health professionals in developing policy for whether to allow out-of-pocket payment-based access to newly approved but (too) expensive anti-cancer treatments.
Extra-osseous Roles of the RANK-RANKL-OPG Axis with a Focus on Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Gostage John , Kostenuik Paul , Goljanek-Whysall Katarzyna , Bellantuono Ilaria , McCloskey Eugene , Bonnet Nicolas 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Purpose of Review
This review aims to consolidate recent observations regarding extra-osseous roles of the RANK-RANKL-OPG axis, primarily within skeletal muscle.

Recent Findings
Preclinical efforts to decipher a common signalling pathway that links the synchronous decline in bone and muscle health in ageing and disease disclosed a potential role of the RANK-RANKL-OPG axis in skeletal muscle. Evidence suggests RANKL inhibition benefits skeletal muscle function, mass, fibre-type switching, calcium homeostasis and reduces fall incidence. However, there still exists ambiguity regarding the exact mechanistic actions and subsequent functional improvements. Other potential RANK-RANKL-OPG extra-osseous roles include regulation of neural-inflammation and glucose metabolism.

Summary
Growing evidence suggests the RANK-RANKL-OPG axis may play a regulatory role in extra-osseous tissues, especially in skeletal muscle. Targeting RANKL may be a novel therapy in ameliorating loss of muscle mass and function. More research is warranted to determine the causality of the RANK-RANKL-OPG axis in extra-osseous tissues, especially those affected by aging.
Community Interaction, Influence, and Child Maltreatment: Variations by Rural and Urban Residence Status
Authors: Abdullah Alhassan , Mensah Felix , Zannettino Lana , Amponsah Enoch B. , Emery Clifton R. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractEffects of community interventions on child maltreatment are interpreted via rational deterrence theory’s assumption of instrumental rationality. However, recent contrasting findings have raised questions about the social exchange currency that regulates human behaviour within the rational deterrence framework. This study contributes to this debate by examining the social currency of influence and its role in child maltreatment prevention. We hypothesized that both individual and community wealth of influence would predict physical abuse severity. Data was obtained from 1,100 nationally representative sample of female mothers in Ghana, and associations were examined using random effects regression models. We found a negative association between physical abuse severity and individual level influence as well as community wealth of influence. Results were only significant in the rural sample. The findings suggest that interventions aiming to increase community commitment to deter and prevent child maltreatment should focus on strengthening the currency of influence in communities.
Data-Driven Design of Single-Atom Electrocatalysts with Intrinsic Descriptors for Carbon Dioxide Reduction Reaction
Authors: Lin Xiaoyun , Zhen Shiyu , Wang Xiaohui , Moskaleva Lyudmila V. , Zhang Peng , Zhao Zhi-Jian , Gong Jinlong 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe strategic manipulation of the interaction between a central metal atom and its coordinating environment in single-atom catalysts (SACs) is crucial for catalyzing the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). However, it remains a major challenge. While density-functional theory calculations serve as a powerful tool for catalyst screening, their time-consuming nature poses limitations. This paper presents a machine learning (ML) model based on easily accessible intrinsic descriptors to enable rapid, cost-effective, and high-throughput screening of efficient SACs in complex systems. Our ML model comprehensively captures the influences of interactions between 3 and 5d metal centers and 8 C, N-based coordination environments on CO2RR activity and selectivity. We reveal the electronic origin of the different activity trends observed in early and late transition metals during coordination with N atoms. The extreme gradient boosting regression model shows optimal performance in predicting binding energy and limiting potential for both HCOOH and CO production. We confirm that the product of the electronegativity and the valence electron number of metals, the radius of metals, and the average electronegativity of neighboring coordination atoms are the critical intrinsic factors determining CO2RR activity. Our developed ML models successfully predict several high-performance SACs beyond the existing database, demonstrating their potential applicability to other systems. This work provides insights into the low-cost and rational design of high-performance SACs.
A measure for the stability of structures immersed in a 2D laminar flow
Authors: Bocchi Edoardo , Gazzola Filippo 
Published: September 2024

AbstractWe introduce a new measure for the stability of structures, such as the cross-section of the deck of a suspension bridge, subject to a 2D fluid force, such as the lift exerted by a laminar wind. We consider a wide class of possible flows, as well as a wide class of structural shapes. Within a suitable topological framework, we prove the existence of an optimal shape maximizing the stability. Applications to engineering problems are also discussed.
Designing Electronic Structures of Multiscale Helical Converters for Tailored Ultrabroad Electromagnetic Absorption
Authors: Feng Zhaobo , Liu Chongbo , Li Xin , Luo Guangsheng , Zhai Naixin , Hu Ruizhe , Lin Jing , Peng Jinbin , Peng Yuhui , Che Renchao 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAtomic-scale doping strategies and structure design play pivotal roles in tailoring the electronic structure and physicochemical property of electromagnetic wave absorption (EMWA) materials. However, the relationship between configuration and electromagnetic (EM) loss mechanism has remained elusive. Herein, drawing inspiration from the DNA transcription process, we report the successful synthesis of novel in situ Mn/N co-doped helical carbon nanotubes with ultrabroad EMWA capability. Theoretical calculation and EM simulation confirm that the orbital coupling and spin polarization of the Mn–N4–C configuration, along with cross polarization generated by the helical structure, endow the helical converters with enhanced EM loss. As a result, HMC-8 demonstrates outstanding EMWA performance, achieving a minimum reflection loss of −63.13 dB at an ultralow thickness of 1.29 mm. Through precise tuning of the graphite domain size, HMC-7 achieves an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 6.08 GHz at 2.02 mm thickness. Furthermore, constructing macroscale gradient metamaterials enables an ultrabroadband EAB of 12.16 GHz at a thickness of only 5.00 mm, with the maximum radar cross section reduction value reaching 36.4 dB m2. This innovative approach not only advances the understanding of metal–nonmetal co-doping but also realizes broadband EMWA, thus contributing to the development of EMWA mechanisms and applications.
Tailoring Light–Matter Interactions in Overcoupled Resonator for Biomolecule Recognition and Detection
Authors: Li Dongxiao , Zhou Hong , Ren Zhihao , Xu Cheng , Lee Chengkuo 
Published: September 2024

AbstractPlasmonic nanoantennas provide unique opportunities for precise control of light–matter coupling in surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) spectroscopy, but most of the resonant systems realized so far suffer from the obstacles of low sensitivity, narrow bandwidth, and asymmetric Fano resonance perturbations. Here, we demonstrated an overcoupled resonator with a high plasmon-molecule coupling coefficient (μ) (OC-Hμ resonator) by precisely controlling the radiation loss channel, the resonator-oscillator coupling channel, and the frequency detuning channel. We observed a strong dependence of the sensing performance on the coupling state, and demonstrated that OC-Hμ resonator has excellent sensing properties of ultra-sensitive (7.25% nm−1), ultra-broadband (3–10 μm), and immune asymmetric Fano lineshapes. These characteristics represent a breakthrough in SEIRA technology and lay the foundation for specific recognition of biomolecules, trace detection, and protein secondary structure analysis using a single array (array size is 100 × 100 µm2). In addition, with the assistance of machine learning, mixture classification, concentration prediction and spectral reconstruction were achieved with the highest accuracy of 100%. Finally, we demonstrated the potential of OC-Hμ resonator for SARS-CoV-2 detection. These findings will promote the wider application of SEIRA technology, while providing new ideas for other enhanced spectroscopy technologies, quantum photonics and studying light–matter interactions.
Boosting Oxygen Evolution Reaction Performance on NiFe-Based Catalysts Through d-Orbital Hybridization
Authors: Wang Xing , Pi Wei , Hu Sheng , Bao Haifeng , Yao Na , Luo Wei 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAnion-exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) for green hydrogen production have received intensive attention due to their feasibility of using earth-abundant NiFe-based catalysts. By introducing a third metal into NiFe-based catalysts to construct asymmetrical M-NiFe units, the d-orbital and electronic structures can be adjusted, which is an important strategy to achieve sufficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance in AEMWEs. Herein, the ternary NiFeM (M: La, Mo) catalysts featured with distinct M-NiFe units and varying d-orbitals are reported in this work. Experimental and theoretical calculation results reveal that the doping of La leads to optimized hybridization between d orbital in NiFeM and 2p in oxygen, resulting in enhanced adsorption strength of oxygen intermediates, and reduced rate-determining step energy barrier, which is responsible for the enhanced OER performance. More critically, the obtained NiFeLa catalyst only requires 1.58 V to reach 1 A cm−2 in an anion exchange membrane electrolyzer and demonstrates excellent long-term stability of up to 600 h.
Improvement of prediction accuracy by choosing resampling distribution via cross-validation
Authors: Yoshida Wataru , Hirose Kei 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
In a regression model, prediction is typically performed after model selection. The large variability in the model selection makes the prediction unstable. Thus, it is essential to reduce the variability in model selection and improve prediction accuracy. To achieve this goal, a parametric bootstrap smoothing can be applied. In this method, model selection is performed for each resampling from a parametric distribution, and these models are then averaged such that the distribution of the selected models is considered. Here, the prediction accuracy is highly dependent on the choice of a distribution for resampling. In particular, an experimental study shows that the choice of error variance significantly changes the distribution of the selected model and thus plays a key role in improving the prediction accuracy. We also observe that the true error variance does not always provide optimal prediction accuracy. Therefore, it is not always appropriate to use unbiased estimators of the true parameters or standard estimators of the parameters for the resampling distribution. In this study, we propose employing cross-validation to choose a suitable resampling distribution rather than unbiased estimators of parameters. Our proposed method was applied to several data sets. The results indicate that the proposed method provides a better prediction accuracy than the existing method.
Rescue guiders layout study based on a two-layer optimization framework
Authors: Wang Ke , Yuan Weifeng , Yao Yao 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn an emergency evacuation, the free evacuation of pedestrians can make the entire evacuation process slow and dangerous. To limit the free behavior of pedestrians and reduce the interaction between pedestrians, a reasonable layout of the guider can improve the efficiency and safety of evacuation. How to set the number, location, and exit allocation of guiders requires further investigation. In the current study, we transform the evacuation into a multi-objective optimization problem. A two-layer optimization framework is developed. In the upper level, the improved NSGA-II multi-objective algorithm is introduced to generate the favorable guider layout, and a chromosome fragment deletion operator is added to improve the optimization efficiency. In the lower layer, the agent movement simulation model is used to simulate the evacuation dynamic of crowd under the favorable guider layout. The variables of this multi-objective solution model in the upper layer are the number and location of the guiders. The evacuation time and agent movement cost are calculated by the lower layer simulation as the objective values of the solution sample, and guide the iterative search process to obtain more reasonable optimization results. The developed model is verified and then applied to a fictional scenario. The number, initial position and exit allocation of guiders are obtained by optimizing the iterative process. The results show that the near optimal solution can be applied in various visibility conditions, and the evacuation efficiency is much higher than that of unguided evacuation. This optimization framework can provide theoretical and methodological support for emergency evacuation planning.
Spatial variation and risk factors of the dual burden of childhood stunting and underweight in India: a copula geoadditive modelling approach
Authors: Bhadra Dhiman 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
India has one of the highest burdens of childhood undernutrition in the world. The two principal dimensions of childhood undernutrition, namely stunting and underweight can be significantly associated in a particular population, a fact that is rarely explored in the extant literature. In this study, we apply a copula geoadditive modelling framework on nationally representative data of 104,021 children obtained from the National Family Health Survey 5 to assess the spatial distribution and critical drivers of the dual burden of childhood stunting and underweight in India while accounting for this correlation. Prevalence of stunting, underweight and their co-occurrence among under 5 children were 35.37%, 28.63% and 19.45% respectively with significant positive association between the two (Pearsonian Chi square = 19346, P-value = 0). Some of the factors which were significantly associated with stunting and underweight were child gender (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.13 (1.12) for stunting (underweight)), birthweight (AOR = 1.46 (1.64) for stunting (underweight)), type of delivery (AOR = 1.12 (1.19) for stunting (underweight)), prenatal checkup (AOR = 0.94 (0.96) for stunting (underweight)) and maternal short-stature (AOR = 2.19 (1.85) for stunting (underweight)). There was significant spatial heterogeneity in the dual burden of stunting and underweight with highest prevalence being observed in eastern and western states while northern and southern states having relatively lower prevalence. Overall, the results are indicative of the inadequacy of a “one-size-fits-all” strategy and underscore the necessity of an interventional framework that addresses the nutritional deficiency of the most susceptible regions and population subgroups of the country.
Presence and implications of petrogenic organic carbon in High Himalayan Crystalline lake sediment
Authors: Singh Priyanka , Sarangi Vijayananda , Bhushan Ravi , Ali S Nawaz , Agrawal Shailesh , Tiwari Pooja , Kawsar Masud , Agnihotri Rajesh , Sanyal Prasanta , Kumar Kamlesh , Thakur Biswajeet , Manoj M C , Singh Veerukant , Dabhi Ankur , Sharma Anupam , Prakash Kuldeep , Morthekai P 
Published: September 2024

AbstractTwelve lacustrine sediment samples from a relict lake in the Kalla Glacier valley were co-dated using AMS radiocarbon (14C) and infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) dating methods. In general, the radiocarbon ages of bulk organic matter were older by a minimum of 1500 years compared to (age depth) modeled luminescence ages after fading corrections. This is observed for the first time in the lake sediments of High Himalayan Crystalline zone. A combination of lipid n-alkane data, Raman spectra and geochemical proxies suggested that this was due to ancient organic carbon (OCancient) that is a mixture of pre-aged (OCpre-aged) and petrogenic (OCpetro) organic carbon within older glacial moraine debris that served as sediment source to the lake. Raman spectra suggest the presence of moderate to highly graphitized OCpetro in all the profile samples. The OCpetro contributed 0.064 ± 0.032% to the sediment and the lake stored 2.5 ± 0.7 Gg OCpetro at variable rates during the last 16 kyr, with the mean burial flux 160 kg OCpetro yr−1. This study implies (1) employing another independent dating method in addition to radiocarbon method using bulk sediment organic matter, if the carbon content is low, to observe any discrepancy, and (2) a need to investigate on the fate of OCpetro as many such small lakes become relict in this region.
Unity Work in France
Authors: Beaupére René 
Published: September 2024

It is essential to have a clear idea of the numerical strength of the various religious denominations in France, if we are to assess correctly the present effort towards Christian unity in that country. The great majority of the population is Catholic, at teast in name; Protestants, Calvinist and Lutheran (leaving sects like Jehovah's Witnesses and Seventh Day Adventists out of account) number about 750,000; the Greek and Russian Orthodox come to a few thousand.Thus the religious bodies adhering to the World Council of Churches represent a tiny minority in France. This explains why their problems, whatever their intrinsic interest, remain in the background. The movement for Christian unity in France hinges primarily on the relationship between Protestants and Catholics.
On Reflecting God
Authors: Zacharias H. C. E. 
Published: September 2024

Many Catholics feel increasingly disturbed in their faith nowadays by the anthropological approach to religion. Anthropologists currently look upon religion as just one of the aspects of 'culture', as a psychological objectivation of man's subjective emotions, imaginations and explanations of reality. Gods, spirits, myths are therefore just as man-made, as are human institutions, customs, morals, say they.May I suggest that in this, as in all other cases of disbelief and misbelief, it is quite wrong on our part (and not only tactically inexpedient) to throw the offered opinion into the waste-paper basket as totally unacceptable. We used to do so with Paganism and have only of late come to sec that Pagan beliefs are partial truths that need straightening out and being put in the proper perspective—truths which, when thus treated, enrich our own understanding by an emphasis on facts that often have hitherto escaped us.When therefore we are told that man makes his god, I would accept this statement as quite true, as far as it goes, but add that unfortunately it does not go far enough. Does every puddle in the road make its own sun? Yes and no—poetically yes, scientifically no.
He Died in Chains
Authors: McNamara T. J. 
Published: September 2024

The exhumation of the mortal remains of Matt Talbot took place in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin, on Sunday, 29th June, 1952. His Grace the Archbishop of Dublin presided at the ceremony. The coffin of the Servant of God, when opened, revealed his mortal remains in skeleton form, and the burial shroud which appeared to be a Franciscan habit. In the coffin were also found three chains, three large medals, two crucifixes and portions of a large rosary. The medical experts, having taken the Oath, signed the medical report which will be inserted in the Acts of the Process. The ceremony is part of the Apostolic process of Beatification and Canonisation, and does not in any way anticipate the decision of the Holy See.What kind of man was this Matt Talbot? What part did the chains, rosary beads and medals, found in his coffin, play in his life?Matt Talbot was born on 2nd May, 1856, in Dublin. Both parents were pious, and in no way given to drink. They attended their monthly Confraternity Mass and Communion regularly. Twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, resulted from the marriage.
Scripture and the Liturgy
Authors: Watkin E. I. 
Published: September 2024

When St Dominic's successor, Blessed Jordan of Saxony, a man remarkable for shrewd common sense, was asked which was better, studying the Scriptures or praying, he replied: You might as well ask me which is better, eating or drinking. A meticulous critic might argue that liquid nourishment is even more indispensable than solid, that no man can be saved without prayer, that prayer can save those ignorant of the Scriptures. In the concrete, however, for ourselves, Scripture and prayer, like eating and drinking, are indispensable.Must they however be wholly separated? Can they not be, to a considerable extent at least, combined? They can, because they are.The liturgy—Mass and Divine Office—is largely (the Office mostly) prayer in the words of Scripture, and both Mass and Office provide lessons from Scripture. The liturgical Gospels cover the greater part of the Fourth Gospel, and for a rough guess two-thirds of St Matthew and a half of St Luke.