bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Controlled Etching of Gold Nanorods Within Mesoporous Silica Shells at Mild Conditions
Authors: Wang Kun‐Peng , Deng Tian‐Song , Zhang Er‐Ji , Gao Jia‐Fei , Liu Jie 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSurface plasmon resonance of precious metal gold nanorods can be tuned by controlling the aspect ratio, and they find widespread applications in biotechnology, imaging, sensing, optoelectronics, photonics, and catalysis. Here, a method is proposed for the controlled etching of gold nanorods within mesoporous silica shells by using a certain concentration of H2O2 at room temperature. In the experiments, the amount of HCl is varied to adjust the acidity and/or change the amount of H2O2 to control the speed of corrosion, achieving controllable adjustment of the aspect ratio of the gold nanorods. The extinction spectra show that under the action of H2O2 and HCl, the longitudinal plasmonic resonance of the gold nanorods shifted to shorter wavelengths, and the intensity of the longitudinal plasmonic resonance decreased. The more hydrochloric acid or hydrogen peroxide added, the faster the corrosion rate of the gold nanorods, and the faster the blue shift of the longitudinal plasmonic resonance. In addition, the intensity of the extinction spectra at 320 nm increased linearly versus time, which can also be used to monitor the etching process. By corroding gold nanorods to control the plasmonic resonances, gold nanorods can find broader applications.
Suspected Case of Persistent Thiamin Deficiency in a Hand‐Reared Caribou Calf
Authors: Denryter Kristin , Beckmen Kimberlee B. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTHand‐reared animals are invaluable and irreplaceable in studies of wildlife nutrition. Hand‐rearing protocols provide insights into dietary and training programs, but less information is available on disease management. In young ruminants, thiamin (Vitamin B1) deficiency is a particularly important disease that is treatable early in the disease process, but otherwise can be fatal. In this husbandry report, we describe a case of suspected thiamin deficiency in a hand‐reared calf (Rangifer tarandus granti) that resulted in clinical signs of polioencephalomalacia and persisted for > 3 months. We attempted treatment with thiamin injections; injections resolved clinical signs of disease, but clinical signs of disease returned once injections stopped. After > 2 months of thiamin injections, the caribou calf received a rumen transfaunation from a fistulated moose (Alces alces) housed at the same facility. Following rumen transfaunation, we did not observe signs of thiamin deficiency. The calf outgrew other females in the cohort initially and shows no long‐term effects of thiamin deficiency or polioencephalomalacia. We recommend rumen transfaunation when thiamin deficiency is suspected and does not resolve with thiamin injections alone. We also recommend heterospecific donors if conspecific donors are not available.
Mozambique
Authors: Nuvunga Adriano , Collet Angela , Sinoia Dimas 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe chapter highlights areas that deserve attention to protect vulnerable citizens, including strengthening local-national mechanisms of communication/accountability and clarifying criteria used for decision-making on equitable policies. Also noted are the inappropriate use of funds, unequal fund allocation to the provinces, reduction of funds to social protection and weak inclusive governance. Good practices include the Government of Mozambique’s issue of update reports and the role assigned to the National Institute of Health, enabling greater emphasis on evidence-based/scientific data. Recommendations include a broader perspective on social protection (to help tackle gender and human rights challenges); strengthening focus on informal economy; well-coordinated intersectoral policies (considering health, food, economic, social and security ‘multiple crises’); fair/transparent prioritization criteria for vaccination; policy strategies to guarantee that social protection benefits reach most vulnerable groups and ensuring that COVID-19 response invested resources contribute to poverty alleviation/inclusive growth; and compiling report of all measures implemented (governmental and non-governmental).
A Comprehensive Model for Patient Participation
Authors: Bårdsgjerde Elise Kvalsund , Kvangarsnes Marit , Landstad Bodil J. , Hole Torstein , Nylenna Magne 
Published: September 2024

AbstractPatient participation is legislated for internationally and leads to improved patient satisfaction, quality in health services, trust in health professionals, and self-management of disease. Patient participation involves health personnel sharing power, thus empowering the patient. To involve and empower patients is important for achieving several Sustainable Development Goals: Good health and well-being (3) and Reduced equality (10). Patient participation is complex, and the aim of this study is to develop a comprehensive model to understand and improve patient participation in health services and research. Based on 27 qualitative primary studies about patient participation in non-communicable diseases analysed by meta-ethnography, four themes were defined: frame factors, interactions, level of involvement, and clinical context. Including frame factors adds a new dimension to the understanding of patient participation. Frame factors have been underestimated and frame factor theory may be useful to understand and reveal the complexity of patient participation in clinical practice and research.
Using Qualitative Design to Study Health Literacy
Authors: Landstad Bodil J. , Kvangarsnes Marit 
Published: September 2024

AbstractHealth literacy is critical for mobilising human and societal capital for patients, users, health professionals, organisations, and political bodies. Health reforms and changes in health services require continuous research into how health professionals and organisations can strengthen users’ health literacy and sustainable health services. We present qualitative designs which are appropriate for gaining knowledge to strengthen health literacy and to reach the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3) which deals with good health and well-being.
Evaluating Public Research and Innovation Policies: A Short History of Co-evolution
Authors: Bührer Susanne , Edler Jakob , Kuhlmann Stefan , Seus Sarah 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn this article, we present the mutually development of R&I policies and R&I policy evaluation with a specific focus on Germany and the EU. We show that there has been considerable development in the field of R&I policy evaluation over the past decades, in terms of underlying theories, methodological approaches and the emergence of an R&I evaluation community. The field of R&I policy evaluation has naturally interacted and grown in parallel with the changes in R&I policy and practice as well as scientific advances. In line with the actual claims of R&I policy to support transformation, R&I policy evaluation has engaged in a debate around more responsible and inclusive evaluation procedures. The discussion about “responsible metrics” and societal stakeholder engagement in evaluation studies are examples of it. Our overview of evaluation practice has shown that the R&I policy evaluation community need continuous, in-built critical reflection on the (incessantly changing) role of evaluation in R&I policy.
Discrete dynamics and supergeometry
Authors: Chatterjee Subhobrata , Waldron Andrew , Yetişmişoğlu Cem 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
We formulate a geometric measurement theory of dynamical classical systems possessing both continuous and discrete degrees of freedom. The approach is covariant with respect to choices of clocks and naturally incorporates laboratories. The latter are embedded symplectic submanifolds of an odd-dimensional symplectic structure. When suitably defined, symplectic geometry in odd dimensions is exactly the structure needed for covariance. A fundamentally probabilistic viewpoint allows classical supergeometries to describe discrete dynamics. We solve the problem of how to construct probabilistic measures on supermanifolds given a (possibly odd dimensional) supersymplectic structure. This relies on a superanalog of the Hodge star for differential forms and a description of probabilities by convex cones. We also show how stochastic processes such as Markov chains can be described by supergeometry.
Optimizing Gynecomastia Correction Surgery: Efficacy and Safety of Tumescent Local Anesthesia Approach
Authors: Tettamanzi Matilde , Filigheddu Edoardo , Ziani Federico , Arrica Giovanni , Trignano Claudia , Rubino Corrado , Trignano Emilio 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
Tumescent local anesthesia (TLA) involves infusing a saline solution containing lidocaine and epinephrine into tissues to achieve localized anesthesia and vasoconstriction. While liposuction under general anesthesia remains the most used treatment, we introduce a novel TLA approach for gynecomastia surgery, drawing from our extensive experience in recent years.

Methods
Between the years 2010 and 2023, we performed gynecomastia surgery on 60 male patients under TLA. The gynecomastia was treated by liposuction plus periareolar excision technique. Liposuction was carried out on both breasts in every case, regardless of whether the gynecomastia was bilateral or unilateral. The tumescent solution consisted of 25 mL of 2% lidocaine, 8 mEq of sodium bicarbonate, and 1 mL of epinephrine (1 mg/1 mL) in 1000 mL of 0.9% saline solution. The solution was infiltrated between the pectoral fascia and the mammary gland, and then the surgery was carried out.

Results
The average volume of tumescent solution infiltrated during TLA was 300 mL per breast. There were no reports of adrenaline or lidocaine toxicity, and no cases required a conversion to general anesthesia. Patients experienced no pain or discomfort during the preoperative infiltration or surgical procedure. We observed a major postoperative complications rate of 6.7%, represented by three incident of hematoma and one case of seroma. A minor complication rate of 5% was observed: two cases of retraction of the NAC and one case of gynecomastia recurrence, the latter undergoing an additional combination procedure with liposuction and subcutaneous mastectomy. Follow-up time ranged from 30 days to 1 year.

Conclusions
We developed a new outpatient surgical method for gynecomastia using liposuction and periareolar excision under tumescent local anesthesia. This technique, supported by a comprehensive rehabilitation plan, proved a successful and quick recovery, and high patient satisfaction. Our results suggest it is a feasible and effective option, warranting further consideration in gynecomastia treatment strategies.

Level of Evidence IV
This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266
Quantitative MRI distinguishes different leukodystrophies and correlates with clinical measures
Authors: Stellingwerff Menno D. , Al-Saady Murtadha L. , Chan Kwok-Shing , Dvorak Adam , Marques José P. , Kolind Shannon , Schoenmakers Daphne H. , van Voorst Romy , Roosendaal Stefan D. , Barkhof Frederik , Wolf Nicole I. , Berkhof Johannes , Pouwels Petra J. W. , van der Knaap Marjo S. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Objectives
The leukodystrophy “vanishing white matter” (VWM) and “metachromatic leukodystrophy” (MLD) affect the brain's white matter, but have very different underlying pathology. We aim to determine whether quantitative MRI reflects known neuropathological differences and correlates with clinical scores in these leukodystrophies.

Methods
VWM and MLD patients and controls were prospectively included between 2020 and 2023. Clinical scores were recorded. MRI at 3 T included multi-compartment relaxometry diffusion-informed myelin water imaging (MCR-DIMWI) and multi-echo T2-relaxation imaging with compressed sensing (METRICS) to determine myelin water fractions (MWF). Multi-shell diffusion-weighted data were used for diffusion tensor imaging measures and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) analysis, which estimates neurite density index, orientation dispersion index, and free water fraction. As quantitative MRI measures are age-dependent, ratios between actual and age-expected MRI measures were calculated. We performed the multilevel analysis with subsequent post-hoc and correlation tests to assess differences between groups and clinico-radiological correlations.

Results
Sixteen control (age range: 2.3–61.3 years, 8 male), 37 VWM (2.4–56.5 years, 20 male), and 14 MLD (2.2–41.7 years, 6 male) subjects were included. Neurite density index and MWF were lower in patients than in controls (p < 0.001). Free water fraction was highest in VWM (p = 0.01), but similar to controls in MLD (p = 0.99). Changes in diffusion tensor imaging measures relative to controls were generally more pronounced in VWM than in MLD. In both patient groups, MCR-DIMWI MWF correlated strongest with clinical measures.

Conclusion
Quantitative MRI correlates to clinical measures and yields differential profiles in VWM and MLD, in line with differences in neuropathology.

Key Points
QuestionCan quantitative MRI reflect known neuropathological differences and correlate with clinical scores for these leukodystrophies?
FindingQuantitative MRI measures, e.g., MWF, neurite density index, and free water fraction differ between leukodystrophies and controls, in correspondence to known histological differences.
Clinical relevanceMRI techniques producing quantitative, biologically-specific, measures regarding the health of myelin and axons deliver more comprehensive information regarding pathological changes in leukodystrophies than current approaches, and are thus viable tools for monitoring patients and providing clinical trial outcome measures.
Cardiac wasting in patients with cancer
Authors: Anker Markus S. , Rashid Ahmed Mustafa , Butler Javed , Khan Muhammad Shahzeb 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Patients with cancer face a significant risk of cardiovascular death, regardless of time since cancer diagnosis. Elderly patients are particularly more susceptible as cancer-associated cardiac complications present in advanced stage cancer. These patients may often present with symptoms observed in chronic heart failure (HF). Cardiac wasting, commonly observed in these patients, is a multifaceted syndrome characterized by systemic metabolic alterations and inflammatory processes that specifically affect cardiac function and structure. Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that cancer-associated cardiac wasting is linked with cardiac atrophy and altered cardiac morphology, which impairs cardiac function, particularly pertaining to the left ventricle. Therefore, this review aims to present a summary of epidemiologic data and pathophysiological mechanisms of cardiac wasting due to cancer, and future directions in this field.
A cost-minimization analysis of anti-VEGFs for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration in the Netherlands
Authors: Quist Sara W. , Nab Hidde , Postma Maarten , Amarakoon Sankha , van Asten Freekje , Freriks Roel 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Objective
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the main cause of severe vision loss globally. Neovascular AMD (nAMD) is an advanced stage of AMD treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGFs). Although anti-VEGF treatment is effective, the frequent intravitreal injections place a burden on patients, (in)formal caregivers, and clinics. This study assesses the health-economic impact of anti-VEGF agents with lower injection frequency that have the potential to reduce treatment burden and compares it to the standard of care.

Methods
We developed a cost-minimization model to evaluate the direct medical costs associated with first-line unilateral anti-VEGF treatment across a 3-year time horizon in the Netherlands. The analysis compared aflibercept 8 mg, aflibercept 2 mg, bevacizumab, faricimab, and ranibizumab. Our model adopted a treat-and-extend (T&E) regimen for aflibercept 2 mg, bevacizumab, and ranibizumab. For aflibercept 8 mg, a flexible regimen that was extendable up to 24 weeks was applied, while faricimab followed a flexible regimen that was extendable up to 16 weeks. Additionally, since list prices may vary from net prices, we calculated the break-even price for each anti-VEGF in comparison to bevacizumab, which is the recommended first-line treatment due to its low medication price.

Results
Based on list prices, aflibercept 8 mg led to the lowest treatment costs (€16,251 per patient over a 3-year time horizon), closely followed by bevacizumab (€17,616 per patient over a 3-year time horizon). Ranibizumab led to the highest per-patient costs (€31,746 over a 3-year time horizon). For bevacizumab, most costs were attributable to administration, while for the other anti-VEGFs, most were attributable to medication. Aflibercept 8 mg is cost-saving compared to bevacizumab at their medication prices at the time of writing. Aflibercept 2 mg, faricimab, and ranibizumab should be priced below €488, €591, and €75, respectively. To be cost-equal to bevacizumab with current list prices, anti-VEGFs should be administered with a maximum of 12.7 to 13.8 injections over a 3-year time horizon.

Conclusion
According to the injection frequency observed in clinical trials, aflibercept 8 mg would be the anti-VEGF that generates the lowest per-patient healthcare costs for the treatment of nAMD in the Netherlands after a treatment period of three years. Our study indicates that anti-VEGF drugs with a lower injection frequency might provide a cost-saving solution to the increasing burden of anti-VEGF treatment on the healthcare system.
Adaptive Weighted Multi-kernel Learning for Blast-Induced Flyrock Distance Prediction
Authors: Zhang Ruixuan , Li Yuefeng , Gui Yilin , Armaghani Danial Jahed , Yari Mojtaba 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn the field of civil and mining engineering, blasting operations are widely and frequently used for rock excavation, However, some undesirable environmental problems induced by blasting operations cannot be ignored. Blast-induced flyrock is one important issue induced by blasting operation, which needs to be well predicted to identify the blasting zone’s safety zone. This study introduces an adaptive weighted multi-kernel learning model (AW-MKL) to provide an accurate prediction of blast-induced flyrock distance in Sungun Copper Mine site. The proposed model uses a combination of multi-kernel learning (MKL) approach and adaptive weighting strategy based on weighted Euclidean distance and modified local outlier factor (MLOF) to maximally improve the predictive ability of kernel ridge regression (KRR). To demonstrate the superiority of the proposed approach, six machine learning models were developed as comparisons, i.e., KRR, RF, GBDT, SVM, M5 Tree, MARS and AdaBoost. The outcomes of the proposed method achieved the highest accuracy in testing phase, with RMSE of 2.05, MAE of 0.98 and VAF of 99.92, which confirmed the strong predictive capability of the proposed AW-MKL in predicting blast-induced flyrock distance.
Die einheitliche Stelle im immissionsschutzrechtlichen Genehmigungsverfahren für Erneuerbare Energien-Anlagen
Authors: Saurer Johannes 
Published: September 2024

ZusammenfassungDie Einführung der “einheitlichen Stelle” im immissionsschutzrechtlichen Genehmigungsverfahren
für Erneuerbare Energien-Anlagen in §10 Abs. 5a) BImSchG ist ein organisationsrechtliches Instrument
zum Ausbau erneuerbarer Energien. Der Aufsatz zeigt die Herkunft dieses Instruments aus dem Unionsrecht,
den Anwendungsbereich und die Rechtswirkungen.
Work-life balance on a farm with young children in Slovenia
Authors: Černič Istenič Majda 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe challenges of work-life balance, gender equality in work and family life, and changing social norms‒responsible parenthood and safe and healthy working conditions‒have been widely discussed and addressed in literature, policy documents, and the media for decades. Since the early days of rural studies, the family farm has been widely recognized as a special unit of production, consumption, and lifestyle. However, the lifestyle of family farms, including work-life balance, has received little attention or consideration in policy and academic debates, particularly in Europe. Based on these observations, this paper discusses the results of two consecutive studies on working conditions on farms in Slovenia, with a focus on work-life balance in the case of maternity/parental leave on farms. The first study is based on structured interviews with 60 adult members of family farms of both genders conducted in 2018/2019, and the second study is based on semi-structured interviews with 23 farmers of both genders from different parts of the country, conducted in 2021/2022. The stories of the two groups of research participants are assessed and discussed against the background of the current scholarly debate on work-life balance in farming context and the recently adopted institutional framework for work-life balance in the European Union.
Some Worries About the Probability Account of the Feelings of (Un)Certainty
Authors: Spatan Sergiu 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn recent papers, Peter Carruthers and others have argued that the feeling of uncertainty is not metacognitive (i.e., it is not elicited by second-order cognitive appraisals) but is elicited solely by first-order likelihood estimates—a probability account of the feeling of uncertainty. In this paper, I make a case for why a probability account is sufficient to explain neither the feeling of uncertainty nor the feeling of certainty in self-reflecting humans. I argue first that humans’ feelings of (un)certainty vary in ways that their probability estimates on the matter do not, and second that probability accounts elide the essentially epistemic nature of epistemic feelings.
Population-based FMR1 carrier screening among reproductive women
Authors: Ain Quratul , Hwang Ye Hyun , Yeung Daryl , Panpaprai Pacharee , Iamurairat Wiwat , Chutimongkonkul Wiboon , Trachoo Objoon , Tassone Flora , Jiraanont Poonnada 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, caused by an CGG repeat expansion (FM, > 200 CGG) in the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene. Female carriers of a premutation (PM; 55–200 CGG) can transmit the PM allele, which, depending on the CGG allele size, can expand to an allele in the FM range in the offspring.

Methods
Carrier screening for FMR1 PM is not available in Thailand. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of PM carriers among Thai reproductive women at the tertiary hospital. A total of 1250 females participated in this study; ages ranged from 20 to 45 years, mean of 30 years (S.D. = 6.27).

Results
Two carriers of a premutation allele, with 32,62 and 32,69 CGG repeats respectively, were identified. This corresponds to 1 in 600 women or 0.17% of the population. Further, three women carrying a gray zone allele (45–54 CGG repeats) were identified (29,51; 29,49; and 30,47 CGG repeats) which equals to 1:400 women or 0.25% of the population. No FM case was detected.

Conclusions
This study heightens the importance of PM carrier screening of women of reproductive age, particularly for the higher risk of developing fragile X–associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI). Early identification of PM carrier status enhances family planning and fecundity alternatives and improves reproductive health outcomes leading to a better life.