bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Collaborative international partnership: Enabling the development of a state‐of‐the‐art minimally invasive surgical center in rural Uganda through telementoring
Authors: Tsai Catherine , Damoi Joseph Okello , Zhang Linda P. , Sarpel Umut , Binoga Moses , Kalumuna Anna , Glerum Katie , Marin Michael L. , Herron Daniel M. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundAccess to minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is limited in Sub‐Saharan African countries. In 2019, the Mount Sinai Department of Surgery in New York collaborated with local Ugandans to construct the Kyabirwa Surgical Center (KSC), an independent, replicable, self‐sustaining ambulatory surgical center in Uganda. We developed a focused MIS training program using a combination of in‐person training and supervised telementoring. We present the results of our initial MIS telementoring experience.MethodsWe worked jointly with Ugandan staff to construct the KSC in the rural province of Jinja. A solar‐powered backup battery system ensured continuous power availability. Underground fiber optic cables were installed to provide stable high‐speed Internet. The local Ugandan general surgeon (JOD) underwent a mini‐fellowship in MIS and then trained extensively using the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery program. After a weeklong in‐person session to train the Ugandan OR team, JOD performed laparoscopic cases with telementoring, which was conducted remotely by surgeons in New York via audiovisual feeds from the KSC OR.ResultsFrom October 2021 to February 2024, JOD performed 61 telementored laparoscopic operations at KSC including 37 appendectomies and 24 cholecystectomies. Feedback was provided regarding patient positioning, port placement, surgical technique, instrument use, and critical steps of the operation. There were no intra‐operative complications. Postoperatively, field medical workers visited patients at home to collect follow‐up information. Two superficial wound infections (3.3%) were reported in the short‐term follow‐up.ConclusionTelementoring can be safely implemented to assist surgeons in previously underserved areas to provide advanced laparoscopic surgical care to the local patient population.
Exploring Human-AI Collaboration in Agile: Customised LLM Meeting Assistants
Authors: Cabrero-Daniel Beatriz , Herda Tomas , Pichler Victoria , Eder Martin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis action research study focuses on the integration of “AI assistants” in two Agile software development meetings: the Daily Scrum and a feature refinement, a planning meeting that is part of an in-house Scaled Agile framework. We discuss the critical drivers of success, and establish a link between the use of AI and team collaboration dynamics. We conclude with a list of lessons learnt during the interventions in an industrial context, and provide a assessment checklist for companies and teams to reflect on their readiness level. This paper is thus a road-map to facilitate the integration of AI tools in Agile setups.
Software Product Management in Large-Scale Agile
Authors: Moe Nils Brede , Berntzen Marthe , Barbala Astri , Stray Viktoria 
Published: May 2024

AbstractLarge-scale agile software development is increasingly being organized with product management. Although product management is familiar to software engineering, we need research-based knowledge about organizing product management in an agile development context. This study focuses on product management challenges and configurations in a Nordic fintech organization with 10,000 employees. We conducted 19 interviews with participants involved in core product management activities. The study identifies ten key factors that hinder product management performance in a large-scale agile product company. Further, we present six product management configurations used in the fintech organization. The most suitable setup depends on the product lifecycle stage, product size, and development team setup. Our summary of the product management configurations and challenges can guide software product managers working in large-scale agile companies.
The Current State of Operationalizing Value by Dutch Product Owners in Agile Software Development
Authors: van Daalen Erik , van Solingen Rini 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAgile software development (ASD) teams show their relevance through the continuous delivery of valuable software. As part of ASD, product owners have an important role in four activities: determining most valuable backlog items, refining them, and in validating and measuring business value. In this research we investigate how product owners operationalize business value delivery in these activities. We conducted 38 semi-structured in-depth interviews with product owners in the Netherlands. Overall we found that 55% operationalize value using only two of the four activities, and that 11% apply all four activities. We furthermore found that only 26.5% of these product owners use a structured prioritization method, 47% prioritize based on individual preferences and gut feeling, and 26.5% do not use any prioritization approach at all. We found five different approaches to refinement. The majority (84%) of the product owners state that they validate business value delivery, while just 24% actually measure business value. Overall we conclude that there are opportunities to bring product ownership to a higher level on operationalizing business value delivery, and that there is a clear need in practice for better structure and guidance in operationalizing business value delivery to do so.
The Trinity of Aid, Trade, and Investment: The Reemergence of a Japanese-Style Development Term as China Rises
Authors: Wang Muyun 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis chapter analyzes the historical roots of the term “the trinity” (sanmi-ittai) in the context of development cooperation, which refers to the combined implementation of aid, investment, and trade. Specifically, it examines how the interpretation of the trinity in development practice has evolved over time. While the trinity received little attention in Japan during the 1980s when it was first introduced as an economic cooperation policy, it became a subject of considerable debate due to China’s emergence as a prominent aid donor. This chapter examines the chronology of how the term emerged in the 1980s in Japan, how it was transmitted to China during the same period, and how it is currently being discussed today, to reveal the issues and perspectives within its current meaning, which is increasingly centered around the establishment of mutually beneficial relationships.
Doboku: Changes in the Social Evaluation of Infrastructure Development in Japan
Authors: Kuramoto Ryosuke 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis chapter discusses the emergence and significance of doboku as an essential concept of Japanese development assistance that emphasizes support for developing infrastructure. Through an analysis of historical processes, it shows how the meaning of doboku has changed from the construction or repair of large buildings to infrastructure development to a translation of the English “civil engineering,” which focuses on technology, without incorporating a philosophy of how or why technology should be built or used. On one hand, such a lack of philosophy leads to a negative image of doboku as “crude and muddy.” On the other hand, there have also been attempts to re-establish the philosophy of doboku through explanations of its historical origins adopted early in the Meiji era. Moreover, doboku redeems its negative image in the context of development assistance, since working “in the mud” together with local people is a way to gain their trust. By expanding our perspective on this Japanese doctrine to include development assistance, we can more fully evaluate the unique characteristics and potential of the practical knowledge embodied in doboku.
Hito-zukuri: It is Not Just Human Resources Development
Authors: Hashimoto Noriyuki 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis chapter aims to examine and clarify the Japanese concept of hito-zukuri, paying attention to international and internal development policies of the Japanese government. Hito-zukuri has been generally translated as “human resourses development” related to technical cooperation in the context of international development. However, hito-zukuri also includes an element of formal and nonformal moral education to nurture “Japaneseness” both for Japanese youth, especially historically in the postwar high economic growth period, and for people in developing countries through international development and cooperation. Hito-zukuri holds two types education: technological and moral. In hito-zukuri, practitioners see its targets for education not only as technologically but also as morally developing people. Therefore hito-zukuri cannot be translated directly as human resources development without extensive qualification. Moreover, the restriction of hito-zukuri operations to the developing world betrays a stratified perspective on who is in need of moral development, which is problematic given the particular aim of moral education to promote “Japaneseness.”
Endogenous Development: Situating Kazuko Tsurumi’s Work in International Development
Authors: Omi Kanako 
Published: May 2024

AbstractEndogenous development theory (naihatsuteki hattenron) by Kazuko Tsurumi frequently appears in Japanese development discourse. However, although the idea of endogenous development has been discussed in international development discourse as well, the specifics of Tsurumi’s theory have not been widely adopted. This chapter reviews the genealogy of endogenous development both in the West and Japan. Through its comparison, the chapter presents the features of Tsurumi’s endogenous development theory rooted in the Asian development experience. It then discusses how the theory might be applied in the contemporary development context and concludes by making a case for Tsurumi’s naihatsuteki hattenron in international development research and practice.
Yōsei-Shugi: The Mystery of the Japanese Request-Based Aid
Authors: Sato Jin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIt is intriguing how the request-based principle, which started as little more than a name for project formulation procedures, has come to attain a philosophy-like status in Japanese aid.1 This chapter examines three aspects of this mystery: (1) the context that elevated this practice to the status of a principle (shugi), (2) the basic logic used by the Japanese government to substantiate such a principle, and (3) the effects it had on recipient countries. This chapter argues that the request-based principle is a historical vestige that reveals the peculiarity of Japan as a latecomer to the field of foreign aid. The request-based principle has endured as a consistent undercurrent of Japanese aid since the end of the war, but it only attained the status of a principle in the late 1980s. By tracing the evolution of aid to practices of the war reparations period in the 1950s, this chapter explores how this principle became institutionalized as a defining feature of the “Japanese style” of aid provision.
Physical signatures of fermion-coupled axion dark matter
Authors: Berlin Asher , Millar Alexander J. , Trickle Tanner , Zhou Kevin 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
In the presence of axion dark matter, fermion spins experience an “axion wind” torque and an “axioelectric” force. We investigate new experimental probes of these effects and find that magnetized analogs of multilayer dielectric haloscopes can explore orders of magnitude of new parameter space for the axion-electron coupling. We also revisit the calculation of axion absorption into in-medium excitations, showing that axioelectric absorption is screened in spin-polarized targets, and axion wind absorption can be characterized in terms of a magnetic energy loss function. Finally, our detailed theoretical treatment allows us to critically examine recent claims in the literature. We find that axioelectric corrections to electronic energy levels are smaller than previously estimated and that the purported electron electric dipole moment due to a constant axion field is entirely spurious.
Interacting chiral form field theories and $$ T\overline{T} $$-like flows in six and higher dimensions
Authors: Ferko Christian , Kuzenko Sergei M. , Lechner Kurt , Sorokin Dmitri P. , Tartaglino-Mazzucchelli Gabriele 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
In this paper we initiate the study of six-dimensional non-linear chiral two-form gauge theories as deformations of free chiral two-form gauge theories driven by stress-tensor $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

-like flows. To lay the background for this study, we elaborate on the relationship between different Lagrangian formulations of duality-invariant p-form theories and corresponding $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

-like flows in various dimensions. To this end we propose a new formulation which (i) is a generalization of the four-dimensional construction by Ivanov, Nurmagambetov and Zupnik (INZ) and (ii) turns into the PST formulation upon integrating out an auxiliary self-dual field. We elucidate space-time covariant properties of the PST formulation by clarifying and making use of its relation to the INZ-type formulation and to a so-called “clone” construction.
Simple Constructions from (Almost) Regular One-Way Functions
Authors: Mazor Noam , Zhang Jiapeng 
Published: May 2024

AbstractTwo of the most useful cryptographic primitives that can be constructed from one-way functions are pseudorandom generators (PRGs) and universal one-way hash functions (UOWHFs). In order to implement them in practice, the efficiency of such constructions must be considered. The three major efficiency measures are: the seed length, the call complexity to the one-way function, and the adaptivity of these calls. Still, the optimal efficiency of these constructions is not yet fully understood: there exist gaps between the known upper bound and the known lower bound for black-box constructions. A special class of one-way functions called unknown-regular one-way functions is much better understood. Haitner, Harnik and Reingold (CRYPTO 2006) presented a PRG construction with semi-linear seed length and linear number of calls based on a method called randomized iterate. Ames, Gennaro and Venkitasubramaniam (ASIACRYPT 2012) then gave a construction of UOWHF with similar parameters and using similar ideas. On the other hand, Holenstein and Sinha (FOCS 2012) and Barhum and Holenstein (TCC 2013) showed an almost linear call-complexity lower bound for black-box constructions of PRGs and UOWHFs from one-way functions. Hence, Haitner et al. and Ames et al. reached tight constructions (in terms of seed length and the number of calls) of PRGs and UOWHFs from regular one-way functions. These constructions, however, are adaptive. In this work, we present non-adaptive constructions for both primitives which match the optimal call complexity given by Holenstein and Sinha and Barhum and Holenstein. Our constructions, besides being simple and non-adaptive, are robust also for almost-regular one-way functions.
Red-on-Yellow Queen: Bio-Layer Interferometry Reveals Functional Diversity Within Micrurus Venoms and Toxin Resistance in Prey Species
Authors: Dashevsky Daniel , Harris Richard J. , Zdenek Christina N. , Benard-Valle Melisa , Alagón Alejandro , Portes-Junior José A. , Tanaka-Azevedo Anita M. , Grego Kathleen F. , Sant’Anna Sávio S. , Frank Nathaniel , Fry Bryan G. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractSnakes in the family Elapidae largely produce venoms rich in three-finger toxins (3FTx) that bind to the $$\upalpha _1$$

α
1

subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), impeding ion channel activity. These neurotoxins immobilize the prey by disrupting muscle contraction. Coral snakes of the genus Micrurus are specialist predators who produce many 3FTx, making them an interesting system for examining the coevolution of these toxins and their targets in prey animals. We used a bio-layer interferometry technique to measure the binding interaction between 15 Micrurus venoms and 12 taxon-specific mimotopes designed to resemble the orthosteric binding region of the muscular nAChR subunit. We found that Micrurus venoms vary greatly in their potency on this assay and that this variation follows phylogenetic patterns rather than previously reported patterns of venom composition. The long-tailed Micrurus tend to have greater binding to nAChR orthosteric sites than their short-tailed relatives and we conclude this is the likely ancestral state. The repeated loss of this activity may be due to the evolution of 3FTx that bind to other regions of the nAChR. We also observed variations in the potency of the venoms depending on the taxon of the target mimotope. Rather than a pattern of prey-specificity, we found that mimotopes modeled after snake nAChRs are less susceptible to Micrurus venoms and that this resistance is partly due to a characteristic tryptophan$$\rightarrow$$
→
serine mutation within the orthosteric site in all snake mimotopes. This resistance may be part of a Red Queen arms race between coral snakes and their prey.
Transfemoral-Transcaval Liver Biopsy (TFTC) and Transjugular Liver Biopsy (TJLB) in Patients with Fontan-Associated Liver Disease (FALD)
Authors: Shahid Muhammad Usman , Frenkel Yosef , Kuc Norbert , Golowa Yosef , Cynamon Jacob 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Purpose
To describe our experience in performing transfemoral-transcaval liver biopsy (TFTC) and transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB) in patients with Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD).

Methods
A single-center, retrospective review of 23 TFTC and seven TJLB performed between August 2011 and May 2023 on patients who previously underwent the Fontan procedure (median age 23.1 years, ranging 11–43 years, 48% female). Patient demographics, laboratory values, pathology, radiology, and cardiology reports were reviewed. Liver explants were correlated with histopathological evaluation to determine sampling accuracy when available.

Results
All biopsies achieved technical success (accurate targeting and safe tissue sample extraction) and histopathological success (yielding sufficient tissue for accurate diagnosis). Liver biopsies were performed during simultaneous cardiac catheterization in 28 of 30 (93%) procedures. There was no statistically significant change in hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count post-procedure, and fluoroscopy times. There was one major complication within the TJLB group and one minor complication within the TFTC group.

Conclusion
Transvenous liver biopsies, whether via transfemoral or transjugular route, may be safely performed in FALD patients while yielding samples with technical and histopathological success. The transfemoral approach, which is our preferred method; its compatibility with simultaneous cardiac catheterization and its potentially increased safety profile stemming from the avoidance of transversing the Fontan shunt—makes it a particular advantageous option in the management of FALD.

Graphical Abstract
Evaluation of Automated Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Using Radian® In-Line Carousel
Authors: Callebaut Kim , Stoefs Anke , Emmerechts Kristof , Vandoorslaer Kristof , Wybo Ingrid , De Geyter Deborah , Demuyser Thomas , Piérard Denis , Muyldermans Astrid 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAntimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) by disk diffusion provides an accurate image of bacterial growth, enabling the detection of culture purity, heterogeneous growth, and antibiotic interactions. However, this manual method is time-consuming and visual interpretation is prone to errors. To overcome these disadvantages, the Radian® In-Line Carousel (Copan, Brescia, Italy) was launched, which is a WASPLab® module dedicated to full automation of (pre)-analytical steps as well as interpretation of disk diffusion AST. However, until now, no evaluation of Radian® against manual disk diffusion has been performed. We assessed the categorical agreement (CA) between standardized disk diffusion (reference method) and Radian® using EUCAST 2021 breakpoints. We tested 135 non-duplicate strains, selected from the National EUCAST challenge panel, clinical strains, and external quality controls. The strains included Enterobacterales (n = 63), Enterococcus faecalis (n = 3), Enterococcus faecium (n = 10), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 16), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 19), coagulase-negative staphylococci (n = 4), and Streptococcus spp. (n = 20). Furthermore, we explored antibiotic disk thermolability in the WASP Radian® carousel by testing 10 ATCC® strains up to 7 days. The observed CA was 95.3%, 96.3%, 93.8%, 97.3% and 98.0% for Enterobacterales, Enterococcus spp., P. aeruginosa, Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp., respectively, resulting in an acceptable overall CA for all groups. (Very) major error rates were ≤ 5% for all antibiotics. Antibiotic disk thermostability was confirmed up to 4 days in the WASP Radian® In-Line Carousel. The Radian® In-Line Carousel provides a fully automated solution for accurate disk diffusion AST, reducing workload and improving standardization and traceability. In addition, our study demonstrated the thermostability of antibiotic disks up to 4 days in the WASP Radian® In-Line Carousel.
The Impacts of Chitosan on Plant Root Systems and Its Potential to be Used for Controlling Fungal Diseases in Agriculture
Authors: Suwanchaikasem Pipob , Idnurm Alexander , Selby-Pham Jamie , Walker Robert , Boughton Berin A. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractChitosan is a natural elicitor, used for stimulating plant growth and inducing plant defense. However, due to difficulty in monitoring root growth and activity, the effects of chitosan treatment on plant root systems have been less studied as compared to plant shoot parts that include leaves, seeds, and fruits. This results in an indefinite outcome of the benefits of chitosan on plant roots. Therefore, this review aims to evaluate the effects of chitosan treatment on root growth and defense responses based on current evidence. Interestingly, many studies have demonstrated that chitosan can induce plant root defense systems, yet conversely inhibiting root growth. The effects were most clearly observed from studies using liquid or solid media as substrates, while the results from the studies using soil were inconclusive and require additional investigation to observe the effects of environmental factors. In addition, root chitosan treatment showed variable effects on shoot growth, where low chitosan concentrations tend to promote shoot growth, but high chitosan concentrations may affect shoot development. Additionally, this review discusses the potential methods of chitosan application onto plant roots. Water insolubility of chitosan is likely a major issue for root treatment. Chitosan can be dissolved in acids, but this could induce acidity stress in plant roots. Modified versions of chitosan, such as chitosan nanoparticles, carboxylated chitosan, and graft chitosan copolymers have been developed to improve solubility and functionality. Chitosan nanoparticles can also be used to encapsulate other biocontrol agents to augment biological effects on plant defense. In conclusion, root chitosan treatment could help to promote plant defense and prevent root infections, abating the uses of chemical fungicides in agriculture. However, further research is required to monitor the impact of root chitosan treatment on long-term plant growth in order to gain multifaceted information to maximize the effectiveness of root chitosan application.