bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dignity in Medicine: Definition, Assessment and Therapy
Authors: Grassi Luigi , Nanni Maria Giulia , Riba Michelle , Folesani Federica 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Purpose of Review
Over the last 20 years, dignity and dignity-conserving care have become the center of investigation, in many areas of medicine, including palliative care, oncology, neurology, geriatrics, and psychiatry. We summarized peer-reviewed literature and examined the definition, conceptualization of dignity, potential problems, and suggested interventions.

Recent Findings
We performed a review utilizing several databases, including the most relevant studies in full journal articles, investigating the problems of dignity in medicine. It emerged that dignity is a multifactorial construct and that dignity-preserving care should be at the center of the health organization. Dignity should be also regularly assessed through the tools currently available in clinical practice. Among dignity intervention, besides dignity models of care, dignity intervention, such as dignity therapy (DT), life review and reminiscence therapy, have a role in maintaining both the extrinsic (preserved when health care professionals treat the patient with respect, meeting physical and emotional needs, honors the patient’s wishes, and makes attempts to maintain privacy and confidentiality) and intrinsic dignity (preserved when the patient has appropriate self-esteem, is able to exercise autonomy and has a sense of hope and meaning).

Summary
Unified trends across diverse medical contexts highlight the need for a holistic, patient-centered approach in healthcare settings. Challenges compromising dignity are pervasive, underscoring the importance of interventions and systematic efforts to address these issues. Future research and interventions should prioritize the multifaceted nature of dignity, striving to create healthcare environments that foster compassion, respect, and dignity across all medical settings.
Isatuximab with pomalidomide-dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: post-marketing surveillance in Japan
Authors: Tagami Nami , Uchiyama Michihiro , Suzuki Kenshi , Shirai Heigoroh , Seto Takeshi , Nishina Satoshi , Iida Shinsuke 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis post-marketing surveillance assessed the safety and effectiveness of isatuximab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Isa-Pd) for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) during real-world use in Japan. Data from 211 individuals with RRMM treated with Isa-Pd in Japan between October 2020 and October 2021 were collected, with follow-up for up to 12 months after initiation of Isa-Pd or until treatment discontinuation. The incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), ADRs of special interest (infusion reactions, bone marrow suppression, infections, cardiac disorders, other ADRs of Grade ≥ 3), and serious ADRs was assessed. Best overall response and overall response rate (ORR) were determined. In the safety analysis set (n = 120), ADR incidence was 57.5%. Most ADRs were hematologic, and serious ADRs occurred in 28.3%. Bone marrow suppression occurred in 46.7% of participants (19.2% serious), infusion reactions in 18.3% (6.7% serious), infections in 11.7% (8.3% serious), and a serious cardiac disorder in one participant; other Grade ≥ 3 ADRs were reported in 3.3% (1.7% serious). In the effectiveness analysis set (n = 108), the most common best overall response was very good partial response (24.1%), and ORR was 51.9%. These findings support the safety and effectiveness of Isa-Pd for RRMM in real-life settings in Japan.
Nanoemulsions and nanocapsules as carriers for the development of intranasal mRNA vaccines
Authors: Borrajo Mireya L. , Lou Gustavo , Anthiya Shubaash , Lapuhs Philipp , Álvarez David Moreira , Tobío Araceli , Loza María Isabel , Vidal Anxo , Alonso María José 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe global emergency of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spurred extensive worldwide efforts to develop vaccines for protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Our contribution to this global endeavor involved the development of a diverse library of nanocarriers, as alternatives to lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), including nanoemulsions (NEs) and nanocapsules (NCs), with the aim of protecting and delivering messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) for nasal vaccination purposes. A wide range of prototypes underwent rigorous screening through a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments, encompassing assessments of cellular transfection, cytotoxicity, and intramuscular administration of a model mRNA for protein translation. As a result, two promising candidates were identified for nasal administration. One of them was a NE incorporating a combination of an ionizable lipid (C12-200) and cationic lipid (DOTAP), both intended to condense mRNA, along with DOPE, which is known to facilitate endosomal escape. This NE exhibited a size of 120 nm and a highly positive surface charge (+ 50 mV). Another candidate was an NC formulation comprising the same components and endowed with a dextran sulfate shell. This formulation showed a size of 130 nm and a moderate negative surface charge (-16 mV). Upon intranasal administration of mRNA encoding for ovalbumin (mOVA) associated with optimized versions of the said NE and NCs, a robust antigen-specific CD8 + T cell response was observed. These findings underscore the potential of NEs and polymeric NCs in advancing mRNA vaccine development for combating infectious diseases.
Graphical Abstract
Convex hulls of surfaces in fourspace
Authors: Meroni Chiara , Ranestad Kristian , Sinn Rainer 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis is a case study of the algebraic boundary of convex hulls of varieties. We focus on surfaces in fourspace to showcase new geometric phenomena that neither curves nor hypersurfaces exhibit. Our method is a detailed analysis of a general purpose formula by Ranestad and Sturmfels in the case of smooth real algebraic surfaces of low degree (that are rational over the complex numbers). We study both the complex and the real features of the algebraic boundary of Veronese and Del Pezzo surfaces. The main difficulties and the possible approaches to the case of general surfaces are discussed for and complemented by the example of Bordiga surfaces.
Underoil superhydrophilic flame-retardant 3D porous composite for efficient on-demand emulsion separation: Interface engineering design on sphagnum moss
Authors: Guo Yuyan , Liu Peng , Zhang Wenhao , Guo Zhiguang , Liu Weimin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractOil pollution and the energy crisis make oil-water separation an urgent for human need. The widespread use of materials with a single emulsion separation capability is limited. Multifunctional on-demand separation materials can adapt to a wide range of application scenarios, thus having a wider range of applications. The underoil superhydrophilic surface is of great significance for realizing the on-demand separation of oil/water emulsions through the removal of water in the oil and oil in the water. A 3D porous emulsion separation material based on the superhydrophilic principle of sphagnum moss was designed. The material was prepared in a simple step by taking advantage of the adhesion of polydopamine and the introduction of the as-prepared superhydrophilic BaSO4 nanoparticles to achieve superhydrophilicity with a water contact angle (WCA) of 0° and an oil contact angle (OCA) of 157.3°, resulting in excellent separation performance for both water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions. Underoil superhydrophilic porous composite (OSPC) can complete two kinds of emulsion separations by filtration or adsorption. It adsorbs water from water-in-oil emulsion to achieve separation, with a good adsorption capacity of 74.38 g/g and efficiency up to 99%. It can also filter oil-in-water emulsions with an efficiency of 99.92%. The separation efficiencies are all almost unchanged after ten separation cycles. Furthermore, the material has excellent flame retardancy, which reduces the possibility of secondary disasters. The three-dimensional porous sponge has excellent on-demand separation performance for multiple emulsions. It provides a new preparation strategy for underoil superhydrophilic materials and a new idea for the design direction of special wetting materials for the on-demand separation of oil/water emulsions.
YouTube vs. Lehrmittel – Lernwirksamkeit von Erklärvideos für den Naturwissenschaftsunterricht
Authors: Vonschallen Stephan , Labude Marlene , Schneider Charlotte , Krüger Maleika , Susanne Metzger  
Published: May 2024

ZusammenfassungErklärvideos gewinnen für den Naturwissenschaftsunterricht zunehmend an Bedeutung. Um den potenziellen Lernzuwachs beim Einsatz von Erklärvideos im Vergleich zu schriftbasiertem Lernmaterial zu untersuchen und einen möglichen Effekt der Auswahlmöglichkeiten für Schüler:innen auf den Lernzuwachs explorativ zu untersuchen, wurde eine Interventionsstudie durchgeführt. Insgesamt 102 Schüler:innen aus sechs Klassen der Sekundarstufe I bearbeiteten selbständig eine 60-minütige Lerneinheit im Klassenzimmer, wobei die Teilnehmenden drei experimentellen Bedingungen (Lerneinheit ohne Erklärvideo, Lerneinheit mit einem vorgegeben Lehrmittel-Erklärvideo, Lerneinheit mit vier auswählbaren YouTube-Erklärvideos) zugeteilt wurden und der Lernzuwachs mithilfe von Prä- und Posttests erhoben wurde. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass Erklärvideos eine signifikant größere Lernwirksamkeit aufweisen als rein schriftbasiertes Lernmaterial, wobei kein signifikanter Effekt der Auswahlmöglichkeit gefunden werden konnte. Abschließend werden Vorschläge für zukünftige Studien diskutiert, um diesen Zusammenhang genauer zu untersuchen.
Measuring the Fate and Natural Attenuation Potential of a Viscous Marine Fuel on an Artificial Beach Mesocosm
Authors: Poon Ho Yin , Greer Charles W. , Wasserscheid Jessica , Elias Miria , Watts Taylor , Wohlgeschaffen Gary , Cobanli Susan E. , Robinson Brian , King Thomas L. , Ortmann Alice C. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractShoreline oiling poses a risk to coastal ecosystems and resources. Understanding the natural attenuation potential and impact of different sediment types is important for choosing appropriate intervention strategies and priority areas following a spill. Simulated IFO-40 oil spills on artificial beach mesocosms were carried out using different sediment types: sandy beach and sandy tidal flat, under low energy tidal cycles over a 5-day period. Chemical and biological analysis of leachate and sediment was conducted to understand the movement of oil through these mesocosms. Rapid oil movement from the oil slick to the surface sediment layer was observed in the sandy beach enclosures, while slower oil movement was observed in the sandy tidal flat enclosures. Increased hydrocarbon dissolution was observed in the sandy beach enclosures, marked by higher concentrations of low molecular weight n-Alkanes (C12 − 15) and naphthalenes (C0 − 3) in sandy beach leachate compared to sandy tidal flat samples. Despite the increase in hydrocarbons, there were no major shifts in microbial communities observed in the leachate and sediment compartments for either sediment type. Both prokaryote and microeukaryote communities differed between the two sediment types, with little overlap between dominant sequences. Our results indicate that limited oil penetration occurs within sandy tidal flat shorelines resulting in oil accumulation suggesting that sorbent or vacuuming could be used as emergency response to minimize the environmental and ecological impacts of spilled oil.
An experimental study on aging effects of fuel-cut events including sound optimized torque reduction on modern three-way catalysts
Authors: Eickenhorst René , Koch Thomas 
Published: May 2024

AbstractContinuously increasing country-specific emission standards for passenger vehicles demand additional development steps in complex exhaust gas aftertreatment systems for a more effective reduction of harmful gases. The efficiency of the aftertreatment system declines over its lifecycle due to specific load profiles and other boundary conditions, resulting in increasing emissions over vehicle mileage. As a result, the durability of the exhaust system becomes more important. Fuel cut is an intended, temporary interruption of the fuel supply of modern combustion engines of passenger cars to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. During this fuel reduction event, unconsumed oxygen of rich and cool fresh air is introduced to the combustion chamber and to the exhaust system. Besides a catalyst cool down, oxidation effects are provoked by enhanced oxygen reactions processes within the catalyst’s washcoat and surface layers. In this publication, specific aging cycles with a variation of fuel-cut programs were examined on their effects on a modified modern eight-cylinder turbo-charged engine, especially on their oxidation effects correlating to catalyst aging. Light-off curves and conversion heat maps were used to evaluate possible damaging impacts of fuel-cut events on the aging behavior of the catalyst systems. Results indicate that higher frequency of fuel-cut events results in a reduced catalyst conversion efficiency, whereas thermal sintering might be reduced due to overall lower temperature load. Temporary oxidation processes on catalyst’s surfaces occur only in a short timespan after changing the air fuel ratio to lean, resulting in a weaker thermal sintering during longer fuel-cut events. Sound optimized torque reduction functions, used in sports cars for a better drivability and powertrain response, exhibit a stronger aging influence due to additional thermal shock effects on the catalysts front face, as demonstrated via optical infrared sensor technology during catalyst aging cycles on the modified engine bench setup. A theoretical calculation of aging processes as a combination of thermal sintering by Arrhenius equation as well as oxidation process is discussed to describe an aging classification induced via oxidation processes. Additional physisorption measurements of different catalyst probes support the results which indicate the direction of future experimental approaches.
The “neglecting the vectorization" error in Stan: erroneous coding practices for computing marginal likelihood and Bayes factors in models with vectorized truncated distributions
Authors: Tsukamura Yuki , Okada Kensuke 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe methods for statistical analysis continue to advance; however, they remain susceptible to coding errors. This paper highlights the “neglecting the vectorization" error, which is a specific type of mistake made in calculating the marginal likelihood and Bayes factors (BFs) using vectorized truncated distributions with the Stan programming language. This error arises when the normalizing constant of the truncated distribution is not properly incremented for each element of a vectorized variable. Upon examination of publicly available Stan codes, it became evident that the inadequate coding methods were employed in a significant portion of studies. As the practical methods for calculating Bayes factors—such as bridge sampling—become increasingly prevalent, careful attention must be given to ensure proper model implementation.
J-selfadjoint matrix means and their indefinite inequalities
Authors: Bebiano N. , Lemos R. , Soares G. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractLet J be a non trivial involutive Hermitian matrix. Consider $${\mathbb {C}}^n$$

C

n

equipped with the indefinite inner product induced by J, $$[x,y]=y^*J x$$

[
x
,
y
]

=

y
∗

J
x

for all $$x,y\in {{\mathbb {C}}}^n,$$

x
,
y
∈

C

n

,

which endows the matrix algebra $${\mathbb {C}}^{n\times n}$$

C

n
×
n

with a partial order relation $$\le ^J$$

≤
J

between J-selfadjoint matrices. Inde-finite inequalities are given in this setup, involving the J-selfadjoint $$\alpha $$
α
-weighted geometric matrix mean. In particular, an indefinite version of Ando–Hiai inequality is proved to be equivalent to Furuta inequality of indefinite type.
Strategic Resources for Drug Trafficking Organizations and the Geography of Violence: Evidence from Mexico
Authors: Macías-Medellín Martín , Ponce Aldo F. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis article helps understand why locations close to strategic infrastructure to transport illegal drugs (seaports, airports, highways, and US ports of entry along the Mexico-US border) or to increase income (pipelines) experience different levels of violence due to DTOs operations. Our theory breaks down the impact of the geographical distance to these facilities on violence into two effects. The first effect is produced by the level of (violent) competition among DTOs, measured by the number of DTOs employing violence. We report that greater proximity to the U.S. ports of entry along the Mexico-US border, ports, and airports furthers the number of competitors, and such increase boosts violence. The second effect shapes the intensity of competition among DTOs. Reductions in the costs of excluding competing DTOs from using the facility could trigger greater confrontation among DTOs. We confirm the importance of this second effect in relation to ports and the U.S. ports of entry along the Mexico-US border.
Introduction: The New Polarization in Latin America
Authors: Sarsfield Rodolfo , Moncagatta Paolo , Roberts Kenneth M. 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACTMounting evidence suggests that Latin American democracies are characterized by politics and societies becoming more divisive, confrontational, and polarized. This process, which we define here as the “new polarization” in Latin America, seems to weaken the ability of democratic institutions to manage and resolve social and political conflicts. Although recent scholarship suggests that polarization is integral to contemporary patterns of democratic “backsliding” seen in much of the world, this new polarization in the region has not yet received systematic scholarly attention. Aiming to address this gap in the literature, the different contributions in this special issue revise the conceptualization, measurement, and theory of a multidimensional phenomenon such as polarization, including both its ideological and affective dimensions, as well as perspectives at the elite and mass levels of analysis. Findings shed light on the phenomenon of polarization as both a dependent and an independent variable, contributing to comparative literature on polarization and its relationship to democratic governance.
Sticking around or fading away: water patronage and value in Chad
Authors: Maazaz Ismaël 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis article explores trajectories in the politics of water patronage in N’Djamena, Chad. Water appears as a malleable and elusive commodity, at once ubiquitous and somewhat overlooked. Drawing on ethnographic field research in peripheral N’Djamena, I argue that relational distance is skilfully handled by water patrons for monetary rewards and influence. Such handling swings the making of water value in contradictory directions unaccounted for in much of the existing literature on water patronage. Present or absent, hidden or on display, funders or profit makers, patrons may leverage water supply through material, symbolic or entrepreneurial labour that places them in conflicting spaces. Ultimately, these leveraging processes based on the manipulation of relational distance create a multifaceted water valuation. The various positionalities of the water patrons and their use of relational distance point to the existence of multiple water values, rather than a single one. Therefore, I argue that water may have either a ‘distant value’ or an ‘anchored value’, depending on the relational distance strategy implemented by the patron who provides it.
Unintended consequences, conflict and resilience in a small-scale irrigation development, Marakwet, Kenya
Authors: Davies M. I. J. , Moore H. L. , Bailengo N. , Bernstein M. , Cheptoo H. , Kiprutto T. K. , Lunn-Rockliffe S. , Kay D. K. , Kipkore W. K. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis article examines the development, early operation and subsequent failure of the Tot-Kolowa Red Cross irrigation scheme in Kenya’s Kerio Valley. Initially conceived as a technical solution to address regional food insecurity, the scheme aimed to scale up food production through the implementation of a fixed pipe irrigation system and the provision of agricultural inputs for cash cropping. A series of unfolding circumstances, however, necessitated numerous modifications to the original design as the project became increasingly entangled with deep and complex histories of land use patterns, resource allocation and conflict. Failure to understand the complexity of these dynamics ultimately led to the project’s collapse as the region spiralled into a period of significant unrest. In tracing these events, we aim to foreground the lived realities of imposed development, including both positive and negative responses to the scheme’s participatory obligations and its wider impact on community resilience.
Maintenance of steady-state mRNA levels by a microRNA-based feed forward loop in the presence of stochastic gene expression noise
Authors: Zabaikina Iryna , Bokes Pavol 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAll vital functions of living cells rely on the production of various functional molecules through gene expression. The production periods are burst-like and stochastic due to the discrete nature of biochemical reactions. In certain contexts, the concentrations of RNA or protein require regulation to maintain a fine internal balance within the cell. Here we consider a motif of two types of RNA molecules – mRNA and an antagonistic microRNA – which are encoded by a shared coding sequence and form a feed forward loop (FFL). This control mechanism is shown to be perfectly adapting in the deterministic context. We demonstrate that the adaptation (of the mean value) becomes imperfect if production occurs in random bursts. The FFL nevertheless outperforms the benchmark feedback loop in terms of counterbalancing variations in the signal. Methodologically, we adapt a hybrid stochastic model, which has widely been used to model a single regulatory molecule, to the current case of a motif involving two species; the use of the Laplace transform thereby circumvents the problem of moment closure that arises owing to the mRNA–microRNA interaction. We expect that the approach can be applicable to other systems with nonlinear kinetics.
Decadal Predictability of Seasonal Temperature Distributions
Authors: Düsterhus André , Brune Sebastian 
Published: May 2024

AbstractDecadal predictions focus regularly on the predictability of single values, like means or extremes. In this study we investigate the prediction skill of the full underlying surface temperature distributions on global and European scales. We investigate initialized hindcast simulations of the Max Planck Institute Earth system model decadal prediction system and compare the distribution of seasonal daily temperatures with estimates of the climatology and uninitialized historical simulations. In the analysis we show that the initialized prediction system has advantages in particular in the North Atlantic area and allow so to make reliable predictions for the whole temperature spectrum for two to 10 years ahead. We also demonstrate that the capability of initialized climate predictions to predict the temperature distribution depends on the season.