bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Subjective Discomfort during Botulinumtoxin Injections Dependent on Injection Site and Needle Size: A Comparison Between 30G, 33G and 34G Needles
Authors: Kämmerer Till A. , Bertlich Randolf , Hartmann Daniela , Jakob Mark , Weiss Bernhard G. , Bertlich Ines , Ihler Friedrich , Wiggenhauser Paul Severin , Bertlich Mattis 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Botulinumtoxin application in the face is amongst the most common aesthetic procedures in the head and neck region. It also has numerous medical uses. One of the main reasons for patients to refrain from it is the subjective discomfort that is experienced during injections.

Objectives
The study at hand aimed to determine whether needles with 33G and 34G offer an advantage in terms of individual pain perception during botulinumtoxin injections.

Methods
We conducted a prospective study where patients were asked to grade subjective discomfort on a visual analogue scale for each region (forehead, glabella, temple) that was treated directly after treatment and 15 minutes after. Patients were treated with 30G, 33G or 34G needles, respectively.

Results
Ninety-nine patients that underwent treatment of 189 regions were included in the study. Patients were evenly distributed amongst the different needle sizes and regions. Subjective discomfort was greatest in all regions for 30G needles (3.9  ± 1.6 forehead, 4.3 ± 1.7 glabella and 4.0 ± 1.6 temple) followed by 33G (2.7 ± 1.5 forehead, 2.7 ± 1.9 glabella and 2.2 ± 1.2 temple) and 34G (1.7 ± 1.2 forehead, 1.6 ± 1.4 glabella and 1.6 ± 1.4 temple). All differences between needle size were statistically significant (p < 0.05)

Conclusion
33G and 34G needles seem to offer smaller discomfort during BTX treatments of the head and neck, with 34G being superior to 33G.

Level of Evidence III
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
Defining a competency framework for health and social professionals to promote healthy aging throughout the lifespan: an international Delphi study
Authors: Rodríguez-Monforte Míriam , Fernández-Jané Carles , Bracha Marietta , Bartoszewska Adrianna , Kozakiewicz Mariusz , Leclerc Mariel , Nimani Endrit , Soanvaara Pauliina , Jarvinen Sari , Van Sherpenseel Meike , van der Velde Miriam , Alves-Lopes António , Handgraaf Marietta , Grüneberg Christian , Carrillo-Alvarez Elena 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe promotion of healthy aging has become a priority in most parts of the world and should be promoted at all ages. However, the baseline training of health and social professionals is currently not adequately tailored to these challenges. This paper reports the results of a Delphi study conducted to reach expert agreement about health and social professionals’ competencies to promote healthy aging throughout the lifespan within the SIENHA project. Materials and methods: This study was developed following the CREDES standards. The initial version of the competence framework was based on the results of a scoping review and following the CanMEDS model. The expert panel consisted of a purposive sample of twenty-two experts in healthy aging with diverse academic and clinical backgrounds, fields and years of expertise from seven European countries. Agreement was reached after three rounds. The final framework consisted of a set of 18 key competencies and 80 enabling competencies distributed across six domains. The SIENHA competence framework for healthy aging may help students and educators enrich their learning and the academic content of their subjects and/or programs and incentivize innovation.
A perturbative approach to complexity during dissipative collapse
Authors: Govender Megandhren , Bogadi Robert S. , Govender Wesley , Mewalal Narenee 
Published: March 2024

AbstractRadiative gravitational collapse is an important and much studied phenomenon in astrophysics. Einstein’s theory of general relativity (GR) is well suited to describing such processes provided closure of the system of nonlinear differential equations is achieved. Within a perturbative scheme, the property of vanishing complexity factor is used in order to complete the description of the radiative, self-gravitating system. We show that a physically viable model may be obtained which reflects the absence of energy inhomogeneities for lower density systems, in contrast to what might be expected for more aggressive collapse processes.
How to build better environments that
reinforce adaptation of online learning?——Evidence from a large-scale empirical survey
of Chinese universities
Authors: Wang Ju , Guo Lu , Gao Jing qi , Zhao Hua 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis study is based on a comprehensive review of existing literature.
Drawing upon the theories of task-technology fit (TTF) and technology adoption model
(TAM), an integrated theoretical framework is developed. The framework places
adaptability as a critical outcome variable and quality standard. This study
constructs a student-centered online learning process model oriented towards
effectiveness. The research is intended to utilize data from the "National Survey of
Undergraduate Education Teaching Quality in Ordinary Universities" encompassing
123,894 Chinese university students from 272 undergraduate institutions. Through a
questionnaire-based survey, the study comprehensively investigates the influence
paths and mechanisms of several key factors, including environmental support (ES),
teaching satisfaction (TS), perceived ease of use (PEU), task-technology fit (TTF),
and learning adaptability (LA). The structural equation model largely validates the
study's hypotheses, demonstrating significant correlations among the variables. The
task-technology fit (TTF) and adaptability of university students are found to be
influenced by teaching satisfaction (TS), perceived ease of use (PEU), and
environmental support (ES). task-technology fit (TTF) emerges as a pivotal process
variable in online learning. teaching satisfaction (TS) and perceived ease of use
(PEU), as foundational elements, positively influence learning adaptability (LA)
through the mediating role of task-technology fit (TTF). However, environmental
support (ES) negatively predicts task-technology fit (TTF). The study findings offer
empirical support for designing an environment conducive to enhancing students'
adaptability in online learning. Furthermore, the outcomes guide policy formulation
and practical strategies in various aspects, including optimizing teacher
instruction in the online setting, enhancing students' perceived usability of
digital technologies, and promoting the supply of online technological
functionalities. Ultimately, these efforts contribute to the welfare of students'
learning experiences.
A wandering wedgefish illustrates the need for cooperative elasmobranch conservation in the Arabian Gulf
Authors: Bruns Stephan , Al Hameli Shamsa , Sulanke Erik , Henderson Aaron C. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe smoothnose wedgefishRhynchobatus laevis, a shark-like ray classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, has received limited research attention. To address the knowledge gaps in its spatial behaviour, this study utilised satellite monitoring of a fortuitously captured female over a 51-day period in the Arabian Gulf. Based on the resulting movement track, the individual covered a minimum distance of 712 km, traversing the exclusive economic zones of three different countries. Its track began in the United Arab Emirates, from where it headed north, entering Iranian waters, where it spent most of its time, before continuing westward across the Gulf and eventually reaching Qatari waters. Novel insights into its behaviour revealed an observation of rapid ascents over the study period. Although both diurnal and nocturnal ascents were observed, they occurred predominantly during nocturnal periods. Contrary to the prevailing belief that wedgefish are bottom-associated, the study animal spent a considerable amount of time in the water column. The use of various depths in both nearshore and offshore waters highlights elevated susceptibility to multiple types of fishing gear. This underscores the need for an international cooperative approach to the management and conservation of shark-like rays in the Arabian Gulf.
From Unemployed to Self-Employed: Analysis of Treatment Effects of a Dutch Self-Employment Programme
Authors: Odding Céline , Kok Lucy , Kroon Lennart , Lammers Marloes 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper evaluates the effectiveness of a programme that aims to activate welfare recipients to become self-employed. We use unique administrative data which contain applicants for a self-employment programme between 2007 and 2010. We examine the long-term effects of the programme on people’s welfare recipience, employment and income until 8 years after they applied to the programme. The estimations show positive long-term effects of being accepted into the programme. It seems that even applying to the programme and subsequently being rejected also had positive employment effects. This was probably due to the training and guidance the applicants received while writing a business plan, which was a prerequisite to participating in the programme. Moreover, a cost–benefit analysis showed that the programme is cost-effective.
Can our experience with surveillance for inherited pancreatic cancer help to identify early pancreatic cancer in the general population?
Authors: Löhr J.-Matthias , Öhlund Daniel , Söreskog Emma , Andersson Emil , Vujasinovic Miroslav , Zethraeus Niklas , Sund Malin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractScreening of the general population for cancer is a matter of primary prevention reducing the burden of disease. Whilst this is successful for several cancers including breast, colon and prostate, the situation to screen and hence prevent pancreatic cancer is different. The organ is not as accessible to simple physical exam or biological samples (fecal or blood test). Neither exists a blood test such as PSA that is cost-effective. Reviewing the evidence from screening risk groups for pancreatic cancer, one must conclude that there is no rational at present to screen the general population, for a lack of appropriate tests.
Knowledge investment and search for innovation: evidence from the UK firms
Authors: Audretsch David B. , Belitski Maksim , Chowdhury Farzana 
Published: March 2024

AbstractRecent research on innovation management and knowledge transfer has demonstrated that industry knowledge collaboration and knowledge spillovers matter for innovation, but so does a firm's Research and Development (R&D). Conditional to a firm's R&D investment, this study makes a theoretical investigation into the role of two knowledge transfer strategies—industry coopetition and industry knowledge spillovers for a firm's innovation. Based on an analysis of a sample of 17,859 UK firms from 2002 to 2014, we demonstrated why and under what conditions firms will (a) invest in internal R&D, (b) engage in coopetition, and (c) access knowledge spillovers to introduce new to firm (incremental innovation) and new to market products (radical innovation). The results of this study demonstrate that firm managers who choose knowledge spillovers versus coopetition are likely to achieve radical vis-à-vis incremental innovation. Benefits from the coopetition can be achieved with low investment in R&D, while R&D is essential in recognizing the knowledge spillover for radical innovation. By deciding whether to deploy its costly R&D and access external knowledge via industry coopetition or spillovers, the firm is also making a concomitant decision about the type of innovative activity it will generate. Thus, a firm strategy for knowledge transfer and investing in knowledge internally is inextricably linked to a firm strategy involving the type of innovative output.
Entrepreneurial finance in Europe and the Russian war against Ukraine
Authors: Kraemer-Eis Helmut , Block Joern , Botsari Antonia , Lang Frank , Lorenzen Solvej , Diegel Walter 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPrior research has investigated how the prices of stocks and commodities as well as inflation levels have been affected by the Russian war against Ukraine. So far, however, we know little about the impacts of the war on the entrepreneurial finance sector. Prior research on the effects of unexpected exogenous crisis events on entrepreneurial finance suggests a strong negative impact on new and follow-on funding for entrepreneurial ventures. Our study regards the Russian war against Ukraine as an unexpected exogenous crisis event and explores its impact on the entrepreneurial finance sector. It goes beyond a mere sentiment and impact analysis and also explores the underlying reasons and mechanisms as well as potential response and coping strategies employed by entrepreneurial finance investors. Based on two surveys of European venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) investors, we find that the war had a strong negative impact on the two types of investors and their respective funds. Both VC and PE investors report more risk-aversion of limited partners (LPs) and LPs leaving the market as important challenges resulting in an overall lower willingness of LPs to invest. This applies in particular to banks, insurance funds, and pension funds. On the portfolio firm level, securing equity financing and maintaining liquidity were considered pressing issues. Overall, the situation seems to be more difficult for portfolio companies of VC as compared to PE investors. For the former, the financing- and liquidity-related issues seem to be more existential and survival-threatening. Responding to these challenges, both VC and PE investors altered their industry focus and put more emphasis on entrepreneurial experience. Financial investment selection criteria such as financial valuation, profitability, and cash- as well as revenue-generating capacity also increased in importance. Again, differences between VC and PE investors exist. Our study has implications for entrepreneurial finance theory and practice and concludes with an agenda for research on the impacts of the Russian war against Ukraine on entrepreneurial finance.
Productivity of innovation: the effect of innovativeness on start-up survival
Authors: Arcuri Maria Cristina , Russo Ivan , Gandolfi Gino 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper provides arguments supporting the association between different measures of innovativeness (i.e., innovation capacity and effectiveness) and the survival of start-ups. Analysing a sample of 9171 innovative Italian start-ups, using Accelerated Failure Time models, we find two main results. First, patents and software licenses seem to strongly predict survival. Second, different measures of innovativeness complement each other: when Research and Development (R&D) expenditures pair with the ownership of patents/software and a skilled workforce, the overall effect on start-up survival gets stronger. It follows that innovativeness, in terms of high skills able to optimize R&D spending, is crucial for the survival of start-ups. Our findings should support policy-making for innovative capability development and “productivity of innovation”, and contribute to improving start-ups’ credit access and reduce their financial constraints.
An Application of Social Vulnerability Index to Infant Mortality Rates in Ohio Using Geospatial Analysis- A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Polavarapu Mounika , Barasa Topista N. , Singh Shipra , Orbain Matthew M. , Ibrahim Safa 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Ohio ranks 43rd in the nation in infant mortality rates (IMR); with IMR among non-Hispanic black infants is three times higher than white infants.

Objective
To identify the social factors determining the vulnerability of Ohio counties to IMR and visualize the spatial association between relative social vulnerability and IMR at county and census tract levels.

Methods
The social vulnerability index (SVICDC) is a measure of the relative social vulnerability of a geographic unit. Five out of 15 social variables in the SVICDC were utilized to create a customized index for IMR (SVIIMR) in Ohio. The bivariate descriptive maps and spatial lag model were applied to visualize the quantitative relationship between SVIIMR and IMR, accounting for the spatial autocorrelation in the data.

Results
Southeastern counties in Ohio displayed highest IMRs and highest overall SVIIMR; specifically, highest vulnerability to poverty, no high school diploma, and mobile housing. In contrast, extreme northwestern counties exhibited high IMRs but lower overall SVIIMR. Spatial regression showed five clusters where vulnerability to low per capita income in one county significantly impacted IMR (p = 0.001) in the neighboring counties within each cluster. At the census tract-level within Lucas county, the Toledo city area (compared to the remaining county) had higher overlap between high IMR and SVIIMR.

Conclusion
The application of SVI using geospatial techniques could identify priority areas, where social factors are increasing the vulnerability to infant mortality rates, for potential interventions that could reduce disparities through strategic and equitable policies.
CDKN2A promoter methylation enhances self-renewal of glioblastoma stem cells and confers resistance to carmustine
Authors: Wang Jing , Xi Yan-feng , Zhao Qi , Guo Jiang-hong , Zhang Zhen , Zhang Mao-bai , Chang Jiang , Wu Yue-qin , Su Wen 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer, poses significant challenges due to its resistance to therapy and high recurrence rates. This study aimed to investigate the expression and functional implications of CDKN2A, a key tumor suppressor gene, in glioblastoma cells, building upon the existing background of knowledge in this field.

Method
Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis was performed to evaluate CDKN2A expression in U87 glioblastoma cells compared to normal human astrocytes (NHA). CDKN2A expression levels were manipulated using small interfering RNA (siRNA) and CDKN2A overexpression vector. Cell viability assays and carmustine sensitivity tests were conducted to assess the impact of CDKN2A modulation on glioblastoma cell viability and drug response. Sphere formation assays and western blot analysis were performed to investigate the role of CDKN2A in glioblastoma stem cell (GSC) self-renewal and pluripotency marker expression. Additionally, methylation-specific PCR (MSP) assays and demethylation treatment were employed to elucidate the mechanism of CDKN2A downregulation in U87 cells.

Result
CDKN2A expression was significantly reduced in glioblastoma cells compared to NHA. CDKN2A overexpression resulted in decreased cell viability and enhanced sensitivity to carmustine treatment. CDKN2A inhibition promoted self-renewal capacity and increased pluripotency marker expression in U87 cells. CDKN2A upregulation led to elevated protein levels of p16INK4a, p14ARF, P53, and P21, which are involved in cell cycle regulation. CDKN2A downregulation in U87 cells was associated with high promoter methylation, which was reversed by treatment with a demethylating agent.

Conclusion
Our findings demonstrate that CDKN2A downregulation in glioblastoma cells is associated with decreased cell viability, enhanced drug resistance, increased self-renewal capacity, and altered expression of pluripotency markers. The observed CDKN2A expression changes are mediated by promoter methylation. These results highlight the potential role of CDKN2A as a therapeutic target and prognostic marker in glioblastoma.
How do spatial scale and seasonal factors affect thermal-based water status estimation and precision irrigation decisions in vineyards?
Authors: Bahat Idan , Netzer Yishai , Grünzweig José M. , Naor Amos , Alchanatis Victor , Ben-Gal Alon , Keisar Ohali’av , Lidor Guy , Cohen Yafit 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe crop water stress index (CWSI) is widely used for assessing water status in vineyards, but its accuracy can be compromised by various factors. Despite its known limitations, the question remains whether it is inferior to the current practice of direct measurements of Ψstem of a few representative vines. This study aimed to address three key knowledge gaps: (1) determining whether Ψstem (measured in few vines) or CWSI (providing greater spatial representation) better represents vineyard water status; (2) identifying the optimal scale for using CWSI for precision irrigation; and (3) understanding the seasonal impact on the CWSI-Ψstem relationship and establishing a reliable Ψstem prediction model based on CWSI and meteorological parameters. The analysis, conducted at five spatial scales in a single vineyard from 2017 to 2020, demonstrated that the performance of the CWSI- Ψstem model improved with increasing scale and when meteorological variables were integrated. This integration helped mitigate apparent seasonal effects on the CWSI-Ψstem relationship. R2 were 0.36 and 0.57 at the vine and the vineyard scales, respectively. These values rose to 0.51 and 0.85, respectively, with the incorporation of meteorological variables. Additionally, a CWSI-based model, enhanced by meteorological variables, outperformed current water status monitoring at both vineyard (2.5 ha) and management cell (MC) scales (0.09 ha). Despite reduced accuracy at smaller scales, water status evaluation at the management cell scale produced significantly lower Ψstem errors compared to whole vineyard evaluation. This is anticipated to enable more effective irrigation decision-making for small-scale management zones in vineyards implementing precision irrigation.
Reconstruction of Carrington Rotation Means of Open Solar Flux over the Past 154 Years
Authors: Lockwood Mike , Owens Mat 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe generate reconstructions of signed open solar flux (OSF) for the past 154 years using observations of geomagnetic activity. Previous reconstructions have been limited to annual resolution, but this is here increased by a factor of more than 13 by using averages over Carrington rotation (CR) intervals. We use two indices of geomagnetic activity, the homogeneous aa index, aaH, and the IDV(1d) index; a combination of the two is fitted to OSF estimates from near-Earth interplanetary satellite data. For 1995 – 2022, these are corrected for excess flux (i.e. orthogardenhose flux and switchbacks) using strahl electrons. For 1970 – 2022, we also use the absolute values of the radial component of the near-Earth interplanetary magnetic field ${\langle }|{\langle }B_{r}{\rangle }_{\tau }|{\rangle }_{CR}$

〈
|

〈

B
r

〉

τ

|
〉

C
R

, where the excess flux is allowed for by adopting the optimum averaging interval ${\tau }$
τ
of 20 h. However, in the interval 1970 – 1995, data gaps in the interplanetary data are a serious problem. The errors that these missing data cause in CR averages of OSF are evaluated by synthetically masking data for CRs that have a full complement, using the same number and time series of data gaps as for the CR in question. Given the potential for missing data to generate large errors, we use the near-continuous 1995 – 2022 data to derive the best-fit combination of the geomagnetic data and employ the 1970 – 1995 data for testing in which we can readily allow for the errors caused by data gaps. Errors caused by inaccuracies in the geomagnetic data are shown to be considerably smaller than the uncertainties due to the polynomial fitting. It is shown that the new reconstructions are consistent with the previous annual estimates and that there is considerable variability in the OSF values from one CR to the next; in particular, in high-activity solar cycles, there can be individual CRs in which the OSF exceeds that for adjacent CRs by a factor as large as two.