bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
МЕХАНІЗМИ ДЕРЖАВНОГО УПРАВЛІННЯ ІНВЕСТИЦІЙНОЮ ПОЛІТИКОЮ У БУДІВНИЦТВІ
Authors: Хоменко Дмитро 
Published: April 2024

Стаття присвячена аналізу механізмів, що використовуються державою для управління інвестиційною політикою в будівництві. Актуальність дослідження обумовлена необхідністю залучення інвестицій в будівельну галузь, яка має ключове значення для сталого розвитку економіки.
Мета статті – систематизація та оцінка наявних механізмів державного управління інвестиційною політикою в будівництві та визначення шляхів їх подальшого вдосконалення. Для досягнення мети в процесі дослідження було вирішено низку завдань: визначено поняття «інвестиційна політика; проаналізовано стан будівельної галузі в Україні та проблеми, які уповільнюють її розвиток; окреслено роль інвестицій у вирішенні цих проблем; систематизовано та проведено оцінку механізмів державного управління інвестиційною політикою в будівництві; запропоновано шляхи їх подальшого вдосконалення. В ході дослідження використані загальнонаукові методи пізнання: індукції та дедукції, аналізу та синтезу, асоціації та аналогії.
За результатами дослідження встановлено, що уряд активно впроваджує різні механізми управління інвестиційною політикою в будівництві. Серед них – створення інвестиційного законодавства, структурування джерел фінансування, регулювання цін, впровадження системи стандартизації та сертифікації в будівництві, бюджетні трансферти, субсидії та дотації й страхування інвестиційних ризиків. Однак такі проблеми, як корупція, недосконалість законодавства, нерозвинута інфраструктура, обмежена фінансова підтримка малого та середнього бізнесу, нестабільність економічної та податкової політики, недостатній розвиток інновацій та технологій, нестача кваліфікованої робочої сили, відсутність гарантій захисту інвестицій в умовах війни, недостатній попит на продукцію інвестиційного проєкту, відсутність довіри інвесторів у здатності України захистити їхні інвестиції залишаються, що перешкоджає ефективності цих механізмів. Тому необхідно не лише провести інституційні реформи та переглянути нормативно-правову базу, але й забезпечити дотримання чинних законів та нормативно-правових актів. Крім того, такі заходи, як впровадження страхування інвестицій, гарантій повернення інвестицій та захисту прав інтелектуальної власності мають вирішальне значення для зміцнення довіри інвесторів та зменшення ризиків.
Практичне значення дослідження полягає в можливості застосування отриманих результатів для подальшого вдосконалення механізмів державного управління інвестиційною політикою в будівництві, що сприятиме сталому розвитку економіки та підвищенню конкурентоспроможності країни.
Is increased trunk flexion in standing up related to muscle weakness or pain avoidance in individuals with unilateral knee pain; a simulation study
Authors: Van Der Kruk Eline , Geijtenbeek Thomas 
Published: April 2024

The ‘Timed Up and Go’ test (TUG) is a widely used clinical tool for assessing gait and balance, relying primarily on timing as a measure. However, there are more observable biomechanical compensation strategies within TUG that are indicative of underlying neuromuscular issues and movement priorities. In individuals with unilateral knee osteoarthritis, an increased trunk flexion during TUG is a common phenomenon, often attributed to muscle weakness and/or pain avoidance. Unfortunately, it is difficult to differentiate between these underlying causes using experimental studies alone. This study aimed to distinguish between muscle weakness and pain avoidance as contributing factors, using predictive neuromuscular simulations of the sit-to-walk movement. Muscle weakness was simulated by reducing the maximum isometric force of the vasti muscles (ranging from 20% to 60%), while pain avoidance was integrated as a movement objective, ensuring that peak knee load did not exceed predefined thresholds (2–4 times body weight). The simulations demonstrate that a decrease in muscular capacity led to greater trunk flexion, while pain avoidance led to slower movement speeds and altered muscle recruitments, but not to greater trunk flexion. Our predictive simulations thus indicate that increased trunk flexion is more likely the result of lack of muscular reserve rather than pain avoidance. These findings align with reported differences in kinematics and muscle activations between moderate and severe knee osteoarthritis patients, emphasizing the impact of severe muscle weakness in those with advanced knee osteoarthritis. The simulations offer valuable insights into the mechanisms behind altered movement strategies, potentially guiding more targeted treatment.
Flexible assessments as a tool to improve student motivation: an explorative study on student motivation for flexible assessments
Authors: Kessels Giel , Xu Kate , Dirkx Kim , Martens Rob 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionThis study focuses on what choices in assessments students want to make in order to enhance their motivation. A flexible assessment can enhance students’ perceived autonomy and thereby contribute to more intrinsic motivation for working on these assessment tasks. Autonomy is more than offering choices, rather it is about the autonomy that students actually experience. An increase of autonomy and motivation leads to more fun in learning and deeper learning. Providing choices during assessment -also referred to as flexible assessments- in order to enhance students’ motivation for working on assessment tasks has not been researched extensively. Research on the topic of flexible assessments in order to enhance student motivation is valuable because motivation is the start for learning and assessments can serve as a starting point for learning.MethodsThe study took place in the context of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and consists of two approaches. A cross-sectional survey study to find out on what assessment characteristics students prefer to have choice on. Focus group interviews are used to gain more understanding on how such assessment choices should be designed according to the interviewed students.Results and discussionThe participated students preferred to make choices in the moment of assessment, in the number of attempts and in the assessment form. The interviewed students suggested an increase in number of choice options and ownership in choice making decisions during their study. They would like to be coached by their teachers in the decision-making process and, as their study progresses, the guidance of their teacher should decrease. Giving students choice in assessment in order to support their perceived autonomy and thereby contribute to their intrinsic motivation is quite unanimously perceived as positive.
Optimal scheduling of integrated energy systems with a ladder-type carbon trading mechanism and demand response
Authors: Shi Linjun , Liang Changyu , Zhou Jianhua , Li Yang , Liu Jian , Wu Feng 
Published: April 2024

Introduction: To achieve the “dual carbon” goal, the integrated energy system (IES) needs to take into account both economic and low-carbon requirements while meeting the growing energy demand.Methods: Therefore, an optimal scheduling model for low-carbon economic operation is proposed. Firstly, a more accurate carbon emission model is used to consider the actual carbon emission of gas load, to improve the original carbon emission model. A ladder-type carbon trading mechanism is introduced to further constrain the carbon emission of IES. Then, the demand-side response model is proposed, which uses the time-of-use price and mutual substitution of electricity, heat, and gas loads to curtail, time-shift, and substitute the load. Finally, an optimal scheduling model with minimum energy purchase cost, wind and photovoltaic curtailment cost, demand response cost, and carbon emission cost is constructed, which is solved by the GUROBI solver.Results: Through comparative simulation analysis of 6 cases, the results show that the objective function considers the traditional carbon trading cost to reduce carbon emission by about 19.3% compared with the case without considering. After adopting the ladder-type carbon trading mechanism, the carbon emission of IES can be further limited by about 0.35%, and the appropriate carbon trading base price is explored. In addition, after the demand response, the energy purchase cost, carbon trading cost, and carbon emission of IES are reduced by about 3.4%, 18.5%, and 36.2%, respectively, compared with those before the demand response. The simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed model.
Effects of aquifer size and formation fracture pressure on CO2 geological storage capacity
Authors: Jung Seungpil , Lee Kyungbook 
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is important for achieving net-zero carbon emissions. However, although the current geological storage capacity stands at approximately 3,000 Gt-CO2, the formation pressure increases with CO2 injection, imposing severe constraints on capacity from a geomechanical perspective. This study numerically examined nine cases (combinations of three fracture pressures and three aquifer radius factors) through sensitivity analysis to quantify the effects of these parameters on CO2 injection mass and storage capacity.Methods: The CO2 injection mass was determined as the cumulative CO2 injected until the formation pressure reached a specified fracture pressure. Storage capacity was defined as the amount of CO2 enclosed within the reservoir based on a fill-and-spill analysis encompassing 200 years after the start of injection (2230).Results: Based on the sensitivity analysis, the aquifer radius had a greater impact on the CO2 injection mass and storage capacity than the fracture pressure. A sufficiently high aquifer radius factor can compensate for the capacity limitations imposed by a low fracture pressure. For the lowest fracture pressure (20.95 MPa), considering a safety factor of 0.8, the CO2 injection mass increased approximately 5.5 times, from 3.2 to 17.6 Mt-CO2, depending on the aquifer radius factor ranging from 2 to 7.Discussion: Therefore, geological sites with high aquifer radius factors and low fracture pressures were preferred over those with low aquifer radius factors and high fracture pressures. Nevertheless, when considering space-limited capacity, storage efficiency, defined as the ratio of injected to stored CO2, tends to be higher (approximately 80%) when both parameters are low. The scenario featuring the highest aquifer radius factor and fracture pressure reached an injection mass of 68.9 Mt-CO2. However, the storage efficiency was only 23% due to space constraints. This study provides key insights into two pivotal parameters from pressure- and space-limited perspectives, which must be collectively considered to reliably evaluate CCS projects.
Distribution of polysaccharidic and proteinaceous gel−like particles in three cyclonic eddies in the Eastern Tropical North Atlantic
Authors: Devresse Quentin , Becker Kevin W. , Engel Anja 
Published: April 2024

Transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) and Coomassie stainable particles (CSP), two prominent classes of gel−like particles in the ocean primarily produced by phytoplankton, play crucial roles in ecological and biogeochemical processes, influencing microbial nutrition, growth, and particle aggregation. The distribution of these particles is intricately linked to the spatiotemporal dynamics of phytoplankton. Mesoscale cyclonic eddies (CEs) are known to stimulate phytoplankton growth and influence particle transport, but their effects on TEP and CSP remain to be determined. In the Eastern Tropical North Atlantic (ETNA), we examined three CEs: one off the Mauritanian coast during summer (Mau), one offshore during winter (Sal), and another near Brava island during winter. Mau and Brava CEs were in their intensification/maturity phase, while the Sal CE was in its decay phase. Both TEP and CSP concentrations correlated with primary productivity, but TEP increased with chlorophyll−a concentration, whereas elevated CSP coincided also with the highest abundance of pico−nanophytoplankton (&lt;20 µm), mainly Synechococcus. Both gels exhibited a positive correlation with bacterial biomass production, indicating their consumption by heterotrophic bacteria. TEP total area in the epipelagic waters of all CEs (Mau, Brava, and Sal) was elevated compared to surrounding waters, with on average 4, 2.5, and 1.6−fold higher values, respectively. However, no significant difference in TEP size distribution was observed within any CEs and their surroundings. Similarly, CSP total area increased in the epipelagic waters of Mau and Brava CEs, with on average 5 and 2.4−fold higher values, respectively, compared to surrounding waters. CSP particles were notably larger in these two eddies, while the Sal CE showed no significant difference from surrounding waters in CSP abundance and size. Overall, TEP and CSP exhibited distinct responses to CEs, with increased concentrations during their intensification/maturation stage and remineralization dominating during their decaying stage.
Comparison of histological procedures and antigenicity of human post-mortem brains fixed with solutions used in gross anatomy laboratories
Authors: Frigon Eve-Marie , Gérin-Lajoie Amy , Dadar Mahsa , Boire Denis , Maranzano Josefina 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundBrain banks provide small tissue samples to researchers, while gross anatomy laboratories could provide larger samples, including complete brains to neuroscientists. However, they are preserved with solutions appropriate for gross-dissection, different from the classic neutral-buffered formalin (NBF) used in brain banks. Our previous work in mice showed that two gross-anatomy laboratory solutions, a saturated-salt-solution (SSS) and an alcohol-formaldehyde-solution (AFS), preserve antigenicity of the main cellular markers (neurons, astrocytes, microglia, and myelin). Our goal is now to compare the quality of histology and antigenicity preservation of human brains fixed with NBF by immersion (practice of brain banks) vs. those fixed with a SSS and an AFS by whole body perfusion, practice of gross-anatomy laboratories.MethodsWe used a convenience sample of 42 brains (31 males, 11 females; 25–90 years old) fixed with NBF (N = 12), SSS (N = 13), and AFS (N = 17). One cm3 tissue blocks were cut, cryoprotected, frozen and sliced into 40 μm sections. The four cell populations were labeled using immunohistochemistry (Neurons = neuronal-nuclei = NeuN, astrocytes = glial-fibrillary-acidic-protein = GFAP, microglia = ionized-calcium-binding-adaptor-molecule1 = Iba1 and oligodendrocytes = myelin-proteolipid-protein = PLP). We qualitatively assessed antigenicity and cell distribution, and compared the ease of manipulation of the sections, the microscopic tissue quality, and the quality of common histochemical stains (e.g., Cresyl violet, Luxol fast blue, etc.) across solutions.ResultsSections of SSS-fixed brains were more difficult to manipulate and showed poorer tissue quality than those from brains fixed with the other solutions. The four antigens were preserved, and cell labeling was more often homogeneous in AFS-fixed specimens. NeuN and GFAP were not always present in NBF and SSS samples. Some antigens were heterogeneously distributed in some specimens, independently of the fixative, but an antigen retrieval protocol successfully recovered them. Finally, the histochemical stains were of sufficient quality regardless of the fixative, although neurons were more often paler in SSS-fixed specimens.ConclusionAntigenicity was preserved in human brains fixed with solutions used in human gross-anatomy (albeit the poorer quality of SSS-fixed specimens). For some specific variables, histology quality was superior in AFS-fixed brains. Furthermore, we show the feasibility of frequently used histochemical stains. These results are promising for neuroscientists interested in using brain specimens from anatomy laboratories.
Neuronal, affective, and sensory correlates of targeted helping behavior in male and female Sprague Dawley rats
Authors: Cox Stewart S. , Brown Brogan J. , Wood Samuel K. , Brown Samantha J. , Kearns Angela M. , Reichel Carmela M. 
Published: April 2024

IntroductionEmpathic behaviors are driven by the ability to understand the emotional states of others along with the motivation to improve it. Evidence points towards forms of empathy, like targeted helping, in many species including rats. There are several variables that may modulate targeted helping, including sex, sensory modalities, and activity of multiple neural substrates.MethodsUsing a model of social contact-independent targeted helping, we first tested whether sex differences exist in helping behavior. Next, we explored sex differences in sensory and affective signaling, including direct visualization and an analysis of ultrasonic vocalizations made between animal pairs. Finally, we examined the neural activity in males and females of multiple regions of interest across time. Here, we aim to examine any behavioral differences in our lab’s social contact independent targeted helping task between males and females.Results and DiscussionThese findings are the first to intimate that, like other prosocial behaviors, males and females may exhibit similar social-independent targeted helping behavior, but the underlying sensory communication in males and females may differ. In addition, this is the first set of experiments that explore the neural correlates of social-independent targeted helping in both males and females. These results lay the groundwork for future studies to explore the similarities and differences that drive targeted helping in both sexes.
People with newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis benefit from a complex preventative intervention—a single group prospective study with follow up
Authors: Hrušková Natália , Berchová Bímová Kateřina , Davies Smith Angela , Škodová Tereza , Bičíková Marie , Kolátorová Lucie , Štětkářová Ivana , Brožek Ľuba , Javůrková Alena , Angelová Gabriela , Řasová Kamila 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundNewly diagnosed people with multiple sclerosis frequently report fatigue, pain, depression and anxiety. Preventative programmes may be beneficial, but there is limited evidence of their effectiveness, especially long-term follow-up.MethodsThe programme consisted of 6-month face to face intervention (an introductory workshop, psychology-led group sessions and individual physical therapy) followed by 6-month self-guided therapy. Outcome measures were taken at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Primary outcomes measures were self-report questionnaires for fatigue, satisfaction with life and disease acceptance. Secondary outcomes were spirometry, spiroergometric parameters and neuroactive steroid levels.ResultsFrom 22 participants enrolled, 17 completed the first 6 months and 13 the follow-up. Fatigue measured on the Fatigue scale for motor and cognitive functions decreased significantly at 6 months (p = 0.035) and at follow-up (p = 0.007). The Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (p = 0.035) and Satisfaction With Life Scale (p = 0.007) significantly increased at follow-up. Spirometry, spiroergometric parameters, steroid hormones and neuroactive steroids levels did not change significantly.ConclusionThis programme reduces fatigue and improves satisfaction with life in this patient group with improvements sustained at 12 months. People who participated more frequently showed greater benefit.Clinical rehabilitation impactThe paper describes the effects of a complex preventative intervention for people with newly diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis. The study found that this programme reduces fatigue and improves satisfaction with life with long-term benefit (at 12-month follow up). The individuals who participated less frequently experienced fewer benefits.
Case report: Robust response to sintilimab in advanced distal cholangiocarcinoma with PD-L1 expression and DNA damage repair
Authors: He Wenguang , Song Congcong , Ren Jiwei , Ji Xiao , Wang Xiuyan , Liu Lixia 
Published: April 2024

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly heterogeneous tumor that occurs in the bile duct epithelium; adenosquamous carcinoma is a rare pathological subtype of CCA. The clinical treatment of patients with metastatic distal CCA poses significant challenges. We report a 53-year-old female diagnosed with a stage III adenosquamous carcinomas of distal CCA. Metastasis occurred 4 months postoperatively and she was diagnosed with stage IV disease. The patient was treated with Gemcitabine + Oxaliplatin (GEMOX) and Capecitabine + Oxaliplatin (CAPEOX), followed by sintilimab monotherapy. After two cycles of treatment, the patient achieved partial response (PR) and the lesion continued to shrink. After 37 months of follow-up, the patient’s liver metastasis had almost completely disappeared, and complete response (CR) was achieved. Moreover, she had more than 46 months of disease progression-free survival (PFS). Immunohistochemical testing showed high expression of PD-L1, and next-generation sequencing revealed the presence of mutations in DNA damage repair (DDR) pathway genes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of the successful treatment of metastatic distal adenosquamous CCA with sintilimab alone. Remarkably, patients of CCA with high PD-L1 expression and DDR pathway gene mutations may benefit from sintilimab treatment.
Machine learning-based identification of a consensus immune-derived gene signature to improve head and neck squamous cell carcinoma therapy and outcome
Authors: Hu Xueying , Dong Haiqun , Qin Wen , Bin Ying , Huang Wenhua , Kang Min , Wang Rensheng 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), an extremely aggressive tumor, is often associated with poor outcomes. The standard anatomy-based tumor–node–metastasis staging system does not satisfy the requirements for screening treatment-sensitive patients. Thus, an ideal biomarker leading to precise screening and treatment of HNSCC is urgently needed.MethodsTen machine learning algorithms—Lasso, Ridge, stepwise Cox, CoxBoost, elastic network (Enet), partial least squares regression for Cox (plsRcox), random survival forest (RSF), generalized boosted regression modelling (GBM), supervised principal components (SuperPC), and survival support vector machine (survival-SVM)—as well as 85 algorithm combinations were applied to construct and identify a consensus immune-derived gene signature (CIDGS).ResultsBased on the expression profiles of three cohorts comprising 719 patients with HNSCC, we identified 236 consensus prognostic genes, which were then filtered into a CIDGS, using the 10 machine learning algorithms and 85 algorithm combinations. The results of a study involving a training cohort, two testing cohorts, and a meta-cohort consistently demonstrated that CIDGS was capable of accurately predicting prognoses for HNSCC. Incorporation of several core clinical features and 51 previously reported signatures, enhanced the predictive capacity of the CIDGS to a level which was markedly superior to that of other signatures. Notably, patients with low CIDGS displayed fewer genomic alterations and higher immune cell infiltrate levels, as well as increased sensitivity to immunotherapy and other therapeutic agents, in addition to receiving better prognoses. The survival times of HNSCC patients with high CIDGS, in particular, were shorter. Moreover, CIDGS enabled accurate stratification of the response to immunotherapy and prognoses for bladder cancer. Niclosamide and ruxolitinib showed potential as therapeutic agents in HNSCC patients with high CIDGS.ConclusionCIDGS may be used for stratifying risks as well as for predicting the outcome of patients with HNSCC in a clinical setting.