bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On Uncertainty, Ambiguity, and Complexity in Project Management
Authors: Pich Michael T. , Loch Christoph H. , Meyer Arnoud De 
Published: January 2003

This article develops a model of a project as a payoff function that depends on the state of the world and the choice of a sequence of actions. A causal mapping, which may be incompletely known by the project team, represents the impact of possible actions on the states of the world. An underlying probability space represents available information about the state of the world. Interactions among actions and states of the world determine the complexity of the payoff function. Activities are endogenous, in that they are the result of a policy that maximizes the expected project payoff.A key concept is the adequacy of the available information about states of the world and action effects. We express uncertainty, ambiguity, and complexity in terms of information adequacy. We identify three fundamental project management strategies: instructionism, learning, and selectionism. We show that classic project management methods emphasize adequate information and instructionism, and demonstrate how modern methods fit into the three fundamental strategies. The appropriate strategy is contingent on the type of uncertainty present and the complexity of the project payoff function. Our model establishes a rigorous language that allows the project manager to judge the adequacy of the available project information at the outset, choose an appropriate combination of strategies, and set a supporting project infrastructure—that is, systems for planning, coordination and incentives, and monitoring.
Achieving Target State-Action Frequencies in Multichain Average-Reward Markov Decision Processes
Authors: Krass Dmitry , Vrieze O. J. 
Published: January 2003

In this paper we address a basic problem that arises naturally in average-reward Markov decision processes with constraints and/or nonstandard payoff criteria: Given a feasible state-action frequency vector (“the target”), construct a policy whose state-action frequencies match those of the target vector. While it is well known that the solution to this problem cannot, in general, be found in the space of stationary randomized policies, we construct a solution that has “ultimately stationary” structure: It consists of two stationary policies where the first one is used initially, and then the switch to the second one is made at a certain random switching time. The computational effort required to construct this solution is minimal. We also show that our problem can always be solved by a stationary policy if the original MDP is “extended” by adding certain states and actions. The solution in the original MDP is obtained by mapping the solution in the extended MDP back to the original process.
Cannabis and Driving in Older Adults
Authors: Di Ciano Patricia , Rajji Tarek K. , Hong Lauren , Zhao Sampson , Byrne Patrick , Elzohairy Yoassry , Brubacher Jeffrey R. , McGrath Michael , Brands Bruna , Chen Sheng , Wang Wei , Hasan Omer S. M. , Wickens Christine M. , Kaduri Pamela , Le Foll Bernard 
Published: January 2024

ImportanceEpidemiological studies have found that cannabis increases the risk of a motor vehicle collision. Cannabis use is increasing in older adults, but laboratory studies of the association between cannabis and driving in people aged older than 65 years are lacking.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between cannabis, simulated driving, and concurrent blood tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels in older adults.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsUsing an ecologically valid counterbalanced design, in this cohort study, regular cannabis users operated a driving simulator before, 30 minutes after, and 180 minutes after smoking their preferred legal cannabis or after resting. This study was conducted in Toronto, Canada, between March and November 2022 with no follow-up period. Data were analyzed from December 2022 to February 2023.ExposuresMost participants chose THC-dominant cannabis with a mean (SD) content of 18.74% (6.12%) THC and 1.46% (3.37%) cannabidiol (CBD).Main outcomes and measuresThe primary end point was SD of lateral position (SDLP, or weaving). Secondary outcomes were mean speed (MS), maximum speed, SD of speed, and reaction time. Driving was assessed under both single-task and dual-task (distracted) conditions. Blood THC and metabolites of THC and CBD were also measured at the time of the drives.ResultsA total of 31 participants (21 male [68%]; 29 White [94%], 1 Latin American [3%], and 1 mixed race [3%]; mean [SD] age, 68.7 [3.5] years), completed all study procedures. SDLP was increased and MS was decreased at 30 but not 180 minutes after smoking cannabis compared with the control condition in both the single-task (SDLP effect size [ES], 0.30; b = 1.65; 95% CI, 0.37 to 2.93; MS ES, −0.58; b = −2.46; 95% CI, −3.56 to −1.36) and dual-task (SDLP ES, 0.27; b = 1.75; 95% CI, 0.21 to 3.28; MS ES, −0.47; b = −3.15; 95% CI, −5.05 to −1.24) conditions. Blood THC levels were significantly increased at 30 minutes but not 180 minutes. Blood THC was not correlated with SDLP or MS at 30 minutes, and SDLP was not correlated with MS. Subjective ratings remained elevated for 5 hours and participants reported that they were less willing to drive at 3 hours after smoking.Conclusions and relevanceIn this cohort study, the findings suggested that older drivers should exercise caution after smoking cannabis.
Out-of-Pocket Costs and Outpatient Visits Among Patients With Cancer in High-Deductible Health Plans
Authors: Trad Nicolas K. , Zhang Fang , Wharam James Franklin 
Published: January 2024

ImportanceHigh-deductible health plans (HDHPs) have grown rapidly and may adversely affect access to comprehensive cancer care.ObjectiveTo evaluate the association of HDHPs with out-of-pocket medical costs and outpatient physician visits among patients with cancer.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsUsing 2003 to 2017 data from the deidentified Optum Clinformatics Data Mart database from individuals with employer-sponsored health coverage, adults aged 18 to 64 years with cancer who were enrolled in low-deductible (≤$500 annually) health plans during a baseline year were identified. Patients whose employers then mandated a switch to an HDHP (≥$1000 annual deductible) were assigned to the HDHP group, while contemporaneous individuals with cancer at baseline who had no option but to continue enrollment in low-deductible plans were assigned to the control group. The 2 groups were matched on demographic variables (age, sex, race and ethnicity, US Census region, rural vs urban, and neighborhood poverty level), cancer type, morbidity score, number of baseline physician visits by specialty type, baseline out-of-pocket costs, and employer characteristics. These cohorts were followed up for up to 3 years after the baseline year. Data were analyzed from July 2021 to December 2022.ExposuresEmployer-mandated HDHP enrollment.Main Outcomes and MeasuresOut-of-pocket medical expenditures and outpatient visits to primary care physicians, cancer specialists, and noncancer specialists.ResultsAfter matching, the sample included 45 708 patients with cancer (2703 patients in the HDHP group and 43 005 matched individuals in the control group); mean (SD) age in the HDHP and control groups was 52.9 (9.3) years and 52.9 (2.3) years, respectively, with 58.5% females in both groups. The matching procedure yielded variable weights for each individual in the control group, resulting in a weighted control group sample of 2703 patients. Patients with cancer who were switched to HDHPs experienced an increase in annual out-of-pocket medical expenditures of 68.1% (95% CI, 51.0%-85.3%; absolute increase, $1349.80 [95% CI, $1060.30-$1639.20]) after the switch compared with those who remained in traditional health plans. At follow-up, the number of oncology visits did not differ between the 2 groups (relative difference, 0.1%; 95% CI, −8.4% to 9.4%); however, the HDHP group had 10.8% (95% CI, −15.5% to −5.9%) fewer visits to primary care physicians and 5.9% (95% CI, −11.2% to −0.3%) fewer visits to noncancer specialists.Conclusions and RelevanceResults of this cohort study suggest that after enrollment in HDHPs, patients with cancer experienced substantial increases in out-of-pocket medical costs. The number of visits to oncologists was unchanged during follow-up, but the number of visits to noncancer physicians was lower. These findings suggest that HDHPs are unlikely to unfavorably affect key oncology services but might lead to less comprehensive care of cancer survivors.
Recent Advances in Diverse MXenes‐Based Structures for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction into Renewable Hydrocarbon Fuels
Authors: Tang Qijun , Li Tianhao , Tu Wenguang , Wang Haiqiang , Zhou Yong , Zou Zhigang 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPhotocatalytic CO2 reduction into renewable hydrocarbon fuels is a green solution to address CO2 emission and energy issues simultaneously. However, the fast recombination of photogenerated charge carriers and the sluggish surface reaction kinetics restrict the efficiency of photocatalytic CO2 reduction. The emergence of 2D MXenes has potential in improving the efficiency of photocatalytic CO2 reduction, owing to their high electrical conductivity, flexible structural properties, and abundant active sites. Hence, this review will concisely summarize and highlight recent advances of MXenes‐based photocatalysts used in photocatalytic CO2 reduction. First, the synthesis and properties of MXenes is briefly introduced. Second, the mechanism of CO2 photoreduction along with the roles of MXenes in photocatalytic CO2 reduction are summarized, including promoting the adsorption of CO2, enhancing the separation of photo‐induced charge carriers, acting as a robust support, and photothermal effect. Third, different kinds of MXenes‐based photocatalysts such as MXenes/metal oxides, MXenes/nitrides, MXenes/LDH, MXenes/perovskite, and MXene‐derived photocatalysts for CO2 reduction are classified via the type of semiconductors. Finally, the challenges and perspectives are also presented, including exploring suitable MXenes via machine learning, uncovering the structure‐activity relationship by in situ, time‐ and space‐resolved characterization techniques, improving anti‐oxidization ability, and scale‐up applications.
Laplace Differentiator Based on Metasurface with Toroidal Dipole Resonance
Authors: Zhou Chen , Chen Yanjie , Li Yao , Li Junjie , Zhao Ruizhe , Tao Chengdong , Liu Chuanbao , Bai Yang , Li Xin , Wang Yongtian , Huang Lingling 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAs an important method of image processing, image differentiation enables edge detection of targets to achieve recognition of object features and information compression and the computation speed can be boosted by optical information techniques. Traditional optical image differentiation methods mainly rely on spatial spectrum filtering by using classical 4f system, while some work focus on 1D or single‐direction differentiation. It is only in recent years that the rapid development of metasurfaces has facilitated image differentiation methods. In this work, a Laplace operation device is demonstrated based on a silicon hollow brick dielectric resonant metasurface for incident light field. The optical transfer function (OTF) required by the optical Laplace operation can be obtained by exciting an angularly selective toroidal dipole (TD) resonance supported by the metasurface. This hollow silicon brick differentiator not only realizes 2D second‐order edge detection but also has a numerical aperture close to 0.4 and a broad working wavelength range >100 nm and can be directly integrated with imaging systems. Such metadevice may be potentially applied in the fields of optical sensing, microscopy, machine vision, biomedical imaging, etc.
Ionic Liquid Interface as a Cell Scaffold
Authors: Ueki Takeshi , Uto Koichiro , Yamamoto Shota , Tamate Ryota , Kamiyama Yuji , Jia Xiaofang , Noguchi Hidenori , Minami Kosuke , Ariga Katsuhiko , Wang Hongxin , Nakanishi Jun 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn sharp contrast to conventional solid/hydrogel platforms, water‐immiscible liquids, such as perfluorocarbons and silicones, allow the adhesion of mammalian cells via protein nanolayers (PNLs) formed at the interface. However, fluorocarbons and silicones, which are typically used for liquid cell culture, possess only narrow ranges of physicochemical parameters and have not allowed for a wide variety of cell culturing environments. In this paper, it is proposed that water‐immiscible ionic liquids (ILs) are a new family of liquid substrates with tunable physicochemical properties and high solvation capabilities. Tetraalkylphosphonium‐based ILs are identified as non‐cytotoxic ILs, whereon human mesenchymal stem cells are successfully cultured. By reducing the cation charge distribution, or ionicity, via alkyl chain elongation, the interface allows cell spreading with matured focal contacts. High‐speed atomic force microscopy observations of the PNL formation process suggest that the cation charge distribution significantly altered the protein adsorption dynamics, which are associated with the degree of protein denaturation and the PNL mechanics. Moreover, by exploiting dissolution capability of ILs, an ion‐gel cell scaffold is fabricated. This enables to further identify the significant contribution of bulk subphase mechanics to cellular mechanosensing in liquid‐based culture scaffolds.
Fabrication and optimization of PES/PVP hollow fiber membranes using Box–Behnken model and CART algorithm
Authors: Farooq Adil , Cora Ömer Necati 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study focuses on the optimization of polyethersulfone (PES) hollow fiber membranes fabricated with the phase inversion method. A Box–Behnken experimental design was employed with three different PES concentration ratios (11, 14, 17 wt.%), three polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) molecular weight ratios (K30/K90 ratios of 6:0, 3:3, 0:6 wt.%), three different bore fluid (BF) composition ratios (water/alcohol ratios of 20:80, 60:40, 100:0), and three different air gap values (24, 37, and 50 cm). The results were analyzed in terms of pure water permeability (PWP) and porosity as optimization parameters using response surface methodology and the classification and regression tree (CART) model. ANOVA results revealed significant effects of PES concentration, PVP molecular weight, and BF composition on the outcomes. After optimization, the maximum PWP and the maximum porosity were obtained as 360.15 L/m2 h bar, 60.57%, respectively. The CART model achieved sufficient accuracy in classifying samples.
The quality of interaction with children in collective play: Children's agency
Authors: Li Liang 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThere is a growing body of studies on increasing the quality of infant–toddler education and care. Yet little attention has been directed towards how to bring toddlers' agency and perspective to their personally meaningful learning in collective play. In this paper, we draw on cultural–historical concepts of agency, play and imagination to investigate toddlers' collective play with their teacher. We explain how the teacher can take the toddlers' perspectives and values and acknowledge toddlers' agency in play, to sustain and share toddlers' agentic imagination, thus supporting their play engagement and personally meaningful learning. Herein, we select and analyse one activity in which six toddlers (aged 2–3 years, mean 2.6 years) collectively play with teachers in Melbourne, Australia. We use visual narrative methodology to perform a deep analysis of the dynamic interactions in the collective play. The lens is centred on toddlers' agency and perspectives and the dynamic interactions between them and their teacher in collective play, through which their agentic imagination is sustained. In contrast to previous studies which focus on the teacher's role in play with infants–toddlers to monitor the surrounding dangers, arrange the play space and observe from a distance, the results of this study identify how toddlers' perspectives and agency in play can be valued and acted on by the teacher in collective play, to support toddlers' meaningful learning and improve the quality of play in early childhood education.
THBS1 promotes angiogenesis and accelerates ESCC malignant progression by the HIF‐1/VEGF signaling pathway
Authors: Zhou Xiao , Xia Qiaoxi , Chen Mantong , Zhang Xiaona , Huang Meihui , Zheng Xiaoqi , Wang Shaohong , Wu Bingli , Du Zepeng 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPreviously, we demonstrated that the expression of THBS1 is increased in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues and is correlated with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis, indicating that THBS1 might be a candidate oncogene in ESCC. In this study, we future studied the specific role of THBS1 in ESCC and its molecular mechanism. Silencing THBS1 expression resulted in inhibition of cell migration and cell invasion of ESCC cells, the decrease of colony formation and proliferation. Tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro was decreased when cultured with conditioned medium from THBS1‐silenced cells. The expression of CD31, a marker for blood vessel endothelial cells, was decreased in tumor tissues derived from THBS1‐silenced tumors in vivo. Silencing THBS1 leaded the decreased of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α), HIF‐1β, and VEGFA protein. The expression of p‐ERK and p‐AKT were declined in HUVECs following incubation with conditioned medium from THBS1‐silenced ESCC cells compared conditioned medium from control cells. Furthermore, the treatment with bevacizumab boosted the decrease of the p‐ERK and p‐AKT levels in HUVECs incubated with the conditioned medium from THBS1‐silenced ESCC cells. THBS1 silencing combined with bevacizumab blocked VEGF, inhibited to the tube formation, colony formation and migration of HUVECs, which were superior to that of bevacizumab alone. We presumed that THBS1 can enhance HIF‐1/VEGF signaling and subsequently induce angiogenesis by activating the AKT and ERK pathways in HUVECs, resulting in bevacizumab resistance. THBS1 would be a potential target in tumor antiangiogenesis therapies.
Laparoscopic management of intestinal obstruction in a young adult with a virgin abdomen: Unusual presentation of combined vitellointestinal duct remnants: A clinical case report
Authors: Al‐Tarakji Mohannad , Almogtaba Mohamed , Al‐Hashimy Yaseen , Moustafa Omar S. , Shehata Mona S. , Al‐Zoubi Raed M. , Ghali Mohamed Said 
Published: January 2024

Key Clinical MessageIn an 18‐year‐old, Meckel's diverticulum and a rare vitellointestinal fibrous band caused bowel obstruction. Clinicians should be vigilant for such anomalies, especially in young adults with virgin abdomens, as potential sources of intestinal obstruction.AbstractIn this case report, we highlight the rarity of vitellointestinal or omphalomesenteric duct anomalies causing intestinal obstruction in the adult population. The patient, an 18‐year‐old male, presented to the emergency department with a two‐day history of abdominal pain and vomiting. Physical examination revealed mild distension of his virgin abdomen with generalized tenderness. Abdominal X‐ray displayed dilated small bowel loops, and a computed tomography scan indicated features consistent with closed‐loop bowel obstruction. Diagnostic laparoscopy confirmed a vitellointestinal duct remnant as the cause of the small intestinal obstruction, involving a combined Meckel's diverticulum and vitellointestinal fibrous band. In early fetal development, the vitellointestinal duct communicates between the midgut and the yolk sac, expected to disappear during fetal growth. Failure to obliterate can lead to issues such as intestinal blockage, primarily observed in children, making occurrences in adults, as in this case, infrequent with only a few documented instances. Despite its uncommon occurrence in young adults, healthcare providers should consider the vitellointestinal duct anomalous remnant as a potential source of intestinal obstruction, particularly in individuals with a virgin abdomen. Early detection of intestinal obstruction is imperative for patient survival, facilitating prompt management and minimizing the risk of serious morbidities, ultimately contributing to a better patient outcome.
Cytohistological findings and diagnostic challenges in rare pediatric pulmonary mesenchymal malignancies: A report of two cases
Authors: Balaji Karunagaran , Siddique Swalaha Sadaf , Khurana Ujjawal , Goel Garima , Tandon Ashwani , Joshi Deepti , Chaudhary Narendra , Khurana Alkesh Kumar , Goyal Abhishek 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPulmonary mesenchymal tumors are uncommon neoplasms and the data available on their clinical, cytohistomorphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings are limited, leading to difficulty in timely diagnosis and management. Case 1: A 12‐year‐old boy presented with a right endobronchial mass. Imprint smears from endobronchial biopsy revealed moderately pleomorphic spindle cell tumor arranged in fascicles and perivascular pattern with attached myxoid material showing occasional mitotic activity suggesting a cytological diagnosis of sarcoma. Biopsy also displayed similar morphology. Extensive immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed diffuse SMA, focal AE1/AE3, and diffuse ALK positivity along with a MIB/Ki67 index of 30%–40% leading to the diagnosis of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT; Sarcoma grade). Case 2: A 8‐year‐old boy presented with a huge left‐sided mass replacing the entire lung parenchyma and eroding adjoining ribs. Pleural fluid cytology revealed vague clusters of PAS‐positive diastase‐sensitive small atypical cells with associated inflammatory cells in the hemorrhagic background, suggesting a diagnosis of malignant small round blue cell tumor. Trucut biopsy from the mass showed spindled to round cells showing diffuse positivity with CD99 and BCL‐2. Molecular studies with reverse transcription‐PCR (RT‐PCR) for SYT‐SSX and EWS‐FLI1 were negative for synovial sarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma, respectively. Given the clinical setting, PAS positivity, IHC, and molecular studies, the diagnosis of tumors of uncertain differentiation with the possibility of Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) with a translocation between EWS1 and other ETS—family members (ERG, FEV, ETV1, E1AF, etc.) was suggested.