bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Generation of extremely high-angle Bessel beams
Authors: Belloni Valeria V. , Froehly Luc , Billet Cyril , Furfaro Luca , Courvoisier Francois 
Published: January 2023

We present a setup to generate tightly focused Bessel beams that is composed of a half-ball lens coupled with a relay lens. The system is simple and compact compared to conventional imaging of axicons based on microscope objectives. We experimentally demonstrate the generation of a Bessel beam with a 42° cone angle at 980 nm in air with a typical beam length of 500µm and a central core radius of about 550 nm. We numerically studied the effects of the misalignment of the different optical elements and the range of tilt and shift that are acceptable to obtain a regular Bessel beam.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment and therapeutic outcomes in special populations: A collaborative retrospective study
Authors: Castro Maria del Mar , Rode Joelle , Machado Paulo R. L. , Llanos-Cuentas Alejandro , Hueb Marcia , Cota Gláucia , Rojas Isis Valentina , Orobio Yenifer , Oviedo Sarmiento Oscar , Rojas Ernesto , Quintero Juliana , Pimentel Maria Inês Fernandes , Soto Jaime , Suprien Carvel , Alvarez Fiorela , Ramos Ana Pilar , Arantes Rayssa Basílio dos Santos , da Silva Rosiana Estéfane , Arenas Claudia Marcela , Vélez Ivan Darío , Lyra Marcelo Rosandiski , Saravia Nancy Gore , Arana Byron , Alexander Neal 
Published: January 2023

Background
Treatment guidance for children and older adult patients affected by cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is unclear due to limited representation of these groups in clinical trials.

Methods
We conducted a collaborative retrospective study to describe the effectiveness and safety of antileishmanial treatments in children ≤ 10 and adults ≥ 60 years of age, treated between 2014 and 2018 in ten CL referral centers in Latin America.

Results
2,037 clinical records were assessed for eligibility. Of them, the main reason for non-inclusion was lack of data on treatment follow-up and therapeutic response (182/242, 75% of children and 179/468, 38% of adults). Data on 1,325 eligible CL patients (736 children and 589 older adults) were analyzed. In both age groups, disease presentation was mild, with a median number of lesions of one (IQR: 1–2) and median lesion diameter of less than 3 cm. Less than 50% of the patients had data for two or more follow-up visits post-treatment (being only 28% in pediatric patients). Systemic antimonials were the most common monotherapy regimen in both age groups (590/736, 80.2% of children and 308/589, 52.3% of older adults) with overall cure rates of 54.6% (95% CI: 50.5–58.6%) and 68.2% (95% CI: 62.6–73.4%), respectively. Other treatments used include miltefosine, amphotericin B, intralesional antimonials, and pentamidine. Adverse reactions related to the main treatment were experienced in 11.9% (86/722) of children versus 38.4% (206/537) of older adults. Most adverse reactions were of mild intensity.

Conclusion
Our findings support the need for greater availability and use of alternatives to systemic antimonials, particularly local therapies, and development of strategies to improve patient follow-up across the region, with special attention to pediatric populations.
The Treatment Expectation Questionnaire (TEX-Q): Validation of a generic multidimensional scale measuring patients’ treatment expectations
Authors: Shedden-Mora Meike C. , Alberts Jannis , Petrie Keith J. , Laferton Johannes A. C. , von Blanckenburg Pia , Kohlmann Sebastian , Nestoriuc Yvonne , Löwe Bernd 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundPatients’ expectations, as a central mechanism behind placebo and nocebo effects, are an important predictor of health outcomes. Yet, theoretically based generic assessment tools allowing for an integrated understanding of expectations across conditions and treatments are lacking. Based on the preliminary 35-item version, this study reports the development and validation of the Treatment Expectation Questionnaire (TEX-Q), a generic, multidimensional self-report scale measuring patients’ expectations of medical and psychological treatments.MethodsThe TEX-Q was developed in a validation sample of n = 251 patients undergoing different treatments using exploratory factor analyses and item analyses, as well as analysis of convergent and divergent validity. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted in an independent sample of n = 303 patients undergoing cancer treatment. Two-weeks test-retest reliability was assessed in n = 28 psychosomatic outpatients.ResultsFactor analyses revealed six theoretically founded stable subscales. The TEX-Q assesses expectations of treatment benefit, positive impact, adverse events, negative impact, process and behavioural control with a total of 15 items. Results for the subscales and the sum score indicated good internal consistency (α = .71-.92), moderate to high test-retest reliability (r = .39-.76) as well as good convergent validity with regard to other expectation measures (r = .42-.58) and divergent validity with regard to measures of generalized expectations (r < .32) and psychopathology (r < .28).ConclusionsWhile further validation is needed, the results suggest that the TEX-Q is a valid and reliable scale for the generic, multidimensional assessment of patients’ treatment expectations. The TEX-Q overcomes constraints of ad-hoc and disease-specific scales, while allowing to compare the impact of different expectation constructs across conditions and treatments.
Mental health and wellbeing of further and higher education students returning to face-to-face learning after Covid-19 restrictions
Authors: Liverpool Shaun , Moinuddin Mohammed , Aithal Supritha , Owen Michael , Bracegirdle Katie , Caravotta Meggie , Walker Rachel , Murphy Ciaran , Karkou Vicky 
Published: January 2023

Aim
This study aimed to examine the mental health and wellbeing of further and higher education students and the associating factors after returning to face-to-face (in-person) learning after Covid-19 restrictions.

Methods
A cross-sectional study informed by student consultations was conducted using a survey design. Mental health and wellbeing were assessed using self-report items on the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Short Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS). Descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were conducted on data collected between December 2021 and June 2022.

Results
N = 1160 students participated; 69.6% between 16 and 25 years, 67.9% studying in the UK, 66.5% studying away from home, 60.2% identified as she/her, 59.8% studying at the undergraduate degree level, 42.5% belonging to non-White ethnic backgrounds, 29.6% identifying as having additional needs and 22.8% as sexual minority. Moderate anxiety (M = 13.67, SD = 9.92) and depression (M = 17.04, SD = 11.56) scores were mainly reported. Wellbeing scores (M = 20.31, SD = 3.93) were lower than the estimate for the pre-pandemic general population. Gender expression, sexuality, age, ethnicity, having additional needs, and level and location of study was associated with mental health or wellbeing. Individual coping styles, levels of self-efficacy and physical activity were also associated with mental health or wellbeing.

Conclusions
Many students returning to further and higher education after Covid-19 restrictions experienced reduced mental health and wellbeing, and some students were at greater risk. Providing student-centred interventions focusing on self-efficacy, coping styles and physical activity may help improve the mental health and wellbeing of students.
Doxycycline for the prevention of progression of COVID-19 to severe disease requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission: A randomized, controlled, open-label, parallel group trial (DOXPREVENT.ICU)
Authors: Dhar Raja , Kirkpatrick John , Gilbert Laura , Khanna Arjun , Modi Mahavir Madhavdas , Chawla Rakesh K. , Dalal Sonia , Maturu Venkata Nagarjuna , Stern Marcel , Keppler Oliver T. , Djukanovic Ratko , Gadola Stephan D. 
Published: January 2023

Background
After admission to hospital, COVID-19 progresses in a substantial proportion of patients to critical disease that requires intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

Methods
In a pragmatic, non-blinded trial, 387 patients aged 40–90 years were randomised to receive treatment with SoC plus doxycycline (n = 192) or SoC only (n = 195). The primary outcome was the need for ICU admission as judged by the attending physicians. Three types of analyses were carried out for the primary outcome: “Intention to treat” (ITT) based on randomisation; “Per protocol” (PP), excluding patients not treated according to randomisation; and “As treated” (AT), based on actual treatment received. The trial was undertaken in six hospitals in India with high-quality ICU facilities. An online application serving as the electronic case report form was developed to enable screening, randomisation and collection of outcomes data.

Results
Adherence to treatment per protocol was 95.1%. Among all 387 participants, 77 (19.9%) developed critical disease needing ICU admission. In all three primary outcome analyses, doxycycline was associated with a relative risk reduction (RRR) and absolute risk reduction (ARR): ITT 31.6% RRR, 7.4% ARR (P = 0.063); PP 40.7% RRR, 9.6% ARR (P = 0.017); AT 43.2% RRR, 10.8% ARR (P = 0.007), with numbers needed to treat (NTT) of 13.4 (ITT), 10.4 (PP), and 9.3 (AT), respectively. Doxycycline was well tolerated with not a single patient stopping treatment due to adverse events.

Conclusions
In hospitalized COVID-19 patients, doxycycline, a safe, inexpensive, and widely available antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties, reduces the need for ICU admission when added to SoC.
Investigative Aesthetics: Conflicts and Commons in the Politics of Truth, Matthew Fuller and Eyal Weizman (2021)
Authors: Watson Thomas 
Published: January 2023

Review of: Investigative Aesthetics: Conflicts and Commons in the Politics of Truth, Matthew Fuller and Eyal Weizman (2021)
London: Verso, 272 pp.,
ISBN 978-1-78873-908-5, p/bk, £14.99
Existence and blow-up of global solutions for a class of fractional
Lane–Emden heat flow system
Authors: Ma Yunxing , Yuan Zixia 
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we consider a class of Lane–Emden heat flow system with the fractional Laplacian

{

u

t

+
(
−

Δ

)

α

2

u
=

N

1

(
v
)
+

f

1

(
x
)
,

(
x
,
t
)
∈

Q
,

v

t

+
(
−

Δ

)

α

2

v
=

N

2

(
u
)
+

f

2

(
x
)
,

(
x
,
t
)
∈

Q
,

u
(
x
,
0
)
=
a
(
x
)
,
v
(
x
,
0
)
=
b
(
x
)
,

x
∈

R

N

,

where
0
<
α

≤

2
,

N
≥

3
,

Q
:=

R

N

×

(

0
,
+
∞

)

,

f

i

(
x
)
∈

L

l
o
c

1

(

R

N

)

(
i
=
1
,
2
)
are nonnegative functions. We study the relationship between the existence, blow-up of the global solutions for the above system and the indexes
p
,
q
in the nonlinear terms

N

1

(
v
)
,

N

2

(
u
)
. Here, we first establish the existence and uniqueness of the global solutions in the supercritical case by using Duhamel's integral equivalent system and the contraction mapping principle, and we further obtain some relevant properties of the global solutions. Next, in the critical case, we prove the blow-up of nonnegative solutions for the system by utilizing some heat kernel estimates and combining with proof by contradiction. Finally, by means of the test function method, we investigate the blow-up of negative solutions for the Cauchy problem of a more general higher-order nonlinear evolution system with the fractional Laplacian in the subcritical case.
Ještě ke Kutnarovu-Markovu dějepisectví
Authors: Kábová Hana 
Published: January 2023

Studie polemicky odpovídá na recenzi třetího vydání Přehledných dějin českého a slovenského dějepisectví Františka Kutnara a Jaroslava Marka z pera Miloše Havelky, uveřejněnou v časopise Dějiny – teorie – kritika 6/2009, na stranách 380-387.
"Předsudky o standardech vědeckosti historiografie."
Authors: Horský Jan 
Published: January 2023

Studie polemicky odpovídá na recenzi třetího vydání Přehledných dějin českého a slovenského dějepisectví Františka Kutnara a Jaroslava Marka z pera Miloše Havelky, uveřejněnou v časopise Dějiny – teorie – kritika 6/2009, na stranách 380-387.
Route Travel Time Estimation on a Road Network Revisited
Authors: Yuan Haitao , Li Guoliang , Bao Zhifeng 
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we revisit the problem of route travel time estimation on a road network and aim to boost its accuracy by capturing and utilizing spatio-temporal features from four significant aspects: heterogeneity, proximity, periodicity and dynamicity.
Spatial-wise, we consider two forms of heterogeneity at link level in a road network: the turning ways between different links are heterogeneous which can make the travel time of the same link various; different links contain heterogeneous attributes and thereby lead to different travel time. In addition, we take into account the proximity: neighboring links have similar traffic patterns and lead to similar travel speeds. To this end, we build a link-connection graph to capture such heterogeneity and proximity.
Temporal-wise, the weekly/daily periodicity of temporal background information (e.g., rush hours) and dynamic traffic conditions have significant impact on the travel time, which result in static and dynamic spatio-temporal features respectively. To capture such impacts, we regard the travel time/speed as a combination of static and dynamic parts, and extract many spatio-temporal relevant features for the prediction task.
Talking about the methodology, it remains an open problem to build a generic learning model to boost the estimation accuracy. Hence, we design a novel encoder-decoder framework - The encoder uses the sequence attention model to encode dynamic features from the temporal-wise perspective. The decoder first uses the heterogeneous graph attention model to decode the static part of travel speed based on static spatio-temporal features, and then leverages the sequence attention model to decode the estimated travel time from spatial-wise perspective. Extensive experiments on real datasets verify the superiority of our method as well as the importance of the four aspects outlined above.
Marine Insurance in Early Modern Genoa (1564–1571): A Risk-Shifting or Risk-Sharing Tool?
Authors: Iodice Antonio 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
This paper investigates the main features of the Genoese insurance market between 1564 and 1572, thanks to the analysis of an unpublished tax register that preserves all insurance policies drafted in Genoa in that period. Marine insurance, intended as an archetypical risk-shifting technique, is probably the oldest financial instrument intended solely to protect against the economic consequences of commercial losses. Conventional premium insurance was developed as a tool to transfer risk during the commercial revolution of the late middle ages. This development was first led by Italian cities, among whom Genoa played a key role. However, Genoese operators involved in the insurance sectors, which belonged almost exclusively to the patrician families ruling the republic, acted as a mutual “risk-community” in a semi-closed market: a sort of “syndicate”. They shared among them the risks of maritime routes calling at the port of Genoa. Insurance was a zero-sum game, with low losses and gains that did not allow a true single-sector specialisation.
An isotope dilution-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC-MS/MS)-based candidate reference measurement procedure (RMP) for the quantification of gabapentin in human serum and plasma
Authors: Salzmann Linda , Wild Janik , Singh Neeraj , Schierscher Tobias , Liesch Franziska , Bauland Friederike , Geistanger Andrea , Risch Lorenz , Geletneky Christian , Seger Christoph , Taibon Judith 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Objectives
To describe and validate a reference measurement procedure (RMP) for gabapentin, employing quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) spectroscopy to determine the absolute content of the standard materials in combination with isotope dilution-liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC-MS/MS) to accurately measure serum and plasma concentrations.

Methods
A sample preparation protocol based on protein precipitation in combination with LC-MS/MS analysis using a C8 column for chromatographic separation was established for the quantification of gabapentin. Assay validation and determination of measurement uncertainty were performed according to guidance from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, the International Conference on Harmonization, and the Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement. ID-LC-MS/MS parameters evaluated included selectivity, specificity, matrix effects, precision and accuracy, inter-laboratory equivalence, and uncertainty of measurement.

Results
The use of qNMR provided traceability to International System (SI) units. The chromatographic assay was highly selective, allowing baseline separation of gabapentin and the gabapentin-lactam impurity, without observable matrix effects. Variability between injections, preparations, calibrations, and days (intermediate precision) was <2.3%, independent of the matrix, while the coefficient of variation for repeatability was 0.9–2.0% across all concentration levels. The relative mean bias ranged from −0.8–1.0% for serum and plasma samples. Passing-Bablok regression analysis indicated very good inter-laboratory agreement; the slope was 1.00 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98 to 1.03) and the intercept was −0.05 (95% CI -0.14 to 0.03). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was ≥0.996. Expanded measurement uncertainties for single measurements were found to be ≤5.0% (k=2).

Conclusions
This analytical protocol for gabapentin, utilizing traceable and selective qNMR and ID-LC-MS/MS techniques, allows for the standardization of routine tests and the reliable evaluation of clinical samples.
Pharmaceutical wastewater treatment using TiO2 nanosheets deposited by cobalt co-catalyst as hybrid photocatalysts: combined experimental study and artificial intelligence modeling
Authors: Esmaeili Amin , Heydari Shalmani Salar , Ebrahimian Pirbazari Azadeh , Esmaeili Khalil Saraei Fatemeh , Tabatabai-Yazdi Fatemeh-Sadat , Ebrahimian Pirbazari Ali , Derakhshesh Ali 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
In this work, we developed a facile method for photocatalytic deposition of cobalt atoms as co-catalyst on TiO2 nanosheets (Co(x)/T) under visible light instead of UV irradiation for the first time. The deposition of cobalt atoms on TNs in the Co(x)/T samples was confirmed by DRS, Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence, nitrogen physisorption, and TEM analyses. The size of cobalt nanoparticles/cluster dispersed on the TiO2 nanosheets were in the range of 5–20 nm according to TEM results. The PXRD patterns showed that the crystal structure and the anatase phase of TNs were preserved in the Co(x)/T samples after the visible light-assisted deposition process. The Co(x)/T samples showed higher activity compared to pure TiO2 nanosheets for the visible light degradation of tetracycline (TC) as pharmaceutical pollutant due to presence of cobalt co-catalyst. We studied the effect of several parameters on the degradation process and proposed the mechanism of degradation according to quenching experiments results. Due to time-consuming and costly of experimental works, we designed two strong artificial intelligence (AI) models (artificial neural networks (ANN) and neuro-fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS)) to estimate the removal process of TC, and predict the removal percent of TC for new values of inputs before performing experiment. The experimental and computational studies showed that the fabricated photocatalysts are as promising candidates for industrial wastewater treatment to meet environmental regulations and provide a new avenue for practical implications.
Wood with improved hydrophobicity and thermal stability after depositing polydimethysiloxane/silica sol hybrid
Authors: Du Jingjing , Jiang Yu , Jiang Jun , Wang Jiamin , Pan Jiaocheng , Mei Changtong 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
To improve hydrophobicity and thermal stability, polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) emulsion and silica sol were used for depositing organic/inorganic hybrid coatings in wood. PDMS emulsion could provide the hydrophobic film to improve the hydrophobicity and dimensional stability owing to its low-surface-energy. Silica sol could significantly enhance the surface hardness and thermal stability due to its penetration in cell walls, indicating the pore-filling effect in wood. Moreover, in the hybrid system, silica incorporation in PDMS emulsion helped to form integrate coatings in wood via Si-O-Si cross-linked networks. The hydrophobicity, surface hardness and thermal stability of treated wood were related to the loadings of silica sol in the PDMS. Stiff silica could compensate the negative effect on thermal stability caused by PDMS, and synergistically improve the surface hydrophobicity and hardness of wood. This work opens a facile method to produce bio-based materials with satisfied hydrophobicity and thermal stability to be used in humid environments.
Differences in dry shrinkage of bamboo rings with multiple heights and radians based on vascular bundle group
Authors: Zhang Ying , Xu Haocheng , Li Jing , Zhong Tuhua , Wang Hankun 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Moso bamboo is widely used in production due to its high strength-to-weight ratio, fast growth and renewability. Meanwhile, bamboo’s dimension is highly sensitive to moisture, resulting in cracking and other defects easily. This study aimed to investigate the changes in cracks, bamboo ring shapes, fiber sheath area and volume fraction, and vascular bundle group shapes from the green state to the absolute-dry state, using the target detection model and Python fitting technique. The results showed that the radius of the vascular bundle group increased while its radian and arc length decreased with a decrease in the moisture content. The decrease in the cross-sectional area was greater than that in the wall thickness and arc length. The dry shrinkage of the fibers was greater than that of the rest tissues, which was an important part of the shrinkage of bamboo rings. Obvious cracks mainly appeared in the bamboo ring with a complete radian of 2π, while almost no or very limited cracks were seen in other rings with incomplete radians. This study further elaborated on the dry shrinkage changes and differences in bamboo rings, which might be beneficial to restrain the deformation and cracking of bamboo products effectively.
Plasmonic ultraviolet filter for fast-timing applications
Authors: Ota Ryosuke , Uenoyama Soh 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBarium fluoride, an inorganic scintillation material used for the detection of X-ray and/or gamma-ray radiation, has been receiving increasing attention in the field of radiation measurements in fast-timing applications. To make full use of its timing properties, its slow emission around the ultraviolet region, more specifically, the 300 nm region needs to be suppressed. Although doping ions, such as lanthanum, yttrium, and cadmium, can suppress the slow component, such techniques can lose information of interacted radiations. Consequently, a suppression technique that does not suffer from information loss while maintaining precise timing measurements would be desirable. In this study, we proposed aluminum nano-disk-based plasmonic filters to suppress slow emissions while maintaining fast emissions around 195 and 220 nm and a usability of the slow component. Finite-difference time-domain simulations and experimental results exhibited good agreement, with over 90% of slow components being adequately suppressed without sacrificing fast components, proving that aluminum nanodisks can be used for ultraviolet filters. Moreover, based on the designed filter performance, we conducted coincidence time resolution simulations for positron–electron annihilation gamma rays from an analytical perspective. The simulations indicated the designed filters could maintain high timing performance. Consequently, the proposed plasmonic ultraviolet filter was suitable for maximizing the potential of barium fluoride scintillators.