bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sepsis and underlying comorbidities in intensive care unit patients
Authors: Thomas-Rüddel Daniel O. , Fröhlich Holger , Schwarzkopf Daniel , Bloos Frank , Riessen Reimer 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
There is an ongoing debate as to whether death with sepsis is primarily caused by sepsis or, more often, by the underlying disease. There are no data on the influence of a researcher’s background on such an assessment. Therefore, the aim of this analysis was to assess the cause of death in sepsis and the influence of an investigator’s professional background on such an assessment.

Materials and methods
We performed a retrospective observational cohort study of sepsis patients treated in the medical intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care center. For deceased patients, comorbidities and severity of illness were documented. The cause of death (sepsis or comorbidities or both combined) was independently assessed by four assessors with different professional backgrounds (medical student, senior physician in the medical ICU, anesthesiological intensivist, and senior physician specialized in the predominant comorbidity).

Results
In all, 78 of 235 patients died in hospital. Agreement between assessors about cause of death was low (κ 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.29–0.44). Depending on the assessor, sepsis was the sole cause of death in 6–12% of cases, sepsis and comorbidities in 54–76%, and comorbidities alone in 18–40%.

Conclusions
In a relevant proportion of patients with sepsis treated in the medical ICU, comorbidities contribute significantly to mortality, and death from sepsis without relevant comorbidities is a rare event. Designation of the cause of death in sepsis patients is highly subjective and may be influenced by the professional background of the assessor.
Retrospective observational study on the use of acetyl-l-carnitine in ALS
Authors: Sassi Serena , Bianchi Elisa , Diamanti Luca , Tornabene Danilo , Sette Elisabetta , Medici Doriana , Matà Sabrina , Leccese Deborah , Sperti Martina , Martinelli Ilaria , Ghezzi Andrea , Mandrioli Jessica , Iuzzolino Valentina Virginia , Dubbioso Raffaele , Trojsi Francesca , Passaniti Carla , D’Alvano Giulia , Filosto Massimiliano , Padovani Alessandro , Mazzini Letizia , De Marchi Fabiola , Zinno Lucia , Nuredini Andi , Bongioanni Paolo , Dolciotti Cristina , Canali Elena , Toschi Giulia , Petrucci Antonio , Perna Alessia , Riso Vittorio , Inghilleri Maurizio , Libonati Laura , Cambieri Chiara , Pupillo Elisabetta 
Published: June 2023

AbstractALCAR (Acetyl-L-carnitine) is a donor of acetyl groups and increases the intracellular levels of carnitine, the primary transporter of fatty acids across the mitochondrial membranes. In vivo studies showed that ALCAR decrease oxidative stress markers and pro-inflammatory cytokines. In a previous double-blind placebo-controlled phase II trial showed positive effects on self-sufficiency (defined as a score of 3+ on the ALSFRS-R items for swallowing, cutting food and handling utensils, and walking) ALSFRS-R total score and FVC. We conducted an observational, retrospective, multicentre, case–control study to provide additional data on the effects of ALCAR in subjects with ALS in Italy. Subjects treated with ALCAR 1.5 g/day or 3 g/day were included and matched with not treated subjects by sex, age at diagnosis, site of onset, and time from diagnosis to baseline, (45 subjects per group). ALCAR 3 g/day vs not treated: 22 not treated subjects (48.9%) were still alive at 24 months after baseline, compared to 23 (51.1%) treated subjects (adj. OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.46–3.02). No statistically significant differences were detected in ALSFRS nor FVC nor self-sufficiency. ALCAR 1.5 g/day vs not treated: 22 not treated subjects (48.9%) were still alive at 24 months after baseline, compared to 32 (71.1%) treated subjects (adj. OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.10–0.71). For ALSFRS-R, a mean slope of − 1.0 was observed in treated subjects compared to − 1.4 in those not treated (p = 0.0575). No statistically significant difference was detected in the FVC nor self-sufficiency. Additional evidence should be provided to confirm the efficacy of the drug and provide a rationale for the dosage.
Neurochemistry of the mammillary body
Authors: Żakowski Witold , Zawistowski Piotr 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe mammillary body (MB) is a component of the extended hippocampal system and many studies have shown that its functions are vital for mnemonic processes. Together with other subcortical structures, such as the anterior thalamic nuclei and tegmental nuclei of Gudden, the MB plays a crucial role in the processing of spatial and working memory, as well as navigation in rats. The aim of this paper is to review the distribution of various substances in the MB of the rat, with a description of their possible physiological roles. The following groups of substances are reviewed: (1) classical neurotransmitters (glutamate and other excitatory transmitters, gamma-aminobutyric acid, acetylcholine, serotonin, and dopamine), (2) neuropeptides (enkephalins, substance P, cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript, neurotensin, neuropeptide Y, somatostatin, orexins, and galanin), and (3) other substances (calcium-binding proteins and calcium sensor proteins). This detailed description of the chemical parcellation may facilitate a better understanding of the MB functions and its complex relations with other structures of the extended hippocampal system.
Deep embeddings and Graph Neural Networks: using context to improve domain-independent predictions
Authors: Sola Fernando , Ayala Daniel , Hernández Inma , Ruiz David 
Published: June 2023

AbstractGraph neural networks (GNNs) are deep learning architectures that apply graph convolutions through message-passing processes between nodes, represented as embeddings. GNNs have recently become popular because of their ability to obtain a contextual representation of each node taking into account information from its surroundings. However, existing work has focused on the development of GNN architectures, using basic domain-specific information about the nodes to compute embeddings. Meanwhile, in the closely-related area of knowledge graphs, much effort has been put towards developing deep learning techniques to obtain node embeddings that preserve information about relationships and structure without relying on domain-specific data. The potential application of deep embeddings of knowledge graphs in GNNs remains largely unexplored. In this paper, we carry out a number of experiments to answer open research questions about the impact on GNNs performance when combined with deep embeddings. We test 7 different deep embeddings across several attribute prediction tasks in two state-of-art attribute-rich datasets. We conclude that, while there is a significant performance improvement, its magnitude varies heavily depending on the specific task and deep embedding technique considered.
Performance based probabilistic seismic risk assessment for urban heritage. An example in Pla del Remei Area (Valencia)
Authors: Guardiola-Víllora Arianna , Molina Sergio , D’Ayala Dina 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe assessment of the seismic behaviour of historic residential buildings and the estimation of their possible losses in the event of an earthquake, is a must for defining strategic mitigation plans to prevent irreplaceable heritage losses. In this study an integrated performance based probabilistic risk assessment methodology is developed. An archival study and a field survey allow to identify architectural and construction characteristics of heritage residential buildings in urban areas and determine realistic structural models. These are analysed by using a limit state approach, coded in the FaMIVE method, considering different construction hypotheses, to produce capacity curves which support the identification of a discrete number of typologies representative of the entire building stock in the area. Their fragility functions are then derived using the modified N2 method. Because of the difficulty in quantifying the expected probable losses in purely economic terms, given the heritage value of these assets, losses are computed in terms of damaged floor surface area and mean damage ratio. These have been obtained through the earthquake loss estimation platform SELENA, considering different possible seismic scenarios. The procedure is applied to masonry residential buildings in Pla del Remei area of Valencia, Spain, built between the end of the 19th Century and the end of the Spanish War (1939). This neighbourhood embodies the cultural values, construction techniques and historic legacy of a new and brief era of modernity, inspired by the new urban theories and architectural styles of Eclecticism and Modernism. Despite Valencia being located in an area of low to moderate seismicity, the results show that the maximum percentage of built damaged area ranges from 5.8 to 11.6% for 475 years return period, increasing to 33.59–51.59% for 975 years return period. The high level of resolution of the study allows mapping and identifying the structures at higher risk and is therefore a valuable tool to support sensitive and targeted retrofitting policies.
Synthesis, characterisation, and solution behaviour of Ag(I) bis(phenanthroline-oxazine) complexes and the evaluation of their biological activity against the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans
Authors: Evans Clara , Ahmed Muhib , Beirne Darren F. , McCann Malachy , Kavanagh Kevin , Devereux Michael , Rooney Denise , Heaney Frances 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThree Ag(I) bis(phenanthroline-oxazine) complexes with varying lipophilicity were synthesised and characterised. The solution stoichiometry of 1:2 Ag(I):ligand was determined for each complex by the continuous variation Job’s plot method using NMR spectroscopy. NMR studies were also carried out to investigate the fluxional behaviour of the Ag(I) complexes in solution. The biological activity of the silver(I) complexes and the corresponding ligands towards a clinical strain of Candida albicans MEN was studied using broth microdilution assays. Testing showed the choice of media and the duration of incubation were key determinants of the inhibitory behaviour towards Candida albicans, however, the difference between freshly prepared and pre-prepared solutions was insignificant in minimal media. The activity of the metal-free ligands correlated with the length of the alkyl chain. In minimal media, the methyl ester phenanthroline-oxazine ligand was effective only at 60 μM, limiting growth to 67% of the control, while a 60 μM dose of the propyl ester analogue limited fungal growth at < 20% of the control. MIC50 and MIC80 values for the propyl and hexyl ester analogues were calculated to be 45 and 59 µM (propyl), and 18 and 45 µM (hexyl). Moreover, in a study of activity as a function of time it was observed that the hexyl ester ligand maintained its activity for longer than the methyl and propyl analogues; after 48 h a 60 μM dose held fungal growth at 24% of that of the control. Complexation to Ag(I) was much more effective in enhancing biological activity of the ligands than was increasing the ester chain length. Significantly no difference in activity between the three silver(I) complexes was observed under the experimental conditions. All three complexes were substantially more active than their parent ligands against Candida albicans and AgClO4 and the three silver(I) bis(phen-oxazine) complexes have MIC80 values of < 15 μM. The ability of the silver(I) complexes to hold fungal growth at about 20% of the control even after 48 h incubation at low dosages (15 μM) showcases their superiority over the simple silver(I) perchlorate salt, which ceased to be effective at dosages below 60 μM at the extended time point.
Features of Service Delivery that Young People in Out-of-Home Care Who ‘Self-place’ and Stay in Unapproved Placements Value When Accessing a Specialist Support Service
Authors: Venables Jemma 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Young people under child protection orders are a vulnerable group and their vulnerability and risk of exploitation increases if they leave approved out-of-home care placements (residential and foster care) and stay in unapproved arrangements. These arrangements are often temporary, insecure and may expose young people to exploitation and harm. Despite their heightened vulnerability, there are limited specialised services that work alongside this cohort of young people. There is a dearth of evidence regarding their needs and effective service responses. These gaps are compounded by the absence of young people’s voices in the literature and policy discussions; with implications for recognising their human rights. This paper reports on the views of thirteen young people who have accessed support via a specialist service in Queensland (Australia), specifically funded by the Queensland Government to provide support to ‘self-placing’ young people (12–18 years). The service aims to improve young people’s resilience, capability, and safety so they can either return to an approved OOHC placement or be supported to make safe and sustainable choices for independent accommodation. This paper reports on interview and survey data about their features of service delivery that young people who self-place value in a specialist support service. The findings highlight the importance of: (1) accessible and responsive support; (2) caring and trusting relationships with workers; (3) supporting young people’s choices and their developing agency; and (4) advocacy and support navigating systems.
Disentangling the Long-Term Compositional Effects of School-Average Achievement and SES: a Substantive-Methodological Synergy
Authors: Marsh Herbert W. , Pekrun Reinhard , Dicke Theresa , Guo Jiesi , Parker Philip D. , Basarkod Geetanjali 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWe juxtapose (positive and negative) compositional effects of school-average achievement and school-average socioeconomic status (SES) on students’ academic self-concept (ASC), final high-school grade-point-average (GPA), and long-term outcomes at age 26 (educational attainment and educational and occupational expectations). We used doubly-latent multilevel compositional models with a large, nationally representative longitudinal sample (16,197 Year-10 students from 751 US high schools), controlling background variables (gender, age, ethnicity, academic track, and a composite risk factor). At the individual-student level, the effects of achievement, SES, ASC, and GPA on long-term outcomes were consistently positive. However, mostly consistent with a priori theoretical predictions, (1) the compositional effects of school-average achievement on ASC, GPA, and educational and occupational expectations were significantly negative (although non-significant for final attainment); (2) the compositional effects of school-average SES on ASC, educational attainment, and educational and occupational expectations were significantly positive (but nonsignificant for GPA); and (3) the compositional effects on long-term outcomes were partly mediated by ASC and particularly by GPA. These findings demonstrate that the positive effects of school-average SES are distinguishable from the adverse effects of school-average achievement. We discuss how these findings extend Göllner et al.'s (Psychological Science 29:1785–1796, 2018) highly controversial conclusion regarding the benefits of schools with high school-average SES but low school-average achievement. We also relate our research to Luthar et al.’s (American Psychologist 75:983–995, 2020) findings of adverse mental health problems associated with attending high-achieving schools. Our results have important implications not only for theory and methodology but also for parents’ selection of schools for their children and policy regarding the structure of schools (a substantive-methodological synergy).
Stimulating Elementary School Students’ Self-Regulated Learning Through High-Quality Interactions and Relationships: A Narrative Review
Authors: de Ruig Niels J. , de Jong Peter F. , Zee Marjolein 
Published: June 2023

AbstractOne of the most important competencies to become a life-long learner is considered to be self-regulated learning (SRL). In this narrative review study, we describe research on the relationships between classroom- and dyad-level student-teacher interactions and the components of elementary students’ SRL. These components include metacognition and the regulation of cognition, motivation, behavior, and emotions. Three electronic databases were examined, which resulted in 30 studies that met our eligibility criteria. The results suggest that both well-organized and emotionally supportive classroom climates, in addition to high-quality instructional support, are associated with students’ metacognition. Results also show that associations between classroom-level interactions and the components of SRL that tap students’ behaviors and motivation are mixed. In contrast, at the dyad-level, higher quality teacher-student interactions were consistently found to be related to the motivational component of SRL. We also found a positive relationship with metacognition, but at the dyad level studies on the other components of SRL were hardly available. The review revealed a number of gaps in research on SRL, such as the paucity of studies on the regulation of cognitions and emotions, the overreliance on self-reports in the measurement of SRL, and the absence of cross-cultural research.
Psychometric properties of the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale in Italian young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET)
Authors: Parola Anna , Marcionetti Jenny , Savickas Mark 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS) is one of the most widely used measures to assess career adaptabilities. Despite intensive worldwide use across heterogeneous populations, no study has assessed its factorial validity in the not in education, employment, or training (NEET) population. This study aims to extend evidence of CAAS factorial validity by assessing the Italian version for NEET. Participants (N= 318) completed the Italian CAAS. Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the hierarchical factor structure of this version. Evidence of measurement invariance across age and sex groups were observed. The results supported the CAAS as a reliable and good psychometrically-based assessment of career adaptabilities in the Italian NEET population.
Deviation compensation in LPBF series production via statistical predeformation and structural pattern analysis
Authors: Lechner Philipp , Hartmann Christoph , Wolf Daniel , Habiba Abdelrahman 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis article proposes two approaches for a tailored geometrical deviation compensation for Laser-Powder-Bed-Fusion production. The deviation compensation is performed by a non-rigid deformation of the manufacturing geometry in each iteration to reduce the geometrical deviations from the target geometry. It is important for geometric compensation approaches to separate deterministic deviations from random scatter, since compensating scatter can result in unstable behaviour. In order to compensate only deterministic deviations two novel approaches for a local estimation of the scatter are successfully introduced and tested using a hybrid model of a series production cycle.
Meaningful Work and Achievement in Increasingly Automated Workplaces
Authors: Parmer W. Jared 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAs automating technologies are increasingly integrated into workplaces, one concern is that many of the human workers who remain will be relegated to more dull and less positively impactful work. This paper considers two rival theories of meaningful work that might be used to evaluate particular implementations of automation. The first is achievementism, which says that work that culminates in achievements to workers’ credit is especially meaningful; the other is the practice view, which says that work that takes the form of an open-ended practice is especially meaningful. Of the two, the practice view is the better tool for assessing the future of meaningful work, because achievementism is explanatorily inadequate in two ways. Moreover, the practice view can explain why the most meaningful forms of work cannot be automated. A procedure can only be automated as long as the steps are defined, whereas, in such work, which steps to take is indefinitely open to redefinition. This reveals the real threat to meaningful work to be a political-economic one. The relevant ethical questions there have to do with how much creative control workers retain in crafting their own jobs, when those jobs involve meaningful work in collaboration with machines; and how to liberate workers from jobs that do not involve meaningful work, which should be left to machines anyway.
Quantifying Bypass Traffic in Partially Meshed Transparent Optical Networks
Authors: Comellas Jaume , Hario Fakhriy , Junyent Gabriel 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis work investigates the transparent bypassing capacity requirements of elastic backbone optical networks to determine the all-optical cross-connection capacity needed at network nodes. Topological parameters have been used to develop a random network generator, and the generated topologies are evaluated. Reference values are obtained and applied to well-known topologies, and extensive simulations are conducted to obtain network nodes' bypassing traffic under realistic traffic profiles. The study reveals that although bypassing traffic varies by topology, it never exceeds 9% of total network traffic per node degree. These findings can help properly dimension network nodes by determining the necessary quantity of transceivers and cross-connection capacity based on the network topology and expected traffic.
Branching with Selection and Mutation I: Mutant Fitness of Fréchet Type
Authors: Park Su-Chan , Krug Joachim , Touzo Léo , Mörters Peter 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWe investigate two stochastic models of a growing population with discrete and non-overlapping generations, subject to selection and mutation. In our models each individual carries a fitness which determines its mean offspring number. Many of these offspring inherit their parent’s fitness, but some are mutants and obtain a fitness randomly sampled, as in Kingman’s house-of-cards model, from a distribution in the domain of attraction of the Fréchet distribution. We give a rigorous proof for the precise rate of superexponential growth of these stochastic processes and support the argument by a heuristic and numerical study of the mechanism underlying this growth. This study yields in particular that the empirical fitness distribution of one model in the long time limit displays periodic behaviour.