bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microscopic derivation of Ginzburg–Landau theory and the BCS critical temperature shift in general external fields
Authors: Deuchert Andreas , Hainzl Christian , Maier Marcel Oliver 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWe consider the Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer (BCS) free energy functional with weak and macroscopic external electric and magnetic fields and derive the Ginzburg–Landau functional. We also provide an asymptotic formula for the BCS critical temperature as a function of the external fields. This extends our previous results in Deuchert et al. (Microscopic derivation of Ginzburg-Landau theory and the BCS critical temperature shift in a weak homogeneous magnetic field, PMP 4(1), 1–89 (2023)) for the constant magnetic field to general magnetic fields with a nonzero magnetic flux through the unit cell.
Virtual reality environment for exposure therapy in obsessive–compulsive disorder: a validation study
Authors: Fajnerová Iveta , Francová Anna , Taranzová Kateřina , Darmová Barbora , Kosová Eliška , Stopková Pavla 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterised by recurrent, repetitive, and unwanted thoughts or impulses triggering significant anxiety. Exposure and response prevention is currently the first-line therapy for OCD. The goal of this validation study was to confirm the potential of the VR house environment that incorporates OCD-specific items that cluster around major symptom dimensions: ‘contamination’, ‘symmetry’, ‘checking’ and ‘hoarding’ to induce anxiety and compulsive behaviour in patients with OCD.

Method
We assessed a sample of OCD patients (n = 44) that was compared to a group of healthy controls (n = 31). The severity of OCD symptoms was assessed in all subjects. During a single session, participants were asked to approach a set of 10 stimuli (covering four OCD dimensions) and rate their current intensity of distress/anxiety and compulsive tendencies (scales 0–5) provoked by observing each stimulus. Before and after the VR exposure, participants completed questionnaires assessing subjective levels of anxiety (before/after VR exposure), their sense of presence in VR and experienced simulator sickness.

Results
The results show that the OCD group reports elevated levels of distress and compulsive behaviour when confronted with VR exposure stimuli compared to the control group, but no increase in anxiety levels has been observed after the VR exposure. The subjective ratings of provoked distress and compulsive behaviour are not associated with severity of OCD symptoms, perceived sense of presence, association with cybersickness symptoms is weak.

Conclusion
Our data suggest that the VR house environment is a suitable tool for VR exposure therapy in OCD patients as it demonstrates OCD symptom provocation relevant for individual patients.
A conceptual model for a circular city: a case study of Maribor, Slovenia
Authors: Brglez Kristijan , Perc Matjaž , Lukman Rebeka Kovačič 
Published: July 2023

AbstractCities play a crucial role in achieving sustainable development. Decision-makers require assistance in developing city transformation plans amidst the emergence of various city models. A content analysis using concept mapping was conducted to examine smart, circular, and green city models. The analysis, supported by Leximancer, revealed that city models are evolving by adopting beneficial solutions from competitors, reflecting a strong focus on sustainable development. Additionally, twenty-four research areas essential for implementing a circular city were identified and validated. Furthermore, a conceptual model for a circular city was developed, incorporating the Define-Measure-Analyse-Improve-Control tool and a problem-solving system. Testing the model on Maribor highlighted challenges in monitoring the transition towards circularity. The study validates the established model but emphasises the need for further research and case studies to verify its practicality. This scientific research enhances the understanding of city models and their evolution towards sustainability, providing valuable insights for decision-makers and urban planners.
Graphical abstract
Demographics and treatment of patients with primary membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in Japan using a national registry of clinical personal records
Authors: Nakagawa Naoki , Kimura Tomonori , Sakate Ryuichi , Isaka Yoshitaka , Narita Ichiei 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is a rare glomerular injury that causes nephrotic syndrome and end-stage kidney disease. The nationwide demographics and treatment of Japanese patients with primary MPGN have not yet been reported.

Methods
We collected clinical personal records of patients with primary MPGN between 2015 and 2018 from the national registry organized by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare and investigated the characteristics of primary MPGN throughout Japan.

Results
Of 258 patients with primary MPGN, 199 and 59 showed nephrotic and non-nephrotic syndrome, respectively. The median age at onset was higher in patients with nephrotic syndrome than in those with non-nephrotic syndrome (45 [24–63] vs. 35 [14–53] years, respectively; P = 0.010). The use of oral prednisolone was significantly higher in patients with nephrotic syndrome than in those with non-nephrotic syndrome (73.9% vs. 59.3%, respectively; P = 0.032). When patients were divided into three age groups: adolescent and young adult group (≤ 39 years; n = 80), middle adult group (40–64 years; n = 111), and older adult group (≥ 65 years; n = 67), the use of oral prednisolone, cyclosporine, and mizoribine was significantly higher in the adolescent and young adult group than in the middle adult group. The mean dosage of oral prednisolone and mizoribine showed no differences among the three age groups.

Conclusion
The national registry of clinical personal records of primary MPGN could provide an informative insight into the characteristics, clinical features, and treatment approaches for patients with primary MPGN in Japan.
The Next Challenges of Vestibular Implantation in Humans
Authors: Stultiens Joost Johannes Antonius , Lewis Richard F. , Phillips James O. , Boutabla Anissa , Della Santina Charles C. , Glueckert Rudolf , van de Berg Raymond 
Published: July 2023

AbstractPatients with bilateral vestibulopathy suffer from a variety of complaints, leading to a high individual and social burden. Available treatments aim to alleviate the impact of this loss and improve compensatory strategies. Early experiments with electrical stimulation of the vestibular nerve in combination with knowledge gained by cochlear implant research, have inspired the development of a vestibular neuroprosthesis that can provide the missing vestibular input. The feasibility of this concept was first demonstrated in animals and later in humans. Currently, several research groups around the world are investigating prototype vestibular implants, in the form of vestibular implants as well as combined cochlear and vestibular implants. The aim of this review is to convey the presentations and discussions from the identically named symposium that was held during the 2021 MidWinter Meeting of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, with researchers involved in the development of vestibular implants targeting the ampullary nerves. Substantial advancements in the development have been made. Yet, research and development processes face several challenges to improve this neuroprosthesis. These include, but are not limited to, optimization of the electrical stimulation profile, refining the surgical implantation procedure, preserving residual labyrinthine functions including hearing, as well as gaining regulatory approval and establishing a clinical care infrastructure similar to what exists for cochlear implants. It is believed by the authors that overcoming these challenges will accelerate the development and increase the impact of a clinically applicable vestibular implant.
Serum thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) levels in atopic dermatitis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: García-Reyes Marlenne Marisol , Zumaya-Pérez Luis Carlos , Pastelin-Palacios Rodolfo , Moreno-Eutimio Mario Adán 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is critical in developing allergic responses, including atopic dermatitis (AD). We systematically reviewed the literature to complete a meta-analysis to quantitatively summarize the levels of serum TSLP in AD. The study was prospectively registered in the PROSPERO database (ID = CRD42021242628). The PUBMED, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Library databases were reviewed, and original articles investigating serum TSLP in AD patients were included. Differences in TSLP levels of AD patients and controls were summarized by standardized mean differences (SMD) using a random effects model. Study quality was assessed by applying the Newcastle‒Ottawa Scale. Fourteen studies, which included 1,032 AD patients and 416 controls, were included. Meta-analysis showed that TSLP levels were significantly higher in the AD group than in the control group (SMD = 2.21, 95% CI 1.37–3.06, p < 0.001). Stratification by geographical region, age, disease severity, TSLP determination method, sample size, and study quality revealed significantly elevated TSLP levels in European AD patients (SMD = 3.48, 95% CI 1.75–5.21, p < 0.0001), adult AD patients (SMD = 4.10, 95% CI 2.00–6.21, p < 0.0001), child AD patients (SMD = 0.83, 95% CI 0.08–1.59, p = 0.031), and all severity groups with AD compared with the control group (mild: SMD = 1.15, 95% CI 0.14–2.16, p = 0.025; moderate: SMD = 2.48, 95% CI 0.33–4.62, p = 0.024; and severe: SMD = 8.28, 95% CI 4.82–11.74, p = 2.72e−6). Noticeably, adults showed higher serum TSLP levels than children with AD, and serum TSL levels increased according to AD severity. In conclusion, our meta-analysis demonstrates that circulating TSLP levels are elevated in patients with AD. Future studies are warranted to further elucidate the sources of heterogeneity.
Left atrial sphericity in relation to atrial strain and strain rate in atrial fibrillation patients
Authors: Hopman Luuk H.G.A. , Bhagirath Pranav , Mulder Mark J. , Demirkiran Ahmet , Mathari Sulayman El , van der Laan Anja M. , van Rossum Albert C. , Kemme Michiel J.B. , Allaart Cornelis P. , Götte Marco J.W. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Left atrial (LA) sphericity is a novel, geometry-based parameter that has been used to visualize and quantify LA geometrical remodeling in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This study examined the association between LA sphericity, and LA longitudinal strain and strain rate measured by feature-tracking in AF patients.

Methods
128 AF patients who underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in sinus rhythm prior to their pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedure were retrospectively analyzed. LA sphericity was calculated by segmenting the LA (excluding the pulmonary veins and the LA appendage) on a 3D contrast enhanced MR angiogram and comparing the resulting shape with a perfect sphere. LA global reservoir strain, conduit strain, contractile strain and corresponding strain rates were derived from cine images using feature-tracking. For statistical analysis, Pearson correlations, multivariable logistic regression analysis, and Student t-tests were used.

Results
Patients with a spherical LA (dichotomized by the median value) had a lower reservoir strain and conduit strain compared to patients with a non-spherical LA (-15.4 ± 4.2% vs. -17.1 ± 3.5%, P = 0.02 and − 8.2 ± 3.0% vs. -9.5 ± 2.6%, P = 0.01, respectively). LA strain rate during early ventricular diastole was also different between both groups (-0.7 ± 0.3s− 1 vs. -0.9 ± 0.3s− 1, P = 0.001). In contrast, no difference was found for LA contractile strain (-7.2 ± 2.6% vs. -7.6 ± 2.2%, P = 0.30).

Conclusions
LA passive strain is significantly impaired in AF patients with a spherical LA, though this relation was not independent from LA volume.
Lignin nanoparticles as co-stabilizers and modifiers of nanocellulose-based Pickering emulsions and foams
Authors: Agustin Melissa B. , Nematollahi Neda , Bhattarai Mamata , Oliaei Erfan , Lehtonen Mari , Rojas Orlando J. , Mikkonen Kirsi S. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractNanocellulose is very hydrophilic, preventing interactions with the oil phase in Pickering emulsions. This limitation is herein addressed by incorporating lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) as co-stabilizers of nanocellulose-based Pickering emulsions. LNP addition decreases the oil droplet size and slows creaming at pH 5 and 8 and with increasing LNP content. Emulsification at pH 3 and LNP cationization lead to droplet flocculation and rapid creaming. LNP application for emulsification, prior or simultaneously with nanocellulose, favors stability given the improved interactions with the oil phase. The Pickering emulsions can be freeze–dried, enabling the recovery of a solid macroporous foam that can act as adsorbent for pharmaceutical pollutants. Overall, the properties of nanocellulose-based Pickering emulsions and foams can be tailored by LNP addition. This strategy offers a unique, green approach to stabilize biphasic systems using bio-based nanomaterials without tedious and costly modification procedures.
Marine sense. The Sea beyond Explicit Knowledge
Authors: Simon Lionel 
Published: July 2023

AbstractI explore what is known as “marine sense” to highlight the specificity of tacit understandings of the environment in which intuition is pivotal to practical action. I argue that the concept of “marine sense” affords a finer and more nuanced understanding of the ways in which populations interact with marine environments and posit that the fishers’ knowledge is operative because it is coupled with other skills that make it suitable for action and for adopting effective behaviors. Thus “marine sense” and “knowledge” become two distinct forms (or modalities) of understanding the marine environment. I outline what research on “marine sense” could constitute in relation to recent advances on the interactions between humans and oceans in the context of my ethnographic fieldwork among the Wayuu of Manaure (Colombia). I specifically highlight frames of reference that inform how freediving underwater fishers organize their (dialogical) relationship to the sea through perceptions and sensations that are on a general level central to an intuitive understanding of observable events.
PoseEdit: enhanced ligand binding mode communication by interactive 2D diagrams
Authors: Diedrich Konrad , Krause Bennet , Berg Ole , Rarey Matthias 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIn this article, we present PoseEdit, a new, interactive frontend of the popular pose visualization tool PoseView. PoseEdit automatically produces high-quality 2D diagrams of intermolecular interactions in 3D binding sites calculated from ligands in complex with protein, DNA, and RNA. The PoseView diagrams have been improved in several aspects, most notably in their interactivity. Thanks to the easy-to-use 2D editor of PoseEdit, the diagrams are extensively editable and extendible by the user, can be merged with other diagrams, and even be created from scratch. A large variety of graphical objects in the diagram can be moved, rotated, selected and highlighted, mirrored, removed, or even newly added. Furthermore, PoseEdit enables a synchronized 2D-3D view of macromolecule-ligand complexes simplifying the analysis of structural features and interactions. The representation of individual diagram objects regarding their visualized chemical properties, like stereochemistry, and general graphical styles, like the color of interactions, can additionally be edited. The primary objective of PoseEdit is to support scientists with an enhanced way to communicate ligand binding mode information through graphical 2D representations optimized with the scientist’s input in accordance with objective criteria and individual needs. PoseEdit is freely available on the ProteinsPlus web server (https://proteins.plus).
Leveraging SMEs technologies adoption in the Covid-19 pandemic: a case study on Twitter-based user-generated content
Authors: Saura Jose Ramon , Palacios-Marqués Daniel , Ribeiro-Soriano Domingo 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused many entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to adapt their business models and business strategies to the consequences caused by the pandemic. In order to identify the main innovations and technologies adopted by SMEs in the pandemic, in the present study, we used a database of 56,941 tweets related to the coronavirus to identify those that contained the hashtag #SMEs. The final sample was analyzed using several data-mining techniques such as sentiment analysis, topic modeling and textual analysis. The theoretical perspectives adopted in the present study were Computer-Aided Text Analysis, User-Generated Content and Natural Language Processing. The results of our analysis helped us to identify 15 topics (7 positive: Free support against Covid-19, Webinars tools, Time Optimizer and efficiency, Business solutions tools, Advisors tools, Software for process support and Back-up tools; 4 negative: Government support, Payment systems, Cybersecurity problems and Customers solutions in Cloud, and and 4 neutral: Social media and e-commerce, Specialized startups software, CRMs and Finance and Big data analysis tools). The results of the present study suggest that SMEs have used a variety of digital tools and strategies to adapt to the changing market conditions brought on by the pandemic, and have been proactive in adopting new technologies to continue to operate and reach customers in a connected era. Future research should be directed towards understanding the long-term effects of these technologies and strategies on entrepreneurial growth and value creation, as well as the sustainability of SMEs in the new era based on data-driven decisions.
Covid Vaccination Disputes in Czechia: Political Myth-Making and Boundary Work
Authors: Chlup Radek 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe paper argues that one of the reasons the suppression of scientific dissent during the Covid pandemic has been so severe was because the dominant scientific Covid narrative has been turned into a political myth, i.e. a narrative mobilizing groups in support of key moral values. Taking the example of Covid vaccination, I show the key values with which it became linked in Czechia. Questioning vaccination came to be seen as endangering these values, which made scientific dissent appear as particularly dangerous. I further analyse how this schematic discourse dealt with “free-vax” scientists, who were not against Covid vaccination as such but only against its blanket application. I show that their discreditation was mainly carried out by various fact-checking NGOs or social media influencers, who attempted to delegitimize them not by scientific arguments but rather by associating them with more dubious groups of social actors, or labelling their views as “disinformation”. This discrediting strategy was largely successful, but it also had some undesirable social and political backfire effects, in that it pushed some of the free-vaxxers out of the liberal democratic mainstream and forced them to seek alliance with more anti-systemic segments of the population in attempts at political resistance.
LCCNN: a Lightweight Customized CNN-Based Distance Education App for COVID-19 Recognition
Authors: Wang Jiaji , Satapathy Suresh Chandra , Wang Shuihua , Zhang Yudong 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIn the global epidemic, distance learning occupies an increasingly important place in teaching and learning because of its great potential. This paper proposes a web-based app that includes a proposed 8-layered lightweight, customized convolutional neural network (LCCNN) for COVID-19 recognition. Five-channel data augmentation is proposed and used to help the model avoid overfitting. The LCCNN achieves an accuracy of 91.78%, which is higher than the other eight state-of-the-art methods. The results show that this web-based app provides a valuable diagnostic perspective on the patients and is an excellent way to facilitate medical education. Our LCCNN model is explainable for both radiologists and distance education users. Heat maps are generated where the lesions are clearly spotted. The LCCNN can detect from CT images the presence of lesions caused by COVID-19. This web-based app has a clear and simple interface, which is easy to use. With the help of this app, teachers can provide distance education and guide students clearly to understand the damage caused by COVID-19, which can increase interaction with students and stimulate their interest in learning.
Issues of Expertise in Perception and Imagination: Commentary on Stokes
Authors: Kind Amy 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIn this commentary on Dustin Stokes’ Thinking and Perceiving, I focus on his discussion of perceptual expertise. This discussion occurs in the context of his case against modularity assumptions that underlie much contemporary theorizing about perception. As I suggest, there is much to be gained from thinking about considerations about perceptual expertise in conjunction with considerations about imaginative skill. In particular, I offer three different lessons that we can learn by way of the joint consideration of these two phenomena.
Fiscal windfalls and entrepreneurship: fostering entry or promoting incumbents?
Authors: Garmaise Mark J. , Natividad Gabriel 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWe study the impact of government fiscal windfalls on entrepreneurship through an analysis of shocks to transfer payments in Peru. These pure transfers generate higher government spending, and we contrast the impacts on incumbent firms and entrants. Incumbent exits from the financial system are reduced, but previously troubled firms experience deteriorating performance. Increased transfers result in higher rates of firm entry into formal borrowing and superior entrant outcomes. Overall, startups outperform non-startups after heightened transfers.
Evaluation of combinatorial optimisation algorithms for c-optimal experimental designs with correlated observations
Authors: Watson Samuel I. , Pan Yi 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWe show how combinatorial optimisation algorithms can be applied to the problem of identifying c-optimal experimental designs when there may be correlation between and within experimental units and evaluate the performance of relevant algorithms. We assume the data generating process is a generalised linear mixed model and show that the c-optimal design criterion is a monotone supermodular function amenable to a set of simple minimisation algorithms. We evaluate the performance of three relevant algorithms: the local search, the greedy search, and the reverse greedy search. We show that the local and reverse greedy searches provide comparable performance with the worst design outputs having variance$$<10\%$$<10%greater than the best design, across a range of covariance structures. We show that these algorithms perform as well or better than multiplicative methods that generate weights to place on experimental units. We extend these algorithms to identifying modle-robust c-optimal designs.