bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of physician associates/assistants in dermatology
Authors: Griffith Cynthia F. , Young Peter A. , Hooker Roderick S. , Puckett Kasey , Kozikowski Andrzej 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe dermatology workforce includes physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician associates/assistants (PAs). The number of dermatologists is growing slowly while the growth of PAs working in dermatology is rapid and accelerating. To understand their characteristics, a descriptive study of PAs practicing in dermatology utilizing the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) workforce dataset on PA practices was undertaken. NCCPA certifies PAs who practice in the United States and queries them about their role, employment, salary, and job satisfaction. Analyses consisted of descriptive statistics, Chi-Square, and Mann–Whitney tests for comparisons between PAs practicing in dermatology versus the total of all other PA specialties. As of 2021, 4,580 certified PAs reported practicing in dermatology—a nearly twofold increase since 2013, when 2323 worked in the specialty. This cohort's median age was 39 years, and 82% were female. Almost all (91.5%) are office based, and 81% work more than 31 h per week. The median salary was $125,000 (2020 dollars). Dermatology PAs work fewer hours and see more patients than their counterparts compared to all 69 PA specialties. At the same time, dermatology PAs are more satisfied and less burnt out when compared to all PAs. The increased number of PAs selecting dermatology as their discipline can help lessen the projected physician shortage in this field.
Fetal NT-proBNP levels and their course in severe anemia during intrauterine treatment
Authors: Siebers Pauline , Gembruch Ulrich , Merz Waltraut Maria , Recker Florian , Müller Andreas , Strizek Brigitte , Geipel Annegret , Berg Christoph , Weber Eva Christin 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Purpose
In adults and fetuses, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a marker of cardiac failure and myocardial remodelling. We examined the effect of anemia and intrauterine transfusion (IUT) on NT-proBNP concentrations in fetuses with anemia and established gestational age-dependent reference values of a control group.

Methods
We analyzed NT-proBNP levels in anemic fetuses that underwent serial intrauterine transfusions (IUT), focusing on different causes and severity of anemia and comparing the results to a non-anemic control group.

Results
In the control group, the average NT-proBNP concentration was 1339 ± 639 pg/ml, decreasing significantly with increasing gestational age (R = − 74.04, T = − 3.65, p = 0.001). Subjects had significantly higher NT-proBNP concentrations before initiation of IUT therapy (p < 0.001), showing fetuses with parvovirus B19 (PVB19) infection having the highest concentrations. Hydropic fetuses also showed an increased NT-proBNP concentration compared to non-hydropic fetuses (p < 0.001). During the course of therapy, NT-proBNP concentration before subsequent IUT decreased significantly from pathologically high levels, while MoM-Hb and MoM-MCA-PSV remained pathological.

Conclusion
NT-pro BNP levels in non-anemic fetuses are higher than in postnatal life, decreasing with ongoing pregnancy. Anemia is a hyperdynamic state and its severity correlates with circulating NT-proBNP levels. Highest concentrations occur in fetuses with hydrops and with PVB19 infection, respectively. Treatment by IUT leads to a normalisation of NT-proBNP concentrations, so the measurement of its levels may be useful in therapy monitoring.
Suicide, neuroinflammation and other physiological alterations
Authors: Bengoechea-Fortes Sabina de la Paz , Ramírez-Expósito María Jesús , Martínez-Martos José Manuel 
Published: March 2023

AbstractSuicide is considered one of the major public health problems worldwide, being the second leading cause of death in the 15–29 age group. It is estimated that every 40s someone in the world commits suicide. The social taboo surrounding this phenomenon as well as the fact that suicide prevention measures currently fail to avoid deaths from this cause, means that more research is needed to understand its mechanisms. The present narrative review on suicide tries to point out several important aspects, such as risk factors or the dynamics of suicide, as well as the current findings in the field of physiology that could offer advances in the understanding of suicide. Subjective measures of risk such as scales and questionnaires are not effective alone, whereas the objective measures can be addressed from physiology. Thus, an increased neuroinflammation in people who take their own lives has been found, with an increase in inflammatory markers such as interleukin-6 and other cytokines in plasma or cerebrospinal fluid. Also, the hyperactivity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and a decrease in serotonin or in vitamin D levels seems to also be involved. In conclusion, this review could help to understand which factors can trigger an increased risk of dying by suicide, as well as pointing out those alterations that occur in the body when someone attempt to commit suicide or succeeds in taking their own life. There is a need for more multidisciplinary approaches that address suicide to help to raise awareness of the relevance of this problem that causes the death of thousands of people every year.
Multi-objective optimal design of double tuned mass dampers for structural vibration control
Authors: Cao Huong Quoc , Tran Ngoc-An 
Published: March 2023

AbstractA double tuned mass damper (DTMD) for suppressing oscillations of civil structures is proposed in this study. DTMD is a combination of an undamped TMD and a smaller TMD. The impact of parameters on the essential characteristics, as well as the vibration absorption capacity of DTMD, is investigated. Using genetic algorithms (GA), the optimum parameters of DTMD are determined by minimizing the peak dynamic magnification factor of structural responses for a wide range of excitation frequencies. The effectiveness and robustness of DTMD are also compared with those of the optimized TMD having a similar weight as the DTMD. Furthermore, multi-objective optimization designs of DTMD (for both two-objective and three-objective) are also developed here. This study indicates that the DTMD is more effective than a single TMD. If keeping a similar efficiency to that of an optimized TMD, the optimum DTMD has a broader domain for choosing the frequency and damping ratio. In this sense, a DTMD is much more robust than a single TMD.
Calcineurin-dependent regulation of gap junction conductance and connexin phosphorylation in guinea pig left atrium
Authors: Jabr R. I. , Salvage S. C. , Hatch F. S. , Fry C. H. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs from disordered atrial action potential conduction and is associated with reduced gap junction electrical conductance (Gj). The Ca2+ and calmodulin-dependent phosphatase, calcineurin, reduces Gj in ventricular myocardium via a protein phosphatase-1 (PP1)-dependent pathway culminating in phosphorylation of serine368 on connexin43 (pSer368-Cx43). However, characterisation of corresponding pathways in left atrial myocardium, which have a more complex connexin subtype profile, is undefined and was the aim of this study. Gj was measured in guinea-pig left atrium from the frequency-dependent variation of intracellular impedance; intracellular [Ca2+], ([Ca2+]i) in low-Na solution was measured by Fura-2 fluorescence. Phosphorylation of guinea-pig Ser368-Cx43 residues was measured by Western blot; Cx40 was immunoprecipitated and probed for serine/threonine residue phosphorylation. Low-Na solution reversibly reduced Gj, in turn attenuated or prevented by calcineurin inhibitors cyclosporin-A or CAIP, respectively. Moreover, Ser368-Cx43 phosphorylation in low-Na solution was also prevented by CAIP. Changes were partially prevented by fostreicin (FST), a protein phosphatase-2A (PP2A) inhibitor; but not by tautomycin, a PP1 inhibitor. Serine/threonine residues on Cx40 were also phosphorylated in low-Na solution; prevented by CAIP and attenuated by FST. Reduced Gj with raised [Ca2+]i is paralleled by a changed Cx43/Cx40 phosphorylation status; changes mediated by calcineurin and PP2A-dependent pathways, but not PP1. The pharmacological profile underlying changes to guinea-pig atrial gap junction electrical conductance with raised intracellular [Ca2+]i is fundamentally different from that in ventricular myocardium. This provides a targeted drug model whereby atrial and ventricular myocardium can be selectively targeted to correct conduction defects.
Manipulating free will beliefs using online video games
Authors: Tavernier Nel , Wisniewski David , Brass Marcel 
Published: March 2023

AbstractResearch in social psychology and experimental philosophy has investigated lay people’s free will beliefs (FWB). Using different approaches (i.e. experimental manipulations and vignette studies), they investigated how FWB relate to other concepts, and whether changing FWB has an impact on downstream processes such as social behavior. However, both approaches have shortcomings. While experimental manipulations used in social psychology suffer from demand effects, vignettes used in experimental philosophy are often highly abstract. Across two pre-registered studies, we developed a new approach by merging them in an online video game setting. Using this novel, experience-based FWB manipulation, we found that decreasing FWB impacted variables such as perceived control and responsibility in both studies. While the experience-based manipulation influenced participants’ beliefs in free will within the context of the experience (“Within the context of the scenario, would the agent believe in free will?”) in the first study, this manipulation effect did not transfer to participants’ general FWB (“Do you believe in free will?”) in the second study. Overall, our findings suggest a way forward in studying laypeople’s beliefs in free will.
Low diffusion capacity predicts poor prognosis in extensive stage small cell lung cancer: a single-center analysis of 10 years
Authors: Kim Jee Seon , Kim Eun Ji , Jang Jong Geol , Hong Kyung Soo , Ahn June Hong 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Poor pulmonary function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with poorer overall survival (OS) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Few studies have investigated the association between pulmonary function and OS in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients. We compared the clinical characteristics of extensive disease SCLC (ED-SCLC) with or without moderately impaired diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) and investigated the factors associated with survival in ED-SCLC patients.

Methods
This retrospective single-center study was performed between January 2011 and December 2020. Of the 307 SCLC patients who received cancer therapy during the study, 142 with ED-SCLC were analyzed. The patients were divided into DLco < 60% group and DLco ≥ 60% groups. OS and predictors of poor OS were analyzed.

Results
The median OS of the 142 ED-SCLC patients was 9.3 months and the median age was 68 years. In total, 129 (90.8%) patients had a history of smoking, and 60 (42.3%) had COPD. Thirty-five (24.6%) patients were assigned to the DLco < 60% group. Multivariate analysis revealed that DLco < 60% (odds ratio [OR], 1.609; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.062–2.437; P = 0.025), number of metastases (OR, 1.488; 95% CI, 1.262–1.756; P < 0.001), and < 4 cycles of first-line chemotherapy (OR, 3.793; 95% CI, 2.530–5.686; P < 0.001) were associated with poor OS. Forty (28.2%) patients received < 4 cycles of first-line chemotherapy; the most common reason for this was death (n = 22, 55%) from grade 4 febrile neutropenia (n = 15), infection (n = 5), or massive hemoptysis (n = 2). The DLco < 60% group had a shorter median OS than the DLco ≥ 60% group (10.6 ± 0.8 vs. 4.9 ± 0.9 months, P = 0.003).

Conclusions
In this study, approximately one quarter of the ED-SCLC patients had DLco < 60%. Low DLco (but not forced expiratory volume in 1 s or forced vital capacity), a large number of metastases, and < 4 cycles of first-line chemotherapy were independent risk factors for poor survival outcomes in patients with ED-SCLC.
CRELD1 variants are associated with bicuspid aortic valve in Turner syndrome
Authors: Pinnaro Catherina T. , Beck Chloe B. , Major Heather J. , Darbro Benjamin W. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractTurner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder caused by complete or partial loss of the second sex chromosome and exhibits phenotypic heterogeneity, even after accounting for mosaicism and karyotypic variation. Congenital heart defects (CHD) are found in up to 45 percent of girls with TS and span a phenotypic continuum of obstructive left-sided lesions, with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) being the most common. Several recent studies have demonstrated a genome-wide impact of X chromosome haploinsufficiency, including global hypomethylation and altered RNA expression. The presence of such broad changes to the TS epigenome and transcriptome led others to hypothesize that X chromosome haploinsufficiency sensitizes the TS genome, and several studies have demonstrated that a second genetic hit can modify disease susceptibility in TS. The objective of this study was to determine whether genetic variants in known heart developmental pathways act synergistically in this setting to increase the risk for CHD, specifically BAV, in TS. We analyzed 208 whole exomes from girls and women with TS and performed gene-based variant enrichment analysis and rare-variant association testing to identify variants associated with BAV in TS. Notably, rare variants in CRELD1 were significantly enriched in individuals with TS who had BAV compared to those with structurally normal hearts. CRELD1 is a protein that functions as a regulator of calcineurin/NFAT signaling, and rare variants in CRELD1 have been associated with both syndromic and non-syndromic CHD. This observation supports the hypothesis that genetic modifiers outside the X chromosome that lie in known heart development pathways may influence CHD risk in TS.
Mediiert die schmerzspezifische Selbstwirksamkeit die Beziehung zwischen Depressivität und arbeitsbezogenen Faktoren bei nichtspezifischen chronischen Rückenschmerzen?
Authors: Hampel Petra , Neumann Anne 
Published: March 2023

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Die Chronifizierung nichtspezifischer Rückenschmerzen hängt vor allem mit psychologischen Faktoren zusammen. Wirkmechanismen psychologischer Faktoren wurden jedoch noch wenig bei nichtspezifischen chronischen Rückenschmerzen (CRS) untersucht, insbesondere nicht der Mediatoreffekt der schmerzspezifischen Selbstwirksamkeit.

Fragestellung
Mediiert die schmerzspezifische Selbstwirksamkeit die langfristige Vorhersage arbeitsbezogener Faktoren durch die Depressivität?

Methodik
Im Rahmen einer explorativen Sekundäranalyse wurden einfache Mediationsanalysen zur längsschnittlichen Vorhersage der subjektiven Erwerbsprognose sowie physischen und psychischen Arbeitsfähigkeit durch die Depressivität mit dem Mediator schmerzspezifische Selbstwirksamkeit bei 382 Personen mit nichtspezifischen CRS in der stationären Rehabilitation durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse
Die Befunde sprechen dafür, dass die Depressivität zu Rehabilitationsbeginn die Ausprägungen in allen drei arbeitsbezogenen Kennwerten 24 Monate nach der Rehabilitation vorhersagte und die schmerzspezifische Selbstwirksamkeit 12 Monate nach der Rehabilitation diesen Zusammenhang vermittelte.

Schlussfolgerung
Bei der Behandlung nichtspezifischer CRS sollte zur nachhaltigen Verbesserung des arbeitsbezogenen Rehabilitationserfolgs insbesondere die schmerzspezifische Selbstwirksamkeit, aber auch die Depressivität berücksichtigt werden.
Students feedback analysis model using deep learning-based method and linguistic knowledge for intelligent educational systems
Authors: Abdi Asad , Sedrakyan Gayane , Veldkamp Bernard , van Hillegersberg Jos , van den Berg Stéphanie M. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractStudent feedback analysis is time-consuming and laborious work if it is handled manually. This study explores the use of a new deep learning-based method to design a more accurate automated system for analysing students’ feedback (called DTLP: deep learning and teaching process). The DTLP employs convolutional neural networks (CNNs), bidirectional LSTM (BiLSTM), and attention mechanism.To the best of our knowledge, a deep learning-based method using a unified feature set, which is representative of word embedding, sentiment knowledge, sentiment shifter rules, linguistic and statistical knowledge, has not been thoroughly studied with regard to sentiment analysis of student feedback. Furthermore, DTLP uses multiple strategies to overcome the following drawbacks: contextual polarity; sentence types; words with similar semantic context but opposite sentiment polarity; word coverage limit of an individual lexicon; and word sense variations. To evaluate the DTLP, we conducted an experiment on a large volume of students’ feedback. The results showed (i) DTLP outperforms the existing systems in the field, (ii) DTLP that learns from this unified feature set can acquire significantly higher performance than one that learns from a feature subset, (iii) the ensemble of sentiment shifter rules, word embedding, statistical, linguistic, and sentiment knowledge allows DTLP to obtain significant performance, and (iv) an attention mechanism into CNN-BiLSTM improves the performance of DTLP. In addition, the deployed method looks for potential causes behind student feedback.
Determinants of autonomous train operation adoption in rail freight: knowledge-based assessment with Delphi-ANP approach
Authors: Djordjević Boban , Fröidh Oskar , Krmac Evelin 
Published: March 2023

AbstractRailways are the backbone of complex and multimodal transport systems in Europe. To secure a larger share of the transport market and attract existing and future freight customers, further improvement in services is required. To achieve this goal, the use of new technologies in the era of railway automation and digitalization is required. Automatic train operation (ATO) in rail transport is considered a promising solution for providing cost-effective rail products. In this study, we define ATO as autonomous train operation and the feasibility of ATO deployment in rail freight is investigated. For this purpose, a knowledge-based approach is introduced to identify opportunities, problems, and the most appropriate grade of automation in rail freight. In a multi-stage process, Delphi questionnaires were combined with the analytic network process (ANP) method to investigate, define, and weight the determinants for ATO deployment. The final phase of the survey estimated the potential costs and drivers for different grades of automation. The results show that, in addition to the positive impacts of ATO, there are numerous challenges and risks that need to be analysed before ATO is implemented. In addition, the Delphi-ANP approach was used to identify the key determinants for decision-making prior to ATO implementation and the most viable alternative based on them. Investment cost, level of safety, energy saving, and reliability of management system are the most important determinants for the decision to implement ATO. The results of this study can effectively support rail infrastructure managers and operators in strategic planning and decision-making for ATO implementation in rail freight.
Optimum 7 MW HTS direct-drive wind turbine synchronous generator designs with different rotor and stator iron topologies
Authors: Köster Robin , Binder Andreas 
Published: March 2023

AbstractPartially superconducting direct-drive wind turbine generators with high-temperature superconducting excitation winding enable an increase of the rated unit power, higher efficiency, and a high, adjustable power factor. The high excitation ampere-turns allow for iron topologies that differ from conventional permanent magnet-excited generators. This study compares four different iron topologies for $$7\,\mathrm{MW}$$

7

MW

rated power and 8.33 rpm with a slotted stator or stator air gap winding regarding technical key characteristics and economic aspects. The generator designs are numerically optimized based on 2D finite element simulations. Maximum efficiency and the most lightweight designs are obtained with the stator air gap winding, whereas all-iron topologies prove advantageous regarding the trade-off between small active mass and high-temperature superconductor material consumption. The costs of the cryogenic cooling system and of the full converter are both found to be less than $$15\%$$

15
%

for a wide range of generator designs.
Statements of Austrian hospices and palliative care units after the implementation of the law on assisted suicide
Authors: Kitta Anna , Ecker Franziska , Zeilinger Elisabeth Lucia , Kum Lea , Adamidis Feroniki , Masel Eva Katharina 
Published: March 2023

Summary
Background
Since January 2022, assisted suicide (AS) in Austria is legal under certain conditions. One of these conditions is informative consultations with two physicians, one of whom must be qualified in palliative medicine. Patients who are thinking about AS can approach palliative care institutions. This study aims to assess the availability and nature of Austrian palliative care institutions’ web-based statements about AS.

Methods
In this qualitative study, the websites of all Austrian palliative care units (n = 43) and all Austrian inpatient hospices (n = 14) were searched for possible statements on AS once in February 2022 and once in August 2022 using the three search terms “suicide”, “assisted”, and “euthanasia”. The findings were subsequently evaluated using thematic analysis and NVivo software.

Results
Statements or texts that included positions on AS were found on the websites of 11 institutions (19%). The results covered three main themes 1) demarcation: denial of involvement and judgment about AS, 2) duty: handling of requests and describing the target group of care recipients, and 3) explanation: experience, values, concerns, and demands.

Conclusion
The results of this study indicate that people in Austria who wish to have AS and who may use the internet as their first source of information largely find no relevant information. There is no online statement of a palliative care or hospice institution that endorses AS. Positions on AS are mostly lacking, while reluctant attitudes of Christian institutions are predominant.