bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the value of the STOP-BANG questionnaire with oxygen desaturation index in screening obstructive sleep apnea in Germany
Authors: Wang Yan , Fietze Ingo , Salanitro Matthew , Penzel Thomas 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Despite polysomnography being the gold standard method of diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it is time-consuming and has long waiting lists. Alternative methods including questionnaires and portable sleep devices have been developed to increase the speed of diagnosis. However, most questionnaires such as the STOP-BANG questionnaire (SBQ) are limited due to low specificity. This study evaluated the value of SBQ to screen for OSA and compared it with the oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and their combination.

Methods
This retrospective study included patients who completed the SBQ and underwent a night at the sleep lab or home sleep testing. The ODI was extracted from these sleep study reports. The combination of SBQ with ODI and their individual scores were compared with apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) in terms of their accuracy in diagnosing OSA. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) for different severities of OSA were calculated and compared.

Results
Among 132 patients, SBQ showed a sensitivity of 0.9 and a specificity of 0.3 to screen for OSA. As the severity of OSA increased, the sensitivity increased whilst specificity decreased for both measurements. ODI achieved an increased specificity of 0.8 and could correctly diagnose OSA 86% of the time which was better than SBQ’s 60%. For all severities of OSA, ODI alone displayed a larger AUC than SBQ and similar AUC to their combination.

Conclusion
ODI produced a higher specificity and AUC than SBQ. Furthermore, ODI combined with SBQ failed to increase diagnostic value. Therefore, ODI may be the preferred way to initially screen patients for OSA as an easy-to-use alternative compared to SBQ.
Physical Activity Among Older Women Living in Rural Areas in Canada: A Scoping Review
Authors: Irwin Pamela M. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractAlthough there is strong evidence linking physical activity in older age with wellbeing and health benefits, these relationships tend to be under-researched in a rural context. A scoping review was conducted to identify what is known about physical activity among older women living in rural Canada. The search strategy was intentionally broad, with eight databases, academic journals, and websites scanned for research and grey literature related to Canada, in English, from 2000 to 2022. 33 studies, reviews, and reports were included in the final selection. These articles indicate that physical activity among older women living in rural Canada is influenced by a multitude of layers, contexts, conditions, and environments, with outcomes dependent on a mixture of personal, relational, community, societal, and governmental factors. In general, the women are committed to creating and maintaining an active lifestyle, and supporting their local rural community to enable these activities. While the social environment can proscribe physical activity through ageist attitudes and restrictive socio-cultural norms, social support from family and community members mitigates against these constraints. Rural infrastructure, geography, climate (seasons and weather), as well as transportation and policy issues may also impede the physical activity opportunities of the women. Some of the problems related to sustaining and resourcing recreational activity in rural communities are partly addressed through the implications presented in the articles. Among others, these suggestions relate to leadership and learning opportunities, public engagement, and the partnership working involved in supporting physical activity in rural areas. However, further research is long overdue.
Specifying the hydrogeological parameters range for a groundwater flow model in El-Qaa Plain aquifer, Sinai, Egypt
Authors: Soliman Karim , Hafiz Mohamed G. , Amin Doaa , Bekhit Hesham M. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Hydrogeological parameters are very uncertain to specify in the groundwater flow models. Hence, it is important to specify a range for these parameters to be further utilized by the groundwater model users. In El-Qaa Plain, previous researchers have determined the hydrogeological parameters such as transmissivity, hydraulic conductivity, and mean annual recharge rate using geophysical methods, pumping tests, hydrological models, and groundwater flow models. However, they are also limited to specific locations and do not spatially distribute. In this paper, an effort has been accomplished to specify a specific range for the aquifer hydrogeological parameters using inverse groundwater modeling taking into account the spatial heterogeneity. These ranges could be taken into consideration during modeling groundwater flow. Hence, a finite-difference groundwater flow model has been applied using the ModFLOW model. Regularized pilot points method (RPPM) has been chosen as an inverse modeling technique to specify the accurate values of the aquifer parameters. Model-independent parameter estimation and uncertainty analysis (PEST) has been utilized to estimate the parameters. The results show that the geometric mean of the hydraulic conductivity in the study area ranges from proximity 1 to 2 m/day. Additionally, the geometric mean of the transmissivity ranges from nearly 200 to 500 m2/day. A relationship between the mean annual recharge rate and hydrogeological parameters has been determined. Besides, maps have been generated showing the spatial heterogeneity of the hydraulic conductivity. These maps could be further utilized by groundwater flow modelers to predict the potential of groundwater flow and pollution in the future.
How Does Mindfulness Affect Pro-environmental Behaviors? A Qualitative Analysis of the Mechanisms of Change in a Sample of Active Practitioners
Authors: Thiermann Ute B. , Sheate William R. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractObjectivesWhile there is theoretical and empirical evidence for a positive relationship between mindfulness and pro-environmental behaviors, so far research into mindfulness-based sustainability trainings with meditation novices yielded underwhelming results. At the same time, there is a lack of qualitative research into the mindfulness and sustainability nexus. The objective of this qualitative research was to study the potential mechanisms linking mindfulness practices and individual engagement in pro-environmental behaviors in a sample of meditators.MethodsThis research is based on a reflexive thematic analysis of 13 semi-structured interviews with active meditators, analyzed under a constructivist epistemology and experiential orientation to data interpretation.ResultsFive themes describe the mindfulness-induced behavior changes experienced by the interviewees: awakening of the mind (self-regulation), awakening of the heart (relational capacities), internalizing environmental motivation, eudaimonic well-being, and deepening mindfulness. A thematic map displays the multitude of factors mediating the process of change.ConclusionsThis study revealed that for those interviewed, the degree to which mindfulness practices can encourage pro-environmental behaviors depends on the level of individual commitment towards mindfulness as a lifestyle. Particularly, the integration of mindful living principles in form of the informal practice of mindfulness plays a key role to implement behavior change. Yet even though this research identified five positive factors for change, the specific context of the interviewee sample combined with general methodological drawbacks call for a careful interpretation of the results regarding its applicability to the general population. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the mindfulness-sustainability nexus and shows the potential of qualitative methods to research complex intra-individual change processes and long-term behavior change.
What Really Drives Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa? Evidence from the Lasso Regularization and Inferential Techniques
Authors: Ofori Isaac K. , Obeng Camara K. , Asongu Simplice A. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe question of what really drives economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has been debated for many decades now. However, there is still a lack of clarity on the variables crucial for driving growth as prior contributions have been executed at the backdrop of preferential selection of covariates in the midst of several potential drivers of economic growth. The main challenge with such contributions is that even tenuous variables may be deemed influential under some model specifications and assumptions. To address this and inform policy appropriately, we train algorithms for four machine learning regularization techniques— the Standard lasso,the Adaptive lasso,the minimum Schwarz Bayesian information criterion lasso, andthe ElasticNet—to study patterns in a dataset containing 113 covariates and identify the key variables affecting growth in SSA. We find that only 7 covariates are key for driving growth in SSA. The estimates of these variables are provided by running the lasso inferential techniques ofdouble-selection linear regression,partialing-out lasso linear regression, andpartialing-out lasso instrumental variable regression. Policy recommendations are also provided in line with the AfCFTA and the green growth agenda of the region.
Zum Verständnis von Gesundheit in der Arbeitswelt – ein Problemaufriss
Authors: Ertel Michael , Latza Ute , Schöllgen Ina , Rösler Ulrike , Schulz Inga Lisa , Kienast Camilla 
Published: October 2022

ZusammenfassungArbeitsbedingungen, die die Gesundheit und die Arbeitsfähigkeit erhalten und fördern, sind ein wesentliches Element der Prävention arbeitsbedingter Erkrankungen und ein entscheidender Faktor für die Sicherung der Teilhabe am Erwerbsleben. Die COVID-19-Pandemie und ihre weitreichenden Folgen, der beschleunigte Klimawandel und die Digitalisierung sind gewaltige Herausforderungen für die Gesundheit und den Gesundheitsschutz auch in der Arbeitswelt. Sie erfordern, über tagesaktuelle Betrachtungen hinaus, eine vertiefte Reflexion des fachlichen Verständnisses und des konzeptionellen Rahmens, die dem Begriff Gesundheit zugrunde liegen. Mit dieser Zielsetzung werden Denkanstöße für ein zeitgemäßes Verständnis von Gesundheit, zum Gesundheitsschutz in der Arbeitswelt – Prioritäten für den Schutzbedarf der Beschäftigten – und Anregungen zur diesbezüglichen Forschung zur Diskussion gestellt. Basierend auf den körperlichen, mentalen und sozialen Dimensionen von Gesundheit und deren vielfältigen Bezügen zur Arbeitswelt vermittelt der Beitrag innovative Impulse zur Entwicklung und Priorisierung von Fragestellungen für wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Schutz und zur Förderung von Gesundheit im Arbeitskontext und zur Bewertung der Aussagekraft und Qualität der Ergebnisse dieser Untersuchungen für einen modernen, präventiven Arbeits- und Gesundheitsschutz, der zur menschengerechten Gestaltung von Arbeit und damit auch zur Entlastung der sozialen Sicherungssysteme beiträgt. In Übereinstimmung mit der Public-Health-Strategie für Deutschland wird soziale Ungleichheit von Gesundheit als relevantes Strukturmerkmal hervorgehoben.
Recent Advances in Semiconductor Heterojunctions and Z-Schemes for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation
Authors: Schumacher Lion , Marschall Roland 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe formation of semiconductor heterojunctions and Z-schemes is still a very prominent and efficient strategy of materials chemists to extend the absorption range of semiconductor combinations. Moreover, the spatial separation of photoexcited charge carriers and thereby the reduction of their recombination ultimately lead to increased photocatalytic activities. The present article reviews recent trends in semiconductor heterojunctions and Z-schemes with a focus on hydrogen generation and water splitting, exhibiting specific needs for charge carrier separation. We also included recent material trends, i.e. 2D/2D combinations, direct Z-schemes, MOFs and COFs, and combinations with upconversion materials.
Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus present similar immunological response to COVID-19 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine to healthy subjects: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Paschou Stavroula A. , Karalis Vangelis , Psaltopoulou Theodora , Charitaki Ioanna , Sklirou Aimilia D. , Iconomidou Vassiliki A. , Vasileiou Vasiliki , Kassi Georgia N. , Vryonidou Andromachi , Kokkinos Alexander , Tentolouris Nicholas , Hatziaggelaki Erifili , Trougakos Ioannis P. , Terpos Evangelos , Dimopoulos Meletios Athanasios 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Aim

To compare the kinetics of neutralizing antibodies (NΑbs) against SARS-CoV-2 after vaccination with the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine (Comirnaty, Pfizer/BioNTech) between patients with T2DM and healthy controls.

Methods
NAb levels after the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine were compared between 50 patients with non-insulin treated T2DM and 50 age-, gender-, and BMI-matched healthy controls up to 3 months after the second dose. The median age of both groups was 70 years.

Results
On day 1, mean NAbs of the control and T2DM groups were 14.64% (standard error, SE = 2.30) and 14.04% (SE = 2.14), respectively (p value = 0.926). Three weeks later, the mean NAb values were 39.98% (SE = 3.53) in the control group and 40.97% (SE = 3.99) in participants with T2DM (p value = 0.698). One month after the second vaccination, mean NAb values increased to 87.13% (SE = 2.94) in the control group and 89.00% (SE = 2.18) in the T2DM group. Three months after the second vaccine dose, the mean inhibitory titers decreased to 83.49% (SE = 3.82) (control group) and 76.36% (SE = 3.33) (T2DM group). On all occasions, no significant difference was found between the two groups (all p values > 0.05).

Conclusions
Patients with T2DM present similar immunological response to COVID-19 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine to that of healthy subjects.
Practice of responsible research and innovation in the formulation and revision of ethical principles of molecular robotics in Japan
Authors: Komiya Ken , Shineha Ryuma , Kawahara Naoto 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe consideration of Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues (ELSI) is essential in technologically advanced countries to maximize benefits and minimize potential risks of emerging science and technologies (S&T). Currently, in scientific policy, discussions about ELSI have been conducted using the framework of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). This study examines a current and significant case study in Japan, Molecular Robotics (Molbot), to discuss and practice RRI in emerging science. In the case of Molbot, the research community spontaneously set out to create a framework of ethical principles in collaboration with social scientists. This was done by looking at previous similar cases and conducting workshops for the consideration of ELSI in future scenarios. This process of creating and accepting the ethical principles of Molecular Robotics by the community is significant for this field as it shows the appearance of scientific autonomy by Molbot researchers. Furthermore, this process can be regarded as the co-production of knowledge on ELSI and RRI at the early stage of research and development in an interdisciplinary research field and serve as the start of a blueprint for other emerging S&T seeking a favorable relationship with society.
On the Growth of Solutions of Higher Order Linear Homogeneous and Non-homogeneous Differential Equations
Authors: Wu Nan , Xuan Zuxing 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIn this paper, we discuss the growth of meromorphic solutions of some classes of homogeneous and nonhomogeneous differential equations. We will prove that if meromorphic functions $$F, A_j, D_j$$

F
,

A
j

,

D
j

and polynomials $$P_j$$

P
j

with degree $$n\ge 1$$

n
≥
1

$$(j=0,1,\cdots ,k-1)$$

(
j
=
0
,
1
,
⋯
,
k
-
1
)

satisfy some conditions, then the equation $$f^{(k)}+(A_{k-1}e^{P_{k-1}}+D_{k-1})f^{(k-1)}+\cdots +(A_1e^{P_1}+D_1)f'+(A_0e^{P_0}+D_0)f=F(z) (k\ge 2)$$

f

(
k
)

+

(

A

k
-
1

e

P

k
-
1

+

D

k
-
1

)

f

(
k
-
1
)

+
⋯
+

(

A
1

e

P
1

+

D
1

)

f
′

+

(

A
0

e

P
0

+

D
0

)

f
=
F

(
z
)

(
k
≥
2
)

when $$F\equiv 0$$

F
≡
0

, all solutions $$f\not \equiv 0$$

f
≢
0

have infinite order and hyper order $$\sigma _2(f)\ge n$$

σ
2

(
f
)

≥
n

. This is a continue work of [Gan and Sun in Adv. Math. 36(1), 51–60 (2007)] and [Chen and Xu in Electron. J. Qual. Theory Differ. Equ. 1: 1–13 (2009)]
Extracellular vesicle isolation, purification and evaluation in cancer diagnosis
Authors: Mortezaee Keywan , Majidpoor Jamal , Fathi Fardin 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Strategies for non-invasive biomarker discovery in early detection of cancer are an urgent need. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have generated increasing attention from the scientific community and are under intensive investigations due to their unique biological profiles and their non-invasive nature. EVs are membrane-enclosed vesicles with variable sizes and function. Such vesicles are actively secreted from multiple cell types and are considered as key vehicles for inter-cellular communications and signalling. The stability and potential to easily cross biological barriers enable EVs for exerting durable effects on target cells. These along with easy access to such vesicles, the consistent secretion from tumour during all stages of tumorigenesis and their content providing a reservoir of molecules as well as mirroring the identity of the cell of origin are virtues that have made EVs appealing to be assessed in liquid biopsy approaches and for using as a promising resource of biomarkers in cancer diagnosis and therapy and monitoring targeted cancer therapy. Early detection of EVs will guide time-scheduled personalised therapy. Surveying reliable and sensitive methods for rapid isolation of EVs from biofluids, the purity of isolated vesicles and their molecular profiling and marker specification for clinical translation in patients with cancer are issues in the area and the hot topics of many recent studies. Here, the focus is over methods for EV isolation and stratification for digging more information about liquid biopsy-based diagnosis. Extending knowledge regarding EV-based strategies is a key to validate independent patient follow-up for cancer diagnosis at early stages and inspecting the efficacy of therapeutics.
Tort Liability of Private Safety Auditors in Global Value Chains
Authors: Verbruggen Paul 
Published: October 2022

AbstractPrivate safety auditors are key constituents of modern risk governance in global value chains (GVCs). However, high-impact safety incidents causing extensive harm inside and outside the chain have cast widespread doubts as to the integrity and rigour with which these commercial auditors carry out their professional services. Civil liability has been considered an important legal instrument to incentivise auditors to improve audit accuracy and integrity. Relying on English law, this article assesses the extent to which this premise holds true for product safety and social auditing. To that end, it studies the liability exposure of private safety auditors for negligent auditing in GVCs. It is argued that this exposure is primarily a function of the contractual obligations these auditors undertake to perform for producers or suppliers in GVCs. This finding draws attention to the need to better understand and define the scope of the safety audits offered for risk management purposes within GVCs.
Bogoliubov theory in the Gross-Pitaevskii limit: a simplified approach
Authors: Hainzl Christian , Schlein Benjamin , Triay Arnaud 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
We show that Bogoliubov theory correctly predicts the low-energy spectral properties of Bose gases in the Gross-Pitaevskii regime. We recover recent results from [6, 7]. While our main strategy is similar to the one developed in [6, 7], we combine it with new ideas, taken in part from [15, 25]; this makes our proof substantially simpler and shorter. As an important step towards the proof of Bogoliubov theory, we show that low-energy states exhibit complete Bose-Einstein condensation with optimal control over the number of orthogonal excitations.
The application of nature-inspired optimization algorithms on the modern management: A systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis
Authors: Zhou Yi , Xia Weili , Dai Jiapeng 
Published: October 2022

AbstractWith the expanding adoption of technology and intelligent applications in every aspect of our life, energy, resource, data, and product management are all improving. So, modern management has recently surged to cope with modern societies. Numerous optimization approaches and algorithms are used to effectively optimize the literature while taking into account its many restrictions. With their dependability and superior solution quality for overcoming the numerous barriers to generation, distribution, integration, and management, nature-inspired meta-heuristic optimization algorithms have stood out among these methods. Hence, this article aims to review the application of nature-inspired optimization algorithms to modern management. Besides, the created clusters introduce the top authors in this field. The results showed that nature-inspired optimization algorithms contribute significantly to cost, resource, and energy efficiency. The genetic algorithm is also the most important and widely used method in the previous literature.
Illegal Housing in Medellín: Autoconstruction and the Materiality of Hope
Authors: Moore Adam , Eiró Flávio , Koster Martijn 
Published: October 2022

ABSTRACTDrawing on ethnographic research in El Oasis, a highly precarious self-built settlement in Medellín, Colombia, this article examines the illegal practice of autoconstruction as a material expression of hope. It focuses on the multilayered, symbolic meaning of self-built housing, as it represents the pursuit of dignity, permanence, and agency—as opposed to poverty, uncertainty, and lack of agency—and an active and material form of hoping for a better future in the city. The state plays an ambiguous role in residents’ perspectives, who conceive of it, simultaneously, as a threat to and a guarantor of their future in the city. This ambiguity becomes materialized in the physical form of residents’ self-built housing, as residents either embrace or refrain from making improvements to their houses in response to shifting perceptions about the state’s intentions regarding the future of the settlement.
Well-Defined Interventions and Causal Variable Choice
Authors: Dong Zili 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThere has been much debate among scientists and philosophers about what it means for (hypothetical) interventions invoked in causal inference to be “well-defined” and how considerations of this sort should constrain the choice of causal variables. In this article, I propose that an intervention is well-defined just in case the effect of interest is well-defined, and that the intervention can serve as a suitable means to identify that effect. Based on this proposal, I identify several types of ambiguous intervention. Implications for variable choice are discussed using case studies drawn from the sciences.